Hope River, upstate New York. A group of 24 schoolgirls begin behaving strangely – twitching, stuttering and mirroring each other.  As the girls’ behaviour begins to draw the attention of parents, teachers and even the national news, the town quickly becomes a hotbed of fascination, fear and mistrust. Is there something in the water, in the soil or something much darker?

Inspired by real events, The Hope River Girls combines explosive choreography, video and text to examine how something as natural as teenage girls coming of age can become wholly unnatural and a subject of national scrutiny.

The Hope River Girls is a reconceived version for young audiences of groupwork’s multi award-winning 2019 debut, The Afflicted. The new work is commissioned by Imaginate and funded through the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund.

Contains flashing images, loud music and jump scares. Contains descriptions and depictions of issues related to mental health, neurodivergence and neurological disorders.

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Recommended for ages 10-15 years
Warning: Contains flashing images, loud music and jump scares. Contains descriptions and depictions of issues related to mental health, neurodivergence and neurological disorders.

Creative team:
Vicki Manderson & Finn den Hertog: Direction
Vicki Manderson: Choreography
Lewis den Hertog: Video, Music and Sound
Jake Jeppson: Text and Dramaturgy
Camilla Clarke: DesignBenny Goodman: Lighting

The new work is commissioned by Imaginate, supported by Tramway and funded through the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund.