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Episode 2 - Venue 13 at WSD2025 in Sharjah UAE + Space Cat by Lewis Hetherington
48 Plays29 days ago
In Episode 2 of Podcast 13, Ian and Vanesa take you inside World Stage Design 2025, an international gathering of scenographers, artists, and researchers shaping the future of performance.
Ian shares his perspective as a seasoned participant, and reflects on how this year’s WSD compares to previous editions, while Vanesa brings her first impressions as a playwright and producer, discovering this global creative community.
Together, they discuss new collaborations, inspirations from the Scenofest Research Symposium, and how events like WSD connect to the work happening at Venue 13.
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Transcript
Introduction to Podcast 13
00:00:11
Speaker
Hello and welcome back to Podcast 13. Episode 2, I'm Ian. And I'm Vanessa. We are so happy you have joined us again. And if this is your first time tuning in, welcome. If you're curious about who we are and why we started this, do have a listen back to Episode 1, where we talk about the vision behind Podcast 13.
00:00:29
Speaker
Exactly. But whether you've been with us from the beginning or you're just joining now, thank you. Honestly, what a fantastic way to round up your summer by supporting us, cheering us on, and seeing this little project grow week by week. We feel it.
00:00:42
Speaker
We truly do.
Episode Preview: 'Space Cat' and World Stage Design
00:00:43
Speaker
Coming up in today's episode, we'll be diving into another play that Space Cat by Louis Hetherington. And later in the episode, we'll be talking about World State Design 2025, a global gathering of designers and theater makers happening right now in Sharjah.
00:00:57
Speaker
And we'll be sharing our own experience presenting at the Research Symposium. Let's get started. Space Cat by Lewis Hetherington.
Exploring 'Space Cat': Themes and Structure
00:01:06
Speaker
This play is about an astronaut who was sent into deep space to find a new planet for humans to live on, and a cat who sits at home wondering where he's gone.
00:01:15
Speaker
I wanted to write about the barrenness of space in comparison to this extremely beautiful planet we've been given. ah wanted to ask why we are all being sold this vision of space colonization and who will actually benefit from it.
00:01:28
Speaker
It can be played by any two people. Please feel free to change pronouns to match those used by the performers. If you would like to use a different name for the cat, then I suggest Jesse. He's coming back. He always comes back.
00:01:41
Speaker
I mean, I'm fine. I'm not worried. And I like my own space. Everyone knows that. Patting about, watching the world go by. but he's just... Well, I want to know that he's okay.
00:01:56
Speaker
This is it. I'm on the edge of everything. Like the first ever sailor with the first ever boat looking out to sea back in.
Astronaut's Journey and Emotional Challenges
00:02:03
Speaker
Well, whatever that would have been. i don't ever think I would be important.
00:02:08
Speaker
And I didn't mind. But when this came up, it spoke to something inside me. Something vast. Something important. He likes to fall asleep in the sunshine. He likes to eat his breakfast slowly while listening to the birds.
00:02:21
Speaker
What if there aren't birds where he is? What if he doesn't have his special mug for coffee? Leaving the Earth's atmosphere felt something like something was tearing inside of me.
00:02:32
Speaker
But they said that would happen. They prepared us for everything. Training was hard, but everyone was really nice, and it's software doing most of the work. And the people back down on the ground?
00:02:43
Speaker
ah It's not just me. There's loads of us, all in separate pods, normal people, given this chance, drifting off into the great beyond. It doesn't matter who finds something. Obviously, would be nice if it was me, but that's not what's important.
00:02:56
Speaker
Look, I miss him, okay? I do. i mean, i know everyone says cats are loners and that we don't care about anyone. And maybe that's true for some cats, but not me, actually. So yes, I do miss him.
00:03:08
Speaker
I want him to come home.
00:03:11
Speaker
264 days now. Now that's ah not that days mean anything in space. It's like a corridor where no windows, doors are in. So that's why we have to keep this well-being log. There's all these mental and physical exercises that keep us right.
00:03:25
Speaker
There's a dot on the screen and it zips about and you have to tap it to catch it. It makes this little sound. Beep, beep. It's really satisfying. Beep, beep. Oh, and if you thought airplane food was bad, you should try a spaceship food.
