Spaced In
A quick note on tonight’s experience as I’m craving for some food!!! Went to see Spaced 2014, Theatre Delicatessen’s latest extravaganza or the volume 3 of their soon-to-be (in)famous Theatre Souk event. “See” is the wrong word as it’s as much a physical and sensorial experience as it is a visual one. It is theatre. Immersive theatre even with a subtle private club feel for the hip-arty crowd attached to it. In that sense, it is an unexpectedly cool place to hang out with your mates while watching the entertainment intensifying itself before deciding to join in. But most of all, it’s a market! And like any markets, you go onto a hunt for the best bargain. Except that in the case of Spaced, the bargain happens at the door. I paid £10 to get in with a choice of more than 10 companies to watch. At the end of each performance I had to give a “donation” and that’s when the market spirit came into play. Most “donations” were suggested – £1 to £2 minimum – but I had the freedom to negotiate. based on how I experienced it, how I liked it it was my freedom to decide whether I could give the minimum or go higher. It’s an interesting concept which goes way beyond the primary idea of value and money as a way of recognition of the art work; it plays with the conventions of spectatorship and the relations between the audience and the theatre maker. It also changes the game of power as the one who holds the cards is not necessarily the seller.
Funny enough, I don’t think it was the main aim of the night. Maybe because it was the last night, the emphasis was more on entertainment and the general feel-good atmosphere. Maybe the general theme directed the ambiance of the night – Love (and relationships) seemed to be the main interest as was intimacy. Maybe the companies were more interested in the experience itself, of creating theatre in a tiny box in the middle of a bigger space than experimenting with its concept. maybe the audience didn’t feel tonight like playing the game or maybe they were just too kind to use their powers as “roughless” buyers.
Personally, I enjoyed it. Immensely even. It was as if I was taken into another world. Abruptly but also gently. All of a sudden I found myself being in several shoes. I was an audience member, a loveless patient, a robotic actor, a cynical ex, a sadistic director, an observer all at once. And sometimes one after the other. It felt strange. It felt surreal. It felt therapeutic. It felt quietly exciting.
Creatively, I don’t know what I got from it…Yet. But was it really the point? I didn’t come specifically to be inspired, to find answers, opportunities or potential collaborations. I was there for the experience, to support the people I (have) work(ed) with, those who gave me support in showing my work and sometimes it’s all there needs to be. After all, I had a great night – being touched, entertained, surprised and charmed. Sometimes that’s all you need to make your Saturday truly special…!
