Join Naomi Foyle and Raven Kaliana for a week of in-person and online events to celebrate ASTRA, their Brighton Fringe ONCA Green Curtain Award-winning multimedia theatre show for adults.

ASTRA FEST programme

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21: Screening of ASTRA followed by Q&A. Age 16+. BSLI + captions; Audio Description available online, ONCA Gallery, 6:40-9 pm. Tickets: £8/£10. Film (70 mins) starts sharp at 7pm. Refreshments provided.

ASTRA is an adaptation of eco-SF novels The Gaia Chronicles by Naomi Foyle, designed and directed by Raven Kaliana. The story depicts a post-fossil fuel society struggling toward social justice and balance with the Earth. Themes include racism, disability rights, child abuse and climate crisis. The after-show discussion offers an opportunity for audience members affected by these issues to speak out and connect with others who share your concerns, including local groups working to solve problems.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24: The Ascent of Inanna – Creative Writing Workshop with Naomi Foyle. Online, 7-9pm. Tickets: £11.50/£16.50

The story of ASTRA is based on the ancient Sumerian myth of Inanna, the Goddess of Love and War. In this two-hour LGBTQI+ positive creative writing workshop, we will explore the myth of Inanna’s descent into the Underworld; respond with writing exercises (poetry or fiction, as you choose); and share the results (if you like). Dr Naomi Foyle teaches creative writing at the University of Chichester, and this workshop is suitable for writers of all levels aged 16+. 8 participants maximum.

*Please note: this session is a taster for Revisiting The Odyssey, a 4-week online creative writing course by Naomi Foyle, Tuesdays March 7 – 28 (£45/£65).

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FEB 25 & 26: Shadow Animation for Social Change workshop with Raven Kaliana, ONCA Gallery, 10am-4pm. Tickets: £70-100

Learn to create exciting animations with paper, light, and colours – which can be video recorded and shared to striking effect. Puppetry has always represented the voice of the people – the effect is magnified with independently produced film. Complete the workshop with the creation of a short film which can help communicate local concerns to an international audience, share personal experiences, and touch the hearts of others – which can help build community connections to help shift social injustice.

For more details, please visit astratheatre.earth

Supported by Arts Council England, the University of Chichester, Brighton Fringe, Chichester Fringe, European Mediterranean Resources Network, urbanflo, Brighton & Hove Pride Culture ConneX, ONCA