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The Multi-Story Orchestra

🎼 Epic, stirring music
🤝 Performed with young people from Gloucester
🎻 And an entire live orchestra
🤫 In a huge hall at an unexpected venue

Book now – pay what you choose

‘a joy to see!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Arts Desk

What to expect

We’re transforming the giant sports hall at GL1 into a unique performance venue for one night only.

You’ll come in through a normal-looking leisure centre – but then our team will lead you down a side corridor, through a set of double doors…and you’ll step into a vast, dark space that will start to fill with incredible, stirring live music.

The music – called Our Future In Your Hands – will be performed by a full orchestra and will sound EPIC: big, dramatic, swelling, cinematic strings and voices that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up…

This is NOT a stuffy classical concert. The evening will be super relaxed:

  • the musicians perform in hoodies, jeans, trainers (not tuxedos)
  • you can grab a seat wherever you want – there’ll be mats down the front for kids to sit on if they want to get right up close
  • make as much noise as you like – clap, cheer, whistle. Dance, if you feel like it!

We’ve even managed to smuggle a bar into the sports hall. And you can eat and drink during the performance if you want.

Book now – pay what you choose
  • A young person playing violin in an orchestra with their sheet music in front of them.

Where and when

Fri 19 November 2021
6pm-7.15pm

Book now – pay what you choose
GL1 leisure centre

GL1 Leisure Centre

A huge sports centre at the end of Eastgate Street. It’s only a few minutes’ walk from Gloucester Station or, if you’re driving, there’s a small car park at GL1, or there’s parking nearby in Eastgate or King’s Walk car parks. There are plenty of places to get food nearby if you want to grab dinner while you’re out.

GL1 Leisure Centre
Bruton Way
Gloucester, GL1 1DT

Who will enjoy it

Great for anyone who likes:

unique nights out trying new things stirring music inspirational young people incredibly skilled musicians immersive experiences events in unusual places violins?!

Book now – PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE

Practical details

The performance will start at 6pm, but you’re welcome to arrive any time from 5.30pm and grab a drink in the bar.

There are toilets on site and you can get up and move around, leave the hall etc any time you like during the performance.

It’s a big space so there’ll be plenty of room if you want to spread out from other people.

Book now – pay what you choose
Online ticket shop

A unique event. One night only. All welcome.

Our Future In Your Hands was commissioned by the Buxton International Festival, in collaboration with the Royal Over-Seas League.

This is a Genesis Kickstart Fund project, supported by the Genesis Foundation. The Multi-Story Orchestra are grateful to the following funders who have made this event possible:

Arts Council England
Borletti-Buitoni Trust
PRS Foundation
Granada Foundation
Britten Pears Foundation
John and Susan Bowers Fund
Marchus Trust
Thistle Trust
Three Monkies Trust

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Uncategorized

Youth Theatre: 11-16s (Matson)

for 11-15 year olds in Gloucester.

Find your voice.
Get heard.


Make
things
happen.

JOIN
NOW

£70/term
Free places available

where we meet

Tuesdays, 6pm-7pm.
Matson Baptist Church, Gloucester, GL4 6LA.

This is Charlene. Charlene looks after all of our Youth Theatre activity.

you can
work with pro artists

Like Conrad. This is Conrad Murray. He’s just finished making a BBC TV version of his beatbox show ‘Frankenstein’. He’s one of the artists who’s going to run a guest session with us in 2021.

you can
make new friends

‘I have learnt to be me’

‘I love being part of Strike A Light because i feel like im on an adventure’

in partnership with:

Bristol Old Vic logo

JOIN
NOW

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Uncategorized

I Stand For What I Stand On 2021

In October 2020, Gloucester Youth Community Action performed a ‘work in progress’ of I Stand For What I Stand On at Gloucester Cathedral under Luke Jerram’s Gaia. The show was also live streamed so it could be watched all over the world.

Trailer for I Stand For What I Stand On

“Getting a glimpse into the lives of these Gloucester activists is so inspiring, whilst also highlighting the absurdity of the situation: that children enamoured with pop heartthrobs and preoccupied with studying for their GCSEs are simultaneously having to worry about a global crisis that international governments are simply brushing aside.” – Claudia (Producer)

Cheltenham Science Festival

The group continued meeting over the start of 2021 (on Zoom). In the school holidays they managed to spend some time together and further developed the show. In June 2021 they shared the show so far at Cheltenham Science Festival. They also did a talk with other activists including Gina Martin, Tolmeia Gregory and Aja Barber.

