On Thursday 26 November, a group of academics from Newcastle University will return to Stage 3 at Northern Stage for the third time to perform new theatre based on their current research as academic research meets actors, theatre makers and writers. After the show, the academics and artists will invite the audience to share their thoughts in a post-show discussion.
This time around, the show will explore three pieces of research:
- an investigation into the #thisgirlcan fitness campaign;
- how and why the government has worked out that Britain is 7.2 out of 10 happy;
- a look at how our eyes and ears work together by delving into the depths of our brains.
Matt Jenkins, one of the researchers, explained why he got involved in the project, “I do research because I want to improve our understanding of the world. You can do that by spreading knowledge out to more people. We don't get enough opportunities to do this, so I was really glad to have the chance.”
Brad McCormick, who has directed the performance, is always amazed by the variety and content of academics’ work.
“Every researcher I meet,” he said, “always seems to be doing the most fascinating work. I’m always hugely intrigued by their research and how I can create new theatre with them and share this with audiences.”
Over a period of eight weeks, researchers attend workshops run by local theatre company Cap-a-Pie, who, alongside associate theatre makers Rebecca Louise Collins and Josh Coates, will work with the academics to create, write, direct, rehearse and perform these new pieces of theatre.
The performance is part of Performing Research, a collaboration between Newcastle University and Cap-a-Pie. The project is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England as well as funding from Newcastle University.