Cymatics - Visualising Sound

Finding ways to make music visual.

Red Earth Theatre worked with final year students from De Montfort University, Music, Technology and Innovation department to explore the principles of CYMATICS (soundwave technology - creating different patterns from different frequencies). The students made and road-tested a prototype water box. Placed on a speaker, the water in the box responds to the different sound waves produced by the music. Different wave patterns emerge as the music changes.

Have a look at the video to see how it works.

D/deaf volunteers gave their responses. They thought the visualisation of sound waves like this would help them access music in a theatre performance. They thought that Red Earth Theatre could project these patterns on to their stage sets, alongside the performers. The audience could link the action to the music. If the water was lit, with different colours to suggest the mood of the music as well, that would be even better.

Thanks to CURVE, Leicester, The Ear Foundation, Nottingham, 3D (Derby Deaf Drama) and Will Ogden for their help in our research.

The Feeling of Sound

Final year students from De Montfort University, Music, Technology and Innovation Department, worked with Red Earth Theatre to research a variety of prototypes that would give D/deaf people visual and sensual access to music.

The students made a fingertip prototype sound box. Each finger is placed on a separate speaker pad and picks up vibrations from different sound wave frequencies. The sensation in each finger is different.

So, the hand feels the different changes in rhythm, pitch and volume that make up the whole piece of music.

Members from 3D (Derby Deaf Drama) road tested the sound box and were very positive about its possible applications in theatre.

Members of 3D said accessing music in different ways would enhance their overall experience of theatre. Put the sound box with the actions and images on stage and meaning is heightened for D/deaf audiences.

Congratulations Simorgh

The Crane by Red Earth Theatre Photo: Robert Day

Simorgh

a network supporting access and inclusion in the arts

Simorgh is:

Red Earth Theatre

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

Richard Attenborough Centre, Leicester

and Shysters, Coventry

Simorgh has been awarded funding from the Cultural Leadership Programme's - Meeting the Challenge

In The Conference of the Birds, a 12^th Century epic poem from Persia, the Simorgh is the much sought after and idealised leader. In this allegory, a group of birds embark on a quest to find the Simorgh. After a long and dangerous journey the group discovers the truth about leadership: that it comes from within themselves and is shared.

Storytelling

Photo: Hollis.

Lisa-Ann Williams as Lottie in Red Earth Theatre's 'The Last Balloon' a co-production with Speakeasy and Nottingham Playhouse Roundabout.

"The secret of storytelling amongst the poor is the conviction that stories are told so that they may be listened to elsewhere, where somebody, or perhaps a legion of people, know better than the storyteller or the story’s protagonists, what life means. The powerful can’t tell stories: boasts are the opposite of stories, and any story however mild has to be fearless and the powerful today live nervously". John Berger

"The secret of storytelling amongst the poor is the conviction that stories are told so that they may be listened to elsewhere, where somebody, or perhaps a legion of people, know better than the storyteller or the story’s protagonists, what life means. The powerful can’t tell stories: boasts are the opposite of stories, and any story however mild has to be fearless and the powerful today live nervously".

John Berger

Five Day Theatre - the new journaiism

Five Day Theatre

* 30 minute, comedy theatre

* made and performed in five days flat

* political

* satirical

* performed in the street, council house chambers, in theatre foyers, parks or in your sitting room

* up to the wire

* up to date

It's the new journalism

for details email:

wendy@redearththeatre.com

Safe as Houses

In development...

SAFE AS HOUSES an interactive memoir of migration and belonging

a site specific show exploring cultural and culinary histories, recipes and stories

"feeling settled comes not from putting down roots but from taking up a pot and creating a feast that tastes and smells of home"

In the mix:

professional and community performers

food, conversation, music, dance

for more information email: admin@redearththeatre.com