A beautifully intimate cry for help, User Not Found poses the question of the role technology plays within legacy and intimacy and touches on the dangerous impact that social media and isolation can have on mental health.
When between jobs and working in a pub one day, Richard Gadd never expected one kind action he made as a barman to lead to such an extensive series of events. Martha was this kooky enigma who appeared as initially harmless, but quickly became a huge problem, following Gadd everywhere – turning up at his gigs and house, attacking his girlfriend and harassing his friends.
Courtesy of Andrew Perry.
There isn’t much to fault in Nancy Medina’s production of Caryl Phillips’ Strange Fruit, currently running at the Bush Theatre. Part of the Passing the Baton initiative, the play details the lives of those that struggle to imagine their futures; people that are trapped by oppression, anger and cultural difference.
Courtesy of Helen Murray.
Due to current political affairs, Brexit encompasses the majority of television, social media and conversation. These discussions are had nationwide between family members, close friends and even strangers. Within these conversations, immigration is often thrown around as a pawn upon a bigger chess board, a throw away part of a larger playing field. Estelle Savasta’s Going Through (originally Traversée) delves into the arduous and lamentable trials of a young girl, having to embark on a journey of immigration that would be dangerous for any adult, let alone a child.
Ali Wright, Going Through, The Bush Theatre
A bold new technological step for theatre, connecting four countries, four theatres, under one brave idea. It isn’t often that one can say that they are watching theatre tread new ground, but this can be unequivocally said for Babylon Beyond Borders. The abstract production is performed and live streamed across the globe from London to São Paulo, Johannesburg to New York, each performing their individually devised contribution. This is all under the concept of the tower of Babel, the division of humanity, split by the linguistic barrier of multiple languages.
The topic of fertility affects all, yet it’s a topic that we only now find ourselves starting to openly discuss. Everyone has their own personal stories and journeys, a multitude of experiences still yet to explore and learn from. Inspired to curate a festival addressing this often taboo subject, co-founders of Fertility Festival 2019 Jessica Hepburn and Gabby Vautier talk about this year’s emphasis on discussing the modern family, what audiences can expect from this year’s line up and how societal conversations have shifted towards raising awareness on the multi-faceted topic.
Project Manager Alex Turner has overseen the preparations for this year’s TheatreCraft. An event aimed at those aged 16 to 30 looking to learn more about theatre disciplines off stage, the initiative will see industry professionals give talks and workshops, as well as a careers fair at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel offering attendees the chance to meet some of the UK’s leading theatres, companies and education providers. Read on to find out more about this year’s event.
Generation upon generation, there’s a feeling of ‘our way’ being the best way to navigate a situation. There’s no better example of this type of framework than within the fabric of a familial home. The continue back and forth between parents and their children is what makes for powerful conversations as well as unavoidable clashes. Winsome Pinnock’s Leave Taking channels this ever moving energy to reveal a family of strong women battling the day to day.
Courtesy of Helen Murray.
18 months ago now, the concept of the Theatre & Technology Awards was born. In a world whereby technologies are advancing at speed, it was about time disciplines both onstage and online were celebrated. After noticing there was a gap in the market to champion these achievements, preparations to organise a team of industry professionals to judge as well as encourage critics and the public to cast their votes were well and truly underway. Fast forward to October 2017 and a gathering of theatre creatives were in attendance at the debut awards ceremony at the Bush Theatre. The evening, hosted by the charismatic Paul Lavers made for a memorable event.
Courtesy of Taiyo Nagano.
Ramona Tells Jim is a familiar plot, a romcom-turned-tragedy told through the characters of long-lost first loves Ramona and Jim, and the girl that Jim ends up dating, Pocahontas. (No, I don’t really get it either). Unlike the other great R & J’s in the dramatic canon – Romeo and Juliet – this play offers insight into ‘what happens next’, demonstrating in the process that expectation does not always equate with reality. But this is not entirely original thought, and it’s here that the play begins to unravel somewhat.
Courtesy of Sam Taylor.
