2018/2019 Report Transformfestival.Org Transform19 Report

2018/2019 Report transformfestival.org Transform19 Report

CONTENTS

THE STORY 4 TIMELINE 6 TRANSFORM19 8 THE FESTIVAL 10 PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS 12 THE RESPONSE 24 BUDGET BREAKDOWN & PARTNERS 28 IMAGE CREDITS: JMA Photography LOOKING TO THE FUTURE 30

2 3

M R

O F

1 A

9 R

N F

T M

1 R

S R

N A

transformfestival.org T Transform19 Report N

F M

N 1

9 A

R 9 A 1

N M R S F O

— The Guardian

Transform is an engine room for urgent, of the moment theatre. We are the creators of the biennial Transform festivals, citywide takeovers of powerful performance by local and international artists. Focused on reimagining what theatre can look like and what it can do, we present theatre works everywhere from arts venues across Leeds, to city sites and outdoor spaces. Celebrating the independent and adventurous spirit of Leeds, we reflect the socially conscious and radical North, and connect to the world.

RANSFORM 19 19 T TRAN Transform was originally established as part of the Leeds M SFO OR RM F 1 NS 9 Playhouse programme in 2011. In 2015, Transform was A R T established as an independent company. The mission was 9 1 M to make room for an ambitious, international performance R O F festival rooted in the city of Leeds. S N A R T 9 1 M R 4 O 5 F S N A R T 9 1 T M R R O A F N S SF N OR A M 19 TR TRANSFORM 19 transformfestival.org Transform19 Report

—2018 Moving to a biennial model, Transform presents a guest programme at London’s Barbican. Spirit of Change features Nwando Ebizie (UK), Sachli Gholamalizad (BE), Tania El Khoury (UK/LEB), Jamal Gerald (UK) and Commonwealth (UK). Transform is awarded funding from Paul Hamlyn — 2011 Foundation to develop Future Radicals, a collective for 16-21 year olds. Transform appears in the Leeds Playhouse programme for the first time. Curated by Alan Lane (Slung Low) Kully Thiarai (Leeds 2023) and produced by Amy Letman (then Associate Producer of Leeds Playhouse). —2019 Artists include Lemn Sissay, Quarantine, Melanie Wilson and more. Transform realises most ambitious festival yet, Transform 19. Featuring artists from across five continents and world premieres,Transform 19 involves 120 artists, 150 participants, 2,774 engaged ticket holders and 33 — – 2012 2014 partners. Transform presents three festival editions across Leeds Playhouse and outside its doors. Artists include Chris Goode & Company, Belarus Free Transform is successful receiving funding from Creative Europe to develop Theatre, Ellie Harrison, Pauline Mayers and more. Festivals of the Future, a network supporting founder and female led European festivals. —2015 Final Playhouse focused edition, asking ‘what does it mean to be local and To be continued… global in 2015?’. Inspired by Leeds 2023, the cities bid to be European Capital of Culture, Transform is established as an independent company, with the mission to develop as Leeds’ international performance festival. Creative Director Amy Letman leads the transition.

—2016 First citywide edition, Transform 16 features large-scale co-created work WANTED by Chris Goode & Company, and Schönheitsabend by Florentina Holzinger & Vincent Riebeek. Venues include Leeds Playhouse, Northern Ballet, Live Art Bistro and Slung Low’s HUB.

—2017 Transform 17 is a major international festival exploring activism, gender politics and the future of Europe. Artists included RashDash (UK), machina eX (Germany), El Conde de Torrefiel (Spain) and world premiere of Javaad Alipoor’s The Believers Are But Brothers presented. 1,827 ticket holders and over 100 participants are involved in 29 performances at 8 locations across 4 days. — Mark Ball, Manchester International Festival

6 7 transformfestival.org Transform19 Report

A daring playlist of urgent, of the moment performance. Transform 19 was a powerful assembly of • 53 performances across 7 days • 18 Brazilian high school students revolting on the streets uncompromising artists conjuring up new futures. • 5 world premieres, 6 UK premieres • 20,000 brochures distributed • Over 120 artists from across 5 continents • 8 video trailers • 150 participants • 10 bales of hay • 2,774 ticket holders • 1 dismantled car • 40,000 user engagement • 33 legendry artists mentioned in Idol, and 10 awesome tracks • 33 partners • 1 shopping centre takeover by the • 6 pop-up performance spaces Future Radicals • 1 television studio takeover • Young people involved from • At least 7 knees up’s 25 different Leeds postcodes • Over 20 technicians • Over 35 rehearsal sessions at the home of Leeds’s legendry • 72 mostly bilingual Team club night Cosmic Slop Transform volunteers • Over 100 nights of hotel rooms • 5 roaming reporters from Leeds Beckett University • Lots of pink and orange material • 1 audacious club warehouse • At least 150 pizza slices eaten extravaganza • Countless meetings and grafting • 24 hours-worth of love songs in • 1 epic international festival Oh Europa • 110 school chairs in When It Breaks It Burns

