AFRONAUTS
Lusaka World Premiere
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'Afronauts' is a cosmic clash of circus, theatre, music, hip hop dance and space exploration.
In the 1960’s, with the space race in full swing, the quest for interplanetary exploration between the Earth’s superpowers gained a new contender…. Zambia.
The plan was to use an aluminium rocket, and send a girl, two cats and a missionary to the moon. A moving tale of hope, audacity and how to sustain your dreams when the world may laugh at you.
Afronauts is based on true events which happening just as Zambia became independent. The creative team are passionate to tell how this story symbolises the hope, aspiration and humanity so central to Zambia’s independence and how that same story of Zambian values continues to inspire the future hopes and dreams of a country and its people.
Written and Directed by Gift Chansa and Adam McGuigan
Design: Richard Chombu
Sound Design: Luke Thomas
Choreography: Jophael Banda
Escape from Fort Lagoon
Mildenhall, Barrow-in-Furness
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‘Think the Crystal Maze, meets Squid Games in Jurassic Park… with Swimming’.
Escape from Fort Lagoon is a live action, immersive theatre game where players become prisoners and you must work together to try and escape the Lagoon...Before the runaways become the refreshments.
Escape from Fort Lagoon imagines a world where water sources have tipped over the PH level safe for human consumption. Water is now a coveted resource fiercely guarded by the few and (as humans are 60% water)...supplied by the many…THAT’S YOU!
This is a water based adventure so you will need your swimming gear and a towel!
When water companies are pumping the UK rivers with sewage, Escape From Fort Lagoon asks who owns the water, how does it connect to our humanity and what would happen if we lose it?
'Escape from Fort Lagoon' is Arts Council England funded and co-commissioned by Marketplace and Barrowfull Creative People and Places programmes, with support from Frank and Cindy Franklin.
Creative Producer: Jude Jagger
Writer/ Director: Adam McGuigan
Co-creators: Izzie Major, Dora Colquhoun
Sound/ Music: Luke Thomas
Choir Music Creation: Beth Allen
Design: Toni Childs
Production/ Stage Manager: Jodie Jasmine Hicks
FLOOD
Theatre Témoin - national tour
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FLOOD is a new, interactive outdoor spectacle, highlighting the health of the world’s ocean through the eyes of Britain’s coastal communities.
Utilising circus, music and acrobatics, FLOOD takes you on an epic adventure to understand how our coastline and communities have become ‘seasick’. Standing under your own personalised sound umbrella, FLOOD will take you far beyond your front door and into the eye of the storm.
Flood is an outdoor water show bringing a conversation with the ocean directly to your high street. Watch out for the splash.
FLOOD was developed at 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space, Out There Arts (Great Yarmouth) and Wild Rumpus, supported by Without Walls, SeaChange Arts, 1 Degree East.
FLOOD is a carbon-neutral show.
Written and Directed: Adam McGuigan
Musical Direction and Creation: Luke Thomas
Performers: Sam Perez Duran, Joel Hatfield, Ciaran O' Brien
Sound Design: Luke Thomas
Design: Abby Clarke
Additional Design: Mia Harris
Production Management: Jodie Jasmine Hicks
Water Consultant: Bill Palmer
Movement Direction: Gavin Vincent (early Movement by Elinor Randal)
BSL Interpreter: Amy Astley
Stage Management: Holly Glenn, Fay Franklyn, Liam Cunningham
In Our Own Words
UK Houses of Parliament, Jackson's Lane, Whittington NHS Trust, Camden& Islington NHS Trust
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“What I got out of it was reflecting on what happened, letting go of what happened and moving on to what’s coming”
Whittington Staff member
Over the past 4 years Wake The Beast artists have interviewed a total of 250+ Whittington Health Trust NHS/Care Home staff to capture their experiences throughout the pandemic. Working hand in hand with the Clinical Health Psychology Team, 7 unique pieces of new writing were creating and toured to over 1000+ NHS staff across multiple NHS trust sites throughout three national lockdowns (June 20, Nov 20, June 21, July 21, Nov 21, Nov 22). The journey from ‘Health Heroes’ to ‘Striking Villains’ throughout this period has been captured and documented using the words of zero hours contractors cleaning Covid wards to Senior Consultants and all the bands in between.