00:03:36
Speaker
Uh, what else? I keep thinking about seeing Earth. I know I said before, but just seeing it there, blue and green, ah glowing ball of life spinning in space, it was weeks ago, but if I close my eyes I can still just about see it.
00:03:51
Speaker
Doors open and close, but it's never him. Someone else lives here now. and She smells like him, but she's sort of annoying. And she snores. We keep to ourselves.
00:04:01
Speaker
She does buy me little treats sometimes. I keep looking out for him. He's coming back. There's nothing here. Just dust and nothing. it's It's not like I thought I'd stumble across a new home planet straight away, but did you see that film? um Avengers ah Infinity War? Space in that is all green and purple and swirling.
00:04:22
Speaker
I mean, i knew it wouldn't be like that, but I keep thinking about my cat. Well, I bet he hasn't even noticed I'm gone. Silly, really. My sister moved in. They'll be fine. 454 days now.
00:04:34
Speaker
Onward for humanity. That's one of the affirmations they gave us. What is taking so long? What is he doing? What is more important than being here? ah sent a message to the company. i said if we do find a new planet, can my cat come?
00:04:49
Speaker
ah They said no. I look for him all the time. i go out to the balcony and look for his bouncy walk below. 689 days. Ralph is maybe dead by now? In cat ears he would be, i don't know, but really old.
00:05:05
Speaker
That tears me up inside. It feels bigger, the machines say I'm fine, they need our bodies to respond to samples from the planets, they keep blood moving to keep my flesh alive to see if it gets poisoned.
00:05:17
Speaker
I hope Ralph will be okay at the end, i don't know what it's like for a cat at the end. I'm so tired now. My bones are achy and it feels like I'm sinking.
00:05:28
Speaker
I just want to see him again. Was my breath always this thin? He'll come back now, won't he? He'll come back and he'll put his hand on me, on my tummy.
00:05:40
Speaker
What was that? No, nothing. It's all just shapes and light now. i can't see very much. But I'll know him. His voice, his smell, his hand on my tummy. He needs to hurry up.
00:05:52
Speaker
I don't think there's long now and and I want to hear his funny little noise that he does when to get my attention.
Loneliness and Reflections in Space
00:05:58
Speaker
He goes, yeah meow, meow, meow. And I run to him.
00:06:03
Speaker
Not now. can't run to him anymore. I'm i'm sinking. I'm sinking away somewhere else. And then I'm gone. yeah me meow, meow, meow. Obviously it won't bring him out here, but it's nice because for a split second I get this little lift.
00:06:18
Speaker
Uh, as though he might appear. ye Meow, meow, meow. I used to sit on my balcony in the sun. Ralph would sit in my lap. We'd fall asleep as I was stroking the soft fur of his underbelly. There was a little wooden box and I grew rosemary. I don't remember how it smelt, but I remember I liked it.
00:06:35
Speaker
I'd pick a bit and Ralph would nibble it. We'd watch the birds, the clouds would drift, and sometimes the sky was pink and purple as the sun was setting. Maybe when he died his soul floated out into space and he is drifting towards me.
00:06:47
Speaker
Maybe I'll see him. Whisker is glowing and eyes alive. He'll drift up to me and his ghost white paws will tap gently at my face, saying, come on, get up. And then maybe his gentle ghost body will weave between my legs before he drifts onward to cat heaven.
00:07:01
Speaker
and But probably not. Day 904. I wonder if everyone is dead. Maybe Earth is just another planet to poison his gas and dust now, like all these ones. Maybe there's been some brilliant and clever technical solution which has swept in and solved everything.
00:07:16
Speaker
Oh, but that's what ah that that's what this is meant to be. Maybe I'll find something and save everyone. I just want to see my cat.
00:07:27
Speaker
3,467 days. I really... beep. Sorry, my my brain is flooded. And my eyeballs are swollen. really... i was what was the smell? It was muscles like a pop balloon, old old plastic bags, actor feed.