8 9

R M

T M 19 TRAN R S FOR FO A S R AN M N R T 19 S 19 M T F OR R O NSF A R TRA N M M 19 S 19 FOR F TRANS O R

R M

R A

O transformfestival.org Transform19 Report

F N

S N

F A

O 9

S T

N R

A A

T N

M F S

1 N 9

A T R

‘The four days I spent at Transform were some of the most thrilling, surprising and touching days I have spent at a festival of its size. To have access to such an Transform 19 saw audiences travel to some of the city’s most cherished venues, and discover amazing hidden spaces for the first time. From a array of performances that takeover of an old school hall by a group of fearless Brazilian high school approached story telling in students in When It Breaks It Burns, to an interactive adventure across the innovative ways was very city with Rewire Leeds, or an epic club extravaganza with an Atypical Brain Damage, audiences curated their own experience of the festival and the city. welcome and stimulating. My only regret is that when I was a student in Leeds in FEATURING; 2007 I did not have access • Motus (Italy) • Tianzhuo Chen (China) or knowledge about such a • Luis Garay (Argentina/Colombia) • machina eX (Germany) path-defining festival that • nora chipaumire (Zimbabwe, USA) • Julian Hetzel (Germany/Netherlands) sets new standards of what • Jamal Gerald (UK) • Action Hero (UK) art can be and who can and • 70/30 Split (UK) • Jija Sohn (Japan/Netherlands) should have access to it.’ • coletivA ocupação (Brazil) • Danny Banany (Germany) — Tunde Adefioye –KVS, Brussels and former • Future Radicals (UK) University of Leeds student

RM 19 TRANSFO SFO RM 10 AN 19 T 11 R RA 9 T N 1 SF RM OR O M SF 1 N 9 A R T 9 1 M R O T F R S N A A N R S T F 9 O 1 RM M R 19 O TRA SF NSF AN ORM 19 TR transformfestival.org Transform19 Report

From visiting international shows, brand new co-productions, community takeovers and special events – Transform 19 was brimming with specially curated and produced projects:

12 13 transformfestival.org Transform19 Report

‘I never thought I would be able to make work on a bigger scale. But I had the chance to really push my artistic practice through working with Transform. I got the THE NEXT WAVE OF experience of working with a PERFORMANCE IN THE NORTH full creative team, this helped me in presenting my show Idol, which was a scale up within my practice. It was invaluable having Our artist development programme Next Wave, previously resulted in The Transform’s support from Believers Are But Brothers by Javaad Alipoor, an international touring sensation that was developed into a BBC docu-drama. Across an 18-month commissioning, introductions to period leading to Transform 19, we utilised our producing skills and expertise collaborators and being provided again for artists including Jamal Gerald. space and time to create work in. I now feel I can be more Our first co-production with Jamal, a Leeds based artist creating work ambitious with my artwork exploring identity and lived experience, was his most ambitious project yet. As part of the process we: instead of limiting my practice.’ —Jamal Gerald • Supported the artist to undertake research in Trinidad towards the show • Organised residencies and brokered co-producing and partnership support • Brought together creatives and collaborators to support the development of the show — Culture Vulture • Provided commissioning funds, producing support and project management • Oversaw technical planning, marketing and audience engagement, and PR — Selina Thompson The result was Idol, a darling and unapologetic work exploring religion, pop culture and representation. Co-produced with Theatre in the Mill, the show will now tour to seven UK venues including Sheffield Theatres and Royal Exchange Theatre, overseen by Transform. — Audience Response

14 15 RM 19 TRANS NSFO FO RA RM T 1 9 TR A N S F O R M 1 9 transformfestival.org T Transform19 Report R A N S F O R M 1 9 T R A N SF OR S- M 1 RAN 9 TRANSFORM 19 T

