Following on from the success of Cross the Sky Theatre Company’s last production, Up in the Attic, Barnsley Civic is proud to announce the premiere of Cross the Sky’s brand new production, The District, which will premiere in Barnsley Civic’s main theatre on Wednesday 29th April.
THE DISTRICT
Set in a tower block community, in a dystopian future, a ruling authority has declared all music a threat to society. Unbowed, the residents of The District come together to rediscover music and to make a change for good that will resonate far beyond their lone tower block.
The District is a love letter to music. The production will highlight the particular importance of music in the creative lives of learning disabled and Autistic people and is inspired by the collective experience of the Covid-19 lockdown and life in a post-pandemic world.
The District‘s story and script is written by Becky Newbould, Simon Grainger and Cross The Sky. It has new original music and lyrics by Simon Grainger, with an exclusive contribution from Torquil Campbell of Canadian indie rock band Stars. Like previous Cross the Sky productions, this work is informed by the lived experiences of Cross the Sky’s performers and disabled, learning disabled and autistic South West Yorkshire residents.
The District arrives hot on the heals of Cross The Sky’s last production, the acclaimed Up In The Attic and an award-winning self-titled documentary, which toured film festivals around the world.
This premiere performance of The District will take places in Barnsley Civic’s main theatre on Wednesday 29th April and is part of ArtWorks Together, an international arts festival, offering adult artists who have a learning disability, are autistic or both, the opportunity to showcase their talents to the entire world, gaining the recognition they deserve.
The development of The District was made possible through the support of the charity Creative Minds.
Tickets are on sale now. All proceeds go back into Cross the Sky Theatre Company.
To find out more about Cross the Sky Theatre Company, watch their documentary (23 mins) below.
For interviews or photo opportunities, contact jasonwhite@barnsleycivic.co.uk
To find out more about Cross the Sky Theatre Company, watch their award-winning short form documentary below.
