Ending 2020 at the old Cumbernauld

For two weeks in November 2020 - socially distanced and meticulously risk assessed - we developed the Shotput ensemble at Cumbernauld Theatre. As Cumbernauld plans to move into their new home in 2021, we now know that we were the last company to work in the old theatre building. And what a powerful space it is. Some of that power lies in the misleading entrance. As many of you know, the facade of the old Cumbernauld Theatre is a row of cottages - welcoming and modest - but then the cottage door swings open, and you're in a wonderful cave, full of subterranean possibilities. Some of the power is in the ghosts. As we were rehearsing, Cumbernauld’s Matt and Craig were sorting through decades upon decades of theatrical detritus and objects: posters and filing cabinets and paperwork and scripts and pictures and props. We often call ourselves - maybe pretentiously - a 'contemporary' company; but in fact, we find tracing our lineage really useful and grounding: from ancient performance practices, to influential teachers, to the previous performances between the very walls in which we stand. And that is actually the biggest source of the old Cumbernauld Theatre's power: the walls. Or more specifically, the way in which the walls wrap around the stage in a three-quarter thrust. That thrust formation is theatre at its most generous. It forces you to open out, to circle around, to share. And it was perfect for our task this November. Because although this was an ending for the space, it was a beginning for our company. Up until now, Shotput's work has been performed by us, its two founders, Lucy and Jim. Those two weeks in November were the beginning of us building an ensemble. The opportunity offered by Cumbernauld was invaluable. It was space, yes. But it was also time with no pressure to produce. No sharing. No video. No 'product'. It meant that we could take the first steps toward real ensemble-building. It also means that, unfortunately, we don't have much to show you! - any videos and photos we took were purely to jog our memory for the next day. But we kind of like the idea that what happened in the old Cumbernauld Theatre stays in the old Cumbernauld Theatre. It's one more theatrical secret buried between those walls. The ensemble continues to develop, though, and we are very much looking forward to collaborating in the new venue. Thanks so much, Cumbernauld, for welcoming us into your home.