Soil Health - "Cranky Toy Theatre" Making on Aug 13th, 18th, 27th & Sep 1st

Crankies are traditionally used in folk singing and storytelling, rather than turning a page to reveal the images, they appear across the “screen” of the box by turning a handle (or crank).

No previous experience necessary.

Sign up to either the morning or afternoon session on each day.

It's also possible to join in at the rehearsal stage if you would like to be part of the performance at the Harvest Festival.

Free to attend. All ages are welcome, under 14's must be accompanied by an adult. If you're signing up with an under 14 year old, please just select one ticket. We'll be working outdoors (under cover), so please wear weather appropriate clothing that you don't mind getting a bit messy.

Fortnightly from Thursday 21st July (6.30pm - 8.30pm) As part of the Open Music Sessions at Lauriston Farm's Unexpected Garden we'll be working towards building a short set of music to accompany the Cranky Toy Theatre performance at the Harvest Festival. All musical styles, instruments and abilities welcome. No need to book for this, though if you'd like to be part of the "Soil Health Cranky" performance it would be great if you were able to come along to at least one of the rehearsal evenings on Thursday 18th August & Thursday 1st September.

Saturday 13th August (11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm): In this workshop we'll explore the micro-organisms that live in soil and make it and us healthy. You'll make your own mini cranky box and story scroll and participate with painting / illustrating a section of a collaborative Cranky scroll that's all about soil health and is being made to share as a performance at our Harvest Festival event at Lauriston Farm (Sep 10th from 2pm - 5pm).

Thursday 18th August (6.30pm - 8.30pm) Cranky Performance Rehearsal

Saturday 27th August (11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm): Writing workshop looking at how the inner-workings of soil health echo the principles of social justice, regenerative farming and community health to create a collaborative text that will be read aloud as part of the "Cranky Toy Theatre" performance at our Harvest Festival event at Lauriston Farm (Sep 10th 2pm - 5pm).

Thursday 1st September (6.30pm - 8.30pm) Cranky Performance Rehearsal

Our artist team who will facilitate the workshops for this project are :

writer - Vicky Nyanga

visual artist - Natasha Russell

musician - Shea M.

maker and performance director - Emma Brierley

We encourage participants to travel by foot, bike or public transport when possible.

Lothian Buses: 16, 27,29 and 37 all come very close to the farm - within a few minutes walk from the bus stop. We'll be working in or near to the Unexpected Garden which is located just through the gate that leads off the Toby Carvery car park on Lauriston Farm Road, EH4 5EX.

There is limited car parking available at the Toby Carvery car park, otherwise there's ample residential parking in the neighbouring areas.

Access info : there is hard standing from the Toby Carvery car park to the sheltered area which is accessible by wheelchair. Please contact us directly in advance to discuss any further access needs and we'll do our best to support your inclusion at our event.

On 13th August Emma will show you how to make your own Cranky Toy Theatre as demonstrated in the above video.

Soil Health image credit : Wikimedia Commons