Our 2019 Highlights
So here we are again, approaching lights down on another year. Well done everyone. It hasn’t been an easy one. We’ve been doggedly hanging on to the joy and power that comes from the many moments of togetherness, reflection and resistance that artists and audiences across the country have created.
Thanks for being there with us.
Here are some highlights from MAYK’s year...
Heads Up Festival
Now Is The Time To Say Nothing
Now Is The Time To Say Nothing by Caroline Williams and Reem Karssli has toured the country, from Peterborough to Kendal and in between, and this special piece of work has moved audiences wherever it has landed. We are so proud to have been a part of this journey and look forward to all that follows with it. Have a read of Caroline’s brilliant blog piece here reflecting on the show in Darlington.
Watershed Winter Residencies
Following our open call for Watershed and MAYK’s Winter Residencies programme, in October we announced three artists who we will support to develop works exploring technology and climate breakdown. From experimental robotic sculptures, duetting with a humpback whale and building a Martian house, these projects will focus on the local effects of the climate crisis, the ocean and our demand for gas and oil, and sustainable energy. Work begins in January, and will share their progress via blogs, studio talks, and more. Read more about the artists and their plans here.
Freedom Festival Arts Trust & Tom Arran
SESSION
The electrifying SESSION, by Still House, Steppaz and Empire Sounds, has also been out and about doing its rare thing from Brighton to Poole, Bristol to the National Theatre. SESSION has taught us so much about collaboration- about ambition and care. And it’s irrepressible, triumphant spirit has been something of a beacon for us all this year.
We Are F*cked
In November we took Jo Bannon’s We Are F*cked and Exposure to No Limits Festival in Berlin, performing to sold out audiences over the first weekend of the festival. The show was part of a ridiculously good programme of work by disabled artists from all over the world. We Are F*cked will tour to the Lowry in April 2020.
And alongside this we have been delighted to welcome Bebhinn, our new General Manager to the team (she’s brilliant), and to have been cooking up some delicious Mayfest things for you which we will tell you about next year.
In the meantime.
Go gently into the Christmas spell.
With love from all us at MAYK
We thought we’d leave you with some cultural experiences that have stayed with us this year.
Matthew
My 2019 highlight was the explosive When It Breaks It Burns at the brilliant Transform Festival in Leeds. A wild, political, urgent explosion of youth power from the Brazilian company ColetivA, who were part of the 2015 occupation of São Paolo’s high schools. I came out fizzing with excitement.
Bébhinn
Earlier in the year I caught Mark Jenkin’s Bait at the Cube, and it resonated with me for days. The textured film (apparently processed in his bath) flickered on and looked entirely old; though as the story unravelled it revealed itself as entirely new. Cut into a thrilling (and sometimes hilarious) montage I was delighted to see it on the large screen, feeling buoyed by the gasps and chuckles of my neighbours. Technically brilliant, with important themes - I thought the film had everything.
Kate
It’s Saturday evening and a sprawling group of us are gathered to experience a brand new dance piece co-created with a brilliant group of humans connected through Addaction – a group offering support and treatment to people affected by alcohol and drug addiction, produced by Terrestrial. We are in the empty shopping centre in the heart of Weston Super Mare, it’s thrilling to be here – feels a bit illicit, but also deeply welcoming.
In an empty shop a little way in to the precinct something special begins to unfold. A bright light like being in the middle of a bulb. A pulsing beat like an adrenalized heart, and then the dancing begins. It’s raw, real, a ritual of abandon. My son who is six is with me, the intensity of it is overwhelming for him – and I panic – because what am I doing bringing a child into this adult world.
And so we move back outside into the main bit. And dance our own dance to the soundtrack of just next door. Just there. When we see people coming out after the show its clear something important has happened. And I feel lucky to have been there. Almost. And to have let go.
Rachel
It sounds like an exaggeration to say but I have never seen a piece of theatre that made me feel as strongly as the incredible I'm a Phoenix, Bitch, by Bryony Kimmings at the Edinburgh Fringe. I was utterly stunned. Phoenix was undoubtedly my cultural highlight of the year, and I can't wait for my second viewing at Mayfest (even if I will cry in front of everyone).
…and to next year
It’s a Mayfest year! From 6th–24th May, Bristol will once again be taken over by ridiculously talented artists from across the UK and beyond. Four shows are already on sale. We've also released a limited amount of Festival Passes and Gift Vouchers, a perfect ethical gift to fit nicely under your tree.