Unfolding Theatre’s mission is to bring people together. We stand against hate. We are sad and troubled by far right protests planned in Newcastle this weekend. However, we are heartened by the actions of many people who work to build connections, understanding and support in the city.

Pleased to see the evaluation Imogen Blood Lorna Easterbrook and I worked on for the Baring Foundation published today. Some great progress in developing the field of arts and mental health since 2020. And even more to do in future. baringfoundation.org.uk/resource/art...

North East Deaf Youth Theatre is back this Saturday!  📍 Gosforth Civic Theatre 🕤 9.30 - 11.30am (third Saturday of the month) Free sessions for Deaf children aged 5–12 https://www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/whatson/2025/1/18/north-east-deaf-youth-theatre-january-workshop-jxk6h-sr2zj-pwel3-lre52-zrlle

In case there are any #brettonhall alumni or #firesoflondon fans or fans of his #mozartrequiem completion, sharing this info on a memorial concert for my father-in-law Duncan Druce 10 years after his passing, in Huddersfield on 20 Sept.

Say it again, and again, and again. They are not "illegal immigrants". -seeking asylum is legal and has been since 1951. This legally trumps all arguments of “but they arrived by illegal means”. That’s just a fact. That’s why you don’t see asylum seekers arrested & charged. Our MSM must do better.

Also: the language in the headline is typically confused. The change affects those with refugee status not those still seeking asylum. If the @theguardian.com don't get this right (it's clearer in the article tbf) what hope for others.

Cruelty for the sake of it. A lot of people don't know that when asylum seekers are granted refugee status you lose whatever housing etc you had while your case was being considered. Whole families have to find new homes, change schools etc. This just adds peril. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

While the government shamefully pander to the right, you can support the campaign to let people work. Asylum seekers want to work, to contribute where they've found some kind of safety: let them, instead of stoking up fear. www.refugee-action.org.uk/lift-the-ban/

I did the del amitri interview in this. At the Rex Club in Paris, in my year studying at Paris VIII in Saint Denis. Saw some great bands at the Rex - Sonic Youth, Blurt, David Thomas, Microdisney... I have a copy somewhere @dustysevens.bsky.social but only one. I could dig it out and do you a copy?

Been quiet as Mrs Practice broke her leg - when we were away from home too. (Femur - she never does things by half.) After surgery and 11 days finally have her home for a summer of slow recovery. We saw the NHS at its best, I'm happy and relieved to say. Also we now call everyone duck, ducky or pet.

Was comparing prices for a gig next year, Paris or London. London tickets c£4.00 more expensive but then fees - £1.30 in France, £7.80 in England. Wondering why there's such a difference. Tbh I'm presuming greed but do correct me if you know better...

Bye forever, WeTransfer.

“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe – and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.” James Baldwin

Not a fan of freeports but this did make me imagine a billion dollar art vault just off the A66. www.citywealthmag.com/news/the-bil...

I was saying recently that based on my proven scientific technique of Walking Around Manchester is about the only really economically vibrant feeling city or town centre work has taken me recently outside of London. Rest of UK still feels battered. (And obv nowhere without scars of inequality etc)

Another sweaty day in that LDN. I find myself envying the men whose white shirts stay crisp and freshly laundered-looking while I turn into a sack of spuds.

It's really important to feedback when you ask questions. (Lack of feedback is one reason people disengage.) "And if you ..have collected a load of workforce data - share it" Also really energising to know people's (our) experience is helping @unfoldingtheatre.bsky.socialbe even better in future.

This explains a thing or two. Also makes me think creative industries might be better off struggling to attract private investment from this kind of private equity company? substack.com/home/post/p-...

Nearly fancy Wilco time.

Been a week of losses but I am giving thanks and praises to the universe for Mavis Staples. Got something in my eye listening to this new song, cover of a Frank Ocean song m.youtube.com/watch?v=TXjf...

For those I’ve not told: stood in front of Michael Stipe in the queue at Cranks.

