Relocating the East Yorkshire based Kilnsea coastline to the North West of London, Tom Wells’ Big Big Sky transforms and enlivens Hampstead Theatre ‘Downstairs’ stage.
Relocating the East Yorkshire based Kilnsea coastline to the North West of London, Tom Wells’ Big Big Sky transforms and enlivens Hampstead Theatre ‘Downstairs’ stage.
Having created a platform for performance artists – offering ‘space, time, community, critical feedback, free financial access to events and other resources’, ]performance s p a c e [ have been integral to the journeys of many who’s work may have been ‘locked out, in-between and seen as being too experimental’. Born out of the Occupy movement of 2011, a decade on, the venue celebrate their continued and vital support within the arts industry, showcasing the work of Alastair MacLennan, Anne Bean, Chinasa Vivian Ezugha, Elvira Santamaría-Torres, Joseph Morgan Schofield, Martin O’Brien, Rubiane Maia, Poppy Jackson and selina bonelli with a 10 hour durational performance on Saturday 21st August. Ahead of the show, taking place at the Ugly Duck, co-founder and director of ]performance s p a c e [ Benjamin Sebastian tells us more about the artists taking part in the event, what it means to continue providing this much needed space for artists and their hopes for the event.
An important time for highlighting the stories of the often underrepresented, as the industry emerges post pandemic, we’re witnessing more of these take to our stages. Debuting at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe to sold out audiences, Tokyo Rose tells the real-life story of American radio broadcaster Iva Ikuko Toguri D’Aquino, the show’s title, the nickname given to female broadcasters believed to have been spreading propaganda to the Allied Forces during WWII – of which Iva was wrongly accused. Two years after the show’s initial run, Tokyo Rose returns, starting off at the MAST Mayflower Studios before going on tour. Co-written by Maryhee Yoon and Cara Baldwin, the pair have re-worked the show into a two act, full length format. Ahead of tour, co-writer Maryhee tells us more about what inspired the team to explore the narrative further, how she’s worked with Cara to realise the show and what she’s taken away from the process.
With an increased emphasis on the natural world around us, on a local as well as global level, we’re at a crucial point in time in terms of conversations had about climate change, questioning how best to look after our home. Observing the beauty of his hometown Kilnsea, situated in East Yorkshire, writer Tom Wells explores his locality and its vulnerabilities, recognising a need for better care in Big Big Sky. Currently showing at the Hampstead Theatre, Tom tells us more about what to expect.
Recognising the need for honest stories placing the experiences of the queer community navigating the dating scene centre stage, writer and performer Benjamin Salmon presents Blowhole, an exploration of connection and community in the modern age of serial dating, a story about ‘Him’, a single, sexless, grief stricken gay man in London. Ahead of his show, taking place at the end of August at the Pleasance Theatre, Benjamin tells us more about the importance of creating these stories, collaborating with director Tom Wright and what he’s learned from creating the show
Hi Benjamin, your show Blowhole will play at the Pleasance from late August. How are you feeling ahead of the show?
Said to be the blueprint of many of the classics we are familiar with today, 4,000 year old Egyptian poem Sinuhe and the King receives an adaptation from critically claimed Nigerian writer and poet Ben Okri OBE.
Transporting us back to the early noughties with their psychological drama ...cake, babirye bukilwa presents a complex yet honest portrayal of motherhood and mental health.
Returning to the Almeidawith critically acclaimed show Hymn, which was live-streamed earlier on this year, Danny Sapaniand Adrian Lesterprovide a welcome return to live theatre, both providing powerhouse performances gravitating all within their newly established world.
Sound has the power to shift mood, heal and evoke memory, soundtracks shaping many of our lives. Presenting an autobiographical one man show incorporating this element, as well as fusing projection and photography, theatre maker Victor Esses presents Where to Belong, an exploration of how to find your place within a rich and complex world of identity – as a Jewish-Lebanese Brazilian gay man, Where to Belong marks the journey to find home. Ahead of the show’s tour, starting at the Oxford Playhouse from the 7th September, Victor tells us more about how he’s found the process of creating this autobiographical work, what it means to him to be able to stage the piece and what audiences can expect.
Hi Victor, you’ll be touring Where to Belong from September. How are you feeling ahead of the tour?
Having received its world premiere in 1967 at the Hampstead Theatre, Tennessee Williams‘ lesser known play, The Two Character Play returns 54 years later, themes of loneliness and mental health resonant as ever.