Laughter in the midst of fire
3 October, 3-6pm
FreeOffsite at MayDay Rooms
“Laughter, cheerfulness in the midst of fire and blood! Does it seem immoral to you? Think about tomorrow, and you will understand!” Matej Bor, 1943
The revolutionary theatre movements of the 20th century sought to make theatre a weapon in the hands of the masses. But as well as exploding the conventions of the bourgeois stage, they appropriated their cultural heritage with humour and the ‘wild energy’ of the people. In this performance workshop guided by Joey Simons, we will reimagine, rewrite and restage some examples from this radical tradition.
From Proletkult Kassel’s plan for a realistic production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream and The Tempest Society of the Movement of Arab Workers, to Yugoslav partisans performing Chekhov’s romantic comedies during the Battle of Neretva and workers in Glasgow gathering to listen to Leoncavallo’s opera I Pagliacci, bourgeois culture was subverted and transformed in the heat of struggle.
Drawing on MayDay Rooms' archive of workers' theatre materials and guided by Joey Simons we'll reimagine moments from this tradition, working together to stage our own act of collective subversion.
No theatre experience required.
This event is a collaboration with MayDay Rooms following a first iteration at Mosaic Rooms.
Image: Photography credit: Angelina Radaković
RSVP
Spaces are limited, only book if you are sure to attend.
UK Registered Charity No. 1183882
Mosaic Rooms is generously supported by Al-Qattan Charitable Trust.
Current projects are supported by
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Enquiries
General
Learning
Press
226 Cromwell Road, London SW5 0SW
E contact@mosaicrooms.org
T +44 020 7370 9990