Undercurrents is a new annual event from Manipulate Arts; a space for raw ideas, bold experiments and fresh, untested work. Platforming work emerging from Manipulate Arts’ talent development programmes and other exciting new ideas in puppetry, visual theatre and animation from across the sector. Undercurrents offers Scottish artists a vital space to test ideas, stretch their practice and share work at every stage of development, from first sparks to full‑length previews.
Every work shown is new, untested and meeting audiences for the very first time.
This new platform will form part of a new model in which our celebrated international Manipulate Festival takes place biennially, with Undercurrents taking place both as a strand within that festival, and as a standalone event in alternate years. Manipulate Festival will continue to showcase world‑leading visual theatre, puppetry and animated film, whilst Undercurrents focuses on what lies beneath the surface, the new ideas that will shape Scotland’s future stages and screens.Â
With Undercurrents, we aim to nurture longer development timelines, support artist wellbeing, strengthen Scotland’s visual performance ecology and create more opportunities year‑round for artists to develop and share work.
