FOR P3 - P7 PUPILS
March - May 2022
Family Portrait
Video installation in hall and outdoor workshop.
Family Portrait is an award-winning interactive video installation, combining striking imagery and choreography. Surrounded by four screens you and your class will be able to see Barrowland Ballet’s Artistic Director Natasha Gilmore and her three children in an intimate portrayal of family life. With space to roam, her children encounter rabbit skulls, converse with spiders, make war paint with berries and discover the fun of burying their mother in bark. With humour and candour, the work shares an honest depiction of what family really is - responsibility, joy, balance, intimacy and, most of all, love. Filmed in the splendour of Scotland’s natural environment, Family Portrait is a celebration of getting out into nature, and invites you into a journey of family relationships with all its relentless and glorious chaos! There is a playfulness in the way the piece is edited across the four screens and, seated in between the screens, pupils have the chance to do their own edit as they watch, to follow what they find interesting and what captures their attention. A post-show workshop explores elements of nature and gives time and space for the class to explore and re-enact moments from the work. Film is captioned. The workshop can be adapted to the needs of each audience. BSL available on request at no charge. ‘‘Shown on four screens arranged in a circle, the footage flickers between the screens so that, at points, the audience can chase the children as they zip, skip and flit across the Scottish landscape. Created by Natasha Gilmore (who appears in the film with her children Otis, Inigo and Frieda) and Robbie Synge, the work manages to be sincerely moving but never twee or cloyingly sentimental – an impressive achievement when it comes to making art about childhood. It is as pure a picture of joy and love as they come’. - The Stage ***** Audience size: 3 classes Running Time: 35 minutes Workshop: 40 minutes Cost: £300 + VAT per day ABOUT THE COMPANYBarrowland Ballet is one of Scotland’s most exciting and successful contemporary dance companies and is based in the East End of Glasgow.
The company name reflects its unique mix of popular culture and high art. Its name, taken from Glasgow’s famous Ballroom, also shares its belief that dance is for everybody. The company repertoire is built around the artistic work of choreographer, Natasha Gilmore. The work is inspired by her personal experiences and its challenging themes are delivered with wit and humour. The insightful observations of human behaviour and relationships enable audiences to identify with the stories in a multitude of ways, as they resonate with their own experiences. Recent productions include Wolves, Little Red, Whiteout, Tiger, Tiger Tale and Poggle. Their work has toured nationally and internationally in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Australasia. Participatory projects include intergenerational performances Wolves and The River (Commonwealth Festival 2014) and Bunty & Doris. The company recently launched Wolf Pack, a free intergenerational company in Glasgow for participants aged 7 to 90 years old. INFORMATION FOR TEACHERSAll productions will be accompanied by resources to help teachers prepare further activity and link to classroom plans.
MORE INFORMATIONcurriculum for excellence
Expressive Arts Drama I can respond to the experience of drama by discussing my thoughts and feelings. I can give and accept constructive comment on my own and others’ work. EXA 0-15a / EXA 1-15a / EXA 2-15a / EXA 3-15a I can analyse technical aspects of drama and scripts, make informed judgments and express considered opinions on my own and others’ work. EXA 4-15a Health and Well Being I am aware of how friendships are formed and that likes, dislikes, special qualities and needs can influence relationships. HWB 0-44a / HWB 1-44a |
Presented by Barrowland Ballet
Creative Team: Co-created and co-directed by Natasha Gilmore Co-created and co-directed by Robbie Synge Choreography: Natasha Gilmore, Aya Kobayashi, Robbie Synge Music and Sound Design: Davey Anderson Cinematography: Elga Dudareva, George Cameron Geddes, Monika Smekot, Robbie Synge Designer: Emily James Text: Otis Bazie Gilmore Photo credits: Natasha Gilmore, Robbie Synge |