00:07:42
Speaker
They told us this would happen, but they weren't... There's no planet, is there? Not for someone like me. Meow, meow, meow. I really did have... Ralph. Ralph. I was a normal human, you know, and I thought that was nothing.
00:07:56
Speaker
But it was not. It was not nothing. Beep. Beep. The machines make it so we can't die? for the mission. Maybe if I get to the edge of the universe, then I will die and have a moment of euphoria.
00:08:09
Speaker
Breath in my lungs, a cat in my lap, the scent of rosemary in the air. ah really did have it all, didn't I? had it all, and then... End of play.
00:08:27
Speaker
And that that brings us to the end of today's play.
Emotional Impact of 'Space Cat' and Transition to WSD
00:08:31
Speaker
um What a journey. We hope you enjoyed stepping into that story as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you. But and was ah it was a sad one, wasn't it?
00:08:40
Speaker
it was It was a tough one. I've got tears. ah Do you miss your cat while you're here in Sharjah? miss my cat. Yes, I do. But um you know moving on to the second part of today's episode, we have some news to share from World Stage Design while we're here in Sharjah.
00:09:01
Speaker
So Ian, can you tell to any new listeners who haven't heard of it before, what exactly is World Stage Design and
Introduction to World Stage Design
00:09:08
Speaker
what makes it special? um So World Stage Design, it's an international festival of stage design and scenography.
00:09:15
Speaker
it's started in 2005 Toronto and it's gone to a different city every four years since then. ah Sort of one year delayed 2021 to pandemic when it was Calgary.
00:09:28
Speaker
ah because of ah pandemic but i was in calgary ah It invites designers from all around the world to submit work as individuals. So it's not necessarily as political as sort of its counterpart event, the Prague Quadrillion, which happens in sort of like alternating four-year increments.
00:09:46
Speaker
And it allows us to celebrate both professional and then emerging designers and to see each of their individual works sort of equally together. There's ah prizes associated with that. And then there's this event called SennoFest.
00:09:58
Speaker
which has a festival ah performance, design-based performance, that comes and there's there's things to see throughout the day. Some of it's in theaters, some of it's outside. There's workshops, ah there's talks, there's presentations. And then OISTAD, the International Association of ah theater architects, scenographers, and technicians. They have their like meeting and organizational meetings. So this group is from around the world get together to coordinate other events that they're going to do, pick that where the next one's going to be and things like that. So it's ah it's a giant festival focused on design and getting people from around the world to collaborate with each other.
00:10:35
Speaker
I see. So this is actually massive. but You've been involved in several editions before. and How does this year compare? what what feels different about ah World State Design 2025? Well, I was one of the co-chairs for World Stage Design 2022. So in part, it feels very relaxed because I have very little that I'm responsible for. The scale continues to grow. There's always more people getting involved. It's great to also just meet more people who are getting involved both with World Stage Design and then also with just OISTAT in general.
00:11:07
Speaker
It has to be hosted by an OISTAT center. Like a country has like another organization that organizes people locally. So it's really exciting to see it taking place here. It's opened up a part of the world that is a sort of new to that community.
Sustainability and Innovation at WSD 2025
00:11:23
Speaker
And also it's therefore introduced a lot of different topics and perspectives and traditions that maybe were less represented in previous editions of it. That's always one of the fun things about it being in place to place is that you learn about the performance and design traditions in that, in that place.
00:11:42
Speaker
Another big focus this time around has been sustainability. We did have a strand of echo sonography in Calgary in the last edition of it, but that's continued to grow. So it's like finding its way into everything.
00:11:55
Speaker
And of course, the the the digital component to it and conversations around AI, which have, at least in terms of generative AI and the way that it's influenced the design field, have really opened up in the last couple of years are a lot more central than they were before. You mentioned sustainability and hybridity.
00:12:14
Speaker
Are those still big talking points this year? I think even more so now there's a challenge with people getting here. It's far for a lot of people. It was 13 hours flight from Toronto and it was 14 hours flight from Brisbane. So there's people from all over the world, but it's sort of like a central point in that regard.
