The creators of the touring family show Stories in the Dust were welcomed to a parliamentary dinner after publishing a paper co-written with professor Ian Williams, professor of applied environmental science at the University of Southampton.
Anna Harriott and Iona Johnson, two theatre makers from Salisbury, created Stories in the Dust in 2023 with a seed fund from MAST Mayflower Studios.
Anna said: “Originally, we hadn't intended to make a family show about climate change. However, after a creative process where we looked at what young people care about and current world events, we found we had done just that.”
Following the duo’s reception of Arts Council funding in the summer of 2023, Anna and Iona contacted Ian, who supported them in creating the storyline of Stories in the Dust and creating the accompanying question pack and workshop programme.
Anna said: “We believe that theatre is a tool for social change. Being an audience member at a live theatre show is an individual and participatory experience, one that offers you the space to process societal problems and explore potential solutions. In this way, we've been able to connect our young audiences with the subject of climate change in a show that is meaningful, fun and hopeful.”
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Stories in the Dust tells the story of two travellers taking a journey across a mysterious land in a contraption they built themselves, guided by an ancient book. The show features singing, games and stories inspired by artefacts the characters find.
As a result of their work on Stories in the Dust, Ian asked Anna and Iona to co-author an academic paper about the impact that theatre can have in communicating scientific research.
The paper, entitled “Stories in the Dust: the arts as a medium to communicate climate science research”, has been published in the first-ever issue of Civic Partners in Net Zero, a journal launched by the Key Cities Innovation Network on the night of the parliamentary dinner on Tuesday, April 23.
Anna said: “Before this project, our work didn't have any overlap with the science world and we certainly didn't see ourselves going to a parliamentary dinner but here we are. We're proud to be forging new collaborations and to be representing the arts and the University of Southampton in the House of Commons. It's an unusual and incredible opportunity for theatre makers like us.”
Stories in the Dust will be touring in Autumn 2024, visiting Salisbury Arts Centre among other venues across the UK.
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