A PIONEERING year-long theatre project involving members Aberystwyth-based Heartsong community choir and the general public starts next Tuesday, March 1.
The choir has been meeting once a week for 12 years at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Every Tuesday evening during term time, until February 2012, audiences of 12 will be given an ipod and earphones, and sent to walk the streets of Aberystwyth following choir members on their journeys.
They will see and hear the stories of Heartsong choir members along their journeys presenting 12 different stories from real locals that lead them in different paths through the town’s narrow streets and famous seafront until they are finally reunited in a wonderful celebration of the power of choral singing.
The project entitled “Outdoors” is the 11th production in the National Theatre Wales launch year and involves the multi-award-winning German reality theatre company Rimini Protokoll in its first ever UK commission.
Rimini Protokoll is the label of the works of Helgard Haug, Stefan Kaegi and Daniel Wetzel who produce theatre pieces, radio shows and work in the urban environment in a diverse variety of collaborative partnerships.
Using research, auditions and conceptual processes, allowing what they call ‘experts’ to find their unique voice.
Latest productions include “Call Cutta in a Box”, a one-to-one telephone performance that takes place live from a call centre in India; and “100% Berlin”, a living arrangement of statistics for 100 citizens on a revolving stage.
Heartsong Choir has more than 30 members, their repertoire is entirely a cappella and includes three part Georgian folk harmony; American Shape Note songs; chants and canons from Taize in France, Africa, Eastern Europe and the UK; contemporary, modal harmony settings; Welsh and English folk songs and carols; and even the occasional 60s pop song. The songs mostly come from oral tradition, although the choir also occasionally sing some new material.
“Outdoors” happens every Tuesday during term time starting at 7.45pm. The minimum recommended age is 16, tickets cost £12 or £10 concessions and booking is essential because because of the restricted numbers.
Book with the Arts Centre box office on 01970 623232. The starting point each week will be given when booking. It is an all-weather show, so wear suitable clothing and footwear for walking and changeable weather conditions.
An Outdoors trailer can be viewed on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XysOIPgqJkY&feature=player_embedded#at=16
Performance dates can be found and booking online at http://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/whatson/theatre/info/10506/