WE ARE THE FUTURE, WE ARE RADICAL

PARTICIPANTS SAID: ’16-21 in Leeds? I’m there. You don’t get these opportunities. Future Radicals brought together young people aged 16-21 across Leeds to I needed this as a collaborate with groundbreaking artists and create performance led by their creative challenge.’ ideas and world views. Our aim was to develop an opportunity empowering young people to be artists in their own right. ‘Doing GCSE’s, I was not With the support of Paul Hamlyn Foundation and citywide partners feeling creative. I was including MAP Charity, we recruited a group of twenty from across the city. worried I was going to lose The collective worked with artists including Mammalian Diving Reflex, my creativity. This changed (Canada), Amparo Gonzales Sola (Argentina) and Selina Thompson (UK), developing skills in devising, creation and artistry. Together with award- everything.’ winning artist David Shearing, they created a trilogy of performances for Transform 19, whilst seeing work and engaging with international groups. AUDIENCE SAID: ‘A great way to get the Future Radicals is part of Transform’s mission to distribute ownership and influence ofTransform to a wider community, the first step in chance to hear from young 19 TRANS exploring how young people can move to the centre of our festivals and M FOR people, their dreams fears OR M SF 19 the start of a long-term initiative. N T and sense of humour.’ A R R A T N 9 S 1 F O M 16 R 17 R M O F 1 S 9 N T A R R A T N 9 S 1 FO T M R R M A R N FO 19 S S T FO N RA RM A NS- 19 TR TRANSFORM 19 RANSFORM 19 T 19 T RA RM NS FO FO S R AN M TR RM 19 SFO T N R RA A T N 19 S M F R O FO R S M N A 1 R transformfestival.org 9 T Transform19 Report T 9 R 1 A M N R S FO F S O N R A M R T PRESS SAID: 19 9 T 1 ‘Erasing any distance between RA M N OR SF SF performance and audience, they OR AN M 19 TR take us right inside the chaos and the fear and thrill of the occupation.’ —The Guardian

AUDIENCE SAID: LET’S OCCUPY THE SCHOOLS, ‘This performance was incredibly LET’S OCCUPY THE THEATRES, powerful, it made me feel like LET’S OCCUPY EVERYTHING the full spectrum of emotions and realise the situation that is happening in Brazil. I appreciate the opportunity to learn. Thank you’ —Audience Response

— Leeds Living ARTISTS SAID: ‘To cross the Atlantic through Their lives were changed forever by the high school occupations of 2015 and the air is to retrace the 2016 in Brazil. Using dance, live music and performance, they reveal the reality diaspora’s trajectory. For me, and brutal intensity of living inside a political movement. coletivA ocupação Brazil was a whole world, but is comprised of students from different districts of São Paulo, working at the having gone to England made edges of art, activism and education. Directed by Martha Kiss Perone, they me realise that there are so have toured to sell-out audiences across Brazil. many possible worlds out there.’ —Ícaro Pio As part of a research expedition supported by Leeds 2023, Creative Director RAN 19 T SFO Amy Letman had the privilege of meeting coletivA at their work space Casa RM RM FO S 19 do Povo, São Paulo. 18 months later and thanks to the support of British N T ‘After crossing the Atlantic and A R Council and Contact Theatre, Leeds hosted the UK premiere of When It R A arriving in a place with not a lot T N 9 S 1 F of sun and somewhere that my Breaks It Burns. O M R R M family has never had the chance O F 1 These sell-out performances were just one part of a two-week residency S 9 to set foot on, I now feel that

N T R coletivA undertook in Leeds and Manchester, which included research trips, A there is nothing in the world A R N visits to organisations Slung Low and Leeds Playhouse, and exchange with T that I can’t do.’ 9 S 1 F our own Future Radicals collective. O —Ariane Fachinetto M R R M O F 1 9 S T 18 N R 19 A A R N T S 9 F 1 O M R R M O 1 F 9 S T R T N A R A N A R S N T - 9 SF 1 O M RM OR 19 TRANSF 19 TRANSF ORM ORM SF 19 T AN RA R N T S F O R M 1 9 T R A N S F O transformfestival.org Transform19 Report R M

1 9

T R A N S F O R M

1 9 M 19 TRA T OR NSF R SF OR A N M N A 1 R 9 S T TR F 19 A O N R M S M R F O O 19 F R S M A GLOBAL SNAPSHOT BETWEEN TR N A RA 1 NS T 9 FO 19 T KITSCH, APOCALYPSE AND RM RM R 19 TRANSFO A N EAST MEETS WEST S F O R M

1 9 AUDIENCE SAID: ‘This is exactly The only festival of its kind in the North of England, Transform festivals why I love the also provide an opportunity to engage with extraordinary international Transform festival’ performance, theatre and dance.

