A collaboration between local students, education bodies, and a local arts organisation, has resulted in a new theatrical production centred on the story of Renoir’s 1883 visit to Guernsey.
‘Into the Renoir’ is a new stage show created by The Guernsey Institute in association with Art for Guernsey, with support from Investec.
The play follows two students who are magically transported back to September 1883, when they must help Pierre-Auguste Renoir overcome a creative crisis by guiding him through iconic island locations such as Moulin Huet.
The piece has been devised and written by students from the TGI’s Performing and Production Arts Course, as well as Institute staff, as part of their vocational training.
Rhys Ashcroft, a Director and Lecturer in Performing Arts said: “This collaboration between Art of Guernsey and TGI’s Performing Arts Department has been a creative triumph, blending Renoir’s impressionist genius with live performance, in the style of Children’s Theatre, to inspire over 2,000 locals.
“It’s a new, vibrant way to make his famous work accessible and enjoyable for all.”
The production is being offered for free to local primary school children, as part of a drive to help ensure all children have access to live theatre.
There’s also a gala performance for the wider community which will take place on Thursday 12 February, at 19.00 at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts.
Tickets cost £10 and are available through the venue’s website, HERE.
The Founder and Chairman of Art for Guernsey, David Ummels said the project aims to support and stimulate the creativity of local youth, building on the charity’s previous exhibitions and the Renoir Walk.
“One of our key ethos of our charity is to support, inspire and stimulate the creativity of local youth,” he said. “We do this in many different ways.
“When the students of the Guernsey Institute and their mentors approached us with this project, we felt so enthused that we had to get involved. Witnessing yet again, another manifestation of how our work on Renoir provides ideas and inspirations to our young people is the best feeling in the world.”
The performance is supported by Investec, which also sponsored the 2023 Renoir Exhibition at Art for Guernsey.
CEO of Investec Bank, Channel Islands Ltd, Jane Niles, said: “Building on Investec’s sponsorship of the highly successful Renoir exhibition in 2023, we’re delighted to support this next chapter of his Guernsey story.
“This project ensures Renoir’s legacy continues to be discovered and enjoyed by a whole new generation of schoolchildren on the island.”