It's been a very exciting week as our next three shows have all been at crucial points in their development

The Soul Exchange is all set to explore the streets of Butetown in the coming week.  It's an extraordinary project - a kind of journey-installation involving a huge range of people and creative elements.  It's hard for any of us to know exactly what it will be like to experience for an audience as the elements don't really all come together until the audience is there!  But there's been a fantastic range of passion and talent involved, and I'm sure that will shine out!  And if the track that's been produced for the show is anything to go by, things should be very exciting indeed (check the trailer on the site or here - you can also download the track here )  I have to say I really love this track - genuine quality, and top notch production values too.

Meanwhile in Aberystwyth Rimini Protokoll have just finished an intensive couple of weeks on Outdoors.  Working with a group of volunteers they have been testing the structure they have created for the show. Without giving too much away, at the end of the week a trial audience was seen wandering around Aberystwyth at night guided by small video screens and seemingly caught up in another world.  Occasionally they burst into song!  The show opens at the end of February, but it's going to be showing in a very unusual way.  You can book tickets from next week, and all the secret info will be revealed then.  And don't worry - there will be plenty of chances to see this show.

Meanwhile No Fit State's performers have been busy with director Mladen Materic - exploring material, and performance techniques in Cardiff before heading for Milford Haven for a month-long residency at the Torch.  We popped into rehearsals on Monday and saw some breathtaking moments.  Those of you who know No Fit State well will know that a lot of their work is performed high up in their tent as the audience stands below.  For their show with NTW, the company is working on a stage, which allows them to use more of the other elements of circus - from juggling to magic - as well as their signature aerial excitement.  Mladen is a wonderful theatre director who is teasing stories of strange worlds out of the cast.  There will probably be very few words in the show - but a lot of drama!

And in Port Talbot excitement is growing as The Passion nears.  Bill Mitchell, co-director, and our own Adele Thomas were in the town last weekend for two days of workshoping with leaders of many of the community groups who will be part of the show. This is going to be massive! 

A great start to the new year.  See you at The Soul Exchange!