Exeter Northcott Update: The Time is Now: Artists Announced – Five projects to connect local communities through creativity

As soon as Exeter Northcott closed its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the theatre began exploring ways they could support local artists and inspire audiences with creative activity. In addition to a package of support for the Northcott Associate Artists and ongoing digital mentorship to its Early Career Artists and Producers, the Northcott put out an open call, The Time Is Now, to any artist in the South West. 

Artists across the region were invited to submit ideas for one of five £1000 commissions. The only requirements were that projects would need to be in a format people could enjoy remotely and that they should consider current challenges about this particular moment in time. 

The open call received an excellent response and the five artists have now been selected: 

Burn the Curtain, a ‘hands on’ site specific theatre company in the South West- where audience and performers travel together, work together, and build the performance together 0 will create an interactive Exeter-based online-game; 

Photo by Theo Moye 29/05/15 Burn the Curtain present Company of Wolves at Longleat.

Jump Fall Fly create positive social change through circus, theatre arts, creativity and coaching psychology. They will create a short film about circus.

Physical ensemble Scratchworks Theatre Company will create a podcast with rural communities called Stories from the Sticks’; 

Thomas Johnson, a composer and musical director, will make a collaborative online choral anthem entitled When This is All Over; 

Undivided Attention, led by disabled artist Hugh Maylon, will make a digital installation called Hanging Around. 

Helen Bovey, Exeter’s Northcott’s Producer of New Work and Talent Development said: 

“It’s been a joy to read the applications for The Time is Now commissions. Although asking theatre makers to create something digital is quite a different ask, the breadth of responses has shown just how adaptable and creative our community here in the South West is. We hope there is something for everyone to engage with- from watching outdoor circus, to joining in with a virtual choir, we hope you will enjoy the work on offer and join us in experiencing the creativity of tour local artists.” 

The Exeter Northcott team will support the artists to develop their commissions over the coming months and audiences can expect opportunities to watch and even participate as the projects unfold. Updates will be shared online at www.exeternorthcott.co.uk and via the Northcott’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds. #TheTimeisNow