Gloucester Rooftop Festival

They then performed the work in progress sharing at Rooftop Festival in Gloucester in July 2021.

“Performing at the Rooftop Festival was really cool and it was inspirational to see other people performing and linking their art to issues in the world. It was a friendly atmosphere and despite the heat, it was great to take our performance to people who weren’t familiar with us. Our previous performances had been in front of people who mostly knew us already, so it was a crowd of new faces.”

📸 Fluxx films

R&D at University of Gloucestershire

In the summer holidays the team worked together at the University of Gloucestershire to further develop the show. They were joined by Movement Director Rosie and Lighting Designer Will (and Strike A Light office dog Winnie and one of her gorgeous puppies). They also spent the summer reaching out to other young climate activists both nationally and internationally for them to tell their story as part of the show.

“It has been amazing to be able to have in person rehearsals again at the beginning of the summer to develop the show.  Working with a wider creative team has been so much fun and we have all really enjoyed learning about and coming up with ideas for set design and video. As well as adding more movement into the show – although we were definitely exhausted at the end of the 4 days!!”

“Over the past few weeks and months we have been reaching out online to global climate activists to recruit them to become part of our show. We’ve made connections with around thirty young activists from across the world – some of which we already knew, alongside others who we have been getting to know through making parts of the show together! It’s been amazing to hear from activists from so many different backgrounds and listen to their stories, thoughts and beliefs. I’m very excited to feature content from these incredible people in ‘I Stand For What I Stand On’, as it means we are able to give a more balanced and in depth view of the experiences and meaning of youth climate activism for people across the movement.”

National Theatre Workshop

At the end of their R&D week the team were very excited to be invited to lead a workshop for the National Theatre as part of their programme for young people ‘Shaping the Future: Theatre-Making and the Climate’.

“We ran a workshop for the National Theatre which was great fun although we were a bit nervous beforehand. It was great to get a chance to talk to other young people who care about the environment especially as we have lost so many opportunities to do this during the pandemic.”

Next steps…

We’re incredibly excited the show is almost complete and they will be going on tour this October/November. Catch them at Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol, Gloucester Guildhall, Warwick Arts Centre and COP26!!

“We are all really looking forward to performing ‘I Stand For What I Stand On’ on tour and hopefully getting to meet more young activists as this has been a huge highlight both at cheltenham science festival and with our global digital cast.”

We’re beyond proud to be working with these awesome young people and creative team on this kickass show and know this is only the beginning.

“Being a young activist at the moment is very scary to say the least. Everywhere you look there are natural disasters and humanitarian crises, many of which have been caused or worsened by climate change. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed and feel totally hopeless but working on this project has given me the opportunity to understand, express and manage those emotions. I’ve realised that despite this, there is still so much we can save if everyone works together, and that is one of the main messages I’d love to give to anyone who watches our show.”

‘I Stand For What I Stand On’: the tour
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Coming up Events Uncategorized

‘I Stand For What I Stand On’: the tour

What does it feel like to march for the planet when you’re just a normal teenager?

What to expect

An intimate performance, I Stand For What I Stand On features a live cast of 4 young climate strikers from Gloucester and a digital cast of global young activists. The show is performed directly to each audience member through headphones with original sound and digital design.

Drawing on autobiographical experiences, a love of Harry Styles and ABBA, an extraordinary understanding of the climate crisis and using cardboard protest signs, I Stand For What I Stand On shares the young international cast’s thoughts and fears about the impending climate crisis and explores the reality of being a teenager and growing up in the shadow of the climate emergency.

The show is fully captioned for d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences.

See Dates and venues


Age Guidance: 14+
Running time: 60 minutes

This show was extraordinary! It was moving and inspiring. I’m so proud of this work and these young people

Audience member

Such important work and some really moving moments

Viv Gordon, theatremaker

The biggest ever congratulations!! That was so incredible – we’re absolutely blown away and so grateful that it was live streamed so we could watch it!

Audience member

That was so, so powerful, thank you so much

Hetty Hodgson, theatremaker

The background

In 2019, Strike A Light met a group of striking young climate activists from Gloucester, shouting in the streets.

