Political Bodies - Triple Bill

From the Windrush to Brexit, this evening experiences the traumatisation of identity, nationalism and culture caused by fear based propaganda.

Three works that delve into the effects of assimilation, integration and multiculturalism on individuals and the wider British society throughout recent history. Audiences are lead gut-first into an engaging physical and visceral discourse that interacts with the historical, internal and civil aspects of our relationship with otherness.

The audience is plunged, as Rivers of Blood begins, into the centre of a charged debate between disembodied commentators; a debate which casts them in the role of eavesdroppers as well as spectators of the piece. Over the course of ten minutes, they are compelled to identify with the dancer, whose body represents the human battlefield over which the torrent of words rage; humanizing the ageless debate on identity and belonging that so often seems to fire over our heads.

The body transmits its own message through frantic, joyous, powerful, wild and dangerous movement; speaking in a language that transmits the depth of our shared desperation to be heard and understood.

The debate eventually gives way to silence, and as Buskin’ Boy, a semi-auto biographical piece, starts, a new voice is introduced that speaks directly to the audience, breaking the fourth wall and inviting them to walk in his shoes; telling a story that brings to life the reality of what it meant to be marginalised in the political era of the “Super Predator”. The voice is by turns youthful and angry, hopeful and sad. If, in Rivers of Blood, the audience were treated to the spectacle of how the body can speak; here also is a demonstration of how words can dance.

And finally, Race Tracks brings the programme to a bold and satirical close as the full cast wrestles, hurdles, jumps, argues, struts and sprint their way through an ambitious commentary on the underlying dynamics of racial politics in Britain. The audience is tickled and condemned just as the 'ethni-letes' are.

All the themes addressed during the course of the evening find expression in this metaphoric sporting event where the prizes are ephemeral but the cost is very real.

Suitable for ages 16 and over.