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People Powered Performance
THE ALLOTMENT PROJECT - Lead Image 3 LQ L - Alisa Boanta.jpeg

The Allotment Project

ON TOUR

ON TOUR

Documentary meets dance to celebrate allotments and the communities around them.

THE ALLOTMENT PROJECT is a new piece of Documentary Dance Theatre by Casson & Friends, that celebrates allotments and the communities around them!

With interviews from allotment owners & community gardeners of all ages, intercut & combined with compelling movement, THE ALLOTMENT PROJECT is a unique performance that reveals our relationship to the land, nature and each other.

A heartwarming duet that is gentle, human and humorous, the performance connects audiences with the joy of growing plants, food, and relationships across all four seasons.


credits

  • Choreographed by Tim Casson in collaboration with the performers

  • Performed by Lucy Starkey & Bethany Edwards

  • Original Score by Paul Rogerson

  • Co-Created with Allotmenteers & Community Gardeners in Chatham, Corby, Wellingborough, Kettering and Peterborough

  • Commissioned by Applause Rural Touring, Creative Estuary and Made With Many

  • Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England

  • Created with additional support from Peterborough Presents, 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space, Live & Local, Restoke, Westraven Community Garden, Arches Local, Green Patch, Ladywell Allotments, & Wellingborough Eco Group

  • Production Manager Samuel Parker

  • Production Assistant Helen Dawson

  • Special thanks to Sally Lampitt, Ryan Stafford, Leo Kay and Naziha Arebi

  • Age recommendations

    • half-plot version is suitable for all

    • full-plot version is suitable for ages 10+

tour dates

half-plot version (20 minutes) & full-plot version (60 minutes)

2024
(click the links for more details & ticket information)

2023

  • 6th May - LODSWORTH - Rural Tour with Applause (half-plot)

  • 7th May - SELLINDGE - Rural Tour with Applause (half-plot)

  • 29th June - SHREWSBURY - National Rural Touring Forum Conference with Applause (half-plot)

  • 1st July - CORBY - Family Arts Festival (half-plot)

  • 2nd July - CHATHAM - Thank You Day with Applause (half-plot)

  • 27th July - LONDON - Crossrail Roof Gardens (half-plot)

  • 26th & 27th August - LEICESTER - Re/action Festival (half-plot)

  • 14th October - IPSTONES - Ipstones Memorial Hall with Live & Local (full-plot)

  • 20th October - CHATHAM - Luton Invicta Club with Applause (full-plot)

  • 21st October - YAXLEY - Yaxley Apple Day with Applause (half-plot)


Programming Information

THE ALLOTMENT PROJECT is presented in the round, and has a flexible, self-sufficent technical setup; making the work ideal for touring to a range of theatre spaces, and for presentation in rural settings, off-site, and in unusual locations - including on allotments. The show can be presented outdoors and is COVID-Safe - adaptable to follow evolving government guidelines.

The performance is available as a 20 minute 'half-plot' extract performance suitable for outdoor performance, or a 60 minute 'full-plot' performance suitable for indoor/outdoor/off-site/rural presentation.

We can also offer a Q&A and a ‘Grow Your Own Dance’ workshop alongside the performances.

more in this context

Image Credit: Alisa Boanta - Performers: Bethany Edwards & Lucy Starkey

trailer (Full-length version)

trailer (20 minute version + ‘grow your own dance’ workshop)

Film: Alisa Boanta / Performers: Lucy Starkey & Bethany Edwards / Music: Paul Rogerson

What audiences say…

“Unique and touching. It really portrayed the essence of why allotments are so special in words and dance.”

“Spectacular movement and great words inspired by actual allotment holders”

“I had a really nice time, it was like a cup of tea and a hug”

“Thoughtful, gentle & funny… I loved it!”

“An oral history told through physical theatre. The dancing felt like language”

“The eye contact, the conversation, I am not simply an audience member - but a participant”

promotional images

Promotional images taken on the Great South Allotment, Kent

Credit: Alisa Boanta

production images

Production images from indoor preview performance at Fenton Town Hall in Stoke On Trent in Autumn 2023

Credit: Jenny Harper