Experience a Fantastic Life

Minnie Rubinski, now in her eighties and living in a care home recounts her life as a journalist, mother, gallery owner, wife, writer, child, and (maybe) saviour of the world from giant reptiles. She is a woman with strong opinions who, in an era of patriarchy, broke social boundaries and forged her own path.

Experience Minnies’ memories by donning headphones and watching a series of films showing episodes from her life created using beautifully carved marionettes performing in perfectly detailed period sets.

The latest in a series of singular productions created by Edinburgh based company Vision Mechanics,The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski was inspired by creative director Kim Bergsagel’s experience of her mother’s rapid onset dementia. It has been adapted from fragments of phone calls and family anecdotes and is funny, sad, at times nonsensical but always meaningful and moving.

Eastgate General Manager Caroline Adam said:

“Vision Mechanics are renowned creators of original, one-off arts events.  When I first encountered The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski I knew I wanted to share the experience with Eastgate audiences. This intimate, absorbing, beautifully imagined set of short films combines insights into the often extraordinary and sometime imaginary lives lived by the elderly and the impossibility of knowing the truth about the past; as well as the crafts of storytelling, puppetry, modelling and film making. I’m delighted that Kim and Symon will be there on Sunday to discuss the event.”

Only 60 people a day can experience the Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski at the Eastgate. From Thursday 1 – Saturday 3 August.  Bookings are every 30 minutes from 2pm – 7pm. On Sunday 4 August from 11am – 4pm. Tickets, available now, are £15, £10 or £8 (whichever you can afford to pay).

At 5pm on Sunday 4 August Vision Mechanics Creative Directors Kim Bergasgel and Symon Macintyre will be available to discuss all aspects of the production from building and filming the intricate sets to imagining and producing this original, poignant production. An opportunity to ask questions and share stories about other Fantastic Lives.

Tickets for the Fantastic Life… and the conversation with Vision Mechanics are available now from the Eastgate box office on 01721 725777 or online www.eastgatearts.com