Theatre Absolute launch new two-year project.
Are We Where We Are? is a two year theatre project created by award-winning Theatre Absolute and presented at the Shop Front Theatre, Coventry, which will see nine new pieces commissioned for the stage including a monologue, duologue, a devised ensemble production and six short form theatre pieces written and performed by the writers.
Taking American novelist Henry David Thoreau’s provocation “We are not where we are, but in a false position” as a central theme, these new commissions will explore where we are now, telling stories of the personal and the political.
The project launches with the premiere of May Utang written and performed by Jules Orcullo at the Shop Front Theatre on Thursday 11 May, 7.30pm. The performance will be followed by an opportunity to hear more about Are We Where We Are? the new commissions planned for the project, and this new work by Jules Orcullo.
Jules Orcullo is a Filipina-Australian writer and performer. My Utang, which translates as ‘there’s debt’ recounts her encounters with people questioning her identity whilst living in Coventry, Sydney and the Philippines. This premiere performance will last around twenty minutes.
Chris O’Connell, artistic director for Theatre Absolute and writer said: “Thoreau’s quote, ‘We are not where we are, but in a false position’ seems particularly apt at this moment in the 21st Century. It’s a provocative call for theatre makers to explore peoples’ experiences today. It includes headline issues like politics, economics and migration but will reflect much wider perspectives offered by exciting new and established writers. We look forward to see our artists’ responses.”
Julia Negus, producer Theatre Absolute said: “The new pieces of theatre planned for the next two years will make the most of our theatre space which was created in a former fish and chip shop in a shopping precinct in Coventry. Whilst working here over the last eight years we have experimented with different theatre forms and we look forward to sharing these new works with our audiences. If you haven’t been to the Shop Front yet do come along, it would be lovely to see you.”
May Utamg premieres on May 11th at 7.30pm. There will also be a post-show chat and an after-show party with a special soul funk DJ set. Tickets are £8 (full price) & £6 (concessions) available online from Oxboffice and tickets includes an invite to stay for the post show discussion and after party.
The project is supported by Arts Council England, Coventry City Council, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Talking Birds, The Belgrade Theatre and Warwick Arts Centre.