Fisk
A Tortoise in a Nutshell and Teater Katapult co-production, in association with MacRobert Arts Centre
An immersive and intimate production exploring the lengths we go to in order to escape from ourselves
Amidst a vast, cascading expanse of ocean, a tiny boat is tossed through rolling waves and thundering storms, a speck amidst the immense turbulent seas. Steadily rowing forward into the nothingness is a fisherman, driven by despair, sailing to nowhere with all his worldly possessions. He looks out as the darkness looms and prepares himself to leap…
But before he can jump out, something else jumps in; a mass of colour thrashing about the tiny boat. This uninvited guest has finally broken through the surface to discover what lies above. Fisk is a story of a man and a fish, and the unexpected impact they have upon one another.
Weaving together a rich tapestry of puppetry, movement and intricate design, alongside an evocative original soundtrack, the piece draws audiences into an immersive marine world. Examining themes of depression, dependence and desolation. Fisk is an exploration of the lengths we can go to in order to escape from ourselves, yet also finds joy in even the deepest and darkest depths.
Awards
2017 Outstanding Performance Award Winner at Kotorski Festival, Montenegro
Accessibility
Recommended for ages 14+. We are eager to engage communities of all nationalities, backgrounds and abilities with our work in a meaningful way. The minimal use of spoken language in Fisk makes it a highly accessible production with large international touring appeal. Previously the production has been performed in both Danish and English. Fisk is designed to transform village halls, studio theatres and similar venues into an immersive world.
Reviews
⭑⭑⭑⭑
The Scotsman
⭑⭑⭑⭑
The Guardian
‘A subtle and affecting portrait of a man on the brink.’
The Sunday Herald
‘Goes above and beyond the traditional notion of an ‘issue play’, embodying heartfelt spectacle.’
The List
‘Fisk is a beautifully made piece of visual theatre, continually presenting its audience with memorable and evocative images.’
Exeunt Magazine
Credits
Director: Ross MacKay
Performers/Co-Creators: Arran Howie & Alex Bird
Words: Ann Sofie Oxenvad
Lighting Designer: Simon Wilkinson
Sound Designer/Composer: Jim Harbourne
Stage Designer: Ana Inés Jabares-Pita
Dramaturgy: Kirstine Lilleøre Christensen
Production Manager: Andrew Gannon
Movement Director: Darren Brownlie
Past Presentations
Fisk opened at Teater Katapult, Denmark, in October 2016 during its year as European City of Culture. Since then, Fisk has performed at the Kotorski Festival in Montenegro (where it won the Outstanding Performance Award) and throughout the UK on tour in 2018, premiering at Macrobert Arts Centre and opening with a sell out performance at Manipulate Festival in Edinburgh.
