Army@TheFringe is returning for a third year with another programme of shows that explore life in and out of uniform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s productions embrace everything from opera and drama to queer theatre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The themes include the experiences of women on the front line, the lives of female wartime medics, the recollections of York\u2019s last surviving D-Day veterans and the importance of non-sexual touch in a digital world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also taking a highly innovative step with one production, the acclaimed Unicorns, Almost<\/em>, by Owen Sheers, which has been specially adapted as an immersive audio experience and installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the second half of the Fringe audiences will be able to see the live show, which was highly praised as a \u201cresonant one-hander … elegantly evocative.\u201d\u00a0\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 The Guardian<\/em> when it premiered at Hay-on Wye-last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie, Head of Engagement for the Army in Scotland, said:<\/strong> \u201cArmy@TheFringe has established itself as a venue that offers high quality performance art that asks serious questions about life in the armed services and about wider social issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the 75th<\/sup> anniversary of the D-Day landings we are also proud to be able to present\u00a0Bomb Happy<\/em> and\u00a0Unicorns, Almost,<\/em> which offer different perspectives on the struggle to liberate Europe, and the consequences for those who fought to defeat the Nazis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe recent admission of women into frontline roles was something that caused controversy. With that in mind we hope audiences will be interested in\u00a0Dead Equal<\/em>and\u00a0Hallowed Ground<\/em> which both reflect the determination of women from different nations and in different eras to offer their skills and services in times of conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt the same time we are delighted to have the chance to welcome Edinburgh\u2019s Creative Electric with\u00a0The Happiness Project<\/em> \u2013 with its diverse and inclusive cast and its dedication to put queer, working class and disabled people\u2019s stories centre stage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As ever the Army will be inviting audiences to join them in the historic Hepburn House Drill Hall in Edinburgh\u2019s New Town, which will be staffed by serving soldiers and cadets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As in previous years there will be after show discussions in which the audience can raise questions with performers, directors and members of the Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most importantly it continues to build on its strong track record of presenting bold, high quality, independently produced performance art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year\u2019s dance theatre production\u00a0The Troth<\/em>, from the Akademi, (\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 Broadway Baby<\/em>,\u00a0\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 Herald<\/em>) won Herald Angel and a Lustrum awards with its portrayal of the experiences of South Asian soldiers on the Western Front in World War I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The queer theatre production\u00a0Cezary Goes to War<\/em>, from Poland, (\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 Broadway Baby<\/em>) also won a Lustrum Award. In 2017\u00a05 Soldiers,<\/em> from the Rosie Kay Dance Company, achieved huge critical acclaim with a string of\u00a0\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 and\u00a0\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 star reviews and went on to enjoy major national and international success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Army@TheFringe is once again taking place in association with Summerhall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Verity Leigh, Summerhall\u2019s Programme Manager, said:<\/strong> \u201cWe are delighted to be collaborating with the Army for a third year to present a programme of innovative contemporary performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArmy@TheFringe supports artists to bring new work to the Fringe and to reach new audiences. Once again, the artists presenting work this year have some fascinating, moving and intriguing stories and ideas to share with audiences.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n About the shows <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bomb Happy:<\/em><\/strong> A verbatim play from Everwitch about ordinary young men in extraordinary times. It brings to life the powerful testimonies of five Normandy veterans \u2013inexperienced conscripts, who find themselves part of one of the most dangerous operations of World War II. Memories \u2013 humorous and harrowing \u2013 collide, allowing a close-up experience of life on the frontline.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dead Equal:<\/em><\/strong> An all female team tell the forgotten true story of\u00a0Flora Sandes, heroine of the Allied front line in World War I, in a new opera. Flora and fellow nurse Emily Simmonds travel to the Serbian front as medical volunteers. Sick of the sidelines, Flora joins the Serbian army as a soldier while Emily continues nursing. Presented by Palmer and Hall Music.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hallowed Ground<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em>From Serbian snowfields to deserts in Afghanistan, four women unite across a century. Lilian, a surgeon in her 50s denied service in the Australian army in WW1 joins the WW1, joins The Scottish Women\u2019s Hospital. In WW2, Australian radiologist Mary finds herself the only woman among 3,000 British troops in the Middle East. In Iraq doctor Tam, plagued by dreams of fleeing war-torn Saigon, reconciles her own refugee experience. Catherine, on active service in Afghanistan, reflects on the remarkable women who paved the way. Presented by The Shift Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Happiness Project<\/em><\/strong> from Creative Electric explores our need for non-sexual physical contact in our highly digital era. It features scenes of graphic reality TV binge-watching, Whitney Houston and spooning. Previous projects include the award-winning\u00a0Church of Broccoli\u00a0<\/em>(Leith Late, Kelburn Garden Party) and\u00a0Leith Is Where The Heart Is\u00a0<\/em>(Hidden Door).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unicorns, Almost: <\/em><\/strong>Presented byThe Story of Books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Audio Experience:<\/strong> August\u00a02-11 (not 5th).\u00a0An immersive audio experience and installation based on the play by Owen Sheers about the life and work of WW2 poet Keith Douglas. Unicorns, Almost tells the story of Keith Douglas from childhood to his early death three days after D-Day landings aged 24. It is the story of one man\u2019s Faustian pact with a war, which would both gift his unique and penetrating poetic voice, but then also take it away. Directed by John Retallack. Sound design by Jon Nicholls. Exhibition design by Leslie Oschmann.\u00a0\u00a0 – Ends –<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notes for editors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n About Army@TheFringe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Facebook <\/strong>@Armyatthefringe<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twitter <\/strong>@<\/strong>ArmyatTheFringe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong>www.Armyatthefringe.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Summerhall is Edinburgh’s independent arts venue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now in its ninth year, Summerhall occupies the former University of Edinburgh Royal Dick Veterinary College – on the south side of the city. It is well known for its award-winning and critically acclaimed Edinburgh Festival programmes, presenting innovative international work that challenges and entertains from the likes of Ontroerend Goed, Sh!t Theatre and Paines Plough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Summerhall’s exhibitions are free and open all year, and the visual arts programme has welcomed world-class artists including Genesis P-orridge, Susan Hiller, Carolee Schneeman, Tamsyn Challenger and Laure Prouvost. Its live music programme, Nothing Ever Happens Here\u2026, has been lauded for its contribution to the Edinburgh music scene, with a programme which combines the best new music coming out of Scotland with touring national and international artists including Shonen Knife, Sun Kil Moon, Charlotte Church and Pussy Riot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All this combined with housing over a hundred artists and creative businesses, the renowned Richard Demarco archive, a brewery and a gin distillery plus hosting festivals and events year-round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank the dark gods for Summerhall\u201d The Guardian<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSummerhall is one of the city’s best live music outlets\u201d The List<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Live show:\u00a0<\/strong>August 13-25 (not 19th<\/sup>). Let an immersive set and\u00a0Dan Krikler\u2019s \u201cwonderful performance\u201d (Margaret Atwood) take you into Douglas\u2019s world, from childhood to his death three days after D-Day aged 24.\u00a0This is the story of the accelerated development of a poet and his desperate race to see his words in print before time runs out. Following the performance the audience is free to explore the installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n