May 2024
17/05-18/05 and
24/05-25/05
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Bright & Wild 2024
About the Festival
This Spring Lyra presents Bright & Wild 2024 - a festival with children and teens at its heart.
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Over two weekends in May, we will showcase four new shows created in collaboration with Lyra's Young Artists. These productions were commissioned by the children themselves, and they've been collaborating with their adult Artists over the past nine months, devising and creating together.
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This year's theme, 'FACE THE DRAGON' response to the monumental changes that children and teens have faced in recent years. From dancing in the rain to grappling with AI technology, join the Young Artists as they explore the many facets of change with fire in their hearts!
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The festival is produced and hosted by Lyra's teenage Culture Crew.
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Check out the programme below...
How to Book
All performances are FREE to attend, but booking is essential!
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Or Call/Text 07517 773 780
Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
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The Festival Venue
This year's performances will all be presented at Lyra’s venue Artspace (11 Harewood Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4NT)
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This is where to find us
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The venue is accessible by wheelchair and we have two wheelchair spaces available per performance. There is a ramp at the entrance to Artspace, the studio is on the ground floor and the theatre is on the first floor. The theatre is accessible by lift.
The Programme - at a glance!
FRI 17 May, 6pm
Double Bill:
How to Find a Dragon by Geraldine Heaney, Kerry Cleland and Katy Wilson with the Wednesday Young Artists in association with Sprog Rock
AI+U by Adam Rosa with the Thursday Young Artists
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SAT 18 May, 2pm & 6pm
Double Bill:
How to Find a Dragon by Geraldine Heaney, Kerry Cleland and Katy Wilson with the Wednesday Young Artists in association with Sprog Rock
AI+U by Adam Rosa with the Thursday Young Artists
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FRI 24 May, 7pm
Double Bill:
Warm, Cold and In-between by Tenzin Stephen with Youth Music
Learning to Dance in the Rain by Niamh O'Loughlin with Youth Dance
SAT 25 May, 3pm* & 7pm
Double Bill:
Warm, Cold and In-between by Tenzin Stephen with Youth Music
Learning to Dance in the Rain by Niamh O'Loughlin with Youth Dance
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*There will be a post-show Q&A after the matinee performances on Saturday 20 and Saturday 27 May
The Q&A for anyone that's interested in learning more about Lyra and the making of the Bright & Wild festival. Maybe you're an Artist that would like to collaborate with the Young Artists? Come along and find out about Lyra's unique, child-led approach.
Image by Geraldine Heaney
How to Find a Dragon
by Geraldine Heaney, Kerry Cleland and Katy Wilson with the Wednesday Young Artists in association with Sprog Rock
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Friday 17 May, 6pm
Saturday 18 May, 2pm & 6pm
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Venue: Lyra (Artspace)
"It's hard to hide a dragon, it's not hard to find a dragon!"
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Wednesday Young Artists invite you to join them on an adventure to go looking for a dragon. A
Audiences can expect live performance, the world premiere of a new music video by Sprog Rock and maybe a dragon sighting... watch out for its fire breath!
A.I. + U
Created by Adam Rosa with the Thursday Young Artists
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Friday 17 May, 6pm
Saturday 18 May, 2pm & 6pm
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Venue: Lyra (Artspace)
Dragon Tech, in association with Lyra and the Bright & Wild festival, invites you to experience A.I. + U!
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A.I. + U is an interactive peek into the innovative world of artificial intelligence.
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What is A.I.? How will A.I. change your life? Will you make a new robot friend? Could A.I. do your job one day?
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The friendly folk at Dragon Tech have the answers. Come face to face with your future at A.I. + U - your tomorrow, today!
Image by Andrew Perry
Image by Andrew Perry
Warm, Cold and In-between
Created by Tenzin Stephen with Youth Music
Friday 24 May, 7pm
Saturday 25 May, 3pm & 7pm
Venue: Artspace
The infinite cycle of the seasons brings constant change throughout our live and is the framework within which we all live. Warm, Cold and In-between features original music inspired by the changes that come with each season, and how this affects our young musicians.
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Will they remain in this cycle, like a dragon chasing its own tail, or will they break free?
Learning to Dance in the Rain
Created by Niamh O'Loughlin with Youth Dance
Friday 24 May, 7pm
Saturday 25 May, 3pm & 7pm
Venue: Artspace
Learning to Dance in the Rain is an exploration of confidence, resilience, overcoming challenges and of course, the Scottish weather!
The weather can be unique, epic, surprising and dynamic, just as dance can be. We dance in the ever-changing climate. We dance in the present.
We dance with the wind in our face and the clouds overhead.
Image by Andrew Perry