My colleague Imogen Blood has a new podcast, and asked me to be the first guest, talking about evaluation and stories. It was a fun - look we're laughing! - reflective conversation. Imogen also got me to share what kind of difference MSC had made for me. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yKp...

Walked to the river in the evening sun listening to the Beach Boys after a lot of Sly in the office today and wondering if all that beauty was really a fair exchange for their pain.

Newsletter on yeses that changed my life. Why you should say yes to others. "That position and power... that rep: it was never only yours in the first place." & how some bad things recently come from a need to unlearn binaries. CW: an ambiguous poem & a polemical playlist.

There's a riot goin' on wherever he's gone/ www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Lw...

Struggling to believe some of these big⭐️fLAME Peel Session recordings are over 40 years old. But very happy to have them courtesy of @precrecs.bsky.social sound as fresh as ever.

Lets get it to number one. youtu.be/q2MoQJP-PhA?...

A grassroots movement like Arts Emergency rarely lasts or grows as we have.Our work changes lives, but we rely on monthly donations.Those donations are down £50k since 2021. We've cut all we can, now we're appealing to you for £2/month to plug the gap & go on www.arts-emergency.org/donate%F0%9F...

It’s not often an artist unfurls part of a 20m long work in an evaluation interview in a hotel lobby. I like my work.

I’m a board member at Unfolding and the commitment to inclusion of team and fellow board members is an ongoing education. (Inc in how hard some parts of the world work to not be inclusive, sadly.)

Two compliments for my @artscentres.bsky.social book Tactics for the Tightrope today. 1. Grainne Woods of Rogue Encounters said l "I recognised so much of my own experience there, things I knew but had not previously had the words for." Free here or buy a paperback tacticsforthetightrope.com

Excellent day with Arts & Business NI in Belfast today, at their Flux conference- great to hear Blueprint members talking about the impact the programme has had on them. No magic wands but a lot of growth and development. Did two lightning workshops on multiplying leadership too.

still playing au pairs and gang of four records on repeat wondering what the modern kids versions might be then this astounding thing pops up... bloody hell #katenash youtu.be/q2MoQJP-PhA?...

Compare and contrast.

dear pals if you'd like to fill in a pointless bound to be ignored survey that might support the very basic human rights of trans people ah fuck we might as well try ... www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ehrc-code-...

Shocking example of the impact govt chance have on people. (and thus on whose voices get heard in culture.)

Airport parking's a blooming racket isn't it? I think there should be a culture tithe on airport parking. A % of what's charged in Newcastle, say, could go to the Community Foundation's art fund. Etc.

Great coverage for @unfoldingtheatre.bsky.social recent integrated show. www.itv.com/watch/news/t...

This is one of my pet peeves too.

Useful new report from #SpiritOf2012 on measuring #wellbeing and comparing costs of interventions/activities: hows and whys. spiritof2012.org.uk/spirit-of-20...

Drawing on in-depth research involving 90 arts centres with a combined 9.4 million annual visitors, the report provides critical intelligence to help inform the decisions of policy makers, funders, and the cultural sector in the UK. Find out more: futureartscentres.org.uk/report-shows...

Fair point well made

Still angry and baffled over, you know, *the world*. But it’s Stevie Wonder’s birthday so let’s pause for a few minutes and give thanks. youtu.be/pUj9frKY46E

I’Ve had a lifetime of disappointment with Labour leaders (and bounced in and mainly out of membership) but Starmer’s rhetoric - I can’t even type it - today is a new low. Desperate and shameful.

Os ydych chi eisiau byw yn y Deyrnas Unedig, dylech chi siarad Cymraeg. Dyna synnwyr cyffredin. Felly rydym yn codi gofynion iaith Gymraeg ar draws pob prif lwybr mewnfudo.

Starmer's anti-immigrant speech today wasn't just a moral and political embarrassment. It was also an intellectual embarrassment. inews.co.uk/opinion/star...

If caring is so unskilled how come so few politicians and no AI robots can manage it?

Bit busy today to take my account down but I pity the fool that trains anything on my cack-handed fragments.