Supported by Arts Council England, the University of Chichester, and a range of local sponsors, Naomi Foyle’s adaptation of her novels premiered in Brighton in 2022 as a 70-min multimedia theatre work-in-progress, designed and directed by Raven Kaliana of Puppet (R)Evolution.  ASTRA (2022) was performed three times at Brighton Fringe, Chichester Fringe, and a community sharing in Brighton.

 

ASTRA 2022: Trailer

‘ASTRA Theatrical Trailer’, a one minute video introducing the multimedia theatre piece ASTRA (2022), a work-in-progress written and produced by Naomi Foyle and designed and directed by Raven Kaliana. The trailer features footage of table-top and shadow puppets designed and built by Raven Kaliana, reviewer quotes from Reviews Hub and Fringe Review, and interview footage with Voice Actress/Singer Susanna Paisio. An Arts Council England funded production, with additional support from the University of Chichester and other local organisations.

ASTRA 2022: Gallery

Images of the puppets Astra and Lilt; Peat and Muzi, operated by Gun Suen; and BSL Interpreter Sumayya Si Tayeb, signing in front of the shadow puppet Clay Odinson.

All puppets by Raven Kaliana. Photos by Diensen Pamben | @photo_diensen  

ASTRA 2022: Short documentary

“At the Heart of ASTRA” is a five minute, forty second video documentary on the making of the multimedia theatre piece ASTRA (2022), featuring footage of table-top and shadow puppets designed and built by Raven Kaliana, and interviews with (in order of appearance) writer/producer Naomi Foyle, director/puppet maker Raven Kaliana, theatre critic Simon Jenner, puppeteer Gun Suen, voice actress/singer Susanna Paisio, puppeteer Sara Guedes, voice actor Cornelia Colman and Community Outreach Officer Ümit Öztürk.

An Arts Council England funded production.

ASTRA 2022: Programme

ASTRA 2022: Access for All

ASTRA’s creative/integrated use of access elements place the theme of communication at the heart of the show.

“I’m a visually impaired arts developer/storyteller … the inclusive creative audio description was brilliant” – Chichester Fringe audience member

One of ASTRA’s founding principles is Access for All. The access elements are designed to enhance the production for all audiences. In 2022 we worked with Prof Hannah Thompson, Disability Scholar and author of the influential blog, Blind Spot; VocalEyes, UK’s audio description experts; and Troi Lee, Director of the all-inclusive music organisation Deaf Rave. British Sign Language Interpretation by Sumayya Si-Tayeb was integrated into the role of the Goddess Istar; audio description and notes were voiced by the character Lilt, played by Sherelle Amah Francis, and available online in advance, with Touch Tours available before each performance. Our aim is to create new access and disability-positive elements in the upscaled project with wheelchair dancing, a Deaf Rave, and innovative technology.

Groundbreaking audio description – Prof Hannah Thompson

Didn’t understand the BSL but absolutely loved watching those expressive hands and marveling at how sounds such as a drop of water were expressed. – Brighton Fringe audience member

There are a number of outstanding elements here to celebrate . . . For accessibility, there is a British Sign Language Interpreter who performs dance as well as communicating the emotional changes of the piece. Sumayya Si-Tayeb is mesmerizing to watch and a strong integral part of the performance. – Lela Tredwell, The Reviews Hub

Photo of Sumayya Si-Tayeb by Diensen Pamben (@photo_diensen). Photo of Audio Describer Sherelle Amah Francis copyright Sherelle Amah Francis.

ASTRA 2022: The Audience

ASTRA is a show for adults, young and old, from diverse communities, with a hunger for inclusive theatre that confronts climate crisis head on, with a powerful sense of hope.

“ASTRA is inclusive, casting powerful, caring and intelligent … often disabled, non-binary, POC … Maximum stars from me for this visually and intellectually stunning performance!“ Latinx/Indigenous audience member, Brighton

ASTRA offers a powerful vision of hope for our shared future on the planet. It speaks to ALL audiences of 16+, their communities and families. With its bisexual heroine of mixed heritage, ensemble cast, creative use of access, and eco-science fantasy setting, ASTRA crosses genres, geographical backgrounds, religion and disability, creating an innovative, multi-media production that speaks to the heart of our times.

The fictional nations of Is-land and Non-Land allow people of all cultural backgrounds to relate to the story’s character and geopolitical conflict. The show’s ethos and narrative arc are firmly rooted in a faith in humanity and respect for Indigenous wisdom.

The Canadian colonial context will shape ASTRA: THE EPIC with Indigenous participation in the Creative Team and Cast.

Created as a work of community theatre, ASTRA offers significant opportunities for audience building and interaction including after-show Q&As/Long Tables and Education/Study Packs for 16+ students.

ASTRA is driven by a transatlantic team and offers ambitious opportunities for international collaboration and learning, including festivals, workshops and residencies.