00:12:33
Speaker
But then it's talking about like now that we're we're back in person, mostly that was something we're just starting to get back to and the cause of the delays in the previous edition. that it's that big topic of what do we retain from that? Like, how does that something that continues to influence our work when we can convene? Because there's all sorts of different reasons that we might not be able to be in the same place together.
00:12:55
Speaker
So hybridity is a big, important part of that, as is sustainability. It's a conversation can't avoid by having like a city that's as young as Sharjah growing out of the desert as well for it. But it's also like a core tenant of the ah the Emirates ah that they're trying to pursue. And in the in in it's being hosted by the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy.
00:13:19
Speaker
And it's a core part of the types of things that they're trying to teach as they're starting up the school as well. So they're sort of woven throughout everything. I see. ah And have you noticed any emerging themes in the way um the designers are approaching the performance? So maybe something that reflects where the world is right now?
00:13:35
Speaker
I think we're talking a lot about like human agency and it's a a much more human scale as well because one, the conversation around AI. also think just, you know, it's always a conversation with how like the political global climate influences the conversation of people collaborating together because that's influential of like you know, how performance work gets to get made and who is funding what sort of thing and how people are able to get here. You know, a lot of people are getting grants and things like that to be able to show up.
00:14:03
Speaker
And so that you can never like completely separate it from the political milieu of the time. And so those conversations, as they've become real, like hotbed conversations in general, are pervasive in a way that I just don't think that they have been before. And it might be a lot having to do with, you know, both the time and place.
00:14:27
Speaker
This is certainly a place that brings up a lot of conversation when it comes to, um actually was leading into my next question, which is like, what about the um accessibility or inclusion?
00:14:38
Speaker
um How are those being discussed or showcased in design ah practice at WSD? i think that what we're seeing a lot of is principles of universal design coming into people's design work and the way that they design spaces being like a new building ah it it itself is and i think that's something that's not always been present and as we've been using looking at like adaptive space there's a presentation earlier today about what's going to happen with the next prog quadrennial this is going to be in june of 2027 And they're renovating this ah historic convening center, sort of like, you know, a Beaux's Art conference center, if you will, ah the Industrial Palace in Prague.
00:15:18
Speaker
And i was having conversation with the artistic director and asking whether or not part of that renovation was making it more accessible. Because that's one of the challenges of using it before and just finding a large enough venue for an event like this or like the the PQ.
00:15:32
Speaker
I think that the other part of it is the digital component to that and people being able to actually access the work itself, like physically get to it and whether or not there. So it comes back to that sort of hybridity question of when you've got a lot of people coming really far.
00:15:48
Speaker
And that's one of the reasons that world stage design moves around is to make it so that like, it's not always really far from everybody, but then you have to think about how do people access the work or participate without necessarily being able to travel to that place for any variety of reasons.
00:16:03
Speaker
So I think that those are important questions that happen particularly here when you've got like place like Sharjah or the UAE in general that is like really this this meeting point between like a really forward-looking modernity that's that's rooted in in sort of like the the being on this tip of the Arabian Peninsula as like a meeting point that has a lot of tradition for it. that's like There's a lot of momentum towards the future in a place like this.
00:16:31
Speaker
So, Vanessa, ah this was your first time at World State Design, right? That's correct. ah What was it like walking into this space for the first time? um It was overwhelming, i have to say, in the best possible way. and there was a lot of i was met with a lot of creativity.
00:16:49
Speaker
i was a very, very lucky to have met so many wonderful people. They're all connected, all connected to their work. and They're connected to you. You've worked ah with so many of them in the past.
00:17:01
Speaker
And I was actually very, very touched by how everyone was, first of all, so kind, ah so inspiring, and how everybody wants to collaborate with each other.
00:17:11
Speaker
I thought that was a a fantastic sign immediately to know that this was the the right place for me, the right place to bring my ideas and the right place to try and make ah professional connections and because it really feels like it will pay off.
00:17:26
Speaker
There were some sort of the building on itself is the of a spa, SPIA, it's beautiful. And they what they've done in the entrance is put these huge pillars with exhibitions. and And the exhibitions range from digital to sort of like small models of stages.
