Four emerging artists are set to share brand new theatrical works for the first time at one of Aberdeen’s leading arts venues.
Scratch That – a development project produced by Scottish Youth Theatre in partnership with Aberdeen Arts Centre – will enable up-and-coming North-east creatives to debut their works in front of an audience, gaining valuable feedback as they continue to develop their theatre-making craft.
Tickets for the performance on Wednesday February 12 2025 at 7.30pm are available for just £5 from https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/whats-on/scratch-that.
Whittled down from applications for the Scratch That programme – which includes mentoring from leading Scottish theatre-maker Eilidh Loan – the featured artists are Annabel Lunney, Carly Wilson, Ciaran Drysder and Libby Taylor.
From being transported back to the 80s to probe feelings of power in a young group of Aberdeen’s Soccer Casuals, to an intimate and insightful disclosure of a body’s journey with Long Covid; from questioning your friendships and place within a community in an intense rural Scottish whodunnit, to the deconstruction of memory and the fourth wall in the design of a play, Scratch That’s artists explore unique perspectives on belonging, relationships and identity.
Amy Liptrott, creative director at Aberdeen Arts Centre, commented: “We are thrilled to be working with Scottish Youth Theatre to provide opportunities for the development of new work in Aberdeen through Scratch That and our Artist Development Programme.
“Aberdeen Arts Centre has a long history of debuting new works. The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil was first performed on our stage 50 years ago and has gone on to critical acclaim. And in 2023, our own Castlegate Theatre Company performed brand new musical, The New Kid.
“This is an opportunity for theatre fans in Aberdeen to engage with new works, and see theatre that pushes boundaries and explores new themes – and may just be the next big hit to come out of the North-east. You could see it here first!”
Annie Lowry Thomas, artistic producer at Scottish Youth Theatre, added: “As an organisation that seeks inspiration from Scotland’s diverse young people and their untold stories, we’re very excited to bring Scratch That to Aberdeen, in partnership with Aberdeen Arts Centre.
"Now, more than ever, young artists need money, rehearsal space and feedback to get new ideas off the ground, and Scratch That offers all three!
"A scratch night is the perfect opportunity to see if the idea that’s been in your head works in front of a live audience, and we’re thrilled to have four inspiring new works from young Aberdonian creatives to debut. Alongside the SYT and Aberdeen Arts Centre team, one of Scotland’s leading theatre-makers Eilidh Loan will be offering invaluable guidance and support to the young artists. Then it’s over to the audience to help them push their new works to the next level.”
Scratch That is produced by Scottish Youth Theatre in partnership with Aberdeen Arts Centre, supported by Aberdeen City Council Creative Funding.