Two New Shows for Edinburgh Festival 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Artistic Director Steven Atkinson today announces two new HighTide productions premiering at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

BOTTLENECK, a new play by Luke Barnes, is a vibrant coming-of-age story which culminates at the Hillsborough tragedy and explores its aftermath for Liverpool. Barnes, and the production’s director, Steven Atkinson are native Liverpudlians. They are collaborating for the first time in order to explore the legacy of Hillsborough on their generation; being raised in a community that was profoundly affected by that event, changing how Liverpudlians regarded others, and how others regarded them.

BOTTLENECK has been selected to be part of Arts Council England's showcase programme Escalator East to Edinburgh. It will be presented at the Pleasance Courtyard, Attic opening August 1^st.

EDUCATING RONNIE, created by Joe Douglas and Gareth Nicholls, is an autobiographical piece performed by Joe Douglas. EDUCATING RONNIE is an extraordinary true story charting Joe's decade-long relationship with the young Ugandan boy he befriended during his gap year. Ronnie was 16, Joe was 18. They were both the eldest sons of large families. They both supported Manchester United. Six months later, back in Manchester, Joe got a text: “Brother my sponsor has pulled out on me and I want to stay in school.  Can you help?  Ronnie x”. That text was to change both of their lives and inextricably link them together. EDUCATING RONNIE takes place over a decade: 4000 miles apart and thousands of pounds invested, it explores the murky processes behind bettering oneself in Uganda.

EDUCATING RONNIE has been selected as part of Creative Scotland's showcase programme Made in Scotland. It will be presented by macrobert and Utter in association with HighTide Festival Theatre at Assembly George Square, opening August 2nd. EDUCATING RONNIE was previewed at HighTide Festival 2012 and the Imaginate Festival ahead of the official premiere at Edinburgh.

EDUCATING RONNIE is the fourth HighTide production to transfer from HighTide Festival 2012 following Ella Hickson’s BOYS (press night tonight, Soho Theatre), Vickie Donoghue’s MUDLARKS (currently playing at Theatre503) and Luke Barnes’ EISTEDFFOD to Latitude Festival 2012.