00:17:41
Speaker
and from every type of stages, such as stages or costume design. And they were kind of supplemented by the the sort of like the model with the video at the back of how would look like in real life and how it behaved in a performance. um There were some workshops as well, which I've really enjoyed. um There was one about like sort like pickling and it wasn't just about pickling. It was about the history and the connection and how cultures that didn't necessarily have access to land can still like use and reuse food and preserve it for longer.
00:18:10
Speaker
And I believe that's passing on these important key messages so that they would, you know, we keep using this because there this is ancient knowledge that needs to be passed on and the communities are built around it.
Insights from World Stage Design
00:18:21
Speaker
I feel like this was quite eye-opening for me to see design at its forefront because ah as a playwriter and maybe producer and a hopefully performer in the future, it's interesting to see that what I have in my head is also kind of something that other people have in their heads. It's like, when I think about a play that I want to write, I first have to think about the scene and the setting in my mind.
00:18:43
Speaker
And then as I write the play, i have to start thinking as well, who at some point we're going to have to build this. We're going to have to build this as a stage, either physically or digitally. and So this is extremely inspiring for me. And it also helps me how likegie tell me rethink ah how I can create this world building, the stage, light, texture. You know, right now for AI Campfire, we're going digital, but also we are working with immersive technologies.
00:19:07
Speaker
um And also another thing that I want to bring into this practice is sustainability, modularity. How can we use things that we can reuse as well now that we have and you know the venue access and we can actually store things?
00:19:18
Speaker
How can we start creating things from the beginning that are going to be sustainable and can use in the future? And you're not just here as an observer. You presented at the research symposium on Monday as well. How do you feel being a part of the international mix of voices?
00:19:32
Speaker
It's an extremely ah inspiring and humbling experience. As so as you know, and but many people here in the audience might not know, I have come to ah it's in theater and theatre and, you know, being a producer and a playwright, I've come from ah not a particularly straight line of experience because i might like my background is on pharmacology and then I moved into working in renewables and tech and I set up my own my freelance PR and theatre and arts and consultancy.
00:19:57
Speaker
So I feel like... um i When I came here and I was going to present, I came with quite a lot of insecurities. so I was like accompanied my by my insecurities. But the people that I've met, they didn't care about how I came to be. They just cared about what I'm going to be moving forward.
00:20:16
Speaker
And that was extremely wholesome to to to feel so accepted so so quickly. the I was met with a global community that is thinking sustainability, storytelling and inclusivity.
00:20:27
Speaker
And I've already ah took up some contacts of people that are working, for example, in alternative materials. Like there's this just a lady who's a wonderful. that She's creating this material out of ah kombucha scoby.
00:20:41
Speaker
And so she wants to you know mass produce this in a way that she can potentially bring it to stage design, which is a wonderful material. It's completely biodegradable. um And so obviously now we have a new contact. And I'm just thinking, well, I am a fermenter myself, so I'm going to experiment with that. So it's been really and inspirational.
00:20:58
Speaker
Do you find it inspiring in terms of your own practice as a playwright and producer? ah Absolutely. Absolutely. I want to know, write differently. I want to write with a like with the end goal of thinking, building in the workshops and the things I have experienced here. So, for example, can I, in my own past, my own hobby, if I'm going to be making kombucha, can I actually start creating some fabric out of it so that I can use it in the next show as some sort of a token, a reminder, something that people can take with them.
00:21:28
Speaker
Because I do believe that big things come from small things. And if I actually can give them a little token, a little heart made out of a kombucha that can be a key ring, they will be thinking, oh my God, that's made out of kombucha, for example, and it's biodegradable.
WSD's Influence on Venue 13
00:21:41
Speaker
And I do believe that the small acts that we can do can have big impact on climate action.
00:21:49
Speaker
And you mentioned meeting new people. Do you feel like this opened up any doors for you or for the venue for venue 13? Absolutely. I think it was really interesting to to share with people, not only that we have a project on the go and we have another project on the go with the return to the AI campfire, but also to share with them that we have now a space in Edinburgh and it's established space in Edinburgh as Venue 13.
