Like many great books, by the end of The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida you feel like you’ve really got to know the author. This is all the more extraordinary as Naoki is a non-verbal, Japanese teenager and the book a fairly unique ‘voice from beyond the silence of autism’ as its subtitle states. The genius of the book is that it allows you to spend some precious time in Naoki’s company, get to know how his mind works and understand something of his remarkable world view. This production attempts nothing more complicated or less important. The whole show is really an opportunity to create a space for these types of encounters. As well as Naoki’s experiences and ideas, here you will meet our five performers who will tell you about their own experiences of living with autism, all different from Naoki’s and each other’s, but all connected by a desire to explain, to help people understand what autism means for them.
Based on the book by Naoki Higashida, Translated by David Mitchell and Keiko Yoshida
So welcome to Naoki’s garden. A labyrinth within a maze. A meditation within a puzzle. We hope you enjoy meeting its occupants as well as finding out about the Japanese teenager who has inspired us and from whose imagination all of this has grown. —Graham Eatough
Conceived by Graham Eatough and created with, and performed by, a group of artists with autism ranging from early teens to 60 years old.
Creative Team Graham Eatough Clare Duffy Andre Dekker* Geert van de Camp* Zoe Halliday Ellie Griffiths Aileen Sherry Gavin Glover Laura Donnelly CDG *of Observatorium Performers Michael Dawson Calum Macritchie Emma McCaffrey Fletcher Mathers Nicola Tuxworth Philip Horan Bernadette Danford Coery, Jetty, Cara & Zain Production Team Niall Black Mickey Graham Emma Skaer Matthew Gardner Kara Jackson Valerie Rickis Carrie Taylor Kylie Langford Jessica Griffiths Martin Woolley David Lauder Cathy Dick Sonia Tinagli Macrae Emily Cutts
Director Dramaturgy Set Design Set Design Movement Director Assistant Director Costume Designer Mask Design & Creation Casting Director
Japanese Flute Japanese Flute Young performers Production Manager Stage Manager Deputy Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Costume Supervisor Costume Technician Stage Supervisor Stage Technician FOH Manager FOH Manager Site Manager
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It’s great to be worki Emma, Michael, Nick whole team.
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The Reason I Jump App Team REALREALREAL App Developer Chris Gorman Sound Designer Caitlin Mulgrew Musician With special thanks to: Ross Dickinson Placements Damian Coyle Sanna Macgregor
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NAS placement Dramaturgy Placement
The Company would like to thank: NAS Glasgow, Isobel Mair School, Abercorn Secondary School and St Crispins School, North Kelvin College (West Campus), High Park Language and Communications Resource and The Children’s Wood and North Kelvin Meadow. A list of the National Theatre of Scotland staff involved in this and all productions can be found here: nationaltheatrescotland.com/about/contact-us If you would like to give us feedback on the show, please email us at feedback@nationaltheatrescotland.com #TheReasonIJump Photography by Tommy Ga Ken Wan, Mihaela Bodlovic and Beth Chalmers Graphic Design by After the News.
I am so excited for being picked for a part in this play. I can’t wait for the first performance. Ellie has been so nice.
What I got out of this was a priceless opportunity to work with The National Theatre of Scotland for the first time as a professional actor.
I am very grateful to be given an opportunity to at last lift the mist on the dimensions of Autism. I have immensely enjoyed working with the whole company.
ing with Calum, ky and the
ative work has the rehearsal room, ht good laugh. hida in his final what I’d like people duction, “And pe shines on all future will be future. That’s ll.”
Working on this has been an exiting and demanding time but it’s one I wouldn’t miss for the world.
ence to leave with I would like the audi answers so they more questions than ition instead of just can look up the cond aware of it. It saying they are simply us gave them ng eti would be good if me g to understand an interest in learnin our way of life. dn’t be After all, there woul mon if it weren’t ké Po d an s ter Ghostbus for us. dedicate this Emma would like to d, who passed Da r he performance to away in April.
has no ot talk, so he not or does n pirations. as is self or h im h r fo on pti es people, n of it, he lik ere for the fu s. isual puzzle paces, and v le for us, as d d ri a em is he sees in th im. a riddle for h as it may be ing ag g out or hom ay be pullin effects, we e th sorbing ab st ju or , es tiv t know. be charming, is that it can t we do know lightening. sometimes en ’s parents) trating, and er oung Perform te from the Y
I am glad I get to show people what autism really is and how it affe cts me and others. My brain is just wir ed up differently. I’m really happy I got this gre at opportunity to star in a produc tion and show others how my autism makes me unique. I’ve really enjoyed working wit h everyone. Dedicated to Romeo my cat wh o passed in December. My best friend. He has been happy to be part of the process, if a little bemused at times but for him to perform, to be acknowledged and accepted, to share who he is will be wonderful! (Quote from the Young Performer’s teacher)
Download The Reason I Jump App
Support National Theatre of Scotland
During the day, visitors to The Children’s Wood and North Kelvin Meadow will be able to enjoy aspects of The Reason I Jump production through a specially developed augmented reality experience. Available for free for Android and Apple devices and downloadable from Google Play and AppStore, audiences can walk the maze in search of labyrinthine marker-points. Once located – and viewed through the app – the marker points begin to transform the surrounding space, filling it with sights and sounds from the performances.
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After the production, we will release an update to the app allowing users to experience stories gathered through a series of workshops with school children on the autistic spectrum, celebrating neurodiversity through storytelling. Visit nationaltheatrescotland.com for more information
About National Theatre of Scotland
Our donors and supporters have helped us nurture and develop the careers of hundreds of actors, playwrights, designers and directors. Each year we work with thousands of young people from across Scotland on projects that build confidence and transform lives. There are many ways to support and be part of our work creating vital, dynamic theatre. Join us and help us achieve our ambition. To learn more, please visit: nationaltheatrescotland.com/support To speak to us about the opportunities available, contact: Adam McDougall, Development Manager T: 0141 221 0970 E: adam.mcdougall@nationaltheatrescotland.com
The National Theatre of Scotland is a Theatre Without Walls. Since the Company was established in 2006, we have created over 280 productions, performing on the world’s largest stages and in tiny village halls. You can find us on the ferry, in a castle and in the local pub. We’re on the stages, in the galleries and on your screens. We are the voice in your ear as you roam the streets, the dragon in the night sky and the beat of the battalion drum. We are the communities with something to say, the audiences who demand to be heard and the vast creative talent of Scotland and beyond. Our aspiration is to tell the stories that need to be told and to take work to wherever audiences are to be found. Artistic Director and Chief Executive Jackie Wylie Chair Seona Reid DBE A percentage of the ticket sales for The Reason I Jump will go towards The Children’s Wood and North Kelvin Meadow. The Reason I Jump is funded by the R S Macdonald Charitable Trust and supported by The Mickel Fund and National Autistic Society.
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