Community Tour
The community tour involved adapting the play for three community centres and one school. The aim of was to raise the profile of, and offer an alternative perspective on, asylum to Glasgow communities in unconventional theatre settings, as well as doing so by offering them a challenging theatrical experience. It was important to reach an audience that ranged between people who were geographically and/or socially removed from the issues to those who are affected by it on a daily basis. For these reasons we worked closely with existing groups in each area including Glasgow City Council’s Community Action Team and Glasgow’s many Integration Networks in order to prepare and facilitate the events. At each event the performance was followed by an open-forum discussion. As part of the project we also offered a workshop to young people from each area that explored the themes in the play.
The discussion
This part of the project was designed to allow the audience to respond to what they have seen in various ways such as sharing their own experiences, offering a critical view of the play and the issues it explores, and debating and discussing current and future ways in which people can engage with the issues further. Using an open space format the discussions were facilitated by a member of our company but their direction and outcome are determined by the participants. No one voice was prioritised; we encouraged everyone to be heard, responded to and respected. This became a space where information was shared, prevailing myths were challenged and people engaged in debate; exploring their own opinions and feelings.
The workshop
The petrified paradise drama workshop was offered to young people in each area. It focused upon the concepts and themes of the show; allowing the young people to creatively explore feelings of isolation, imprisonment and freedom. It too, like the discussion, also became a place where debates took place and information was shared.
