Endurance
BY CATRIN EVANS AND THE WOMEN’S CREATIVE COMPANY
“We've been searching,
We’ve been at it for months and months
Not quite sure how it started or where it will end
Searching for stories about her
Whoever she might be…”
Endurance was a striking theatre production that invited audiences to embark on a journey of discovery, one that imagined and recreated the historical and personal stories of Commonwealth sportswomen from across the world.
Created and performed by over twenty women living in Glasgow, Endurance considered the changing role of women in competitive sport, examining what it takes to be the best and why ‘what' you represent matters.
This piece was presented for the first time during Festival 2014 as a co-production with The Arches, and was developed under the Artistic Direction of Catrin Evans with Jennifer Edgar and The Women’s Creative Company.
CREATIVE TEAM
Text and Direction: Catrin Evans
Movement Director (Devising & Development): Jen Edgar
Movement Director (Production): Janice Parker
Assistant Director: Claire Willoughby
Composition and Sound Design: Scott Tynholm
Stage Design and Costume: Claire Halleran
Lighting Design: Simon Wilkinson
AV Design: Marta Markova & Brian Matheson
Digital / Exhibition Artist: Alex Horowitz
Creative Producer: Lucy Gaizely
Sign Language Interpreter: Natalie MacDonald
PERFORMANCES
Endurance was performed alongside a whole host of exciting work as part of The Arches Culture 2014 programme between 24th- 27th July as an official Festival 2014 event.
The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme was a national celebration which showcased dance, theatre, music, visual arts, comedy, and much more in the run-up to and after the Commonwealth Games, with Festival 2014 transforming the Host City at Games time. The Cultural Programme was a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life, and Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding.
FUNDED AND SUPPORTED BY:
“Endurance stands out for the sheer strength of its raw and heartfelt commitment to its subject... the energy, poise, passion and occasional anger of the women is unforgettable and deeply impressive”.
★★★ The Scotsman
“powerful and excellent performance”.
Audience Member
“We are all different ages, backgrounds and personalities but this play has bonded us…”
Performer
“I loved it! I feel so inspired. It transported me through time and space. It was such a tight performance and script”.
Audience Member
“Recordings, projections and film footage bring some of those resolute contenders who made weightlifting, shot putting, shooting and the pentathlon into 'feminine' sports into the Endurance mix of spoken text and movement. The sheer force of conviction that powers through the ensemble show of humour, respect, regret and simmering outrage are a reminder of equality-races still to be run and won”.
★★★ The Herald
“You might ask what does a fat, disabled wheelchair user possibly have in common with a strong female athlete but we both have had a mountain to climb and to smash restrictions others put on us. We both push hard to achieve. I saw the show as my challenge”.
Performer
