Bright & Wild 2023
About the Festival
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This Spring, Lyra presents Bright & Wild 2023 – a festival with children and teens at its heart. Over two weekends, we will showcase four new productions created in collaboration with Lyra's Young Artists. These productions were commissioned by the Young Artists themselves, and they've been collaborating with their Lead Artists over the past nine months, creating and devising together.
At this year’s festival we’re inviting our audiences to ‘embrace the strange’. From alien landings to vampire sightings, the four new commissions explore the weird and wonderful worlds of the unknown, the unreal and strangeness. Join the Young Artists on a trip to the corners of their dreams and imaginations…  
The festival will be kicked off with a curtain raiser by Lyra’s Young Company and the festival is produced and hosted by Lyra’s Culture Crew.
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Check out the programme below...
How to Book
All performances are FREE to attend, but booking is essential!
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Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
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The Festival Venue
This year's performances will all be presented at Lyra’s venue Artspace (11 Harewood Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4NT)
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This is where to find us
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The venue is accessible by wheelchair and we have two wheelchair spaces available per performance. There is a ramp at the entrance to Artspace, the studio is on the ground floor and the theatre is on the first floor. The theatre is accessible by lift.
Access Packs
We have prepared an access pack with information about the festival to support your visit.
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Access Pack - After We Fell & Dream with Music (19/05 & 20/05)
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Access Pack - What Are You Wearing & After We Fell (26/05 & 27/05)
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If you require any further support to engage with the Bright & Wild programme, please get in touch with us: lyra@lyra.co.uk
The Programme - at a glance!
FRI 19 May, 7pm
*Young Company Curtain Raiser*
Double Bill:
After We Fell by Niamh O'Loughlin with Youth Dance
Dream with Music by Morgan Njobo with youth Music
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SAT 20 May, 3pm* & 7pm
Double Bill:
After We Fell by Niamh O'Loughlin with Youth Dance
Dream with Music by Morgan Njobo with youth Music
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FRI 26 May, 7pm
Double Bill:
The Gorbals Vampire by Dan Gough with Thursday Performing Arts
What Are You Wearing? by Lewis Sherlock with Wednesday Performing Arts
SAT 27 May, 3pm* & 7pm
Double Bill:
The Gorbals Vampire by Dan Gough with Thursday Performing Arts
What Are You Wearing? by Lewis Sherlock with Wednesday Performing Arts
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*There will be a post-show Q&A after the matinee performances on Saturday 20 and Saturday 27 May
The Q&A for anyone that's interested in learning more about Lyra and the making of the Bright & Wild festival. Maybe you're an Artist that would like to collaborate with the Young Artists? Come along and find out about Lyra's unique, child-led approach.
Image by Jassy Earl
After We Fell
Created by Niamh O'Loughlin with Youth Dance
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Friday 19th May, 7pm*
Saturday 20th May, 3pm* & 7pm
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*these performance times are sold out. Please email lyra@lyra.co.uk to join the returns list.
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Venue: Lyra (Artspace)
Get ready to be transported… 
After We Fell tells the story of a crash landing on Earth. We meet a group of Beings as they figure out what happened and what will happen next. Can they work together to repair what is broken and find what is lost? Can they find joy in their isolation and solace in movement? 
An exploration of communication, feelings and adventure. 
Dream with Music
Created by Morgan Njobo with Youth Music
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Friday 19th May, 7pm*
Saturday 20th May, 3pm* & 7pm
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*these performance times are sold out. Please email lyra@lyra.co.uk to join the returns list.
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Venue: Lyra (Artspace)
Dream with Music is an upbeat show inspired by the sound of our dreams. Vibrating rhythms complemented by joyous singing will take you on a journey exploring the power of imagination. 
Djembes and cajons will meet keyboard and bass, to create a unique performance that will make your feet tap and your hands clap! 
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Image by Jassy Earl
Image by Lewis Sherlock
What Are You Wearing?
As the season changes, the old collection is cast aside and the new trend appears. Who are you wearing? Didn't you know? This is in, and that is out.  
 
What Are You Wearing? is a parody show about beauty, exclusivity and power. Join the Young Artists as they explore humanity through the untouchable world of fashion. Expect killer catwalks and green screen trickery.  Sit back, relax… and strike a pose.  
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Created by Lewis Sherlock with the Wednesday Young Artists
Friday 26th May, 7pm
Saturday 27th May, 3pm & 7pm
Venue: Artspace
The Gorbals Vampire
Created by Daniel Gough with the Thursday Young Artists
Friday 26th May, 7pm
Saturday 27th May, 3pm & 7pm
Venue: Artspace
Do vampires really exist? 
Close your eyes, we’re in 1950s Glasgow. Two boys have gone missing in the Gorbals neighbourhood and there have been sightings of a Vampire. Rumours spread like wildfire through the local playgrounds, inciting the children to sneak out of their warm beds at night to hunt this otherworldly beast.  
 
Inspired by a true story, The Gorbals Vampire explores the power of make believe, hysteria and the strength of children.   
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Image by Jassy Earl