They were a small group of extraordinary young people aged 14-18. Protesting with banners and their voices. Shouting for their future and shouting in the wind. Shouting to survive. Shouting words of wisdom and shouting beautifully crafted speeches that would put many politicians to shame, they were often met with abuse.

Strike A Light offered them some office space to hold their meetings and two years later, co-created a new live show with them. I Stand For What I Stand On is that show.

  • A group of 6 young climate activists posing with performers from coletivA ocupação.
  • Students hold signs protesting climate change inaction.
  • Students hold of signs protesting climate change inaction.
  • A student hold a microphone and a sign for "UKSCN Gloucester"

Tour dates

📍 Tobacco Factory, Bristol
🗓 13 Oct, 8pm

📍 Guildhall, Gloucester
🗓 27 Oct, 7.30pm

📍 COP26, Glasgow
🗓 5 Nov

📍 Warwick Arts Centre
🗓 7 Nov

Book tickets
Book tickets
AVAILABLE soon
Book tickets

Gallery

Four people dressed as ghosts hold climate protest sings in front of them whilst stood underneath a giant earth sculpture.
Photos by David Grange
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Outdoor VR dance in Matson: a GL4 event

Players take part in a VR dance performance, surrounded by smoke. Photo by Lily Holman

It’s Matson roundabout…
…but not as you know it.

Lights, smoke, music and a VR journey through another world are touching down in GL4.

‘I just had the most awesome time,
it was amazing!’

Audience member
A picture of Matson Green. A Large tree stands proudly in the middle of the green. It is surrounded by estate buildings.
  • Players take part in a VR dance performance, surrounded by smoke. Photo by Lily Holman
  • An outdoor performance at night. People walk around in silver jackets and virtual reality headsets while light pours down on them from above.
Performance photos by LilyHolmanPhotography

A totally unique experience.
2 nights only. Ages 13+.
Coming October 2021.

Sign up to play (FREE!)
or just turn up on the day to watch – No ticket required

Watch

  • No ticket required – just turn up
  • You can stay as long as you like – there will be multiple performances
  • You can bring your own food and drink, and there’s a chip shop and newsagent right next to the venue
  • There’ll be music in between shows so you can hang out and chat
just turn up on the day to watch – no ticket required

Or play

  • No experience or skills required – anyone can do it
  • (Although you must be at least 13 years old to play)
  • Players must arrive 30 mins before the start time to get instructions
  • You’ll join a group of 6-7 people and play for 10 minutes
Sign up to play (FREE!)

How it works

As the sun starts going down on Friday night, Matson roundabout (the massive one on Matson Avenue) will be turned into a set for a unique event: an outdoor VR experience that anyone can play.

6 people at a time will be kitted out with VR headsets and gold jackets. You’ll be given instructions to follow – and then, as you explore the VR world, you’ll suddenly be dancing in the middle of Matson, in real life.

You can choose to take part and play, or to just watch. Each round lasts about 10 minutes. There will be multiple chances to see the show, between 6pm and 10pm.

If you want to be one of the players, please sign up for a slot. If you just want to watch the show, you can just turn up at Matson roundabout any time you like!

The whole event is completely free.

Sign up to play (Free!)

Where and when

Fri 1 and Sat 2 October 2021
from 6pm

Performance times

• 6pm • 6.45pm • 7.30pm • 8.15pm • 9pm • 9.45pm

Matson roundabout

A big open space in the middle of the Matson estate – perfect for gathering a crowd. And it’s right by the chippy.

Matson parade roundabout
Matson Avenue
Gloucester, GL4 6LL

Sign up to play (FREE!)
or just turn up on the day to watch – no ticket required

Who will enjoy it

Great for anyone who likes:

unique nights out dance seeing places transformed VR smoke and lights immersive experiences trying something new gold coats?!

This is an outdoor, evening experience. It’s suitable for ages 7+ – but players must be 13+

Sign up to play (Free!)

Practical details

Each performance is about 10 minutes long. There will be a new set of people playing each time, so every show is different. You can stay and watch as many times as you like.

The whole event is completely free.

There won’t be seating at the roundabout, so bring a blanket or a coat if you want something to sit on!

It’s a big space so there’ll be plenty of room if you want to spread out from other people.

