A Miran Hadžić production supported by Tamasha and Intent New Theatre

From a history of turbulence and civil war, the Balkans is a region waking up to the opportunities of independence, with youthful and creative populations creating a vibrant present. Travel restrictions have limited the possibilities for citizens in the region to live and work in the rest of Europe. But art and cultural festivals are flourishing and Balkan writers have tales to tell about the past, present and future.

OUT OF THE WOODS is the latest development, riding the wave of the podcast revolution to bring Balkan stories to a wider audience, online. These fresh, funny and provocative new audio dramas showcase a new generation of writers from a region carving out its own identity, and eager to tell its own stories.

Series one is inspired by Kosovo, a majority muslim country and the newest state in Europe.

THURSDAY 17 JUNE FROM 7PM

On Kosovo Field by Fin Kennedy, music by PJ Harvey

This 75-minute drama tells the story of two Kosovan-born, Manchester-raised siblings, Dardan and Rebeka, who fled their homeland as unaccompanied child refugees in the 1990s. When a mass grave is uncovered close to their old village, they return to the country for the first time as young adults, to see if they can finally solve the mystery of what happened to their parents. Originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4, On Kosovo Field features original songs by PJ Harvey, whose travels and notebooks from time spent in Kosovo inspired writer Fin Kennedy to follow in her footsteps. Kennedy donated his fee from the project to fund new work by new writers from the region, which directly led to the OUT OF THE WOODS audio dramas.

Songs and music composed and performed by PJ Harvey

Sound design by Steve Brooke

Directed by Nadia Molinari

Cast includes Michelle Keegan and Nico Mirallegro

The listening party will be followed by a live Q&A with writer Fin Kennedy, director Nadia Molinari, and cultural consultant Kushtrim Koliqi.

SATURDAY 19 JUNE FROM 7PM

Fifth Dimension by Miran Hadžić

Tom is a one-time popular musician who is now making radio jingles for a living. He wants to join his German wife and daughter, who have left the UK after it has become a hostile environment for non-English people. But when Tom is commissioned by the government to write a new national anthem, he becomes trapped between two worlds and has to find a way out…

Writer Miran Hadžić was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina but was raised in London. He visited Kosovo to work with acclaimed composer Trimor Dhomi on this 45-minute dark satire on a dystopian UK.

Songs and music composed and performed by Trimor Dhomi

Sound design by Farokh Soltani

Directed by Mingyu Lin

The listening party will be followed by a live Q&A with writer Miran Hadžić in conversation with composer Trimor Dhomi.

SUNDAY 20 JUNE FROM 5PM

Where is Mr President? by Agnesa Mehanolli

When the President of Kosovo fails to appear at a large Independence Day rally, his senior officials go into overdrive to try to locate him. As time ticks on, a power vacuum emerges which neither the Prime Minister nor Head of Parliament are prepared to fill. Instead, to prevent widespread unrest, they appoint the most unlikely of candidates… A hilarious new satire from Pristina-based new writer Agnesa Mehanolli.

Nude by Ulpianë Maloku

A proud middle-aged mother takes her best friend to a landmark exhibition by her artist son Guri, whose painting career is starting to take off. Kosovo’s latest art sensation specialises in contemporary nudes, but neither woman is prepared for what they find when they finally see Guri’s paintings for themselves… A quirky comedy from Pristina-based writer Ulpianë Maloku.

Music and sound design by Farokh Soltani

Directed by Mingyu Lin

The listening party will be followed by a live Q&A with writers Agnesa Mehanolli and Ulpianë Maloku in conversation with INTENT New Theatre artistic director and executive director Kushtrim Koliqi and Mary Martin.

Intent New Theatre

We create opportunities for performance, writing and stagecraft from post-conflict and fragile settings. Since 2014 we have worked with artists in the Balkans to help them reach local and international audiences, develop world-class theatre skills and build a dynamic and innovative arts culture which transcends national borders. We have created a vibrant community that spans theatre professionals from the Balkans to the UK and US, through workshops, mentoring, audio drama and productions at the Unicorn and Marlowe Theatres.

www.intentnewtheatre.org / Twitter: @IntentTheatre / Facebook: intent new theatre / Instagram intent.new.theatre

Funded by Arts Council England