Hope Street Ltd presents On The Verge Festival

On The Verge Festival is an exciting and dynamic festival, dedicated to supporting provocative new work in unusual places and spaces across the city of Liverpool from 19th to 22nd October 2017.

 During On the Verge, you could experience work in unexpected spaces, such as a shop window, sports hall, library, museum, historic building, a bar, a house and even aboard a bus. 

And that’s not all...On the Verge not only showcases new work, it’s a 9 month professional development programme during which the artists/companies have access to a bespoke package of support to realise their work before, during and after the festival. This makes it a unique festival in the UK and a unique opportunity for artists to start their careers and even their own companies.

 The mentorship was really tailored, it was a really helpful process and really personal and something that we really needed! - Sarah Eastaff, OTV 2015

Watch the highlights from On The Verge 2015:

Hope Street is the festival’s producer, responsible for the overall programming and mentoring of the companies. We are a Liverpool-based organisation with almost 30 years of experience developing artists, artforms and arts in the community. Providing professional development for emerging artists and theatre companies, Hope Street is a hub through which much of the creative sector in the North West has gained skills, connections and employment.

www.hope-street.org

On the Verge 2017 performances will be:

• ‘96/27’ by Rachael Mutch, a visceral and visual piece using real life documented words from a survivor of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster
• ‘Are You Still With Us?’ by Gentastics, a humorous dance duet challenging conformity
• ‘I See You’ by Sabrina Richmond, one woman’s quest to be seen as human
• ‘A-Void: Breakdown’ by Mooncup Theatre, taking place on a bus and inspired by the propaganda during the EU referendum
• ‘Liverpool Unearthed’ by Bespectacled Theatre, a ‘horror experience’ held in a historic Liverpool building
• ‘Under My Skirt’ by Jennifer McMillan, a tea party held under the performer’s skirt
• ‘Pour and Serve’ by Caitlin Gleeson, a solo performance for five audience members seated at a bar
• ‘Karaoke Tales’ by Steffi Sweeney, the newest comedy to come out of Huyton set in a real karaoke bar

On The Verge is the only festival in Liverpool dedicated to the promotion of emerging theatre makers, supporting them to find the ways and means to develop their work, not only via mentoring from Hope Street, but also encouraging peer to peer learning.

 It’s great having the support, not just from Hope Street but from all the other artists, and having their feedback. It made me feel like we were a collective of artists coming together – Beth Sproston OTV 2015

 In its 3rd edition, On the Verge creates a platform for sharing, networking, discussion and provocation, intending to promote work and help artists reach new audiences and develop new collaborations.

It was a great experience and put us in a professional position during the festival and has enabled us to evidence professional work for applications since – Tamsin Cook OTV 2013

The process of mentoring and producing of the new shows that will be presented in the festival has already started. Hope Street has been closely working with the artists since May to present, to the public, nine original performances between 19th and 22nd October. 

Why we need your support:

Hope Street is a charity and we rely on public funding to deliver our exceptional programmes for free, but in these times of austerity we have a funding shortfall. This is where you come in… We need to raise £5,000 to make this year’s festival a success and we have some fantastic rewards for those who help us raise the funds. 

Our rewards include a quirky surprise from each of the 9 companies that will be participating in the festival. Look for GRACIAS in the rewards section!

Your pledge will ensure we can:

• Provide food and drink for the emerging artists and volunteers
• Print a high quality festival programme and posters
• Provide free rehearsal space for the artists and companies
• Support the companies to secure the desired venues and provide technical support (lights and sound)
• Provide a contribution towards production costs
• Pay our team of committed stage managers
• Expand our marketing to reach a wider audience across the City Region and the rest of the UK
• Provide transport and accommodation for guest speakers in our panel events and for our volunteers and artists
• Keep the price of the tickets as low as possible, including tickets for THE MATCH.

Hold on... what is THE MATCH?

For the first time, On the Verge will bring a professional company to Liverpool as part of its programme. Barcelona-based Vero Cendoya dance company will present the UK premiere of the award-winning THE MATCH (LA  PARTIDA). Performed on a football pitch, this is a show of dance and football where 5 dancers, 5 football players and a referee are gathered together in a peculiar game with its own rules. 

If you’re passionate about supporting artists, theatre and emerging talent....

PLEASE PLEDGE NOW!