00:22:14
Speaker
And we also have, ah you know hopefully we'll have soon an ongoing year round space, which is going to be half a physical space, also an online space in Future 13. and And I believe that people now want to collaborate.
00:22:27
Speaker
And it's one of those things you need to know who is in that space to basically start the collaboration, start the conversations. And and this will definitely open the doors. And we will have presenters that would have we would have met them here.
00:22:39
Speaker
And they'll be presenting with us in 2026, 2027. I do feel like that's a connection that we can we can make quite easily here. That's great. and And what about the event itself? Anything that you'd change or anything that could be done differently to make it even better?
00:22:53
Speaker
um I think, so i didn't realize that they the if the place itself is kind of quite far apart from the from the main city. I think that it's it's quite well put together. i think the schedule in sometimes overlaps a little bit, which is a bit of a shame. So we would ah we have we have to make tough choices, you know, to go to one thing and not another.
00:23:14
Speaker
us and well as As a vegan myself, I felt like there could have been a few more vegan options, perhaps. But I do believe in generally when when we're looking through um through the apps and through the offerings and restaurants and things, it it feels a little bit limiting still.
00:23:28
Speaker
um So, you know, heads up, it is sure ja is getting better. But I do feel like, a you know, if they have that in in the in their minds for the future, As well, alternatively, I haven't experienced this before, but I felt like it's quite cold inside the buildings and inside the theatres, but it's really hot outside.
00:23:47
Speaker
so i don't know if you can hear in my voice, I already have a bit of a kind of like a a sharpness to it because I'm getting, I actually am getting a summer cold. And it's just because, he's a again, it's the culture of having here the very cold inside. So inside the car, inside the building and just extremely hot weather outside.
00:24:07
Speaker
And I believe that that's quite a shock. and And if you're going to bring here people from all over the world, they're going to be feeling that difference. And and i do feel like ah the building itself, it's a little bit on the cold side.
00:24:18
Speaker
Now, we were both part of the research symposium on Monday. but Should we tell the audience how does it feel to present alongside so many international voices? Well, you know, along with the event that I was at in Chicago earlier this month where we got to share a AI campfire, like it was installed at the Word Center there.
00:24:37
Speaker
It's been really exciting to get the word out in general about the work now that we've been able to get a little bit of distance from it. Like it's not every day running. We're not on that fringe schedule of 14 hour days every day.
00:24:49
Speaker
And ah because then we've had to do this work of distilling it down into something we can share with others, it's been really helpful for me to think about like where we're headed next and then be able to have that conversation with people who are like listening and getting excited about it or even critical about it to be like, what are the things that I need to be thinking about moving ahead now that now that it's not just like, go, go, go, go go show, show, show, show. show No, yeah, I actually, i agree with you as well. From my experience, I felt like being able to talk about the show as opposed to just showing the show allowed us to explain to people the reasoning behind it and to share more about ah the various aspects of AI.
00:25:33
Speaker
I feel like right now it's almost as if we have a duty of understanding teaching people that there are varieties of of of ways someone can use AI and that they're not all necessarily completely detrimental to either the environment or to the practice.
00:25:48
Speaker
and I do feel like the talks like this ones are extremely useful to to pass that message along. What ideas stood out to you from other presenters? For me, it was about like the interactions between different types of performance.
00:26:01
Speaker
I mean, that's what ours is about at its core. But I think we saw that about many types of ah presentations, like how we relate to others, to the environment, to technology.
00:26:12
Speaker
It's all about like unpacking these different types of ah interactions that we have ah with humans and non-humans alike. um But what about you? Other than the workshops and the community side of things that were very, very wonderful um and there were great ideas that I'm going to implement.
00:26:31
Speaker
and Another one that I would like to know more about is there was a ah presenter who ah was a digital costume designer. which to me that was extremely revolutionary because we have, ah you know, in our own show, we have Cymbeline.
00:26:46
Speaker
And when we were creating Cymbeline, we were torn between creating her digitally or to actually, for me to put on the the kind of motion capture suit and to move with her and to give up life to Cymbeline.
