THE HORROR

by Peter McMaster and Tron Youth Theatre Seniors

“Horror, horror...horror has a face and you must make a friend of horror.”

Colonel Kurtz, Apocalypse Now (1979)

Like a bomb explosion frozen in time, this dark and physical performance sees 14 young people try to understand Kurtz's instruction 40 years after Apocalypse Now was first shown.

Looking at cultural and popular artefacts from the past and the decisions made by previous generations, this cast of 14-18 year olds ask themselves what is the horror now? Is the apocalypse already happening? What can we do about this and who must take responsibility?

“THE FLOOD IS HERE...”

During October and April 2019 contemporary performance makers Peter McMaster and Gudrun Soley Sigurdardottir worked with the Tron Young Company in the first stage development of his new piece of performance ‘The Horror’.  ‘The Horror’ began life as an attempt to explore war and violence through the lens of the 1979 film ‘Apocalypse Now Redux’ performed and co-devised by young people.  However over 6 months of working with the young people and exploring what their understanding of what an ‘Apocalypse Now’ might look like it became apparent their greatest threat was infact the spectre of climate crisis and ecological violence.

The final piece of performance created in collaboration with the young people was a radical and politically engaged piece of performance unafraid to shy away from investigating difficult subject material and serves to elevate the voices, agency and perspectives of young people.   By inviting young people to ‘perform’ the dark edges of an adult world we invite them to express their views on the civilisation they have inherited, re-imagine the future and empower them to believe in changes that can derive from their collective action.  

In May 2019 the Creative Team undertook a week long development at The Byre in St Andrews with a group of teenagers on the coastal path to explore these themes whilst embedded in the landscape. 

For more information on the work of Peter McMaster visit: www.petermcmaster.com

CREDITS

Lead Artist: Peter McMaster
Co-Lead Artist: Gudrun Soley SigurdurdottirAV Artists: Jamie Wardrop and Murray Wason
LX Designer: Jazz Hutsby
Set and Costume Designer: Rachel O’Neil
Sound Designer: Gary Cameron
Producers: Jill Smith and Kathryn Boyle

Supported by Creative Scotland, Tron Theatre and The Byre.

TOUR DATES

4th – 6th April 2019: Tron Theatre