Welcome to the world premier of 'Hope is an Action', an experimental documentary about an 18-month period of community creation projects and capacity-building activities as part of a Theatre of the Oppressed project in the North East of England, with some discussion following. Then, hopefully (tbc) a screening of 'Even When I Fall', the remarkable story of Nepal's first Circus company.

The event will raise funds for former members of Circus Kathmandu which is unfortunately no longer operational.

1. Hope is an Action, edited by Alanna Wilson, around 35minutes long, The project, led by Rosa Stourac McCreery, was funded by Arts Council England, and supported by a range of social sector and arts sector partners in the North East. Following heading up a 2 year Cardboard Camp (Cardboard Citizens' regional residency here in the North East), Rosa Stourac McCreery successfully applied for Arts Council funding to support more Theatre of the Oppressed work in the region. This consists of: up to 5 co-creation and co-production projects with groups in the North East to work on issues which they are experiencing, and around which they want to advocate for change. These projects include: Legislative Theatre event about prison, health and homelessness with Crisis and Groundswell Homeless Health Peer Advocates; Rainbow of Desires and Forum Theatre work with folks who attend a weekly session at Recoco which is about mental health, hopes and dreams, and how to escape the system; work towards Legislative Theatre with women who have experienced child removal; a ‘flash’ Legislative Theatre project about the terms and conditions of domiciliary care work; workshops about sexual ethics and consent.   · Mentoring opportunities with key practitioners, and for people in the North East to develop their knowledge, experience and skills in the practice, so that they can go on to become facilitators of the process themselves (in particular people who are representative of the communities the work is with and about, who might not otherwise gain these experiences and opportunities)·   Training: with leading international practitioners, Katy Rubin and Barbara Santos.

2. Even When I Fall The remarkable story of Nepal's first circus, The incredible story of Saraswoti and Sheetal, trafficking survivors who reclaim skills that once came at a high cost: they were slaves in Indian circuses - sold as children. Now freed, together they form Nepal's first circus. An intimate, beautiful film that harnesses the visual power of circus to give a unique perspective into the complex world of human trafficking. It also shows how circus can be used as a tool of community education and development, and even how it can be combined with Theatre of the Oppressed! 

There will be discussion between the screenings and after the screening of Even When I Fall, facilitated by Rosa and other members of the School of Solidarity, and stalls to enable you to support local and international initiatives and artists.