Drama Stage NEWS | Theatre Group raises the curtain on a mystery show

THEATRE GROUP RAISES THE CURTAIN ON A MYSTERY SHOW

Denny Andonova

November 11, 2019

Martin McCormick(left) and Suzanne Magowan(right) performing "A Perfect Child" at Secret Staging 2 in 2018

An Aberdeen-based performance company is setting the stage for a mysterious theatrical experience in the Granite city this week.

Ten Feet Tall Theatre is putting up the third production of their Secret Staging - a project that keeps the audience in the dark about the play until the lights come up.

One of the company’s associate artists Stewart Aitken said their aim is to establish a different mindset by telling stories.

Stewart said: “The idea is to challenge the audience – to make them take a risk.”

“They come to Secret Staging with no expectations. They don’t know whether they’re going to see a drama or a comedy, a musical or an old classic, and that’s what appeals to them, that’s what attracts them.”

Raising the curtains for a third time, Ten Feet Tall kicked off this year’s Secret Staging Week with a sold-out premiere at St. Mary’s Church Hall on Saturday night. This follows the success of their previous shows which have attracted nearly 3,000 people in the city.

Euan Sommers(left) and Mark Wood(right) performing "The Ching Room" at Secret Staging 1

Since opening in 2016, Ten Feet Tall has produced a variety of small and large scale performances in collaboration with the likes of Brewdog, Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen Performing Arts, The Barn, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Creative Scotland.

Stewart said they are working to produce diverse content, tell different stories and inspire new audiences for theatre in the North East – which is one of the main things about Secret Staging.

He said: “We are trying to appeal to people who may have never thought theatre is their thing."

"It doesn’t matter if they have any theatre knowledge or history of performing. We just want them to come, see a bit of theatre and find out if they like it – simple as that.”

“I’m really excited about this year’s project. It’s a high-quality production and I believe that everybody would get something from it even if they haven’t been that interested in theatre before.”

The mystery week starts today at 7.30pm at SPIN Aberdeen with Ten Feet Tall Theatre hosting 4 more shows until Saturday, November 16.

Tickets for Secret Staging 3 are available at: www.eventbrite.co.uk