Starting just weeks after lockdown 1, our first play was raw, painful, and humbling. For 8 weeks we interviewed over 40 NHS staff (porters, cleaners, ICU nurses, doctors). The team put together a 25-minute performance and rehearsed in wards at the hospital. Staff were emotional but grateful; having artists engage with them validated their experiences and performing their words back to them allowed staff a chance to reflect on what they had experienced with the psychology team.
Over the next 3 years we created 7 pieces of work, 10 short films across 3 NHS Trusts supporting over 1000 NHS and Social Care staff with psychological support using theatre. In April 2023 we performed for MP's in the UK Houses of Parliament advocating for staff wellbeing and support.
Written and Directed: Adam McGuigan
Co-curated and co-created: Kemi Coker
Psychologists: Dr Sue Gibbons & Dr Njinga Kankinza
Production Stage Manager: Jodie Jasmine Hicks
Theatre performed by Kemi Coker, Adam McGuigan, Cassandra Hercules, Sibusiso Mamba, Akshay Sharan, Henrietta Fusi, Rakhee Sharma, Lola May & Tunji Lucas
Additional content written by Tonderai Munyebvu
Additional content Directed by Sibusiso Mamba
Music and audio: Luke Thomas
Co-produced: Sophie Branscombe
The Biggest Show In The Country
Wake The Beast (UK/Ireland) tour
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The Biggest Show In The Country is an irreverent, satirical, side splitting exploration of the ‘*North of Ireland’s’ current political landscape- YES REALLY!
It’s 2021, Happy Birthday ‘*Northern Ireland’ - but why are Britain and the Republic absent from the party?
When an unexpected oil discovery in John and Pat’s garden suddenly
changes the fortunes of Ulster & its people, is the world ready for the
emergence of a new global economic superpower?
And what will Mary, Pat, John and Micheal do with their newfound millions?
And what does Stephen Nolan have to do with any of this?
A rollicking fast force of storytelling with unforgettable ‘appearances’ from Arlene Foster, Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson.
Writer: Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Performers: Caitriona Cunningham, Ailsinn Harley-Baxter, Cameron McKendrick, Adam McGuigan
Sound and Music Design: Luke Thomas
The Bathkeeper's Secret
Wake The Beast/ Submersion Productions
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Welcome to the future.
Its 2070, well beyond the tipping point where the earth's water sources have tipped over the PH level into a dangerous level. Most of the world's aquatic life have been destroyed. The oceans, rivers and lakes are no longer able to be used for drinking water and have become toxic for humans to touch. Rain proves a daily danger but humans have adapted to use special protective technology to enable life to continue.
The government have seized on people's fear to enforce an 'Emergency State'. Technology has been created to allow for humans to keep hydrated through a pill. Pills have side effects and rationed by the government and pending compliance in this Emergency State you and your family are given a weekly allowance.
Yet rumours emerge about a secret source of water hidden somewhere in our location which could hold the answers to help save the world... but not everyone wants you to find it. Stay under the radar, work together to survive and prepare for immersion... The Bathkeepers are watching.
Creative Producer: Jude Jagger
Writer: Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Design Lead: Abby Clarke
Musical Direction Lead: Luke Thomas
Choir leader: Beth Allen
Deviser/ Performers: Izzie Major, Paula Simms, Angela Heenan, Luke Grant.
EMPYRE
Wake The Beast/ Barefeet Theatre/ Circus Zambia- TOUR
Once upon a time an Emperor rules the land. The Emperor had an elaborate wardrobe and a luxurious lifestyle meanwhile his people suffered.
Sensing change on the horizon he manufactures a crisis. At all costs he must keep his crown. When the ‘crisis’ goes viral, millions descend upon the land to help. When ‘reality’ descends into nightmare- the Emperor tries to overcome what was, in reality, an illusion.
