Wales’ leading theatre company for children and young people, Theatr Iolo, is partnering with Indian company ThinkArts to take its production Out of the Blue to Kolkata in India. The production is co-produced by Theatr Iolo and director Sarah Argent and created especially for babies aged 6-18 months (and their grown-ups!).
There is little artistic practice of performance for babies in India, and the production is a perfect introduction to live theatre for young audiences. Out of the Blue will tour three venues in Kolkata in September 2017.
One of the many aims of the India Wales fund is to build connections and to share skills and expertise. Through India Wales Theatr Iolo are able to share their expertise with audiences, but also very importantly with artists in India; through training them in this new and unique artistic practice.
Three Indian artists chosen to develop their own pieces of theatre for babies showed immense potential in this new area of work when Theatr Iolo collaborated with them earlier this year. They will visit Cardiff in Spring 2018 so they can share their work with Welsh audiences - particularly those from Indian communities - and engage with artists in Wales interested in creating theatre for early years.
Theatr Iolo will also develop a new interactive visual exhibition for older children.