After a long 18 month closure, Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre (SDT) can confirm that their doors will again open to audiences on 7th September 2021. The opening show will be the world premiere of double Fringe First Award-winner John McCann’s play Wings Around Dundee. This will be the highlight of their autumn season of live and digital shows that are focused on celebrating the city’s community spirit while showing gratitude to the people of Dundee and wider Scotland for their support of Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre during the pandemic.
The season also includes critically acclaimed shows such as Antigone, Interrupted that will see SDT touring for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, and TuTuMucky, a hit from Botis Seva that blends hip hop, ballet and contemporary dance. The National Theatre of Scotland will return with the world premiere of The Enemy opening at The Rep. The season will climax with a new work, created in collaboration with Noisemaker, that results in a musical adaptation of that seasonal favourite A Christmas Carol. A Community Engagement programme includes Sinder / Every MapHas A Scale and a world-class dance and theatre offer for people of all ages.
Dundee Rep, in collaboration with Eden Court Highlands, presents a filmed reimagining of Islander, the award-winning two-hander folk theatre musical conceived and directed by Amy Draper with music and lyrics by Dundee-born writer and composer Finn Anderson and book by Stewart Melton.
Originally presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019, this new version of the show was filmed on Dundee Rep stage and on location and will premiere at a red-carpet event at Eden Court on 26 August, followed by cinema screenings at the venue between 27th August and 2nd September; also available on-demand from Rep Studios between 29th August and 8th September.
Both Dundee Rep and SDT have carried out careful and detailed planning in preparation for the re-opening to ensure their operations follow the Covid-19 Scottish Government guidance with the safety of audiences, artists and staff being the top priority.
Dundee Rep’s Artistic Director Andrew Panton said “What an amazing feeling to be welcoming audiences back into the Rep after such a long period. Our autumn season celebrates the work of our two ensembles with world premieres and new films capturing their collaborations over the past months in our communities. We also continue working with the most exciting freelance theatre, dance and music artists who have consistently innovated whilst our theatre has been closed. I’m thrilled that Rep Studios will continue alongside our in person work, so that anyone anywhere can continue to have access to the work of Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre.”
Scottish Dance Theatre Artistic Director Joan Clevillé said “Our autumn season reflects the wide range of dance experiences that Scottish Dance Theatre can offer, and our commitment as a resource for the development of artistic and civic communities. I am thrilled by the prospect of safely welcoming audiences back into theatre spaces, but I am equally excited by continuing our artistic journey into the digital medium, which has allowed us to connect with audiences all over the world.”
Full details of the programme will be available of the Dundee Rep website.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 