Applause Rural Touring in collaboration with Gravesham Borough Council have commissioned outdoor theatre company Enter Edem to develop a new walkabout show, Aquanauts Adrift, for outdoor touring in 2025. The show will be developed with the local community and shared with all at the Gravesham Light Festival in January 2025.
As part of our commitment to supporting local artists this project has provided support for three local practitioners to work alongside Enter Edem to develop their sills as either performers or makers of small-scale outdoor work. Following a call out earlier this year we are delighted to announce that Anna Crilly (maker), Dylan Faye (performer), and Libby Watson (maker) will be working with the team to develop and create the new show.
Anna Crilly is a fine art textile artist based in Gravesend.
She graduated from Fine Art Painting and Printmaking at Glasgow School of art – and has been making in different guises since. Her fine art background shapes the textile works she creates and the costumes she designs and makes.
“I’m excited to be working with Enter Edem on Aquanauts Adrift. This uniquely collaborative process with expert makers offers the opportunity to create something magical and to foster a sense of shared creativity locally.
Libbie is a freelance artist and facilitator across Kent and Medway.
“I have always found that creativity positively affects my mental well-being, and I’m keen to create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with and access art and culture in their local area.
I am really excited to be part of this project. Having lived in Gravesend my whole life, I can’t wait to facilitate puppet workshops to see everyone express their creativity in their unique way and for them to be able to say with pride “I was part of that!”.
Dylan Faye is an actor, facilitator and writer originally from Sunderland, now based in Gravesend. They are the artistic director of Trans Voices Young Company, a community arts project for young trans people in Kent. Dylan’s recent credits include a commercial for London Stock Exchange, ‘Chester the Jester’ in Snow White (pantomime) and backing vocals for Olly Alexander (Years & Years).
They are super excited to be joining Enter Edem for this incredibly unique project and can’t wait to be working in Gravesend for the first time since moving here two years ago!
Mandy O’Hare, Cultural Manager, Gravesham Borough Council says ‘Gravesham Borough Council is delighted to be collaborating with Applause on the Aquanauts project. We believe that community co-creation empowers local voices, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the artistic process. By involving the public directly in the development of new work, we not only create more relevant and resonant productions, but also strengthen community bonds, inspire creativity, and ensure that the arts are accessible to all’.
