Suba Subramaniam is Artistic Director of Akademi, which will present Plastic Drastic Fantastic, one of three enchanting family productions across Polka Theatre’s two main spaces this spring.
Plastic Drastic Fantastic is a dance show for older children focusing on the big issues. Under the artistic direction and choreography of Suba Subramaniam and using the medium of South Asian dance, the production draws on stories and ideas from children and young people to disentangle the fantastic possibilities that plastics offer us from the drastic consequences of their misuse. With intricate movement, play and lots of interaction, this is a fantastic use of theatre to delve into wider topics of much-needed conversation.
Plastic Drastic Fantastic is performing from 6th April until 8th May 2022 in the Adventure Theatre.
Plastic Drastic Fantastic is coming to Polka Theatre, what can you tell us about the show?
Plastic Drastic Fantastic is a new dance show exploring our complex relationship – from the molecular to the planetary with all things plastic.
Using the medium of South Asian dance, intricate movements and play, Plastic Drastic Fantastic draws on stories and ideas from young people to disentangle the fantastic possibilities that plastics offer us with the drastic consequences of their misuse.
Plastic Drastic Fantastic is a vibrant, fun and thought-provoking show.
What inspired you to create the show?
I initially conceived Plastic Drastic Fantastic project as a Polka Creative Lab artist. The initial R&D took place as part of The Place’s Choreodrome.
I have worked with arts and climate change projects for nearly two decades alongside my career as a dance artist and science teacher. All my experience has led to this project – plastics is an urgent, relevant subject capturing the imagination of young people in terms of activism.
Tell us a little more about Akademi and what it is the organisation aims to achieve?
Since formation in 1979, Akademi’s work has been rooted in audience development, finding innovative ways of taking South Asian dance to a huge range of communities. We’ve worked in diverse settings such as hospitals, care homes, SEN and mainstream schools whilst simultaneously creating work from large-scale outdoor productions, mid-scale touring and intimate site-specific experiences for audiences in settings like the Edinburgh Fringe and the British Museum.
Akademi has a history of championing, promoting and challenging public perceptions of South Asian dance. Our work not only preserves and nurtures classical traditions but also pursues experimentation through cross-fertilisation of cultures and ideas, contributing significantly to the UK’s international reputation for innovation in South Asian dance. Our creative programme is driven by societal and scientific issues that are relevant and resonant to the now.
What are you looking forward to most about working at Polka Theatre?
Polka Theatre has been such a delightful partner organisation to work with, they have a wonderful new theatre space that is perfect for young audiences to feel welcome and parents to feel safe. It is a joy to be making and showing Plastics Drastic Fantastic in a theatre dedicated to young audiences and their families and to engage with their communities and audiences.
What are the challenges of creating theatre for younger audiences and how do you overcome them?
We are excited to be bringing South Asian dance to younger audiences and to give them a creative experience that explores plastics. We feel it is important for young people to experience high quality work that can instil curiosity. The challenge for us is to do this through South Asian dance, a dance form that a lot of young audiences may not be familiar with. However, we think it is important not to underestimate children’s imagination. It encourages us grownups to think more creatively and imaginatively about how to engage with young audiences.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Plastic Drastic Fantastic?
Plastics can be fun! The show has been choreographed to be highly visual, drawing on familiar imagery of plastics in use from the domestic to the oceanic. The soundscape and set will draw from the science of plastics’ beautiful molecular structures.
The production draws on stories and ideas from children and young people, it is designed to have children at the centre of the creative process. It is our passion through arts and science to engage and empower young people to believe that their voices and opinions are valued.
