Loneliness Street Cabaret
by BeautifulMess Theatrecomedy, physical-theatre-and-circus
Absurd & poignant physical comedy exploring social isolation- a bag lady & business man’s crazy connection-"funny & moving, feel good show!"
about the production
Sending up & stripping down the layers we build between us, witness the surprising & beguiling confrontation of a bonkers bag lady & a struggling business man, fusing live music, physical comedy & puppetry into celebratory, interactive performance exploring social isolation. Developed through creative conversations with older Brixton residents, BeautifulMess explore pertinent questions relevant to the pavements they play on, unpicking the next big epidemic through their signature high energy surreal story weaving! Cacophonous connections wrap up this unlikely pair in a ridiculous yet revealing exploration of Loneliness, asking why we struggle to connect in a world of so many?
about the artist
BeautifulMess create interactive, socially-relevant, celebratory shows in public places. We inhabit unlikely spaces, re-imagine discarded things and listen to neglected voices. We mix bold design, dynamic physicality and multi-sensory images into silly, surreal synergies of shared and significant stories. Live music, contemporary clown, puppetry, mask and satire combine to create striking and accessible performance which is rooted in public engagement, creating fresh lens’ through which to see our world, balancing farce & poignancy… Based in Brixton, London, BeautifulMess have been commissioned by the Arts Council (2013-15) to create “fresh, uncensored theatre...truly for EVERYONE” attracting diverse audiences with its “magical, surreal, uplifting, comic, poignant… treat on the street” BeautifulMess have also been commissioned internationally (India, South Africa) to work in multiple communities creating celebratory, inclusive and site-based performance. BeautifulMess weave delightful tales that connect people in the now, disrupt our unquestioned notions of ‘truth’ and inspire spontaneous moments of collective creativity and wonder.
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stage dimensions
width: 5 metres
height: 3 metres
depth: 4 metres
Small scale street show
· Created for outdoor day time/early evening performance, not suitable for substantial rain- can be adapted for inside.
· Need performance space of fair even camber- preferably in area of high footfall with a back wall. (completely adaptable to most outdoor spaces).
· PA with power supply needed to boost small music player for larger amplification (neg.- in process of buying own subject to funding).
· Created to tour by small car (adaptable for flying).
family, non-traditional theatre audiences (outdoor performance)
“You entertained me more than Cirque du Soleil’s entire show!”
“Energetic, diverse, thoughtful and very creative”
“Joyous and (almost) totally bonkers...brought tears to my eyes by it’s inventiveness”
highly accessible due to outdoor performance & multi-sensory languages so non-verbal reliance.
We have applied to ACE for funding to tour LSC to overlooked municipal spaces alongside more traditional festival bookings. We are very interested in hearing from festivals/programmers interested in setting up subsidised shows in neglected areas surrounding festivals as part of a 'cluster-tour'/outreach strategy.
As experienced participatory arts practitioners we also offer a range of activities.
The show was developed out of workshops exploring Loneliness with elderly and vulnerable members of the community- we have a prepared 'Loneliness workshop' using live music & physical theatre.
We are also experts in facilitating multi-sensory workshops with adults with Learning Disability.
1day £738 (1or 2 x 40min show)
2 days £1270
plus accommodation/ transport (petrol only) / food (if we are successful in our ACE bid- this will be covered by them)
this is negotiable with regards to additional shows in surrounding overlooked municipal spaces- developing community connections.
or via www.foolsparadise.co.uk/companies/beautifulmess/lonelinessstreetcabaret/