Confused?
What is real? What is manufactured? Who remembers? Does it matter?
When an army of revolting subjects are uncovered who will wear the crown and who will be ‘exposed’?
You are officially invited to attend court where Wake The Beast with Circus Zambia and Barefeet Theatre combine forces for an Empirical evening, which needs to be seen with your own eyes.
A magical, majestic and muddled adventure with circus, daredevil acrobatics and original music.
Writer: Devised with company
Director: Gift Chansa and Adam McGuigan
Design Lead: Richard Chombu
Musical Direction Lead: Nzinziswa Charity Nogavu
THE LAST UTOPIAN
Hope Street Ltd LIVERPOOL
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Set in a time when Liverpool had become an increasingly militarised, paranoid and isolated society, an underground resistance movement was already taking place and anybody who wanted to survive and give the future of humanity a chance for freedom had no choice but to join it. Who would become The Last Utopian? All would become clear, in time.
Upon registration you will enter a dystopian world on a secret mission. City-wide science fiction immersive live action game.
Writer: Devised with company
Director: Adam McGuigan
Design Lead: Olivia du Monceau
Musical Direction Lead: Luke Moore
FLOAT
NEW YORK THEATER, UNICEF NYC, IRELAND, UK, ZIMBABWE TOUR
Down in the depths of the Zambezi River an ancient spirit stirs. This watery adventure was a fusion of comedy, song, dance and acrobatics. Inspired by Frederick Durenmatts’ ‘The Visit’ and the folklore surrounding the building of the Kariba Damn. The piece toured festival and venues in New York, London, Dublin, Manchester and many more before having its Zambian premiere at the Barefeet Festival.
Writer: Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Designer: Richard Chombu
Choreography: Barefeet Theatre
US tour Coordinator: Brooke Ciardelli
CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?
BAREFEET THEATRE, ZAMBIA
Reimaging of Barefeet Theatre’s first production to celebrate their 10-year anniversary. In an election year in Zambia (2006), ‘street children’ became a political hot potato. When there were various views/opinions or ‘solutions’, the children themselves were mute. The original workshopping process was with 500 of the young people with experience of living on the streets of Zambia. The play cast 24 performers in this production infusing people’s stories/thoughts/dreams and giving participants a platform to be heard. Performed at the National Theatre as part of the Barefeet festival EVELAT10N. Nominated for 2 National Ngoma Awards.
Writer: Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Designer: Richard Chombu
Choreography: Barefeet Theatre
THE IMITATION GAMES
CONTACT THEATRE, MANCHESTER- CHINA/ DENMARK
Sixty young theatre-makers from Belgium, Hong Kong, Denmark, Portugal and the UK collaborated to create a new performance in three parts, exploring themes of Artificial Intelligence, communication and translation. Inspired by the Manchester Art Gallery exhibition, The Imitation Game, the performance brought together a diverse range of languages and experiences of migration and arrival.
Co Directors:
Matt Fenton
Stacy Makishi
Piece devised with the company.
THE BOY WHO LOST LAUGHTER
UK/Ireland/ South Africa/Zimbabwe/Zambia/ Malawi/DR Congo/ Nigeria/ Ethiopia/ Kenya/Rwanda/Egypt
In January 2006 I started performing a one-man street theatre show in South Africa. Over the next 8 months I toured this 40 minute visual, interactive, animation piece through townships, rural villages, city streets or orphanages in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia. The plan was to travel throughout the world for 2 years with the show. The piece had no words and relied on universal body language, aesthetics, sound and audience contribution to deliver the narrative. I didn’t know that Zambia would end up being part of my life for the next 9 years. The show was redeveloped and toured Nigeria, Congo DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia and Egypt. The show has also been performed in Ireland and the UK and will next visit South America in 2020.
Writer: Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan (originally Directed by Alan Richardson)
Designer: Richard Chombu
RACE AGAINST TIME
HOPE STREET LTD- LIVERPOOL
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Large scale outdoor alternate reality chase game through unusual locations across Liverpool. Inspired by Hitchcock’s suspense films and film noir classics. Over 70 artists on the creative team.
