International networking in Bratislava

In May 2009 the Scottish Arts Council supported 10 theatre companies to attend the spring plenary meeting of the IETM, an international network for contemporary performing arts in Bratislava, Slovakia. Shona Rattray and Morven Gregor from Birds of Paradise Theatre Company recount their visit...

‘We’re in Bratislava – it’s sunny and beautiful. The Danube sparkles and the historic city centre is a pleasure to wander around: red-roofed buildings, pedestrianised streets, cafés, public art.

‘Next day we are initiated into IETM. Taking place in the newly-built National Theatre Building, that is decorated with the multi-coloured plastic balls used throughout the building, like Hansel and Gretel breadcrumbs, to help us find our way around.

‘It’s a full schedule; welcome events, infocells, working groups, plenary sessions, not to mention the artistic programme of performances and artists’ walks.

‘The day time sessions are both interesting for getting perspectives from around Europe and for gathering information.

‘Getting out of the building was good too: joining an artists’ walk through classical Bratislava, winding our way through the streets and up to the old castle and new parliament building with a view over the Danube of three countries. It was a beautiful reminder of how close and connected countries in mainland Europe are and what a wonderful opportunity this project is to not be isolated, but to share in this pan-Europe exchange.

‘Our evenings were filled with theatre visits; a wonderful opportunity to see work from Slovakia and to meet the artists. Of all the exciting work we saw, two companies were possibly of most relevance to our own inclusive practice. One, Theatre from the Passage, we knew of previously and were delighted by to have the chance to meet them face-to-face. An inclusive company of professional performers with and without learning disabilities, their production America according to Kafka was outstanding; their use of text and comic storytelling inspiring. Orthopoeticum by Maja Hriesik and Debris Company was a dance performance inspired by Hriesik’s damaged spine. Inclusive and sensual, this is a company we hope to link with further.

‘Our experience of the IETM ended with a trip down the Danube although the strong tide meant that it was a shorter trip than was planned, but even then right up to the last minute the networking didn’t end, with Shona receiving an invite for the company to go to the Congo! A great end to a great event.

Shona Rattray (Company Manager)
Morven Gregor (Artistic Director)
Birds of Paradise Theatre Company

A plenary meeting of IETM will take place in Glasgow from the 4-7 November 2010. The industry event is aimed at supporting promoters, producers and artists working across contemporary performance practice in Europe meet, network and engage in critical dialogue. A call for proposals from companies and artists to be part of the performance programme is now open. Proposals should be submitted by email to Steve Slater at tacticalau@me.com by 28 February 2010. Alternatively proposals can be sent in by hardcopy to the address below: Steve Slater Producer IETM Glasgow 2010 PO Box 16880 Glasgow G11 9EE  For further information please read the call for proposals (doc)