ESPE is a suite of performance and participatory package of activities specifically devised in a rural setting, with rural communities and touring circuits in mind from the offset.
Created by Slanjayvah Danza’s Artistic Director Jen Wren, (in collaboration by renouned international artists), ESPE is further shaped with the communities it will visit during the creation and production of the work. ESPE is technically flexible, accessible, inclusive, environmentally sustainable and suitable for intergenerational audiences.
ESPE will entertain, inspire and spark connection not only through the performance, but through its wide engagement programme including: pre-touring audience development packages, on-tour community exhibitions, workshops and post show activities.
Throughout ESPE, audiences and participants are immersed in a multi-layered experience of art, nature, environment, human experiences and emotions.
Themes include: Identity and heritage, neurodiversity, bullying, mental health, feminine power, ancestral strength, connecting to nature, silence, self discovery, self expression, courage to stay true to being one-self.
The Performance: ESPE is an epic and intimate solo performance. The dance of a travellers tale born from the fire of persecution, drawing upon ancestral bloodlines and rhythms.
ESPE is a fierce truth teller, a yellow flare of the celestial 8th House. Born and raised in Scotland, she is a descendent of the Clans from the West, blood line of the witches of the East, a child of the northern lights and a great granddaughter of the Andalucian sun.
She draws from her multiple cultures, art forms and languages combining traditional and contemporary arts from Scotland, Cape Breton, Ireland and Spain. ESPE dares to exist on her own terms even in the face of societal discomfort to challenge identity, expectation, and belonging. She dances, sings, plays music and crafts on stage, defiant to those who presume to define her, without enquiry.
Full off strength, rejection, humour, and hope ESPE’s tale questions, Are our doubts mere echoes of our inner demons, inherent traits, celestial alignments, or are they instead insidious seeds sown by others? What does it feel like to “fit in” and what happens when you stop trying?
Unapologetic, ESPE lures audiences to the edge of their seats as she finally embraces every aspect of her character, exposing her true self whilst leaving the audience wondering what on earth is she going to do next.
Other quick facts:
- Running time: 1hr 20min (interval optional)
- Age guidance: Intergenerational
- Audience capacity: Flexible for every space.
- Tech needs: Space, seating, wall sockets – we bring all staging and equipment (light/sound)
- On the road: 3 people, one van
Promoters are invited to request our full or short read promoter pack, to see what is available and to tailor make their own communities experience of ESPE from a wide ranging variety of engagement options determining the length of our stay in your area.
