The River That Ran Uphill – image by Emma Luker
Thank you to everyone for another wonderful year for Slingsby. 2022 has seen us tour nationally with two productions, state-wide with Slingsby’s Flying Squad and developing new works for premiere over coming years. Across a very busy year we performed to more than 60,000 people though an incredible range of shows and collaborations.
2022 has seen the fruition of Slingsby’s Flying Squad, kicking off with the premiere of This Tree is a Story (about everything, including you, as told by me) at the Adelaide Fringe, hosted at the Hall of Possibility. The Squad was also invited to the 30th Anniversary of WOMADelaide Festival, for The Memoryologist, collecting 147 memories across the four days, connecting with new audiences and hearing powerful everyday stories. In April, the Squad headed out to Port Lincoln, offering both experiences at the SALT Festival. Over the year, they went into schools throughout South Australia, visiting more than 30 schools, delivering performances and workshops. resulting in more than 6500 hours of engagement with students.
Slingsby headed to Geelong and Melbourne for the first time since 2018, to perform Emil and the Detectives. For Illuminate Festival, our Flying Squad brought the illuminated Sumatran tiger puppet Cahaya to life for thousands or audiences attending Adelaide Zoo’s Light Creatures. Touring for the company continued from July to September, with a 7-stop tour of The Boy Who Talked To Dogs after a successful Adelaide Festival debut in 2021. This was Slingsby’s first time in the Darwin Festival and it was wonderful to have such a warm welcome! We also toured to Geelong, Bathurst, Alice Springs, Logan, Mount Gambier and Renmark.
October marked the second creative development on KWETU and Slingsby’s first showing of the work, building excitement for the creative team to continue to develop the production.
Slingsby by Request continued to successfully deliver on-line content in 2022, with 73 bookings for performances and workshops with audiences in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and Las Vegas.
The last month has seen the launch of our 2023 Education program and the beginning of rehearsals for the Flying Squad’s brand-new production The River That Ran Uphill.
Deepest gratitude to all our presenters, venues, creatives, crew, funding partners, audiences and donors who supported Slingsby throughout 2022. Because of all the belief in and support of our work, our cups feel a bit fuller this year after a difficult few years for everyone.
We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead. The premiere of The River That Ran Uphill at the 2023 Adelaide Festival from March 1 – 6 before heading out to South Australian schools. Emil and the Detectives is visiting our mates in New Zealand for the Auckland Arts Festival from March 16 – 18 before heading out to regional South Australia, including seasons in Mount Gambier, Port Pirie and Whyalla in May and June. There are also more international secrets to share soon.
So, it’s time for us to reflect, rest and gear up for a jam-packed 2023. The Slingsby team are taking a break from December 16 and will be back from January 9, 2023. Hope to see you in the new year!