The Art of Survival: Social Circus, Youth Regeneration and Projected Community in the North East of Scotland

Abstract

This chapter examines the creative practice of Theatre Modo in North East Scotland.² A self-defined ‘social circus’ established in 1995, Theatre Modo works throughout Scotland from bases in Glasgow and, since 2012, Peterhead utilizing ‘high quality engagement in circus, street theatre and carnival arts as a catalyst for individual and community change’ (Theatre Modo). In 2009, Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership invited Modo to contribute to a ‘Youth Regeneration’ project in Peterhead and Fraserburgh, fishing towns located on the north-eastern coastline of the region with small, yet notable, pockets of multiple deprivation. Since 2009 Modo has produced an annual Fireworks Parade, a large celebratory community event coinciding with Bonfire Night, in Peterhead (Pandemonium 2009, Leviathan 2011) and Fraserburgh (Fantasmagoria 2010, Maelstrom 2012). Here we focus on the making of Maelstrom, The Shell Fireworks Parade in Fraserburgh in 2012, which was the culmination of a four-year programme of community partnership, public engagement and creative practice.

The authors would like to thank Martin Danziger for comments on a penultimate draft and for gaining necessary permissions to quote participants, and the editors for their insightful comments on earlier drafts.