Enter the VOID...
VOID scratch at Battersea Arts Centre, April 2018. Photo by Safiya Mckenzie.
But I didn’t want to keep breathing… I couldn’t believe that life would be resigned to this cycle, the rotation of in and out.
Do you ever feel like your life is subscribed to a routine? A monotonous cycle of thoughts and actions, attempting daily to feel fulfilled – to fulfil others... to fill your voids?
VOID is an exploration of the soul's anatomy. This striking piece of new writing by Birmingham-based writer Rumi Woolf breaks boundaries of form, linearity and storytelling in a unique participatory experience, bringing to the forefront issues of human need, the cycle of trauma, obligatory love, the stream of connection and dissociation – and the addictive nature of Tesco meal deals.
Join us for a journey of dissecting the human unconscious and the strings of our puppet master: the joys, the pain, the songs and the love that seed themselves deep beneath our common being.
Then, in a flashing movement, your foot is pricked by a bramble. A trickle of negligible blood flushes the grass red… You deny the pain. You keep running.
The next steps
Malakaï and Myah at the VOID open auditions, January 2018. Photo by Ortise-Etemi Olugbo.
The first realisation of VOID debuted at the Royal Court Theatre in August 2017 as part of the Young Agitators “Void: The Big Idea” event, and was originally performed by Woolf himself. With literary support from Myah and Malakai throughout Autumn 2017, the piece has now evolved into an immersive three-hander and scratched throughout Spring 2018 at Battersea Arts Centre, Camden People's Theatre, Hackney Showroom and with our Youth Theatre at Spotlight.
We are now working in partnership with Bernie Grant Arts Centre to co-produce a London tour of a full show in Spring 2019. Keep your eyes peeled as we continue researching and developing VOID, it may pop back up sooner than you think...
Keep updated by following the #SK_VOID hashtag.
Feedback
Audience in the interval at "Likkle Rum with VOID" at Hackney Showroom, March 2018. Photo by Ortise-Etemi Olugbo.
As part of the creative process to inform the development of a full show, we collated audience feedback throughout the phase of scratching the piece. This will feed directly into Woolf's writing as he embarks on creating the full show with support from Myah and Malakaï. Below is some anonymous audience and industry feedback about the show which, by nature, is never the same show twice. You can join the conversation by hash tagging #SK_VOID in a tweet – we'll add your feedback below!
"Why is all so violent? What's the point of it? Is that the point?"
"Doubly triggered by all the real life lessons and philosophies... very poetic. Would like to see it more developed and played with in terms of setting. Lighting was lit tho!"
"Fucking amazing. The energy was infectious, the performers were warm and amazing, confusing, insightful, crass, then beautiful. Please keep this going!"
"I loved how interactive it was; makes the play more engaging. Acting was great - very though provoking. Loved it!"
"Triggered me entirely, but I wholely enjoyed. The level of writing was incredible. Definitely would recommend to a friend."
"I really enjoyed the scenes, particularly when the 4th wall was broken."]
"Loved the visual fighting and restlessness [showing] how violent we can be to ourselves. Great music too! And use of light."
The Creative Team
IKKY ELYAS
Performer, playing Number 1RUMI WOOLF
Writer |
DANIELLE ALLEN
Performer, playing Number 2MALAKAI SARGEANT
Director |
DREW GREGG
Performer, playing Number 3MYAH JEFFERS
Dramaturge |
