Firefly’s Summer Showcase takes place on Monday 25th June at Howden Park Centre.  Join us for a feast of film and performance that features:

COMMEDIA DI CARNEVALE

A riot of comedy and physical theatre performed by members of the Firefly Collective. Based on the Italian Commedia dell’Arte tradition and directed by Caitlin Skinner and Ellie Stewart. Click onto Productions for more information.
FIREFLY 731

Recent  short  films from our budding film directors. Featuring local stories, urban myth, mystery and suspense.
BEASTLY TAILS

Using physical theatre with integrated British Sigh Language, Firefly’s Production Company present devised work based on 4 inter-linked world folktales. Directed by Eleanor Morrison, Beastly Tails has been selected for production at the National Festival of Youth Theatre in July. Click onto Productions for more information.

Firefly’s Summer Showcase starts at 7.30pm on Monday 25th June

Howden Park Centre
Tickets £5 (£3)
Call 08447 744496
Email: admin@firefly-arts.co.uk

We are delighted to announce the imminent arrival of 2 exciting new Firefly productions for June 2012:

George Orwell’s ANIMAL FARM

Howden Park Centre

Friday 15th June: 7.30pm

Saturday 16th June: 2.30 & 7.30pm

Sunday 17th June: 2.30pm

26 young people from Livingston, Bathgate, and surrounding areas recreate Orwell’s allegorical tale of revolution, greed and corruption. This stunningly visual and highly physical production is fully BSL signed by the cast.

Directed by Eleanor Morrison

THROUGH THE WIRE by Catherine Johnson

Howden Park Centre

Friday 22nd June: 7.30pm

Saturday 23rd June: 2.30 & 7.30pm

A contemporary portrayal of longing and curtailment in a young offender’s institution.  This spirited, challenging and uncompromising production involves 22 young people from Linlithgow’s Company LA.

Directed by Laura Stephen and Kirsty Byers

• Both productions are suitable for young people from S1 up.

• Tickets £8 (£5). Call 08447 744496, or email admin@firefly-arts.co.uk

And there’s more! Watch this space for news of Firefly Collective’s production of Commedia Di Carnevale and Firefly Production Company’s  Beastly Tails, devised  for the National Festival of Youth Theatre in July.

Keep a close eye on Firefly’s theatre and performance work by clicking onto the Productions tab at the top of this page.

Firefly are offering a range of fun and fearsome activity throughout the summer holiday period. Check out our full programme by clicking onto What’s On and Coming Soon. These projects have limited places – so book early to avoid disappointment.

For more information and to book your place call 08447 744496 or email admin@firefly-arts.co.uk.

Congratulations to all participants who worked with such enthusiasm on the February holiday project at Howden Park.  In just 5 days, 11 participants created, negotiated and rehearsed their devised piece, The Box. The young cast completed the week by performing to family and friends in the Firefly Studio. Confident, engaging and skilled performances were professionally lit by Firefly’s trainee lighting technicians, Laura, Amy  Anna. Our thanks to all who came to see it,  Malcolm and our trainee tecs, Len McCaffer for filming, Maebh for making the beautiful trees for the set and Dylan for designing the programme (see below). Our thanks also to LUSH Livingston for  donating raffle prizes.

A DVD  of the The Box is available for £4 from the Firefly office.

Contact admin@firefly-arts.co.uk or call 08447 744496.

FOR NEWS ON FIREFLY’S EASTER AND SUMMER ACTIVITY CLICK ONTO THE 

WHAT’S ON/COMING SOON TAB AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.

Last week’s trip to Abi Morgan’s Lovesong at the Citizen’s Theatre scored a significant hit to the tear-ducts. A great night out, a good weep and lots to ponder on. Read on for Anna and Aaron’s critical reviews….

Lovesong (Abi Morgan). Citizen’s Theatre. Friday 10th February.

