Out of Water

The singers are out of breath
The swimmers are out of their depth
The sea glistens mirage-like in the distance. In the early morning light a group of singers and swimmers strike out towards the water’s edge until they span the wide expanse of beach. They each look towards the sea, eyes intent, focused on the horizon, searching for something. Is somebody lost at sea?

Tutor and MA Course Leader Caroline Wright will be taking her performance Out of Water to Edinburgh Fringe this year and is looking for people to take part. The work was conceived in collaboration with artist Helen Paris and explores themes around family, memory, and what we pass from generation to generation.
Out of Water takes place on Portobello beach near Edinburgh at dusk and dawn on 8, 9 and 10 August. It combines a haunting sound score written by BAFTA winning composer Jocelyn Pook (her work includes scores for the films Gangs of New York, Eyes Wide Shut and The Merchant of Venice) with emotive lyrics and striking visual choreography that takes the audience on a journey from shore to the waters edge with stories of endeavour, of singing, swimming and sinking, interwoven with lifeguard drills, calls for help and struggles for breath. Out of Water combines radio transmitted sound with live singing and features the solo voice of acclaimed soprano Laura Wright, also Caroline’s daughter.  Out of Water was originally commissioned for the Cultural Olympiad and selected for London 2012 Festival followed by a performance at Performance Studies International Conference 19 at Stanford University in San Francisco.
Up to 40 performers are involved in the work and Caroline is looking for people who might be interested in taking part. Gil Stead, participant in Norfolk said
“It was a very enjoyable experience, the music and singing were superb, overlayed with the thoughtful prose, expressed with such feeling at appropriate times.
Such a well planned creative piece of work contributed to such a fascinating project!
I thought it was really great to work with everyone in such a professional manner, with such high quality of music and choreography.  This contributed to feelings of confidence, inspiration and encouragement.” 

The performers are not required to have any special skills, however if you are a singer and/or swimmer you would be very welcome. There will be rehearsals in the three days leading up to the performance dates and these will take place in Portobello and there will be plenty of time to enjoy Edinburgh Festival highlights in between rehearsals and performances. If you are interested, please contact the project coordinator, Michael Sherrin on mikeysherin@hotmail.com.
Out of Water was made with the support of PRS For Music Foundation’s Women Make Music, Norfolk County Council and Arts Council England and is a Live Art Collective East project. It is part of the Escalator East to Edinburgh initiative and is in the Summerhall Edinburgh Festival programme.