Time Passes. Listen. is a Dylan Thomas-inspired storytelling and immersive theatre project based in the old Woolworth’s building on Sheffield’s Moor. The project will begin at the end of September with community story collection in the shop front. The shop will be open until Sunday 12th October and is open to all - we aim to collect as many stories and dreams as possible from people of all ages and walks of life. The shop space will act as an audio and visual exhibition area which will be created by a designer and mural artist to ensure the space is safe, creative and interactive.
We will then craft collected stories into a multi-media immersive theatre piece, which will be performed in November throughout the derelict warren of back rooms behind the shop front to audiences.
The Bare Project is a Sheffield based theatre company interested in new writing, cultural value, community engagement and immersive theatre. Our first production took place in 2012 and since then we have been busy: creating immersive theatre parties, full length immersive theatre performances and taking a show to the Fringe.
We have devised an original and accessible theatrical form in Sheffield, influenced by the Bauhaus movement, in which we bring together pieces of new writing, live music, visual art workshops and interactive installation to create a ‘theatre party’. Last summer, we received critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a new piece of magic realism, which sold out numerous times. Our projects continue to grow in size, ingenuity and ambition and require further support from experiential theatre lovers and the people of Sheffield.
Under Milk Wood is one of Dylan Thomas’ greatest works. A hundred years after his death, we will revive the spirit of this work by collecting and celebrating stories from Sheffield’s streets.
Time Passes. Listen. is a Dylan Thomas-inspired storytelling and immersive theatre project based in an iconic building in Sheffield over two months this autumn. This project will begin with collecting stories from local people. These stories will help to form a growing art exhibition in the shop. We will then craft collected stories into a multi-media immersive theatre piece, which will be performed in November throughout the derelict warren of back rooms behind the shop front to audiences. Time Passes. Listen. will reach out beyond regular arts demographics by positioning ourselves outside traditional artistic spaces and by placing their own stories centre stage to give local people artistic ownership.
Throughout October we hope to gather ghost stories, family folklore, dreams, place-based memories and tales of moments when time stood still and much more from Sheffieldians. Everyone and anyone is welcome to enjoy a free cup of tea, share a story and help us to build upon an interactive visual and audio exhibition which will be housed in the shop. So, come down and join us if you can!
The Old Woolworths shop will be open Thursday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm from 26th September to 12th October 2014. We have already gathered over 150 stories from residents of Sheffield and have engaged with approx. 300 people, many of whom have admitted to rarely engaging with the arts. We hope to meet, talk to and work with many more community members over the course of the next two months to create a piece of theatre which chimes with the residents, stories and history of Sheffield.
We are lucky to have received funding from Arts Council England and O2 Think Bigger funds to support this ambitious project. However, we still have a shortfall to fundraise and would like to offer members of the community and experiential theatre lovers an opportunity to help us reach our target, in return for some fun rewards!
On Bear in the Snow (Dec 2012):
"As temperatures plummet in Sheffield, this timely offering from The Bare Project is innovative, interactive fun" - Steve Grigg, Sheffield Star
"An inspiring production. I hope to see more from this theatre company" - Platform Theatre Festival
On Stainless (Dec 2012):
"…this was storytelling as I’ve never seen before" – Audience member
"I’ve never experienced an evening such like this before; it allowed everyone to shake off the rust, let loose and embrace the make believe" – Art in the Park
• £5+ Our eternal thank you email and a personal hello/cuppa at our shop front during our story collection period
• £10+ Our eternal thank you email and a personal hello/cuppa at our shop front during our story collection period and a special mention on our website
• £30+ Our eternal thank you letter, a personal hello/cuppa at our shop front during our story collection period, a special mention on our website as well as links to your website / business and a special mention in our programme
• £50+ our eternal thank you letter, a personal hello/cuppa at our shop front during our story collection period, 2 guaranteed spaces to one of our workshops during October (free, limited spaces for public) as well as 2 free tickets to a performance of Time Passes. Listen. in November
• £100+ Our eternal thank you letter, a personal hello/cuppa at our shop front during our story collection period, 2 guaranteed spaces to one of our workshops during October (free, limited spaces for public) as well as 4 free tickets to a performance of Time Passes. Listen. in November
• £200+ Our eternal thank you letter, a personal hello/cuppa at our shop front during our story collection period, 2 free tickets to our 'Who killed Dylan Thomas' murder mystery evening, and 4 tickets to a performance of Time Passes. Listen. in November
• £500+ Our eternal thank you letter, 2 free tickets to our 'Who killed Dylan Thomas' murder mystery evening, and 4 tickets to a performance of Time Passes. Listen. in November as well as a 1 hour bespoke session for friends or colleagues (of up to 15 people) in either creative writing or illustration
Where can I find out more about The Bare Project?
Visit our website: www.thebareproject.me
How can I contact The Bare Project?
Email us at [email protected] or call Malaika, The Bare Project Artistic Director on 07715 504 711