Anyone who witnessed the quiet, teary group of teenagers in the lobby of the Citizens Theatre would understand without explanation our reaction to Abi Morgan’s ‘Lovesong’. The reasons for this reaction are simple. The mix of a story that seemed heartbreakingly real, blended with surreal and poignant choreography, which contained elements that were nothing short of magic. Leaving even the six-foot sci-fi geeks among us admitting to having shed a few tears.

The story is simple in linear plot terms, but the story of an old couple (Sam Cox, Sian Phillips) coming to the end of their relationship after many years is intertwined with the story of the start of their time as a couple (Edward Bennett, Leanne Rowe). All of this is set in the one location of their house which soon becomes as familiar as your own living room, despite bizarre sights such as a woman walking into a wardrobe and the younger version of herself walking out. This sort of thing happens often as one scene with the older couple merges and flows effortlessly into one with their youthful counterparts.

The emotional responses to the story itself ranged from quiet appreciation to floods of tears which lasted long after the performance had ended. But the beautiful movement sequences, surreal yet also somehow a natural part of the fabric of the story, were unanimously praised . Some I have spoken to have told me about feeling powerful emotions before they can even identify why, suddenly changing from laughter (which was frequently heard) to tears. This is the best way I can find to describe ‘Lovesong’. It is the most poignant love story I’ve seen in a long time, haunting in a way that can only be known by seeing it for yourself.

Anna Smeaton

I would recommend Lovesong to others, and though it is sad, it is a very good show to see. I loved it and I’m sure others will too.
Aaron Herschell

A New Year and a new Spring Programme (find the full programme on the ‘What’s On’ page). Main changes include the combining of Linlithgow Intermediates and Seniors into Company LA (lining up to compete with Company B in Bathgate?) and a revision of age groups for Explorers and Juniors (Explorers now P1 to P3 and Juniors P4 to P7). New Firefly projects for 2012 include:

TIME TO SHINE.  ARMADALE DRAMA WORKSHOPS

Weekly drama sessions for P4 to P7’s on Wednesdays, from 4pm to 5pm, at Armadale Youth Space, 18a West Main Street.

FUSE

Film and drama project for young people, aged 14+, with additional support needs, on Fridays 5pm to 7pm at the Regal Community Theatre in Bathgate.

731 BATHGATE NIGHTS

An exciting new film and performance project for young people aged 15+ who live in and around Bathgate, Whitburn and Armadale.

For more information on these and any of Firefly’s other projects call 08447 744496

or email admin@firefly-arts.co.uk.

Firefly sent 2011 packing with a fair stream of events and productions. Firefly Production Company applied their innovative blend of British Sign Language and physical theatre into a production of The Fiend, which played to a packed house at the Edinburgh Story-telling Centre on November 5th.  The piece was filmed on the day by the BBC and featured on BBC 2’s See Hear programme on Wednesday 30^th November.

Some of Firefly’s senior and intermediate performers also played a key role at this year’s Guid Scratch event. Organised by Ellie Stewart and Philip Kingscott, this event brought together a vibrant mix of new writing, music and performance. Guid Scratch raised much-needed funds, offered a great night out and a fantastic opportunity to showcase West Lothian talent. Thanks to everyone who supported this event.

In December Firefly’s Winter Festival offered 3 performances of devised work by senior and intermediate performers from Livingston, Bathgate and Linlithgow. The 45 young people involved provided some astonishing performances and each performance was sold out. Congratulations to everyone involved. In particular to Eleanor and Kirsty who directed the work and co-ordinated the complex production logistics.

We planned to conclude 2011 with all workshop groups giving a brief presentation to families and friends. Unfortunately the hurricane on December 8^th prevented Linlithgow’s Explorer group from brandishing their pirate skills. Commiserations to them and congratulations for great presentations from Livingston Explorers, Livingston Juniors, Linlithgow Juniors and Linlithgow Intermediates.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Some new pictures for you. To see more, check out our Flickr page