Kirkintilloch’s Free Runners set to Jump to Skye

11 Apr 2008

A young group of 16-25 year old free runners from Kirkintilloch are set to be taking a unique arts performance to Skye later this year as part of the third National Theatre of Scotland’s Exchange festival 2008.

They form a new group called ‘Southbank Collective’ who are meeting regularly in Kirkintilloch to learn the basic techniques of theatre and performance. As part of the Exchange festival they will be teamed with The Isle of Skye Youth Theatre to share their ideas and experiences and create a show with the twist of combining their unique acrobatic skills.

Free running involves finding everyday objects and buildings in urban and rural areas to perform movements – tricks and flips – focused on freedom and beauty. It’s defined as a physical art form, but most of all involves having a lot of energy.

Southbank Collective has been formed as part of the ongoing work by Kirkintilloch Initiative’s (KI) on developing the new Arts & Cultural Centre, which will be host to a wide range of events and activities when it opens in 2010. KI Project Development Officer, Grant Williams, hopes to encourage more young people to take part in launch projects like this as the centre is being built. He said:

“Southbank Collective is the first of many exciting arts projects we hope to deliver over the next few years. The group’s been meeting since January and are enjoying putting their talents to use in a different environment.”

“And, there’s still time for other people to get involved. You don’t need to be an experienced free runner either as we’re looking for all kinds of budding energetic actors.”

The group meet weekly on a Monday night in Kirkintilloch and have been working on improvisation and drama skills that will help create the show, which will eventually tour to Inverness and perform in the Eden Court theatre as part of the Exchange festival in July.

Marcus Roche, Performance Director of Southbank Collective, explains:

"The project is a real challenge and great opportunity to work with the National Theatre of Scotland. It offers young people the chance to travel and work in Skye and then perform their collective work in front of a live audience in Inverness. This is a very exciting programme for all involved and is open to new members aged between 16-25 years."

To become a member of Southbank Collective young people must be aged 16-25, able to commit to weekly rehearsals and free to travel to Inverness on the 1-5 July July 2008. To arrange an audition phone Grant Williams on 0141 578 8308.