Sign up to play (FREE!)
or just turn up on the day to watch – no ticket required
Online ticket shop
  • A logo for GL4
  • Create Gloucestershire logo
Categories
Coming up Events Uncategorized

Outdoor circus (x2!) at the old bowling green

The old bowling green in the centre Gloucester

What to expect

‘Roll Up, Roll Up’ by Simple Cypher

Amazing, physically-impressive tricks performed with effortless agility – including a whole routine inside a massive, spinning steel ring known as a Cyr wheel.

Watch as the two performers build on each others’ moves, combining freestyle hip hop and b-boying with juggling and acrobatics to wow audiences of all ages.

‘Pirate Taxi’ by Pirates of the Carabina

Have you ever seen someone spinning, upside down, in a hoop, 20ft up in the air, balanced by their partner, on the ends of a see-sawing ladder, rotating on top of a car?

Sometimes serious, but more often funny, Pirate Taxi is a family-friendly circus show for adventurers of all ages. Enjoy incredible aerial performance on an incredible set – literally built in and on an old-school London taxi!

The funnest start to a Saturday afternoon in Gloucester, with 2 fantastic circus performances back-to-back!

“will delight, surprise and inspire the whole family”

Pirates of the Carabina review – Belinda Seeney
Book now! (pay what you choose)

Where and when

Saturday 11 September 2021, 2pm

Greyfriars Bowling Green
Gloucester, GL1 1HT

The old bowling green in the centre Gloucester

The old bowling green 😮🤩

A hidden gem, tucked away in the middle of Gloucester. It’s normally locked up but we’ve got access specially for this event!

Book now! (pay what you choose)

Who will enjoy it

Great for anyone who likes:

circus skills parkour impressive physical feats fun activities for kids family outings acrobatics people working together taxis?!

These are two shows that anyone can enjoy. The content is suitable for all ages. Even cynical teenagers will be impressed by the giant spinning wheel tricks or the balancing act on a 30ft scaffold.

Bring the family, or your mates, or just pop along on your own. Absolutely everyone is welcome.

Book now! (pay what you choose)

Practical details and tickets

The two shows combined last about an hour.

We want anyone to be able to come along – so we’ve made the tickets pay what you choose.

An event like this would often cost £10-£15. But we don’t want people to miss out because of price.

If you can’t afford anything at all, we’d love you to come along for free. If you can comfortably pay more than the suggested price, please consider doing so – generosity is good for everyone! Whatever your situation, we want you to be welcome. There are no favourites at our events: you’re all family to us 💖

There won’t be seating at the bowling green, so bring a chair or a blanket if you’d like something to sit on.

It’s a big space for 100 audience members so there’ll be plenty of room if you want to spread out from other people.

Book now! (pay what you choose)
Online ticket shop

Gallery

Photos by Paul Blakemore
  • A logo reading "Supported using public funding by Arts Council England"
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‘Ripe’ – outdoor circus at the old bowling green

The old bowling green in the centre Gloucester

What to expect

A thoroughly entertaining half-hour performance from brilliant trapeze artist Tilly Lee-Kronick.

Ripe is Tilly’s own one-woman show: it’s funny, impressive and it’ll get you talking with your friends.

Grab a seat in a scenic outdoor space in the middle of Gloucester and enjoy the mix of circus skills, music, comedy…and a big banana costume 🍌

Book now! (pay what you choose)
Tilly is a seriously skilled trapeze artist

“One of the funniest circus performances I have ever seen.”

Resolution Review – Siobhan Murphy

Where and when

Friday 3 September 2021
1.30pm and 7pm

Book now! (pay what you choose)
The old bowling green in the centre Gloucester

The old bowling green 😮🤩

A hidden gem, tucked away in the middle of Gloucester. It’s normally locked up but we’ve got access specially for this event!

Greyfriars Bowling Green
Gloucester, GL1 1HT

Who will enjoy it

Great for anyone who likes:

circus skills comedy impressive physical feats fun activities for kids family outings feminism the unexpected bananas?!

This is genuinely a show that anyone can enjoy. It’s suitable for all ages. The trapeze tricks will wow you whether you’re 7 or 70, and there are clever themes, jokes and ideas woven in as well.

