Spotlites announce that four of their programmed shows at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival have been longlisted for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award 2015.
The Freedom of Expression Award is given to an outstanding play at the Edinburgh Festival carrying a human rights message. Every year Amnesty International honours theatre productions of excellent artistic merit which also build understanding and raise awareness about human rights. Entries are reviewed by Amnesty Ambassadors and a panel of professional theatre critics to shortlist.
The longlist includes:
By the Bi (24-28 August), by Blazing Change Players utilities a cohesion of modern dance, movement and spoken word. The show directed by Caroline Downs unravels how society's isolation of bisexual culture creates harmful and hurtful stereotypes of bisexuality that include confusion, greediness and promiscuity. By the Bi is an open platform that discusses not only the oppression of the bisexual community, but celebrates the beauty and individuality of its members. It is not only a show, but a proactive step forward in the movement for social equality. Blazing Change are a non-profit educational theatre company with a mission to create original, challenging, and dynamic dramatic works, which function as a platform for open dialogue about issues of social inequality within modern society.
I Am (23 – 31 August), LCP Dance Theatre are an award-winning professional dance company from London that draws awareness to human rights violations through dance. Choreographed by Artistic Director Joanna Puchala.I Am explores the sensual and spiritual journey of recovery of a trafficked victim. LCP aim is to bring awareness of inequality and violation of human rights around the world through the performing arts.
Bedsocks and Secrets (23 – 31 August) Dealing with the gritty, controversial subjects of dementia and care of the elderly, Bedsocks and Secrets explores the changing relationship between mother and son as her symptoms worsen and his feelings of guilt and isolation spiral. Dealing with real and current issues the play is a hard hitting and thought provoking journey through care of others. Red Diamond Theatre is run by Alison Stanley and Tracey Cadman who work extensively with the elderly and those with dementia.
The Star Rover (6-22 August), On the eve of his hanging, a death row convict sits alone with his memories. Despite years of relentless straitjacket torture, he remains defiant. Spurred by wild visions of past lives and the certainty that after it all something new awaits. Celebrating 100 years since the publication of Jack London's searing novel, this new stage adaptation by Shedload Theatre directed by David Green., with live music and physical theatre, salutes the incredible resilience and spirit of society's outcasts.
Plenty of time to catch these laudable shows.