Outdoor production takes art to moors
●●A CREATIVE Journey Across the Moors of Blackstone Edge
WHAT would the land say to us if it had a voice? What would we say back if we had the chance? Rochdale-based Production Company, Breaking Barriers, are taking to the moors with their next outdoor production Elevation.
Created in collaboration with local communities, this exciting project is a creative response to the moors that surround Rochdale’s Townships and explores the stories of the people of the town, and the voice of Blackstone Edge.
Elevation is presented by The Culture Co-op with support from a number of partners, including Public Health Rochdale, Rochdale Borough Culture Network, and Littleborough Arts Festival.
The production provides a unique opportunity for high-quality arts experiences to be created and delivered on the doorstep of Rochdale – on the moors of Blackstone Edge.
Audiences from close and far are invited to join them for this spectacular event, from Wednesday 22 May to Friday 28 June.
Elevation is an immersive journey along the scenic route of Blackstone
Edge, using the technology of binaural sound on headphones, which creates an “audio 3-D effect”, to take audiences on a guided tour through the green space that has protected our town for thousands of years.
Sitting at an elevation of 1,549 feet, the flatland provides a stunning backdrop with views of Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and, on clear days, as far as north Wales.
The show encourages audiences to take a moment to listen deeply to historic stories of the land while taking in the natural beauty of Rochdale, Greater Manchester and beyond...
Breaking Barriers’ Artistic Director Parvez Qadir stated: “This project offers a unique perspective of the past, present and future. It’s a place for solitude, gratitude and allowing your mind to wander. I wanted to create this piece because it’s a place for me that holds a spiritual meaning, and I know that each individual will have their own connection to the land.”
At the heart of Elevation is the idea of community. Community voices can be heard throughout the sound piece, and the Culture Co-op are recruiting 12 members of the public to learn the skills needed to host creative events, and after a couple of weeks of paid training, will then be empowered to run the tours themselves for a further four weeks. This model of recruiting local people to lead creative projects is the cornerstone of the work the Culture Co-op does throughout Rochdale Borough.
“There is significant investment going into the Arts across the Borough at the moment. With all these exciting projects being produced, it is vital that we ensure we give as many opportunities as possible for local people to get involved and take on leadership roles” – Greg Bond, Director, The Culture Co-op.
Breaking Barriers’ award-winning work is rooted in Rochdale and its people. Through this project, they embark on a mission to bring together local communities, partners, and audiences, to take to the land for a moment to escape, for a new perspective on the town below, for a feeling of positive well-being, and for a ground-breaking experience that has never been done in this town before.
Performance Information: Wed 22 May - Fri 28 June 2024. Performance days each week: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Performances times: 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. Special performances at sunrise and sunset will be delivered on Saturday 25 May and Saturday 1 June.
This is a free event, and all are welcome.
Book your free ticket at: bit.ly/elevation _rochdale. Access information: The route is fully accessible to wheelchair users, and the pace of the route is slow and steady. There are no uphill climbs, the route has been specifically chosen to be flat with a path.
Breaking Barriers’ Access Consultant, Sam Jamil says: “It’s so important for green spaces to be accessible to wheelchair users, it allows us to enjoy the outdoors, the scenery around us and the beautiful nature. No one gets left behind”.
The Culture Co-op is a partnership made up of Action Together CIO, Your Trust, Public Health, Rochdale Borough Housing, The Co-op Group, and Rochdale Borough Council and funded by Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places. To find out more about the Culture Co-op - theculturecoop.org or email on info@theculturecoop.org.
Breaking Barriers is a Rochdale-based, award winning multidisciplinary production company whose work is rooted in amplifying unheard voices and bringing ambitious work to local streets and people.
They work with communities, young people and artists from a rich diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences, and through co-creation like to tell stories in ambitious digital formats that open minds, elevate appetite, and transcend socioeconomic barriers.
Led by Artistic Director Parvez Qadir and Executive Producer Jodie Ratcliffe, the company is diverse in its leadership and in the communities that it co-creates with. “Our mission is to produce exciting artworks and immersive experiences in local communities ... inspiring ambition and encouraging our young people to be the next generation of creatives.”