How we deal with traumas are dependent on how we process them, how we work to move on after the traumatic experience and the comfort we seek from the communities and systems around and put in place. Discussing what has been experienced in itself a difficult process, one that can bring feelings of guilt, shame, embarrassment but one also that can bring with it a powerful emotional and psychological release. An exploration of trauma and how this greatly impacts the dynamics of a family, Abby Vicky-Russell presents Gush.

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Following its triumphant return for the first time since the pandemic, VAULT Festival, the UK’s leading festival of live performance, has been advised by its venue-landlord, The Vaults, that it must find a new home for future festivals.

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Over 60 years on from the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement and centuries on from the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the West is at a point of self reflection and historical learning. Multiple factions of society in their own ways advocating for equal rights and a more hopeful tomorrow. One area of popular culture that has been an integral instrument for advocacy has been music, the musical genres of jazz, disco, soul and pop all areas that have given  way to iconic musical moments and stars. Celebrating the contributions of Black artists in line with Black History Month, Aures London presents LexTempus VLT-001 ‘The Greats’.

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Family for all of us takes on a very personal meaning, our view of the family construct differing from the next person. Drawing on her views of sisterhood, arguably one of the strongest familial bonds, writer Esohe Uwadiae presents She is a Place Called Home; a considered portrait of a bond tested by the expectations of their mother as well as their proud domineering father.

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Being bicultural, you often find that you’re constantly observing the world through two lenses; quietly balancing two cultures side by side whilst trying to figure out your very own identity. Drawing on her very own experiences of being both Nigerian and British heritage, writer Esohe Uwadiae presents She Is A Place Called Home, an exploration of having dual nationalities and sisterhood. Ahead of the show’s performances, Esohe speaks to us about taking part in this year’s Vault Festival, having the show developed as part of VAULT Festival’s New Writers Programme and offers advice to aspiring playwrights!

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Escapism in some form or other balances out our predictable routines – whether that be via art, spirituality, vice, technology, a getaway – the need for a break from the everyday crucial for us all to function. Cue Electrick Village‘s brief VR installation piece RawTransport™, a quietly ambitious exploration of escapism and how this in itself further deepens our own sense of self. Made possible by the accessibility of a headset and headphones, how we potentially holiday or ‘escape’ in the future could shift dramatically and not involve the chaos of packing and check ins.

Courtesy of Hannah Pye

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In light of our current political climate, we’re left questioning what the future holds – a nation built on the efforts of many cultures, revealing deep rooted tensions heightened by our current political head of state. Migration is the root of all of our stories, whether directly or indirectly; the universality of migration a complex facet of our lives. Exploring this further in her current show NOTCH, writer and performer Danaja Wass draws from her own personal story of leaving Croatia to start a new life in Ireland for a better future. Ahead of the run, Danaja talks to us about exploring the show’s themes, how she approached creating the show and what audiences can expect.

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A star on the rise, Award Winning Comedian Mo Omar has proved himself within the comedy circuit, having taken part in various competitions and events, most notably having performed on Harry Hill’s Clubnite on C4, and the Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019. Making an appearance at this year’s Vault Festival, Mo tells us more about how Canadian-Somalian rapper/poet/singer-songwriter K’naan (known here for his World Cup anthem in 2012 Wavin’ Flag) has inspired him and more!

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Santi & Naz

Under the rumble of the Waterloo train tracks we meet Santi & Naz, two young girls living in India during pre-partition. These best friends are none the wiser to their political situation and with Santi being Sikh and Naz being Muslim, the threat of separation is approaching.  When Naz is introduced to her soon to be much older husband, Santi is concerned for her safety and tries to warn her of the dangers of not just this man but of the violence that is happening all around them. In their childhood fashion they create a plan to escape the marriage which ends in disaster.

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Drawing parallels with our current societal landscape where we’ve witnessed youth violence on the rise, writer and performer Kalungi Ssebandeke travels back in time to Georgian England to give voice to little known boxing superstar Bill Richmond. Created as part of his drama school training, Kalungi presents Black Terror at this year’s Vault Festival from 28th January until 2nd February. Ahead of the run, Kalungi tells us more about exploring Bill Richmond’s narrative, what audiences can expect and what his plans are for the show post Vault Festival!

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