Jacksons Lane Unveils New Autumn Arts Programme
The Highgate venue's latest season features a diverse range of performances curated by its new creative director.
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Jacksons Lane in Highgate has revealed its autumn arts schedule, presenting a variety of performances including circus, theatre, puppetry, and dance. This new season is the first to be curated by Angus MacKechnie, who recently took on the role of creative director at the north London venue. The programme aims to expand access to the performing arts and foster community involvement.
A Diverse Artistic Line-up
The season commences on September 6 with two productions that were featured at the Edinburgh Fringe: 'By a Thread', a show by Australian company One Fell Swoop involving seven acrobats and extensive rope work, and 'Soft Spot' from Finnish-Swedish group OLO Company, which combines juggling and hand balancing with a large number of wine glasses. The programme will also feature artists from countries including Australia, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Japan, Portugal, and the UK, blending various disciplines such as juggling, acrobatics, aerial performance, and storytelling.
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October highlights include 'Thrown Together', London’s Juggling & Flow Arts Festival, and the introduction of the 'Mixed Doubles' series, which offers audiences two performances for the price of one ticket. Other scheduled events include 'Space Hippo', a shadow puppetry performance by Japanese company Mochinosha.
Enhanced Family Offering and Accessibility
A significant addition to the venue's offerings is 'Jacksons Juniors', a revamped family programme designed to provide more performances and reduce ticket costs. Family tickets are available for £12.50, with a limited number of tickets priced at £10 for each show. This initiative aims to make live performance more accessible to younger audiences and families. The Jacksons Juniors line-up encompasses circus, puppetry, dance, ballet, and immersive theatre, catering to a wide age range from toddlers to teenagers. The programme includes shows like 'SPLAT!', 'Alice in Wonderland', and 'Super Spooky Cabaret for Kids', as well as productions for older audiences such as 'Simile' and 'Bones in the Desert'.
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The venue will also host its annual 'Christmas Cracker' event during the festive period, featuring six holiday-themed productions. These include 'The Elf Factory', 'The Three Little Pigs', 'Pinocchio', and 'The Ultimate Bubble Show' starring Guinness World Record holder Ray Bubbles.
“We want more people than ever to discover the excitement, imagination and wonder of contemporary circus and live performance at Jacksons Lane.”
Angus MacKechnie, Creative Director
Future Plans and Accessibility
Creative director Angus MacKechnie stated his intention to double down on the venue's commitment to contemporary circus and to make the entire programme more accessible through revised ticket prices, with £10 tickets available for every performance. Storytelling events with the Crick Crack Club are also part of the autumn schedule, including family performances and a dedicated 18+ evening.
Questions this report answers
+What shows are on offer for families this autumn?
Jacksons Lane’s family programme, Jacksons Juniors, includes shows like 'SPLAT!', 'Alice in Wonderland', and 'Super Spooky Cabaret for Kids'. Tickets cost £12.50, with some shows priced at £10, making performances more affordable for families.
+Who curated the new autumn arts programme at Jacksons Lane?
The autumn season was curated by Angus MacKechnie, the venue’s new creative director. He aims to expand access to performing arts and increase community involvement through diverse performances.
+When does the autumn arts programme start?
The season begins on September 6 with two productions from the Edinburgh Fringe: 'By a Thread' and 'Soft Spot'. These shows feature acrobatics, juggling, and hand balancing, setting the tone for the varied programme.
+What accessibility measures are being introduced?
Every performance will have £10 tickets available, and the venue is hosting storytelling events with the Crick Crack Club. These steps aim to make contemporary circus and live performance more accessible to wider audiences.
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