Bring the family, or your mates, or just pop along on your own. Absolutely everyone is welcome.

We’re putting on a daytime performance (1.30pm) so you can still come and see the show if it’s hard for you to get out in the evenings.

“Not just funny and original…thought-provoking, too.”

Audience member
Book now! (pay what you choose)

Practical details and tickets

The show lasts about half an hour.

We want anyone to be able to come along – so we’ve made the tickets pay what you choose.

A show like this would often cost £7-£12. But we don’t want people to miss out because of price.

If you can’t afford anything at all, we’d love you to come along for free. If you can comfortably pay more than the suggested price, please consider doing so – generosity is good for everyone. Whatever your situation, we want you to be welcome. There are no favourites at our events: you’re all family to us 💖

There won’t be seating at the bowling green, so bring a chair or a blanket if you’d like something to sit on.

It’s a big space for 100 audience members so there’ll be plenty of room if you want to spread out from other people.

The show mostly happens high up on a trapeze – so you’ll be able to see, wherever where you sit!

Book now! (pay what you choose)
Online ticket shop

Gallery

Photos by Billy Alwen (with crowd) and Paul Blakemore (no crowd)
  • A logo reading "Supported using public funding by Arts Council England"
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Events Lockdown Uncategorized

‘Wiggle and Giggle’ with Hannah Woodliffe

This is the latest in our series of community collaborations – bringing together Gloucester residents and artistic creativity to tell people’s stories.

Movement Sessions

Fantastic free dance and creative movement sessions for 2 – 4 year olds (older kids and adults welcome too!) It gets children moving at home while taking the pressure away from parents following the closure of children’s activity groups throughout lockdown. 

It was presented in partnership with Gloucestershire Libraries during April 2021 and there are 5 pre-recorded sessions, around 15-20 minutes long. The video sessions lead children and their parents through movement explorations based around a story or theme. 

In The Jungle

Join Hannah on an adventure through the jungle!

Weather

Join Hannah to learn all about different types of weather!

Outside In Nature

Join Hannah to think about all the beautiful things we see outside in nature!

At The Seaside

Join Hannah at the seaside!

Bedtime

Grab a blanket and join Hannah to get ready for bed!

About The Artist

Hannah is a freelance contemporary dance artist based in Gloucester. She is passionate about the power movement has to bring joy and encourage freedom of expression in early years children.

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Autumn 2021

A crowd of young people gather by a fire outside the Guildhall in Gloucester
‘I Stand For What I Stand On’
🗓 27 Oct 2021, 7.30pm
📍 Gloucester Guildhall, GL1 1NS

Local young people speak up
More info and tickets

Multi-Story Orchestra x Gloucester Schools
🗓 19 Nov 2021
📍 GL1 Leisure Centre, GL1 1DT

Classical instruments, fresh new music
More info and tickets

Wiggle and Giggle
Any time
Online

Free dance videos for toddlers
Watch now

Poems from HMP Eastwood Park
Any time
Online

Hear women’s stories in their own words
Find out more

‘Venture Through The Seasons’
Summer 2021
The Venture, White City

A growing community art installation
Find out more

Youth Theatre and Dance
From September 2021
Various locations

Weekly sessions for 7-11s, 11-16s & 16+
Join now

Autumn 2021 events map

See where exciting things are happening in Gloucester:

Categories
Events Lockdown Uncategorized

Venture Through The Seasons – Luna Lotus (Ella Daniel-Lowe)

This is the latest in our series of community collaborations – bringing together Gloucester residents and artistic creativity to tell people’s stories.

By the people, for the people

Venture Through The Seasons is an evolving art installation co-created with one of our fantastic creative community activists and some amazing families at The Venture in White City. Developed in a close knit community, the mural made out of cut-out plywood sheets is inspired by the change in seasons and the mental and physical benefits of being in and observing nature particularly during the last year. 

The pieces were designed with local families in a series of Zoom workshops during lockdown and consisted of four stages which were added to The Venture Building in June.

About the artist

Luna Lotus (AKA Ella Daniel-Lowe) is an emerging visual artist, designer and studio resident at Jolt Gloucester. She aims to create accessible artwork with an emotive connection to nature with the goal of encouraging others to embrace nature and its conservation.

This is what they created

See it in person

If you want to see the installation in real life, head over to The Venture any point this summer!