Tightrope will be an exciting artistic event, based on award-winning author Gillian Cross’ book of the same name.
Tightrope follows the fortunes of Ashley: a young heroine, a child carer, a devoted daughter, and an incredible artistic talent. Performed by actors, aerialists and digital animators Tightrope is an exciting new theatre event that will engage with and speak directly to young people. A collaboration of theatre, circus, grafitti, digital art, dance and music Tightrope explores themes of fractured communities, life on the streets and identity.
In the dark, windy, littered streets Ash is invisible, anonymous, a kid in a hoodie ducking into doorways and disappearing from sight. So far, so what?
Tightrope has been specially adapted by playwright Anna Reynolds. Led by Billy Alwen from Cirque Bijou it will have a cast of six professional performers and ten emerging young performers from an urban community who will be trained in circus and dance.
Tightrope will be brought to life through a series of street murals digitally animated, and developed by one of Britain’s leading street artists, Dora, working with a local community to express the daily challenges of their lives, depicting a narrative of recession, hope and aspiration. It will appeal to anybody aged 12 +.
At the heart of this project is the partnership between Cirque Bijou and THEATRE IS…
The professional production of Tightrope will take place in Spring 2011 on the following dates: York Theatre Royal May 9th -15th, Port of Tilbury May 16th-20th and for a two week run May 24th-June 4th 2011 at the Unicorn Theatre.
If you are interested in helping to shape this project we would love to hear from you.