Embrace the arts this autumn, with two weeks of performances featuring dance, spoken word, comedy and puppets.
Dazed New World Festival is a live streamed online theatre festival, programmed to reflect the world today. The eclectic festival programme will feature new writing, clowning, spoken word, and an immersive audio experience.
Dazed New World shows will explore how we might evolve post-corona, as well as highlight social injustice, inequality and issues of environmental concern.
The award-winning One Duck Down teaches us about the environment one rubber duck at a time; whilst clowns use Alexa to find the funny side of mental health in Clown-Hearted. Black, brown and Asian musical theatre nerds debate all things showtunes in Jellicle Questions for Jellicle Nerds; and the audio immersive Imaginarium invites you to discover a whole new world in your bedroom, via your mobile phone.
Bringing performances to your screens
The London Borough of Newham is home to festival hosts, Applecart Arts. It is also one of the areas worst hit by Covid-19. Dazed New World Festival will include the voices of some of those affected, as well as highlight broader themes around the pandemic and 2020.
All shows are ticketed and will be multi-camera live-streamed online at particular dates and times.
A little like a small theatrical tour, Applecart Arts are presenting the festival in partnership UK venues including the Old Fire Station in Oxford and Aberystwyth Arts Centre. These venues will be engaging their audiences and selling tickets at their box offices. Helping the festival reach more people, and bringing in money for the venues during these difficult times.
So, what shows will be on at the festival? Here’s what to watch.
Family friendly shows to see
Imaginarium by Out of the Blue
15th, 18th & 23rd October 2020
An exciting, experimental audio immersive experience that will guide you to discover a whole new universe within your bedroom. Lend us your ears, your time and most importantly your curiosity, and step past the threshold of reality into the Imaginarium.
This show is suitable for all ages and tickets cost £8 – £12.
One Duck Down by FacePlant Theatre
16th, 18th, 22nd & 24th October 2020
One Duck Down. 7000 rubber ducks. Seven Seas. One big adventure! Join a five-star eco-friendly comedy adventure packed with clowning, music and puppetry. Winner of Family Show of the Year at Vault Festival.
This show is suitable for all ages and tickets cost £8 – £12.
On Demand by Natasha’s Project
18th & 19th October 2020
A vulnerable and impacting contemporary dance/physical theatre production revealing the effects of human trafficking and modern day slavery; sharing with audiences the physical and psychological effects on the body and mind.
This show is suitable for all ages and tickets cost £8 – £12.
Finding Percy Erebus by Elephant Talk Theatre
13th, 19th & 24th October 2020
A child travels to a magical world where she confronts dancing tricksters and outsmarts rhythmic doctors. All in the hope of achieving the impossible… Finding Percy Erebus. Elephant Talk’s original score, clowning, and puppetry, guide the audience on an allegorical journey through grief.
The show is suitable for ages 7+ and tickets cost £8 – £12.
Shows for older audiences
One Shot by Applecart Arts
14th & 17th October 2020
Julia Szajkowska’s One Shot asks what way out would you take? This thought-provoking performance was performed and filmed in Applecart Arts’ Littlewood Theatre space as the UK began to emerge from Lockdown.
The show is suitable for ages 13+ and tickets cost £8 – £12.
A Black Story by Sabrina Richmond
19th, 21st & 24th October 2020
Two siblings with a whole lot of past. A grandmother and grandson reorder their world. A couple with an electric connection afraid to take a leap. What’s A Black Story: living life.
This show is suitable for young adults and tickets cost £8 – £12.
Call Me By My Name by Nicole Botha
21st & 22nd October 2020
The pandemic has exposed the UK to the rise of unemployment, media culture and racism in the UK. How will it play out for single twenty something Comfort in East London? Call Me By My Name is a fusion of basslines, spoken word and a story that needs to be told.
A show suitable for young adults and tickets cost £8 – £12.
Clown-Hearted by Clodhopper Theatre
22nd & 23rd October 2020
“Alexa, why am I sad?” Join two clowns on a frank and funny journey through self-care and mental health, as they discover laughter really can be the best medicine.
The show is suitable for ages 14+ and tickets cost £8 – £12.
The Fall by Coracle
14th & 16th October 2020
A comic, poignant and poetic retelling of a child’s memorable trip to church, resulting in a life changing realisation. The Fall is an exploration of inherited shame and how to overcome it. It’s 30 minutes of comedy, history and a sprinkling of theology.
The show is suitable for ages 15+ and tickets cost £8 – £12.
Jellicle Questions for Jellicle Nerds by Nemo Martin
12th & 16th October 2020
A panel of Black, brown and Asian musical theatre nerds are given free rein to go off on one about their wildest musical conspiracy theories, and answer the biggest questions: Should the Phantom be given roller skates? How low could Hades go? FMK: Bill, Harry or Sam?
The show is suitable for ages 16+ and tickets cost £5.
All By Myself by Part of the Main
18th, 20th & 23rd October 2020
All By Myself explores the question, ‘Who are we without other people?’. This solo show tells the story of a woman, alone in her apartment, but connected to the outside world through her popular YouTube account. Through her online and daily life, she reveals two very different sides of herself.
This show is suitable for adults only and tickets cost £8 – £12.
Meek by 7th Floor Productions
20th, 22nd & 24th October 2020
In a society where private lives become political and freedom of expression is not an option, Irene finds herself imprisoned. As tales of her incarceration spread overseas and her growing exposure becomes a threat, she is forced to make a brutal decision. Penelope Skinner’s urgent play is a haunting vision of state control, tense friendships and one woman determination not to be broken.
This show is suitable for adults and tickets cost £8 – £12.
When: 12th – 24th October 2020
Where: Live streaming online (you’ll receive a viewing link once you’ve bought your ticket)
£: Tickets cost £5 – £12 per performance
More info: applecartarts.com