A marriage doomed from the onset, Orpheus and Eurydice’s union is perhaps one of the most well -known stories within the Greek pantheon of myths and legends. Prophesised to not last, both enjoy a short lived romance, inevitably put to a bitter end by the cruel passing of Eurydice.
Introduced in 1861 under colonial rule, Section 377 would include the criminalisation of same sex relationships, an unjust action that would impact on the lives of many. However, on the 6th September, 2018, the Supreme Court of India would rule this inclusion as ‘unconstitutional’ and would therefore witness its decriminalisation. We’re at the forefront of a new decade, and with this, we are witnessing global shifts against certain conservative attitudes, and this is significant. LGBTQ+ stories are starting to be discussed openly, laws slowly being overturned and human rights being exercised. Choreographer and Theatre Maker Jaivant Patel explores this era of change we’re living in in his debut piece ‘YAATRA’ – a fusion of Kathak and Contemporary dance exploring LGBTQ+ narratives, faith and spirituality. Ahead of its showing at TARA Arts Theatre on Thursday 17th October, Jaivant tells us more his choreographic and musical process, exploring personal aspects of his identity and what audiences can expect from the show!
We have a long way to go, however seeing discussions focused on women’s rights is a step forward in the right direction. In 2018, according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales, 7.9% of women experienced domestic violence, that’s roughly 1.3 million of the population and 28.9% aged between 16 to 59 have suffered some form of domestic abuse from aged 16 – 4.8 million. The Police Service of Northern Ireland have reported a worrying increase in domestic violence incidences, reporting a 5.4% rise from October 2017 to September 2018 and the highest since records began in 2004/2005. However as this topic is complex, and is often hidden, it’s difficult to quantify just how much this occurs. We’ve also witnessed conversations on the personal topic of abortion take place, Northern Ireland currently in the process of decriminalising it, ensuring regulations regarding abortion services are put in place by April (BBC News). Playwright and screen writer taps into these pertinent issues in her current play ‘Gutted’, set four decades prior to now. Ahead of the show’s run starting from Friday 4th October & Saturday 5th October at the Marlowe Theatre, Sharon tells us more about what to expect.
Packed with gripping tension and cultural divides aplenty, Arthur Miller‘s hard hitting play about identity and masculinity pushes our protagonists deep into disgruntlement, and soon to be violence. If you wonder what it is like to allow jealousy to build up inside your physique, and the consequences of letting it spread, then this performance is truly for you.
Courtesy of Johan Persson.
It felt rather monumental being in the room at the Royal Court last night. Caryl Churchill is without doubt one of our greatest living playwrights, and after amassing such a huge amount of hits under her belt, her latest offering is just as superb. Throughout the evening, four very different plays are presented. They discuss lots of interesting things: Gods, murder, clocks, magical creatures, addiction, accountability, perception – the list goes on.
Irene Danner-Storm hailed from a family of circus performers. One of few Jewish families to own a circus business, the Lorch family would suffer greatly from the horrifying rise of antisemitism and the Nazis’ rise to power; the devastating climate leading to the beginnings of WWII. A decline in business and facing the possibility of being sent to a ghetto or concentration camp, Irene would be the first within her family to flee to the Althoff Circus as a means of survival. Inspired by Irene’s incredible story, performer and theatre maker Stav Meishar presents her solo show The Escape Act – A Holocaust Memoir, a production close to Stav’s heart, having trained in circus arts and being the descendant of Holocaust survivors, we learn more about how Irene’s story has impacted her both personally and professionally.
We all have our own stories to tell, our lives a mixture of circumstances and obstacles that have shaped our present. Inspired by a childhood friend’s tough circumstances, musical performer and theatre maker Jeannette Bayerdelle crafted her award winning one woman show ‘SHIDA’, a show focused on family, friendship and love. Currently showing at The Vaults, the recently Off West End Award nominated show integrates rock, R&B, jazz and gospel music to give voice to her friend’s story. Ahead of the run, Jeannette discusses her creative process, working with Joshua Zecher-Ross and Noam Galperin on the musical aspect of the show and what she’d like for audiences to take away from the show.
In a matter of weeks, Boris Johnson will foresee the UK leaving the European Union after three years of unpredictable twists and turns within parliament, as well as an extension from our original leave date, 29th March 2019. One of, if not the most significant of political decisions made post WWII, we face a post EU era of uncertainty.
On 10th April 1998, The Good Friday Agreement was signed by Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, Mo Mowlam and David Andrews. After decades of political and societal unrest and setting into motion the Northern Ireland peace process, the agreement was a significant step forward for creating a united Northern Ireland and securing prospects for the nation. However, two decades on, present generations live under the strain of previous political and societal unrest, a third of the population live on or under the poverty line and mental health issues, especially within the working classes are sadly sidelined. Drawing from her experiences of living in Belfast, playwright Alice Malseed’s Jade City highlights these pertinent issues, having written the show as a ‘matter of urgency. Currently showing at The Bunker, Alice tells us more about what to expect from the show.
Little did I know when attending the press conference in June, that the Münchner Kammerspiele would be voted “Theatre of the Year 2019” by the critics of the highly esteemed theatre magazine “Theater heute” only two months later. “Theater heute” also chose the impressive 10-hour production Dionysos Stadt by Christopher Rüping as “Production of the Year”and Nils Kahnwald as “Actor of the Year” for the same production. Best newcomer awards went to Kammerspiele ensemble members Gro Swantje Kohlhof and Benjamin Radjaipour. Lena Newton‘s stage design for Susanne Kennedy’s adaptation of Three Sisters was also considered the year’s best work. A triumph for Artistic Director Matthias Lilienthal who presented his final season at the Kammerspiele.
