September Creative Hub
Published September 3, 2024
Welcome to your monthly update on all things creative in Exeter.
In our September edition we hear from North Devon based theatre company Kook Ensemble, explore the connection to Dartmoor in the Alluvial Matters project, and hear about Pattern Pushers favourite Exeter memories. Plus lots more!
The North Devon based Kook Ensemble brings together a team of world class theatre makers to create original and playful stories. In September they are bringing Filibuster to Exeter Phoenix, a funny and sometimes downright absurd story of fantasy, hope and love inspired by the silent movie comedy giants like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Ahead of their show we asked the team what they enjoy most about performing across the South West!
“After shows there is always a sense of community and the conversations we have are often the best part of the night. To be able to meet with your audience beforehand makes the show much more fun for us and far more personalised for the crowd watching. It is why whenever I make work I try to start it back home and exactly the reason why we have based Kook Ensemble firmly in North Devon.”
Alluvial Matters is a collaborative project by Sarah Blissett and Kerry Priest, exploring a series of performance rituals which respond to histories of tin mining on Dartmoor. Ahead of their upcoming installation in Gallery333, we asked Sarah and Kerry about their creative processes and connections to Dartmoor.
“Our process started when we began walking together in the Teign Valley and talking about etymological connections between ‘Teign’ and ‘Tin’. We went on some more walks around Dartmoor near the river and then up to some stone circles and eventually to some Alluvial Matters former tin mines. We started to trace these connections between what we felt spoke to us and there was almost an urge to create something remedial that would counter some of the signs of destruction we witnessed.”
Our annual short film commissions are well underway, and as the artists are busy shooting and editing their works, we asked South West Short Film Commissioned artist Lydia Jenkins for an update on her piece, Fishwife.
“It was a really fun and productive shoot, and now we are working to cast the Sea Monster and record the dialogue, shoot the puppet intercut scenes and extra B-roll!”
Fresh from a National headline tour, local legends Pattern Pusher will be bringing the party spirit to our birthday Bonanza! with their catchy retro-pop tunes. Ahead of the evening, we asked Pattern Pusher what their favourite memories of Exeter Phoenix were, and what they enjoy most about the South West music scene.
"The great thing about the SouthWest scene is that when something good is on you know about it. Everyone spreads their excitement if they think you should go and see something, so there are always opportunities to see something new and interesting and it's rare to feel like you have missed out."
Opportunities and Callouts
Making Space: Artist Residencies (Nov & Dec 2024) | Deadline: Tue 24 Sep
Two artist residency opportunities in Paignton town centre in November & December 2024. We have two themed artist residencies available: ‘Light Source’ and ‘People Need People’.
Apply here
( https://www.wide-open.uk/opportunities/making-space-artist-residencies-kdd9p )
Green Phoenix Performance Commission | Deadline: Mon 16 Sep
To celebrate Exeter’s Phoenix’s 25th birthday we are offering a £1000 commission to early-career performance makers based in the South West (solo artist or theatre company) to make new work with an environment focus. The commissioned performance will premiere at the Green Phoenix Festival on Sunday 6th July 2025; a day of creativity and action to inspire a sustainable future. The performance can either take place indoors at Exeter Phoenix or outdoors in Rougemont Gardens.
Apply here
(https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/creative-opportunities/)
Events
DOCLAB – September Development Lab | Wed 11 Sep, 7pm - 9pm | Exeter Phoenix
Little Scratch Night | Wed 25 Sep, 5.30pm – 7.30pm | Exeter Phoenix
Studio KIND. x VASW: Connection, Community, Hope | 27 Sep, 10am - 4.30pm | Studio KIND., Barnstaple | Free
Phoenix Archive Project workshops | 06 Sep - 30 Sep