As 2018 gets into swing we’re working on three new projects – one for July, one for October/November, and one for January 2019. The latter will take place in the Hadapsar slum in Pune, India (above) and is part of a larger research project with De Montfort University, more news of which we will post soon. At the moment we’ve had one visit to the site, as well as having met up with Swatantra Theatre with whom we are co-producing the work. In March we’ll be spending a week working with Swatantra as we look to begin developing a script for a full scale show on the site with those who live there, and a smaller touring version using Swatantra’s performers.

Right now we’re looking for people who may want to get involved in Three Doors Down, a project in Aspley; or The Rutlanders Return, in Oakham.

Three Doors Down is a project in and around Minver Crescent in Aspley where we are working with local residents to create a performance that looks at the history of the estate, and the lives of those who live there now. The final performance will include food, film, music and theatre and we are looking for people who would like to help us:

• plan and run a series of performative street interventions
• perform stories (with musical accompaniment) in people’s houses (with each host ‘paying’ for the performance by inviting a neighbour that they do not know to come into their house to see the show)
• be a part of the final performance as an actor or musician

The Rutlanders Return is a touring community play for Rutland that will examine the impact of World War One on the social fabric of the county. It will be an indoor show, with a cast of around twenty to thirty and a small band. Rehearsals will take place in the evenings and over weekends from August onwards before a short tour of five venues around Rutland in late October and early November. We’re also looking for people to join our research team and will be working with the museum service to organise a series of trips to archives and museums.

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities, or would like to know any more about the projects, then please contact andy@excavate.org.uk