"Too close to the sun" - Beacon Arts Centre show has climate message

Too Close To The Sun, created by Barrowland Ballet and presented by Imaginate, is coming to the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock later this month.

It tells the story of a girl weighed down by the responsibility of the environmental crisis. She dreams of the boy Icarus - who, in the legend, drowned after wings he fashioned from feathers, threads, clothes and beeswax fell apart when he flew too close to the heat of the sun - and begins to work out her escape.

 Too Close To The Sun is about the power of imagination and the sheer determination that lets you fly when forces all around want to pull you down. 

The show is coming to the Beacon on Tuesday, May 23 at 7pm - and tickets are available here: https://www.beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/too-close-to-the-sun.

Aimed at children aged between 7 and 13 years of age, the award-winning Barrowland Ballet uses intricate choreography, spoken word and humour to tell this evocative story. 

Natasha Gilmore, co-creator, director and choreographer said: “I’ve become aware that children are increasingly weighed down by a sense of responsibility for the environmental crisis they’ve inherited.

"Too Close To The Sun is the story of one girl learning how to navigate these complex issues. 

Working alongside this brilliant creative team to create a dynamic, funny and compelling new production, I hope young audiences will enjoy the performance, and be inspired and intrigued by the ancient story of Icarus and the power of the imagination.” 

"Barrowland Ballet are known for their dynamic work for young audiences and Imaginate are thrilled to finally have the opportunity to present their new work, commissioned in 2020 and delayed by the global pandemic, to audiences at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival and across Scotland.

"The production promises to breathe new life into an old myth from the perspective of a female protagonist. I for one, can’t wait.”