Writer: Devised with the company
Director: Adam McGuigan
Designer: Olivia du Monceau
Choreography: Alice Lapworth
Film and Digital content: Draw and Code
Musical Direction: Luke Thomas
MATILDA
BAREFEET THEATRE, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel devised and written with an ensemble of 25 actors. Live original music, movement and spectacle. Christmas adventure in Lusaka performed with and for children living on or previously on the streets.
Writer: Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Designer: Richard Chombu
Choreography: Adnab Jay
MISS MATHEMATICS
UNHCR/ UNICEF/ PESTILOZZI - REFUGEE CAMPS ZAMBIA
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‘Miss Mathematics’ tells the story of six young children who grow up in a troubled country in Central Africa. The culmination of a years work ‘Boxed’ with UNHCR, UNICEF and children from refugee backgrounds, both in the camps and transit centres in Zambia, Miss Mathematics helps to tell their stories and assist in breaking down the stigma prevalent in the country. Performed by the children as an opening of the Barefeet ‘One Drum Many Beats’ Festival 2015 with Pestilozzi Children’s Village. The piece is set to the rhythm, dance and spectacle of Michael Jackson’s music, in a moving, beautiful and life affirming adventure.
Writer: Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Assistant Directors: Mercy Kalumbwa, Chembe Mwansa, Felix Chali
Designer: Richard Chombu
Musical Director: Mr Azalaza
Choreography: Adnab Jay and Namaala Liebenthal
BAREFEET XMAS SHOWS
various locations
From 2006 – present Barefeet Theatre delivered a variety of Christmas themed adventures for young people in Zambia. Children in the Barefeet network became the most proficient theatre goers in Zambia. Barefeet were proud to present a dynamic Christmas spectacle which allowed the young people a chance to watch their peers/ faciltators on stage, celebrate Christmas and laugh/ be moved. From Edward Scissorhands: The Story of Snow (dir: Adam McGuigan)- to the Chief of Chombombobombo (dir: Paula Simms), The Never-ending Story (dir: Brooke Ciardelli) to Labyrinth (dir: Montse Gili)- the shows have always been irreverent, celebratory and timely.
DEADLINE
HOPE STREET LTD, LIVERPOOL
Direction and Coordination of an interactive outdoor adventure live action game across the city of Liverpool. Inspired by the artworks in the Liverpool Biennial 2012. Direction of 25 cross discipline artists in the creation of a 6 hour action adventure throughout some of the Biennial exhibition sites (including TATE, FACT and the Bluecoat). Over 50 performers on a day long alternate reality spectacle.
Writer: Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Film and Digital Content: Tristan Brady- Jacobs
Designer: Olivia du Monceau
THE FOREST BALL
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Spectacular Lake side adventure. Immersive experience inspired by the life of Kenyan Environmentalist, Wangari Mathai. Circus, puppetry and live action performance taking audiences on a promenade journey through forest, waterside and culminating in the burning of a 12ft scrap metal Baobab Tree.
TUJUKA MUST DIE
TOUR- USA, UK, POLAND, IRELAND, ZIMBABWE
Devised piece in collaboration with The Other Side of The Mirror (Gdansk, Poland), through an 8 month creative exchange programme for Contacting the World, international theatre festival. Exploring boundaries, the desire to be elsewhere, material desire vs spiritual quest.
Writers: Tobias Tembo & Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Designer: Richard Chombu
THE SORDID SHANTY OF SILKBEARD AND THE SYNCHRONISED SWIMMERS
The Albert Docks- Hope Street Ltd- Liverpool
Devised street theatre Spectacle at Liverpool’s Historic Albert Dock. Pirate Musical, spectacle with synchronised swimming in the Docks.
Writers: Laura Cockett and Adam McGuigan
Director: Adam McGuigan
Musical Director: Andy Frizell
Designer: Veronica Kelly
Movement Director: Sarah Black