13.04.22
The Rose Theatre
Aphrodite the 1st's 'Wonderful Forgotten Women'
14:00-15:00
Navigating history as a femme really sucked. You’re not only battling disease, war and famine, but an oppressive, sexist, patriarchy. If you wanted to make a name for yourself, you had to be notorious.
Drag Artist Aphrodite the First is proud to present a collection of femme-fatals, who broke the rules, developed a nasty reputation and have been subsequently forgotten from the history books. From queens and servants to nuns and whores, witness a lineup of the best the past ten centuries had to offer, and learn the stories from the past you never knew you needed.
Semi-Detatched
Matty Roberts
17:00-18:00
Come and see THE biggest cast in Symposium history…
A play about parents that can’t afford the mortgage, kids that can’t afford rent to move out and all the family chaos in-between.
Semi-Detached follows a family of five who all live their own secret lives but, once a week, come together for a chippy tea.
Follow the life of a functional alcoholic Dad, a daughter whose party life never comes to an end, the eldest son who questions if the life his Mum and Dad wants him to have, really is the one that he wants to live, the youngest, who spends his days smoking weed and wasting away his life and a Mum who never stops working to try and keep it all together.
Surely soon something has got to give?
Panel Room
Working Across Borders: A Panel Of International Artists
Austin Yang
11:00-13:00
A panel of artists with foreign/migrant backgrounds or with experience working internationally, to help foreign students interested in staying in the UK or working internationally after graduation. Panelists will share advice on visa routes, touring shows, and how things have been impacted by developments like Brexit and the pandemic.
No booking Neccesary
In The Spotlight
Shauna Sutton
13:30-15:30
In the Spotlight is a podcast themed around self-care within the arts. For this panel, the focus will be placed upon how theatre makers, performers and creative staff can take care of themselves. With packed schedules full of rehearsals, warm-ups and meetings, it can be difficult to factor in moments of rest, pause and recovery. This panel aims to openly discuss how we as artists can navigate this balance. There will be proactive tips that you can take through the rest of your career. Bring a notebook, bring a friend and most importantly, bring some wholesome, good vibes.
No booking Neccesary
Ukraine Fundraising Preview | What Shall We Do With These Buildings?
Jonathan Ben-Shaul & Louis Norris
16:30-17:30
“What Shall We Do With These Buildings?” is a documentary-dance film which explores the legacy of Soviet architecture in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Moving fluidly between interview and dance, the film playfully investigates the dynamic impact that these buildings have on the people who live with them. What should be done with them? Should they be preserved, destroyed, repurposed?
Since this film was shot, Russia has invaded Ukraine, and Kharkiv is now being shelled. Now, it serves as a snapshot of an independent, hopeful Ukraine trying to find its feet, at a time when that independence has never been more fragile.
Donations will be taken on door, all funds raised will be donated to Help Kharkiv, a group of volunteers who provide humanitarian aid and help evacuate civilians from Kharkiv (where the film was shot)
No booking Neccesary. Donation on entry
The Barn Theatre
Lemon Drizzle Cake
Martha Hale
15:00-15:30
Set at a funeral wake, Lemon Drizzle Cake uses dark humour to question grief - and whether everyone is supposed to be missed. A one woman show drizzled with themes of grief, sprinkled with suicide and layered with comedy. Martha Hale’s darkly funny new play sees her examining the suicide of a family member by scrutinising the display of food (particularly cake) on offer at the wake.
Different Words
Barnaby Loveday Wilks
18:15-18:45
Different Words is a multilingual play that explores the use of words as the main form of communication as it follows the relationship of two young strangers blossom. The two characters don’t share the same language and struggle with a language barrier but find ways to break through the challenge. We see through the play how it is possible to move past spoken language and understand each other by full body listening, as well as, some obvious physical explanations. The play is performed in: German, French, Spanish and Polish.
Content Warning: Depression and suicide.
The Theatre Studio
Sorry, You Can't Poo Here...
Georgia Polly-Taylor and Allison Birt
13:45-14:15
If Georgia had a pound for every time she's heard 'Sorry, You Can't Poo Here..' she could probably afford private health insurance. Sorry, You Can't Poo Here... has been described as a theatrical power point presentation come chronic illness cabaret. Join us as we tell the tale of a 17 year old woman and her journey through the last 8 years with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. You can't polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter.
For my eyes only
Jenette Meehan
18:15-18:45
“What do you get when an ex-catholic goes to theatre school? Burlesque.
Who do we become when everyone is looking?
Does what I’m wearing change that?
Tell me what you see.
Seriously….tell me what you see, I’m trying to figure out if this bra is necessary - it itches like hell. Does anyone have a T-shirt I can borrow while we talk about this?”
