Theatre Ad Infinitum's Lauded Production LIGHT Comes to Battersea Arts Centre, Feb 1-13

With state surveillance once more on the political agenda, LIGHT comes to Battersea Arts Centre following sell-out shows at the Barbican as part of the London International Mime Festival in 2015 and the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe, where it was nominated for a Total Theatre Award. Inspired by Edward Snowden's revelations and science fiction films, Theatre Ad Infinitum conjures an Orwellian future where a totalitarian regime monitors the thoughts of its citizens through implants. The production will play Birmingham Old Rep on 28 Jan and Battersea Arts Centre 1-13 Feb 2016.

Charged with hunting down 'terrorists' who seek illegal disconnection, a young government agent encounters an enigmatic figure from his shadowy past. This nightmarish tale of love, betrayal and technological power blends anime-style storytelling and a pulsating soundscape by sound designer Chris Bartholomew to draw audiences into a sci-fi realm, entirely illuminated by LED strip and torchlight.

LIGHT was created with Deaf actor Matty Gurney, who performed in the show during its Edinburgh run and reprises his role for the tour. Matty regularly appears on the BBC's See Hear and appeared in BSL soap opera Switched. Matty's involvement in the creative process has resulted in a performance that can be enjoyed by both Deaf and hearing audiences. Sound designer Chris Bartholomew has drawn on epic works, both contemporary and classical, to create a film-like score, cued live in collaboration with director George Mann who performs the live vocals in real time during the performance.

Created by the company behind Translunar Paradise and Ballad of the Burning Star, which both toured extensively to critical acclaim, LIGHT is yet another original production from a company whose work shifts in style as they explore each new subject. The production is directed by Theatre Ad Infinitum co-director George Mann, also Associate Director at Bristol Old Vic, where he co-directed (with John Retallack) the critically acclaimed Pink Mist, which is set to open at London's Bush Theatre on 21st January 2016. George has recently directed the company's first work for younger audiences as part of Battersea Arts Centre's Christmas show for children and their grown ups, Town Hall Cherubs (2nd Dec - Jan 3rd 2016).

Summer 2016 will see the debut of a brand new production, Bucket List, directed by Theatre Ad Infinitum Co-director Nir Paldi, which will tackle neocolonialism and social mobility through the prism of Mexican-US relations. Nir recently finished directing a one-woman Norwegian version of the company's Odyssey over the summer, which will tour Norway in 2016/17, and spent a month in Mexico City directing Vicky Araico Casas (who also performs in Bucket List) in a new production, Milagros about the damaging effects of genetic modification on indigenous bee harvesting communities. Nir is currently working on Run a devised piece resulting from a collaboration between Theatre Ad Infinitum and students at the University of Salford, exploring experiences of refugees in the current crisis. It will be performed as part of double bill with Odyssey on the 20th January 2016.

Director George Mann said "I'm delighted LIGHT is coming to Battersea Arts Centre, it was originally planned to play in the Grand Hall in Summer 2015. After the fire, this was no longer possible, but the team at BAC were very supportive and worked hard with us to find new dates for the show. LIGHT is definitely one of the most technically ambitious and challenging productions we've made to date, so I'm thrilled that were bringing it back to London for a second longer run. I can't wait to get back in the rehearsal room with the company."

For more information, visit www.theatreadinfinitum.co.uk or bac.org.uk/light or follow on Twitter @TheatreAdInf | #LIGHT2016.

IF YOU GO:

LIGHT

Running time: 70 mins (no interval)

Birmingham Old Rep, Station St, Birmingham, West Midlands B5 4DY
Thursday 28 January, 2.30pm & 8pm
£12 (£8 concs) | www.oldreptheatre.org.uk | 0121 359 9444

Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN
1 - 13 February, Mon - Sat 7.30pm
1 - 6 Feb £12 (£9 concs), 8 - 13 Feb £15 (£12 concs)
www.bac.org.uk | 020 7223 2223

LIGHT is a co-commission by the London International Mime Festival, produced in association with Redbridge Drama Centre and The Lowry, and supported by Arts Council England, and Theatre Bench.

To post a comment, you must register and login.