Manipulate Arts have announced their inaugural full Manipulate Festival commission, offered in association with Capital Theatres. Tube Man by Jim Manganello of Scotland-based dance company Shotput and Finnish artist Valtteri Alanen, will be supported beyond Cove Park through to full production, premiering at their 20th Anniversary Manipulate Festival in 2028. This ambitious new work reflects a commitment to supporting bold artistic vision, rigorous visual dramaturgy and world-class visual theatre made in Scotland.

Developed through the Cove Park International Visual Theatre Residency and additional supported research periods, Tube Man is an epic history of man told through hundreds of inflatable tubes. Two men (what are they doing here? are they lost?) manipulate these tubes – ridiculous and vaguely phallic – with leaf blowers, hoovers, foot pumps and wind machines. The manipulation of the objects becomes subtle terrain for moments of differentiation, competition, collaboration, and violence. This is a show about contemporary masculinity that is by turns satirical and tender.

With this commission, Manipulate Arts aims to support a Scotland production for the first time from initial creative development through to its premiere, with bespoke support anchored in artform-specific sector expertise. The commission selection panel were looking for projects which have the potential to engage audiences both within and beyond Scotland, demonstrating  compelling artistic vision, exceptional craft, innovative technique and rigorous visual dramaturgy. The commission is underpinned by a strong partnership between Manipulate Arts and Capital Theatres, and will meet audiences as part of their 20th anniversary Manipulate Festival programme.

‘We are delighted to be announcing the results of these important new initiatives, and to be working with such a varied and talented group of artists. The long development timelines and artform expertise which are necessary for the creation of extraordinary visual theatre can be challenging for artists to access, particularly in a context of funding precarity. These invaluable opportunities for development, presentation and exchange with international peers will lend support to not only these wonderful projects, but to the development of the visual theatre sector in Scotland and its position on the global stage.’  – Dawn Taylor, Artistic Director & CEO Manipulate Arts

Together, the International Visual Theatre Residency and commission represent a significant investment in the future of visual theatre in Scotland, supporting artists to develop ambitious new work while strengthening international connections and creating pathways for long-term artistic growth.

Both the International Visual Theatre Residency and the commission are supported by Creative Scotland’s Expanded Festivals Fund.