Signal Fires – How to Start a Fire

‘How to start a fire’ is a free digital performance and archive. A gathering of 65 voices in response to the question ‘How do you Start a Fire?’

– It will take about 30 minutes to view this work all together, we recommend this length of time so you are able to watch the videos and explore the material at your own pace.
– We also recommend watching with a good quality pair of headphones or speakers. If you don’t have access to those things, don’t worry, laptop or phone speakers will also work well.
– Captions are available on each video, click the button on the bottom right of the player marked CC.
– Please make sure you have checked the highest quality available on each video before playback at the bottom right of the player.

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How to Start a Fire

We asked you, how do you start a fire? How do you ignite a fire in people and spark action, how do you keep the flame going and ensure that our voices ring as loud as possible?

When real change feels like a continuous, exhaustive battle which is both far from achievable and tantalisingly close, how can we keep sparking conversation and action so that we can collectively re-imagine our future?

Made by Maisie Newman for FEN Bristol in association with Out of Joint, Prime Theatre, Bristol Ferment, Rising Arts Agency. 

Signal Fires

In October and November, fires will light up across the UK with storytellers and audiences sharing in one of the original forms of theatre. The fires will signal the vibrancy of touring theatre, and the threat our industry continues to face.

From spectacular bonfires to digital blazes; the nation’s leading touring theatre companies will present a series of theatrical events at locations across the UK in celebration of our fundamental need to tell stories.

Companies will be working with hundreds of UK freelancers. Each fire will span different disciplines reflecting the breadth and diversity of the touring circuit. All fires will be presented outdoors in front of socially distanced live audiences, or digitally for those who are shielding or currently unable to travel.

Out of Joint is excited to join companies across the UK including 45North, Arcade, Beyond Face, Big Telly, Boundless, Eastern Angles, English Touring Theatre, Fuel, Graeae, Headlong, Kestrel Theatre Company, Kneehigh, Macha Productions, National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, New Perspectives, Pentabus, Pilot, Paines Plough, SBC Theatre, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Slung Low, Spare Tyre, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men and Yellow Earth Theatre, with more to be announced.

The health and safety of audiences, artists, creative teams and staff alike is of the upmost importance. All companies involved in the project will implement COVID secure measures to ensure that their full process, from rehearsal to performance, is in line with the current government guidelines, following strict hygiene protocols and allowing for social distancing.