How can we reconcile with the fact that it is our very cleverness, our human-ness, our drive to create, to build, to connect, to expand, to reproduce, to make art that will, eventually, destroy us?
ABOUT
The last bad haircut.
The last pepper grinder.
The last vocal warmup.
Extinction Song explores the human experience of our planet’s sixth extinction event through a kaleidoscopic collision of original music, song, movement and animation. Both disturbing and very funny, a diverse ensemble of a larger number of performers, choir members and children unhinge our collective climate anxiety in the most vital and preposterous of performances.
The last piss.
The last pop song.
The last shared look.
Extinction Song was a part of PuSh Festival’s Industry Pitch session on February 6th, 2020 in Vancouver! Please contact us if you would like more information or to watch the pitch.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
2019 November: Two week concept and development workshop in Calgary at the West Village Theatre as part of the New Conversations Grant.
2020 February: One week workshop at Farnham Maltings to build a performance structure and set-up producing logistics.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
2021: The creative team spend two weeks together, generating material ( songs, design concepts, text) and creating a map for the shape the idea might take, and how we might approach the next stage of development.
2022: We undertake a summer project with a youth or university group where we test our ideas with a large group. This might culminate in a public sharing and operate as a prototype show.
2023: Make a rehearsal draft with the creative team.
2023-2024: Rehearsals / Production / Premiere (both in Canada and UK) / Touring depending on presenting opportunities.
We’re currently seeking partners and residencies for Extinction Song in Canada and the UK. If you this project resonates with you, we encourage you to contact Magpie Exchange Arts Management about the show.
Credits
Extinction Song is a collaboration of devised theatre companies Ghost River Theatre, Downstage (Calgary) & UK-based Bucket Club who are produced by Farnham Maltings.
Nel Couch: Playwright/Director (Bucket Club AD)
Eric Rose: Director/Playwright (Ghost River Theatre AD)
Clare Preuss: Movement Director (Downstage AD)
Rebecca Wood: Set/Costume Designer
David Ridley: Composer/Musical Director
Matthew Waddell: Projection Designer
Special thanks
Extinction Song has been funded by New Conversations. New Conversations is funded by British Council, the High Commission of Canada in the UK, and Farnham Maltings with support from Arts Council England.
