Theatre-Rites announce incredible cast for premiere of THE GLOBAL PLAYGROUND
Photo credit: Chris Nash
The Global Playground by Theatre-Rites will perform at Manchester International Festival between 2-18 July 2021, and today they have announced their cast for their return to the stage.
The acclaimed children’s theatre company, who celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, have assembled a diverse cast of international collaborators. The cast is comprised of acclaimed dancers Jahmarley Bachelor (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, ZooNation), Annie Edwards (A Kate Prince Company; ZooNation), Kennedy Junior Muntanga (Phoenix Dance Theatre; Chotto Xenos) and Charmene Pang (Iceland Dance Company). They are joined by puppeteer and actor Sean Garratt (A Christmas Carol) and renowned percussionist Merlin Jones (Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Opera North).
The Global Playground will mix dance, music, theatre and puppetry to follow a group of dancers who meet to make a film with their nervous and chaotic director, which develops into a wonderfully weird experience when the camera takes on a life of its own. It will show that during lockdown human relationships have changed due to digital connections and we find out if the camera is our friend, playmate or something else.
This is a child-friendly performance and explores the magic around first encounters in a way which will engage and delight family audiences. It will be directed by Sue Buckmaster, with choreography from acclaimed South African dancer Gregory Magoma.
Director Sue Buckmaster said: “As Theatre-Rites turns 25 I have been reflecting on the importance of the connections we have developed with artists and our audiences, how it is our responsibility to nurture and empower both. As a company we have always been driven by the child's needs and we know that young people’s futures will be a fluid experience of online and real adventures. The Global Playground, with its exceptional cast, is our gift to our audience of young people and to their carers; a chance to reflect on how they can be fully present, wherever they are and however they are connecting. A truly fitting way to celebrate our exciting return to Manchester International Festival and to live theatre.”
The production will be staged in Deansgate, Manchester which is easily accessible from train and tram stations.
To mark their 25th anniversary, Theatre-Rites will be publishing a book celebrating the company and the incredible artists they have worked with, and this will be published on 29 July.