00:27:00
Speaker
And at the time it felt because, you know, um due due to ignorance, it felt like a really complicated process. And it felt like we were very inexperienced. But now that I have seen this presentation and I've seen how the characters that this person has built digitally can move with ease and be moved real life by this person wearing the the motion capture and ah sort of like a suit,
00:27:23
Speaker
It opens up idea for what could be other installations of AI Campfire. Could we have something that really brings AI to life in real time whilst it being moved by a person, by a performer?
00:27:36
Speaker
and So these are things that, the again, it brought more questions, but that's a good thing. More questions are always good. It's when you just don't even know what to ask about. or That's where the ideas just die, basically.
00:27:49
Speaker
Mm-hmm. Did anything surprise you about how people are thinking about the theater and sustainability in 2025? I think the thing that surprised me was just how edible everything is You know, there is the the SCOBY. There's been things on fermentation.
00:28:08
Speaker
I've had conversations around, like, growing sets and things like that. and And it's been something that I've been part of those conversations before and talked to other people about those topics before. But it seems to be, like, an undercurrent here.
00:28:21
Speaker
So I think that the surprise is just, like, how, like, delicious world state design is this time around. I mean, the food's also been good, too. ah But it seems to be, like, ah an undercurrent of things.
00:28:34
Speaker
I think I agree with that. yet Everything seems to be now we're trying to, we're aiming for things that are made in order of like, ah you know, scoby, seaweed, mycelium. um And I quite like that. and We've had a chat with someone earlier today about buildings and how we could potentially integrate mycelium into buildings.
00:28:52
Speaker
And I like the fact that we're not ah creating things that are going to end up barren and, and you know, unused. ah There is this idea as well that, you know, pre-pandemic and then post-pandemic and, you know, people are, there's a train of thought that people are being asked to return to office.
00:29:08
Speaker
Because there are all these buildings that, you know, and the contracts still need to be paid for. And, you know, it's kind of like, are we tying ourselves to the status quo just because it was built for it?
00:29:19
Speaker
Can we not create buildings that actually have a shorter or smaller lifespan to them? And I like the idea of, you know, leaving nothing behind once we're done with it.
00:29:31
Speaker
ah Do you think there is a growing overlap between ah the research and the practice between what's being studied and what's happening on stage? I think so. i think it goes hand in hand with the questions of how we make things. So it's not just about like what we do, not just doing things, but why we're doing them. And sort of one thing leads to another. And then you're down a deep well of more questions, which just means that you're doing the research.
00:29:53
Speaker
ah How do you feel about coming in and overall having joined the research conversation here? It's your first time presenting in this sort of way. It is, actually. And it actually makes me want to get more involved. If anything, you know, I've already seen that there are calls for papers, calls for talks or calls for abstracts.
00:30:12
Speaker
And I'm thinking I've never thought that. First of all, i never thought that my ideas were going to actually become a real show. And now that they are a show, I feel like that I should write them down and I should continue on this research. And i feel like once you put that knowledge out there, you meet other people that are also researching the same thing as you. And maybe between each other, we can all answer some questions that we all have.
00:30:37
Speaker
but It's amazing seeing all these international collaborations. And it makes me think about Venya 13. How do you see what's happening at WSD connecting to what we are building here in Edinburgh?
00:30:49
Speaker
you know It's a lot more connected than I had originally thought. ah We've had a lot more conversations about work ah which would come to the venue than I imagined, but like it also makes sense.
00:31:00
Speaker
A lot of the work seen here is design-driven with very specific production needs, and that's something we're focused on, so it's ultimately making a lot of sense to me, really. it sort of shows the gap we're trying to address at the Fringe with the venue, where the unique and maybe complex production needs of a project form a barrier to participation, so we're just not seeing that work as much.
00:31:23
Speaker
For our listeners who might be new to us, Venue 13 is now open for inquiries for August of 2026, and we're especially keen to hear from artists and designers who share these values of sustainability and inclusion ah What has being here shown you about the types of projects that we might host this summer?
00:31:43
Speaker
we had the ah a few conversations already with people that have projects. And what does what it made it very both easy and complicated at the same time. We are a wonderful venue. We are kind of a startup venue, ah you know, 50-seaters, 60-seaters.