A signature work of the festival was Tianzhuo Chen’s dark pop opera An ‘An Atypical Atypical Brain Damage, combining quotations from pop, folklore, corporate Brain Damage identity and social media. An ecstatic and immersive spectacle that’s part club, was an immersive part performance, part culture clash. overload to eye opening messages, One of the most exciting and controversial artists of his time, Chen originally studied Fine Art in Leeds, and is now renowned for presenting everywhere symbolism and from Vienna Festival to Palais de Tokyo. This was Chen’s first return to disturbance which Leeds to present his world-renowned work. is why it was my personal favourite. Becoming renowned for cross-sector collaborations, this presentation saw us The beautiful and

team up with Canal Mills and utilising an epic warehouse space in Armley.

N R

1 grotesque imagery

Presentations like this ensure Leeds is on a par with other metropolitan M R

T S

R caught my eye like

centres in regards to innovation, experimentation and internationalism on N A

T S

stage. 9 nothing else.’

O 1

M M

S R

20 A 21

A N

R 9

1 M

O S

S 9

T R

A N S -

R T - NS RA T 9 1 M R O F S transformfestival.org N Transform19 Report A R T 9 1

M R O F S N A R T

9 1

M R O F S N A R ‘When we were approached by Transform we were T 9 excited about the opportunity to collaborate with 1 M R such a vibrant and innovative event. Transform O F S festival has really made its mark on the cultural TR AN N SF A landscape of Leeds, building a reputation for OR R M T 19 9 TR 1 engaging diverse audiences and introducing them AN SFO M RM R 1 O to international artists in exciting and challenging 9 T F RAN S SF N ORM A new environments. As the first major event that 19 R TRAN 9 T SFOR M 1 we hosted at our new coffee house and event M 19 T FOR RANSFORM 19 TRANS space, Archive, we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring new audiences into the venue and were really excited by the programme of headline grabbing performances and exhibitions and the vision that Amy and her team brought to the space. It was a vibrant and memorable couple of weeks and a brilliant introduction to the festival As Transform grows, it’s a challenge to find performance space in the city circuit for us.’ to hold the entire festival, and this edition featured an incredible six pop-up —Ben Hepworth, Prime Studios spaces. One of the most valuable festival partnerships was with Television Centre Prime Studios, offering a whopping four of our six temporary spaces, and making an extraordinary contribution to the festival. The thumping heart of Transform 19, the Festival Centre was the place to gather, reflect, converse and celebrate. Spanning after parties with outfits includingLove Muscle and Equaliser, discussions, brunches, fashion shows and workshops, the Festival Centre was an inclusive space for artists, audiences and participants.

22 23 M 19 TRANSFO SFOR RM RAN 19 T 19 T RA RM NS FO FO S R AN M R T 19

TR A N S F O R M

19 T R A N S F O SFORM 19 R RAN M 19 T M 19 R FO TR NS A A N TR transformfestival.org S 19 Transform19 Report FO RM R O M SF AN 19 TR T 19 RA M N FOR SFO NS RM 9 TRA 19 TR FORM 1 ANS CULTURE VULTURE THE RESPONSE ‘In a time when the world feels like one debacle after another and people in charge seem to be getting so many things totally wrong, it’s really refreshing to see an arts festival get so many things right. And what does Transform get right? The programming is great and it’s international. It’s being shown in mainly pop up spaces rather than traditional theatres. It’s interesting and inspiring. It provokes an emotional as well as THE STAGE intellectual response. The artists and the ‘Festivals can remake a city – look at work present big questions and there is Liverpool, Manchester and Hull. All have an urgency in what is being asked. And had a massive influx of civic investment in the devil is in the detail – the toilets are all the wake of significant cultural festivals. gender neutral –a simple but important In the heart of Yorkshire, Leeds is laying thing. Oh yes, and each piece on the down its cards with one of its own – website has a Spotify playlist.’ albeit with a difference. Transform is an international theatre festival grown from READ MORE the grassroots.’

READ MORE EXEUNT ‘I’ve seen plenty of European and international work through the festival THE GUARDIAN that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Most ‘My festival experience ends back on the important to me though is the civic streets, as performers and audience all and political context of the festival. An spill out through the doors and shout engagement with Transform demands into the night. This time, though, we’re an engagement with Leeds itself – it seizing space rather than policing it. rewards knowledge of the city, or at least a And, yet again, Transform has changed willingness to learn. This not an accident. the way audiences experience Leeds – Take Transform from Leeds and it simply even if just for the fleeting duration of a wouldn’t make sense – where would you performance.’ put it?’