The HeLa cell line is one of the most important cell lines within our modern human history. The first to ever be immortalised, the cell line originates from the late Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cancer cells have aided with medical research into illnesses such as cancer and various other ailments. An exploration of her contributions within the scientific field, Mojisola Adebayo presents Family Tree, an expansive look at Lacks’ integral legacy.
How trauma presents itself differs from person to person, the impact of which affecting a person on a physical, emotional as well as spiritual level. Exploring this complex topic further within her latest work, theatre maker Heather Agyepong, alongside co-creators Gail Babb, Gillian Tan and Imogen Knight present The Body Remembers, a look at how trauma lives within the body, particularly within Black British women across different generations. Ahead of the show, starting off at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre from late October before embarking on a tour, Heather tells us more about what to expect.
The lead up, the taking of and the processing of the result of a pregnancy is a nerve wracking, overwhelming experience, those few moments holding the key to possible motherhood. Exploring this emotional ritual further, Popelei present Push, an unapologetic, unfiltered short filmic piece.
An important time theatrically for platforming work from underrepresented creatives, it’s been lovely watching the artistic responses to this so far. As part of the ‘From Start to Finnish’ initiative showcasing art from Finland, choreographer Kati Raatikainen presents Kvartetto, a celebration of uniqueness as a quartet of artists with learning disabilities perform a 45 minute dance work.
Artificial Intelligence is being developed around the world to write anything from novels, to songs, to marketing blurb, and now script. What the Young Vic have put together, in line with their frequently provocative and innovative work, is a live workshop where the audience are able to work with the full creative team and see how a play might be put together, with GPT-3 OpenAI technology as a co-writer.
What does it mean to be Nigerian? Having a knowledge of Nigeria’s national anthem? A knowledge of the states that make up the nation? An understanding of one or more of the native languages spoken? A loaded question I’m sure, and one that Imagiphoria Studios contemplates in their debut show Asó.
Death is part of our life cycle, however a part of humanity we seldom talk about until it’s something we’re sadly confronted with. This being due to the topic’s emotional, fear inducing nature, the topic a tough one to discuss as it’s a case of addressing the unknown. Boldly exploring this further within their work Kill Me Now, Dirty Protest deliver a thought-provoking watch.
Qualities of good customer service? Attentiveness? Hospitality? Responsiveness? Reliability? Resourcefulness? Do you agree? I’m sure we all have our own ideas as to what this entails, these interactions shaping our day to day. Observing this fascinating facet of modern society, Kallo Collective, in association with From Start to Finnish– a showcase of Finnish performance art, present The Receptionists, a humorous take on this.
Experimental and experiential in concept, Race Horse Company’s O’DD takes us all on an intergalactic journey across time, space and matter, a magical show, hypnotic in its design.
A closer look at the life of a Navy veteran during the latter stages of his life, Metamorph Theatre’s Scab meticulously portrays a tragic life filled with mental health issues, trauma, loneliness, familial issues, broken friendships and being left behind by society.
