AN award-winning performance from theatre dance company Curious Seed will come to the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen for one night only on Friday, March 29 with And the Birds Did Sing.
They will then be joined by three specially selected local artists for a Staying On event immediately after the performance. Rapper, writer and producer Jack Hughes AKA Jackill, spoken word artist and writer Jo Gilbert, and dance artist Laura Booth will all take part in an informal celebration of local talent: poems, prose, music, and song.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Why? Free to subscribe, no paywall, daily business news digest.
Blending contemporary dance and storytelling, And the Birds Did Sing is an intimate solo dance theatre work, performed with an evocative soundtrack, poetic text and ethereal set design. Loosely structured around creator and performer Christine Devaney’s childhood memories, made in collaboration with musician Luke Sutherland and artist Yvonne Buskie, this work leads the audience on a poignant journey.
Personal in tone, And the Birds Did Sing speaks to universal human themes such as growing up, life and death, the passing of time and love. Holding a delicate balance between sadness and joy, this solo incorporates dance, spoken word, visuals, and music, with humour and tenderness.
Following the performance will be the Staying On session, co-curated by Aberdeen Performing Arts and Curious Seed’s Artistic Director, Christine Devaney. This is an invitation for audiences to stay on for an informal celebration of local talent: poems, prose, music, and song.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Director of Programming and Creative Projects, Ben Torrie, said: “We’re delighted to be joined by these talented local creatives for what promises to be a fantastic evening at the Lemon Tree. And the Birds Did Sing is a stunning, award-winning piece of dance theatre, and to follow it with a fantastic opportunity to support and showcase local talent, is really exciting.”
Jackill is a rapper, writer and producer from Aberdeen. He has been involved in the Scottish Hip-Hop scene for over ten years and released numerous projects in that time. Alongside being a musician he works in local communities delivering workshops to young people and adults with barriers to the arts.
Jo Gilbert is a spoken word artist and writer from Aberdeen. Their work features across radio, art, film, and festivals and is widely published in magazines and anthologies. Jo’s debut poetry collection ‘WTF is normal anyway?’ (Seahorse Publications, 2022) was nominated for a Scots Language Award in 2023.
Laura Booth is a dance artist based in Aberdeen. She works in communities and as a performer, bringing movement into people’s lives. She dances with people affected by cancer, refugees, people with additional support needs and anyone who’d like to dance. Laura dances to play, connect and find joy and share.
Tickets are on sale now, and advance booking is recommended, available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, phone (01224) 641122 or visit the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre or the Music Hall.