00:31:59
Speaker
We don't have that many spaces. So what once was a concern of, you know, will we have enough people? Because of our fantastic location, um our great space, I feel like we don't have enough spaces. And I feel like we're going to...
00:32:13
Speaker
sell out if anything very quickly um and there's this whole curation idea and this place again made it very easy and very hard easy because everything here like upholds the value that we have at venue 13 pretty much which also makes it easy and hard because it's like well we only have a certain amount of spaces So, yes, please, if you would like to talk to us about a performing at venue 13 in Edinburgh in 2026, this is the time. Drop us an email. Let's just have that conversation. Absolutely no pressure.
00:32:43
Speaker
But if we don't have that conversation, you know, we will not know what we going say what what possibilities are there. And Future 13, that's the nonprofit arm that we're developing, feels very aligned with the spirit of WSD.
00:32:56
Speaker
ah do you want to share a little bit more about that as it's ah sort of in the works right now? It is in the works. and We have actually submitted our application and we do believe we have quite a strong application and constitution.
00:33:08
Speaker
um So once once that's approved, and we will be able to elevate and the offerings of Venue 13 into a teachable ongoing support slash workshop that people can actually access to present not just at the fringe, but anywhere else.
00:33:25
Speaker
But as soon as you speak to someone about the fringe, the first thing that they feel is that they said they're feeling overwhelmed. They don't even know where to start. it it And it is, it is an absolute beast.
Future 13 and Artist Support
00:33:33
Speaker
And with our knowledge combined, creating Future 13 and giving this support, it will make, ah it will change, ah I believe it will change lives. It'll make people ah feel much more connected to the fringe in a global scale.
00:33:47
Speaker
I think that's a good place to bring us to the end of the episode. That's an excellent sentiment to bring it to ah It's been quite the week here in Sharjah from sharing another CCTA play here in the on the podcast and into diving into the world of World Stage Design 2025.
00:34:06
Speaker
It really was very special for me being at WSD for the first time. it feels like like stepping into a global laboratory of ideas. um So much creativity, so much generosity.
00:34:17
Speaker
and And it's brilliant to know that what we're doing at Venue 13 and Future 13 connects with that international conversation. Exactly. it's It's really all about community. The same energy we saw at WSD is what drives this podcast and our work here in Edinburgh.
00:34:32
Speaker
Speaking of which, a quick reminder, Venue 13 is open for inquiries for August 2026. So if you're performer, designer, or company looking for home at The Fringe and you want the type of support that we can offer, please get in touch.
00:34:47
Speaker
Yes, we'd love to hear from you. And next week we'll be back with another play from the Climate Change Theater Action, plus more highlights and conversations about sustainability, creativity and performance.
00:34:58
Speaker
So whether you're joining us from Edinburgh or anywhere else in the world, thanks for being part of this growing community. Thank you again for choosing us and for making Podcasts of the Teen part of your week. We'll see you very soon.
00:35:10
Speaker
Until then, take care and keep exploring.
00:35:16
Speaker
On today's episode, you heard the directors of Venue 13, Ian and Vanessa. We read Space Cat by Louis Hetherington. Thanks for listening to this week's episode. If you enjoyed the conversation, make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an update.
00:35:34
Speaker
You can find us wherever you get your podcasts. We'd also love it if you did take a moment to leave us a review. It helps get more people to discover the podcast and join the community. It's especially helpful to get those on Apple Podcasts so we rise to be the most popular hybrid vegan climate theater podcast in Edinburgh.
00:35:51
Speaker
It's a highly competitive niche. But honestly, it's a big help even if we are a very specific flavor. Got thoughts, questions, or ideas for
Listener Engagement and Feedback
00:35:59
Speaker
future episodes? We'd love to hear from you. You can reach us at podcast at venue13.com and across the socials at venue13fringe.
00:36:07
Speaker
Our back episodes and transcripts can be found on our website, venue13.com. The music you heard through the episode is by Dusty Dex, which we got through Epidemic Sound. Until next time, thanks again for tuning in, and we'll be back with another episode soon.