As part of this summer’s Unity Festival, Hijinx Theatre have invited Australian company Back to Back Theatre to run a three day residency called
The Democratic Set.
Throughout the day on Wednesday 30th June, film your own video portrait within
The Democratic Set. You will be working with the company’s Artistic Director Bruce Gladwin, but what you film is entirely up to you, so…..
What’s it all about?
With no individual performance lasting longer than 16 seconds The Democratic Set is a mixture of portrait, soapbox and drama. Presented in a purposebuilt
film set, each performance takes place on the same set. The result demonstrating how performance can, like democracy, allow people to be seen, to
speak and to be heard.
How does it work?
A video camera films participants by travelling from the right to the left side of the set on a track creating a “passing by” effect. Each take is edited
together tightly giving the appearance of a long procession of rooms, each one housing a different inhabitant. A ‘take’ lasts 16 seconds.
What will I have to do?
As an individual you will need to book in a 20 minute slot by calling Hijinx Theatre. In your 20 minutes you can do as little or as much as you like and
you will be advised and directed by Bruce Gladwin. You can stand still, walk from door to door, jump up and down, bring props with you, stand on chairs,
etc. There will be no sound recorded so you don’t need to worry about what to say. Whatever you do it will look fantastic and you only need do what you
feel comfortable with, it will be your choice – this is a democracy after all!
What if I have a group who would like to take part?
You can book for a group video portrait for up to 15 participants. This means you will get a 40 minute slot to do whatever you want for your portrait.
What happens to the film portraits?
When it is edited together the film portraits will become part of and feature in Back to Back Theatre’s live performance in the Weston Studio on the last day of Unity at Wales Millennium Centre on Friday 2nd July. It is hoped the portraits will document everyone involved in the festival, performers, audience members,
volunteers, organisers, community groups, Assembly Members, etc – so giving everyone a part in the final performance.
I’m interested... how do I book and take part? > Call Ben at Hijinx Theatre on 029 2030 0331 or email: ben.pettitt-wade@hijinx.org.uk