DANCING ON THE CEILING
May-2023
A Short Performance
Designed by Ting-Yu Lee
Performed by Barbara Clarke
Project Led and Mainly Supported
by Sue Mayo, Ed Cobbold
Designed by Ting-Yu Lee
Performed by Barbara Clarke
Project Led and Mainly Supported
by Sue Mayo, Ed Cobbold
This project is a part of the Royal Albert Hall’s engagement programme and has been running since 2015. Artists participate in arts-based workshops that could range from simple discussion to acting, and from arts and crafts making to song writing. All workshops are collaborative, and artists participate in creative enquiry and activity with older adults (some of whom may have little or no experience in arts practise).
Dancing on The Ceiling was led by practitioner Sue Mayo, a theatre maker who specialises in participatory and collaborative projects. Alongside Sue’s creative facilitation, and through working with 12 older adults from Blackfriars Settlement (a charity supporting the local community in Southwark) 10 young artists co-produced a range of performative work. Various areas of the hall, from dressing rooms to corridors and the catering ramp, were used as performance spaces.
As an integral part of the show, the catering ramp, nestled behind the backstage corridors, underwent a mesmerizing transformation. Its grey walls and gentle breeze set the stage for an unexpected performing space, where creativity and artistry came to life in a truly captivating manner. In this surreal tale set, audiences heard mysterious voices singing from below, bathed in a blue light. They encountered an old worker pushing a heavy trolley, labeled "dream," with a radio on it. However, the singing stops when she's called back to work. As she climbed the ramp, she peeled off a frustrating sign that transforms the surroundings into warm yellow light. Inspired, she started dancing with her glowing shoes, rejuvenated and empowered to pursue her dream once more.
Dancing on The Ceiling was led by practitioner Sue Mayo, a theatre maker who specialises in participatory and collaborative projects. Alongside Sue’s creative facilitation, and through working with 12 older adults from Blackfriars Settlement (a charity supporting the local community in Southwark) 10 young artists co-produced a range of performative work. Various areas of the hall, from dressing rooms to corridors and the catering ramp, were used as performance spaces.
As an integral part of the show, the catering ramp, nestled behind the backstage corridors, underwent a mesmerizing transformation. Its grey walls and gentle breeze set the stage for an unexpected performing space, where creativity and artistry came to life in a truly captivating manner. In this surreal tale set, audiences heard mysterious voices singing from below, bathed in a blue light. They encountered an old worker pushing a heavy trolley, labeled "dream," with a radio on it. However, the singing stops when she's called back to work. As she climbed the ramp, she peeled off a frustrating sign that transforms the surroundings into warm yellow light. Inspired, she started dancing with her glowing shoes, rejuvenated and empowered to pursue her dream once more.
