The Jerwood Residencies 2016 support the creation of new work and new ways of working by Scottish artists working collaboratively. Generously funded by the Jerwood charitable trust since 2002, four residencies of two weeks each focus on research and experiment rather than development of a specific project and take place within the interdisciplinary setting of Cove Park.

Velvet Evening Séance was co-conceived by Ross MacKay and Suzie Miller over a previous exploratory week at Cove Park. After initially collaborating on In The Heart of Darby Park, the NTS funded a one-week residency at Cove Park. During this time Suzie and Ross researched the history and performative elements of Victorian Séances.  MacKay and Miller accompanied by composer Jim Haroune will use the residency to further develop Velvet Evening Séance, investigating how much the magic, music and puppetry can hold and uplift the narrative and exploring the creation of a working text that can support a more visual theatrical language.

Ross MacKay is a visual theatre maker. He has worked most prominently as artistic director of award winning company, Tortoise in a Nutshell as a director. Suzie Miller is an award winning playwright whose plays have been performed internationally.