“Days Like These” was written for anyone who was ever 17.
“You see the play is about this woman, this woman looking for a girl… and we’re running out of time….this play it’s not going anywhere, we’re not going anywhere….these characters aren’t going to change, its like they are stuck to the page”
Drawing on the autobiographical memory of performing ‘Susan’ from David Hare’s play Plenty when she was 17, this performance plays out seemingly forever, repeating and reliving the memory of that certain time in everyone’s life, which can be so hard to let go of, over and over again.
This play is about what happens if we can’t let go of the past, eachrepetition of memory becoming an echo of the previous one, each time failing to adequate
ly re-capture that feeling of being 17.
The performance skilfully plays between performative register’s opening with and slipping back into naturalism whilst dipping into and between more contemporary (direct address, performance art, stand up) performance styles. This play is as much about questioning and revealing the modes and registers of theatre as it is about history, memory, loss and grief.
“It left us far less certain but far wiser than when we entered… there were moments of transcendence where we were all lost
in the moment” – audience feedback Jan 2012.
Left Luggage is a tale of loss and remembrance. This story folds narrative, autobiography and testimony into a journey that we all know, a journey we all take, and sometimes fear that we will have to take again and again.
Left Luggage will be part of the very exciting, ‘Little Festival of Everything’, at the Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold, 25th – 27th November. Organised by the rather lovely ‘Flanagan Collective‘. More details to come.
Directed by Gemma AlldredOctober 2011: Holgate Reception, York St. John University
A site-specific intervention in the Holgate building’s reception at York St. John University. Commissioned as part of the well-being initiative for World Mental Health Day.
The space was invaded by suspicious men with suitcases, gentlemen/women exchanging top hats and newspapers, the world’s most miserable party, Mr.Hat and Mr. Bucket, two chatting cleaners, a group of camp cleaners, aliens intrigued by suitcases, a Greek Chorus, and people being manipulated by the person beside them.
Directed by Gemma AlldredSubsequent additional direction by Gina Vickers2011 / 2013 Create 13, York St. John University2013 ongoing performances Speaking Ourselves is Out of Character’s second mental health themed show. This performance has gone through various permutations and developments since work began on it in 2011 with founding director Gemma Alldred. It’s progression to a final show has been the least linear due to alternate projects arising (including Henry IV with York Theatre Royal) and changes within the company, most notably Gemma leaving to pastures new and Gina Vickers arriving to take on the director mantle.By the time of Create 13 at York St. John University, the company had a more finalised performance, although audiences may have been aware that some of the material had been performed in various guises and progressions previously.
This play is about what happens if we can’t let go of the past, eachrepetition of memory becoming an echo of the previous one, each time failing to adequate
revealing the modes and registers of theatre as it is about history, memory, loss and grief.
Speaking Ourselves is Out of Character’s second mental health themed show. This performance has gone through various permutations and developments since work began on it in 2011 with founding director Gemma Alldred. It’s progression to a final show has been the least linear due to alternate projects arising (including Henry IV with York Theatre Royal) and changes within the company, most notably Gemma leaving to pastures new and Gina Vickers arriving to take on the director mantle.By the time of Create 13 at York St. John University, the company had a more finalised performance, although audiences may have been aware that some of the material had been performed in various guises and progressions previously.
Speaking Ourselves is Out of Character’s second mental health themed show. This performance has gone through various permutations and developments since work began on it in 2011 with founding director Gemma Alldred. It’s progression to a final show has been the least linear due to alternate projects arising (including Henry IV with York Theatre Royal) and changes within the company, most notably Gemma leaving to pastures new and Gina Vickers arriving to take on the director mantle.By the time of Create 13 at York St. John University, the company had a more finalised performance, although audiences may have been aware that some of the material had been performed in various guises and progressions previously.
Gemma Alldred 