Academic Research and Theatre

Published: 27 January 2015
Reporter: Peter Lathan

Clare Deal and Vivek Nityananda explore their research through theatre Credit: Robert Paul Steadman - CUBESEDGE

On Thursday 19 February at Northern Stage, a group of academics from Newcastle University will perform brand new theatre based on their current research.

The academics’ research ranges from medical psychology to criminology and from neuroscience to fine art. Drawing on these varied areas, the researchers are working with Newcastle-based theatre company Cap-a-Pie, dancer Martin Hylton and emerging theatre maker Stephen Redman, to co-create performances for a new evening of scratch theatre at Northern Stage—Performing Research: Scratch.

The performance is part of Performing Research, a collaboration between Newcastle University’s Institute for Creative Arts Practice and Cap-a-Pie, which brings together academics and theatre makers to create with each other, and connect to audiences and communities.

The project is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and by funding from Newcastle University. Over the next 18 months Cap-a-Pie will stage another two Performing Research: Scratch performances at Northern Stage.

Brad McCormick from Cap-a-Pie, who has directed the performance, is always amazed by the variety and content of academics work. "Every researcher I meet always seems to be doing the most fascinating work. I’m always hugely intrigued by their research and how I can create new theatre with them to share with audiences."

The academics who take part in Performing Research are also keen to work with artists and share their work with audiences. Clare Deal, an MA student studying English Literature, explained, "Performing Research is incredible at opening up new ways of approaching and sharing research. Our research becomes something to play with and share using theatre and the exploration is constantly exciting, fun and challenging".

Sebastian Potthoff, who is currently researching habits, added, "working with Cap-a-Pie allows me to be incredibly spontaneous, yet the work always links to my research. Sharing research through theatre allows the audience to have an interesting and fun insight into my work and I really enjoy sharing my thinking through theatre."

Performing Research: Scratch is at Northern Stage at 7PM on Thursday 19 February.

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