York Theatre Royal

“Mindfulness” Photographic Art Exhibition
19 Mar - 16 Apr 2012
York Theatre Royal
Mindfulness is a key concept in Mahayana Buddhism, being present in the moment, appreciating life and the world as it is, uncritically and without judgement. It is this concept of mindfulness that Graham attempts to capture in a new exhibition being hosted by the York Theatre Royal during March and April.

Often he is drawn to water, as a potent symbol of the transient nature of the world, and reflections as a way of viewing the world from a slightly different perspective, breaking the linear nature of normal sight. This selection of work illustrates these principles, each being a ‘visual haiku’ attempting to distil a single, pure emotion felt at the time of taking.

Textures feature strongly in his images, encouraging the viewer to ‘touch’ the subject with their minds, feel the textures visually but remembering the Zen principle of “not confusing the finger with the moon”.

Stills photography, by its very nature, exists in the moment. It represents the forever ‘present’, mindfulness captured, while highlighting the transience of things in showing how they ‘were’ at a moment in the past. This paradox is at the heart of Graham’s philosophy and art.

The exhibition runs from the 19th March to the 16th April 2012 and more examples of Graham’s work can be seen at grahamkcook.co.uk

TakeOver Festival 2012
21 May - 09 June 2012
York Theatre Royal
From the 21st May, York Theatre Royal will become the hub of an exciting three-week theatre festival. Three years in, TakeOver has become a regular fixture in the Theatre’s calendar, and has provided an opportunity for over 100 young people to take the creative reins of a major regional theatre and literally 'take over' the theatre to gain experience of running a theatre themselves!

TakeOver thrives by encouraging risk and nurturing creativity, and this year is no exception: the 2012 TakeOver team are proud to present an exciting line-up of theatre, comedy, dance and music for all York Theatre audiences.

In the Main House, we’ve got 'As You Like It' from TakeOver’s Artistic Director, Andra Catincescu. One of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies receives a fascinating reworking, setting it in the glittering world of Romany gypsies. Get lost in the exhilaratingly fast Romany music and join the lovers on their journey deeper into the Forest of Arden…

If it’s dance you’re after, then the Northern School of Contemporary Dance will present 'Verve 12', a dynamic and innovative new dance show performed by some of Europe’s most talented young dancers.

One of the hottest tickets around is 'Tender Napalm', Philip Ridley’s breathtaking new play about love in the face of catastrophe, named as one of the best shows by The Observer, Time Out and the Guardian. A double-bill from Actors Touring Company is a perfect example of dynamic contemporary theatre in Britain today, with Sarah Kane’s powerful 'Crave' and an English language debut comedy from foremost Russian playwright Ivan Viripaev, 'Illusions'.

Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate from 1999 – 2000, will be coming to York Theatre Royal for a reading from his eagerly-awaited novel, 'Silver', (a sequel to Treasure Island), his latest collection of poetry, 'The Cinder Path', and his autobiography, 'In The Blood'. For more poetry, check out Richard Marsh’s solo show, 'Skittles', a melding of prose and poetry resulting in a moving show about love, trans-America road trips and learning to put yourself back together again.

To celebrate the bi-centenary year of Dickens’ birth, Hotbuckle Productions give you 'Great Expectations', an exciting new adaptation of one of Dickens’ greatest novels. Also in the Studio is 'Scarberia', a brand new piece of theatre commissioned especially for TakeOver by exclusive residency Forward Theatre Project, in association with Paines Plough. Working with young people from both Scarborough, England, and Scarborough, Canada, the Forward Theatre team have created an explosive new play about how events on one side of the world can affect a town an ocean away.

Paines Plough present 'Wasted' in the Main House, an intoxicating trip through the raves, cafés and parks of South London. Kate Tempest, the UK’s most exciting performance poet, provides a lyrical and powerful account of what it’s like to live in a world with no rules, where life is what you make it.

As part of this year’s programme we are pleased to include a broad range of workshops for all ages. From stage combat, to a devising and physicality workshop with the acclaimed physical theatre company Frantic Assembly, to a children’s two-day workshop creating a piece of theatre based around the ideas of forming a new society and Utopian worlds; there’s something for everybody.

Looking for something to entertain the kids? Take your pick from our range of children’s shows in our half-term programme: Fringe favourites The Flanagan Collective present 'William' and 'Polly', two interlinking plays where the audience are at the heart of the story, and William and Polly need the audience’s help on their adventures through magical worlds. Or join Josette and her Papa in an apartment in Paris as they let their imaginations run away with them – Peut-être Theatre use music and physical theatre in 'This Is A That' to explore what it’s like to dance with your ears or eat a piece of the moon…

TakeOver is a Festival run entirely by young people for the whole community. Our programme this year has a wider range of shows than ever before and the team is looking forward to some truly spectacular shows reaching a diverse audience.

Ticket prices will range from £15 to £8, with concessions and the theatre’s under-26 discount available.

Follow the Festival on Twitter: @YTRTakeOver12
Check out the website here: takeoverfestival.co.uk