For my eyes only is a one woman show that explores the role of clothing in the performance of sexuality. An intimate exploration of identity, consent and the male gaze. And there’s some stripping too.
The Dome
Run To The Nuns
Estelle Homerstone
16:00-17:00
Run To The Nuns' is a brand new piece of feminist gig-theatre, looking into the secret escape that is the underground, modern 'Nunnery' (we all need a retreat to). Explore this ‘rehab from western culture’ through original story and music, discovering the sisters who have just joined, the lives they're escaping from, and the reason why you should consider rejecting society and joining our establishment yourself.
But don't worry, there's no Jesus to please in this story.
With a through-line of punk, rock and choral music, satire and character exploration, we can't wait to debut this piece at Symposium festival 2022.
No booking Neccesary
Other Venues
An Open rehearsal with Chaskis Theatre
With Raymi Ortuste Quiroga
11:00-17:00
C009
At selected times during these days, participants will be able to join, witness and take part in the company’s unique devising process as they explore this year’s Symposium theme through their stories and practice.
Bruford Clothes Swap
Natasha Pavey
11:00-18:00
C016
Returning from 2021's Symposium, the Bruford Clothes Swap is an opportunity to get some new clothes in a sustainable way. You can donate old, unwanted clothes (in wearable condition) to the boxes around campus and in Christopher Court over the next month, then come and visit us during Symposium to pick up something new. You don't have to donate to get involved, but more is always better.
No Booking Neccesary
Undocumented
Akshita Brahma with muses credited in the exhibition
Rose Café
Undocumented is an act of love in the form of a public photography exhibit. It showcases artists of colour at RBC in a raw and real way whilst they work and relax to celebrate their passions and the art of being. Undocumented was curated to document the portion of the POC narrative that exists outside of struggle; rather centering joy and excellence, in a way that doesn’t feed the performative, diversity-quota-filling narrative, instead illustrating the breadth and beauty of our selves and our talents in this space, in this community, and in this moment of our journeys.
No Booking Neccesary
Camera Obscura
Aaron Bailey
LH002
A Camera Obscura is essentially a dark room with a small hole that lets light through.
With the hole working like a pupil, the light is bundled and the outside image is projected onto the walls inside the room. As your eyes adjust to the darkness, more details become visible and you’re able to see movement and colour.
This phenomenon is something we explored within a project last year, inviting people to take a step back and observe the outside world.
This installation is building upon last year’s project, so step inside and relax while the light breaks through.
No Booking Neccesary
Bruford Busking Stage
13:00-15:00
Courtyard
Returning from 2021's Symposium, come and see an array of talented students take to the stage! An array of acts across courses including duets, poetry and classic busking to name but a few!
SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND
by Steven Dykes
ATA Manor House Show
13:00
The events in Somewhere in England are all based on the accounts, letters and autobiographies of those who lived through the Second World War.
‘Somewhere in England’ is the address American soldiers stationed in this country were instructed to give their families back home.
It is another indication of the many secrets that generation learnt to live with, and which we are only beginning to unearth today. Site Specific Performance at Sidcup Manor House.
The Green, Sidcup DA14 6BS
Audience members are required to promenade up and down several flights of stairs
Other Venues
In Stitches Theatre Company, presents Symprovisium!
Producer- Molly Jennings
Director- Beth Cowan
11:45-14:45
C008
Our debut performance as an improv troupe, founded by two third year ATA’s. Our comedy improv show consists of a cast of 12 that will play a variety of improv games, lead by audience interactions! A laid back performance in which y’all can come and go… There is a 1hr30 performance and then a workshop after so you guys can get involved!!!
Lights in a box
Dan Maxted
11:30-15:00
S014
Fast, Bright, Shocking!
They said it couldn't be done but we persevered. An exploration into the tangibility of light and interactive experiences.
Speak Easy
Amanda Grace
15:00-17:00
LH003
The secret password is a secret of your choice. Come enjoy a custom cocktail made just for you in this experiment on vulnerability inspired by the spirit of Prohibition bootlegging bars. You decide the secret, I decide the drink; speak to your secret, or sip silently and leave it for our collection anonymously. What are you willing to share?
Non-alcoholic options will be available.
Magical Symphony
Cezara Èšubucanu
11:00-11:45
Chill Out Tent
Magical Symphony is a whimsical unity of elements and senses. Inspired by Stanislavsky's and M. Chekhov's spirituality in actor training, 'Magical symphony' is an open invitation to any creative to reconnect and recharge their spiritual self in an insightful journey of self-exploration. An on-going development of personal practice and independent research project, the performance takes the form of a workshop, and promises an intimate and safe space of development. Tarot cards, Crystals and Aromatherapy will be used as an unconventional stimulus, creating material which can be used by participants in their own practice of devising and character work.
To book email:magicalsymphony13@gmail.com