AN AWARD WINNING EYE WITNESS ACCOUNT
20th November 2009
A performance that was recently selected for the Best of British Theatre showcase at the Edinburgh International festival will arrive in Chester later this month
i-witness will be performed as part of city arts organisation Chester Performs’ SOAPBOX programme, on November 26th and 27th in former Medieval church St Mary’s Centre. The performance focuses on the central character's obsession with The Rings of Saturn by WG Sebald, an influential German writer.
Amber Knipe, Programme Manager, Chester Performs, said ‘i-witness provides a rare opportunity to see a piece of leading British theatre in Chester. The piece has been critically acclaimed since it first toured last year, and we’re really exciting to have it form part of our programme.’
The production promises to bring audiences an intimate, up-close experience that will use video, physical theatre, dance and the sheer emotional power of live performance to draw its impact. It’s expected that the audience will be ‘lead through strange landscapes’ and invited to follow clues and signs given by the performers. The piece has been described as being ‘brutal, meditative, and comedic’.
Paul Davies, Artistic Director, Volcano Theatre, said ‘Our visit to Chester promises to be one of the highlights of our tour. It is the only venue we are visiting which isn’t a traditional theatre space but we believe it will provide us with a more dramatic setting, and should add an unusual layer of atmosphere.’
There is also a FREE workshop taking place on Friday 27th November at 5.15pm, the public is invited to meet at the St Mary’s Centre, with digital cameras, mobile phones or sketch pads, to be lead on walk by the artists from the performance, to experience the built environment of Chester. Call 01244 409113 to book your free place.
i-witness is the third event of Chester Performs SOAPBOX autumn season; the programme has so far included film screenings in haunted buildings and silent films accompanied by live musicians. The next event is the screening of Swedish Vampire horror Let the Right One In, on Thursday 12th November, at 8pm in the Deaf Centre. For Christmas, the classic It’s A Wonderful Life, will be screened in the Guildhall.
See www.chesterperforms.com for full details and how to book .
ENDS