Goodbye 2019, hello 2020!

As the end of the year- and decade- draws ever closer, we would like to take a moment to reflect on all that has happened in 2019. From indoor workshops to outdoor spectacles, surprise performances to familiar appearances, we'd like to take a walk down memory lane and take the chance to thank all of you for the support you give. Supporters both old and new, we couldn't do what we do without you!

Starting from the beginning...

The beginning of the year saw us heading to the cliffs for an exciting photoshoot, and back to Falmouth and Plymouth for a series of vertical dance workshops. Exploring wall running, counterweighted harness work and bungee, we had a wonderful time flying through the air with you!

At this point, we would like to say a massive thank you to the Academy of Music and Theatre Arts (Falmouth University) and Plymouth School of Creative Arts for their ongoing support, to Guy Harris for his photographic support over the course of this year, and to our riggers for keeping us safe and flying!

With the Yskynna team compromising predominantly of a variety of Falmouth University lecturers and alumni, it was a real honour to be commissioned to perform at the graduation ceremonies this year. We loved celebrating the achievements of each and every one of the graduates, as well as seeing our own intern and student performers graduate!

This year we also joined the #SWDancing campaign. Launched by Pavilion Dance South West and Grand Visionary Solutions, the campaign aims raise awareness of the work of dance artists and companies associated with the South West of England.
We're listed amongst some amazing South West talent, so if you're interested in finding out more about the campaign and the creative work happening in the South West, follow this link to #SWDancing!

With the arrival of September came a short trip across the Tamar to Plymouth, for Royal William Yard's Weekend Of Wonders. Our piece Djinn was performed by company director David Greeves, alongside Charlie Comforth, a MA student from the University of Plymouth.

Somehow, in amongst all of our exciting ventures this year, company director David has been out across the world making links with other companies and performers for the company! He was funded by Creative Skills Cornwall on an EU export initiative, where he linked with SubCielo in Alicante, Maitane Ussia in Basque Country (who later travelled to Cornwall to perform in Estah's Story), Omaggio in India and KirbysAFX in Thailand. The knowledge, skills and connections he has returned with have been invaluable for the company, so thank you to Creative Skills Cornwall for their support!

Estah's Story

Estah's Story was our summer spectacular for 2019- a promenade site-specific performance told through the eyes of our Cornish Bal Maiden Estah.
Mixing visual storytelling, vertical dance, song and spoken word, Estah's Story was a journey across time, a hands-on exploration of our Cornish Heritage.

It was amazing to be able to work with such a large cast of professional artists, student performers, community choirs and members of the public to bring this story to life. A massive thank you is due to all that helped support us, in particular to Arts Council England, Falmouth University, Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, RARR Rope Access Rigging and Rescue, Feast Cornwall, Vector Rope Access, Cornwall Council and Heartlands Cornwall.

A real highlight was seeing our audiences connecting to Estah's Story in ways we never imagined- throughout the performances, we often had audience members coming up to the cast and crew to share their personal connections to Cornwall's mining heritage. From ancestors who left for the diaspora, to tales of relatives left behind, we loved hearing how you connected with our show and the memories it stirred.

If you would like to re-live the moment, check out our teaser trailer here, or head to our social media to check out the photos and comments from our cast, crew and audience members.

The Girl and Her Shadow

October half-term took us back to one of our favourite performance venues- the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. This time, we shared the story of The Girl and Her Shadow, a beautiful show combining reflection, aspiration and adventure in a world where you can meet your shadow self to be greater than you once were.

As always with our shows at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, it was a delight to see the awe and excitement on our audiences faces- from the tiniest of toddlers right through to the grandparents!

Onwards to 2020....

With our ever changing world, it's almost impossible to tell what 2020 may bring...however, we're over the moon to announce that we will be heading back to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in the school holidays. As one of our favourite venues, we can't wait to be back!

We're also on the lookout for circus and aerial performers for our new ventures- if you are interested, please have a look at our call out here, and email all expressions of interest to the team at yskynna.aa@gmail.com .

It's been a year full of exciting performances and events, and we couldn't have done any of it without your support. A massive thank you to all of you for coming on this journey with us.

From us, all that is left to say is seasons greetings, we wish you all a wonderful festive season and a happy new year.

See you in 2020!
The Yskynna Team