The UK shows have begun and a new show has emerged out of what was previously there. It is the same material but the look and feel are significantly different, to the point that they carry a new flavour to the work. It is louder, more brashy and rhythmic.
There was a first show in Cambridge that went OK but had some technical hitches and was not so much a pleasure. The shows in London have been more precise and the played to smaller but more concentrated audiences. It is funny how an audience makes a show to such an extent. Last night we had a post-show talk that was very interesting, at least for me, to participate in. People had good questions about the process, about form, about China and about the work’s reception in China. We got some reception here in the UK in the form of a Gardener negative one liner (why is she so rated?) that has that weary welcome back to the UK theatre world feel to it. It may be better to simply avoid that world altogether but for the fact that the show works well presented in that way too, indeed I’ve had a number of people say that it is the strongest work I’ve made yet. So, we continue regardless. Today will be a radio interview for a station whose name evades me but which I suspect will be high on art and low on ads. My sort of people.
We’re filming the show and should have a decent DVD to show for it. This time I’m having someone take care of all of this for me, a video artist named Kate. I’m looking forward to the results and relishing not having to edit anything myself.
