Award-winning performer Niki McCretton and digital artist Kathy Hinde present Relative, a brand new multi-media piece at the Wickham Theatre, Department of Drama, University of Bristol on Saturday 29 April, 7.30pm.

Intimate, funny and beautifully staged, Relative combines theatre, dance, anecdote, film and sound to explore the special grandparent/grandchild relationship. Both artists are based in the South West, Niki lives in Dorset and Kathy in Bristol. Relative is touring across the South West & UK with more than 15 dates.

Set in a virtual backyard, where everyone’s laundry is hung out for all to see, Relative takes you on a stunning visual and musical journey. The surroundings shifts through time using vintage technology such as cine films and gramophones mixed with high-tech media, live piano and video.

Niki McCretton and Kathy Hinde worked directly with grandparents and grandchildren in Morecombe over a period of time to discover the crux of this special relationship. The results form the basis of Relative – an entertaining, physical, musical and visual jaunt, integrating films of real grannies with the artists' own experiences as grandchildren. Relative is infused with the voices and stories of Morecombe, from their gentle reflections to the frustrations that often arise from age clashes. Relative will strike a chord with everyone, especially those who have experienced the sometimes tender, sometimes tricky experience of being a grandparent or grandchild. The piece is interspersed with Niki and Kathy’s often-hilarious personal anecdotes, which become increasingly poignant as both are forced to face their own current state of childlessness.

Niki McCretton has an international reputation for her trademark mix of physicality, dance and humour and acclaimed visual artist Kathy Hinde has exhibited her work and collaborated with artists across the globe.

Presented initially in Lancaster, Relative attracted many new audiences who found the intimacy created by Niki and Kathy as they address each other on stage deeply engaging and very accessible. Suitable for anyone aged 11-111, particularly anyone who has been a grandparent, grandchild or both!

Commissioned by Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster and supported by Merlin Theatre, Take Art and Dance South West.

Tickets:  £8, £5 (concs) bookable through BOV Box Office 0117 987 7877     

Free post show discussion