Powered by the first energy-harvesting dance floor in live theatre, multi-award-winning company Pigfoot launches its new show, Hot in Here.
The show features action taking place internationally against climate injustice, and the UK’s part in it. And just like the collective action needed to tackle the climate emergency, the unique, interactive dance floor converts the collective energy of the performers into electricity!
Weaving together dance, real-life stories, spoken word and music into a dance party, this remarkable world first is at Keswick's Theatre By The Lake Studio (September 29-October 1). Marking the Great Big Green Week (September 24-October 2) the TBTL opener is the first stop on a national tour that takes in York Theatre Royal (October 8), Slung Low in Leeds (October 28) and Contact Manchester (November 1-3)
Oxford-based, carbon-neutral, award-winning Pigfoot developed the show from conversations with climate activists across the world – particularly young people taking action in the south and nearest the Equator.
The performances will also be pretty relaxed affairs: audience members will be free to wander in and out, move round and make noise, eat and drink and even use phones (though for torch or magnification features rather than calling friends). The team is even offering even more relaxed performances - see venue websites. Also in the TBTL new Studio season is Cumbrian theatre maker and actress Lekhani Chirwa’s play, Can I Touch Your Hair? (September 23-24), which charts her experiences of growing-up in Cumbria of mixed race – not just her hair struggles, but being different. She is a volunteer for Anti Racist Cumbria, which works with local people of all backgrounds in achieving an anti-racist county.
She said: "Since joining Anti Racist Cumbria I’ve reconnected to the county. I have met so many amazing people who want to challenge racism in the area."
To celebrate Black History Month, TBTL is staging Forgotten Voices (October 7), telling the real-life story of Eva Moorhead Kadalie, the wife of Clements Kadalie, South Africa’s first national black trade union leader, who as a couple fought for freedom and paved the way for Mandela.
The play's author is Eva's grandson, David Moorhead, who explained: “My grandmother was glamorous and warm-hearted, but beneath her surface was a complex person whose struggles were immense.
"Her political contribution, in terms of support and sacrifice, was huge, but has been completely ignored, which is so often the fate of women, especially those of colour. I felt it was time to celebrate her story.
"She was a woman who refused to give up. I'm proud to be her grandson.”
More info and tickets here