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PROGRAMME - SPRING 2024
performance
actions
education
ONLINE SELVES
interactive theatre symposium
@ various Manchester cultural venues
rolling monthly
2nd installment will be taking placing at Pinkmcr in early April, details TBD
SCREENGRAB!
-public art installation
@ various streets
rolling monthly
‘SCREENGRAB 3! A skateable announcement’ will take place @Central Retail Park, New Islington Marina 13-4-24
MrEsCyberdelicCrit
-poetry study twitch streams
-using state of the art internet-based study methods
-a range of operations and exercizes
@ MrEsCyberdelicCritChannel on Twitch and Youtube
First stream 31-3-24
check channel schedule for updates
TALES FROM THE SCROLL
-internet history recitation
took place @Antwerp Mansion as part of 'Hacienda 2'
LANGUAGE GAMES: an update
-lecture series presenting a new reading of Wittgenstein's 'Philosophical Investigations'
-incorporating performance and interactive elements
@ TBD (possibly various streets)
mid/late April
rolling monthly
A multi-disiplinary, multi-media exploration of the intersection between technology and community
Insta: @SimEdwards
Email: simeon.edwards13@gmail.com
ONLINE
SELVES
You have been invited to the 2nd meeting of the...
ONLINE SELVES
at PINK, Hilton House, Lord Street, SK1 3NA / 24-5-24 / 7.30-11pm
with special guest performances and live music
if you wish to attend :
PURCHASE A TICKET ON EVENTBRITE (Online Selves 2 - link provided)
ONLINE SELVES
AN EXPERIMENT IN INTERACTIVE THEATRE
'@onlineselves' on Instagram or contact 'onlineselvestheatre@outlook.com' for further info
ONLINE SELVES
AN EXPERIMENT IN INTERACTIVE THEATRE
at the Greater Manchester Fringe
International Anthony Burgess Foundation, M1 5BY / 26-7-24 / 5.30-7 & 8-10pm
BOOK YOUR TICKETS ON THE GMFRINGE WEBSITE and find out more '@onlineselves' on Instagram
ONLINE SELVES is a participatory theatre experience that plunges its audience into the centre of a meeting of the 'Online Selves', a fake artistic movement comprised of a group of very 'online' artists, writers and 'techies'. The audience is invited not simply to watch as the members of this ‘movement’ discuss, joke, collaborate with and denounce each-other but will also have the opportunity to take part themselves - to make contributions, pick sides and even to help steer and determine the movements' overall trajectory.
'Part theatre, part workshop, part confessional, part lecture, part party - I loved it!'
Audience Member
Written, Directed and Produced by Simeon Edwards
Starring: Chris Holt, Scarlett Anderton, Reece Paul Brown, Alexandria Astin and Walter Robinson
As part of the Greater Manchester Fringe the ONLINE SELVES will be presenting two events:
5.30-7pm : ONLINE SELVES 1
The first meeting of the ONLINE SELVES, in which their founder outlines his idiosyncratic vision for the group leading to a series of discussions and interactions on the subject of technology, embodiment and artistic collaboration.
8-10pm : ONLINE SELVES 2
In this meeting the ONLINE SELVES will present a fully fledged participatory theatre presentation on the subject of ‘The-Internet-as-Text’, involving improvisation, gameplay and, finally, the infamous wall of confessions.
International Anthony Burgess Foundation, M1 5BY / 26-7-24 / 5.30-7 & 8-10pm
BOOK YOUR TICKETS ON THE GMFRINGE WEBSITE and find out more '@onlineselves' on Instagram
ONLINE SELVES 2
A capsule playlet brough to you courtesy of the vibrant imagination ofÂ
SONNY ROSE
An interview with the disembodied spectre of artist and maker
HANNAH KAY WARREN
A participatory theatre presentation on the subject of ‘The Internet-as-Text’ hosted by theÂ
ONLINE SELVES
A combination of blissed-out background noise, performance art shenanigans and dub pyrotechnics courtesy of ONLINE SELVES company DJ
PLANET THUNK
Closing the night, the post-internet campfire balladry ofÂ
AIDEN BRADWELL
at PINK, Hilton House, Lord Street, Stockport, SK1 3NA / 24-5-24 / 7.30-11pm
ONLINE SELVES is an interactive theatre experience which follows the formation, development and spectacular implosion of a fake artistic movement. The audience is invited not simply to watch as the members of this ‘movement’ discuss, joke, collaborate with and denounce each-other but will also have the opportunity to take part themselves - to make contributions, pick sides and even to help steer and determine the movements' overall trajectory.
ONLINE SELVES will run for 5 sessions, held monthly and starting on 8th March at 53Two and promises to be a participatory theatrical experience like no other!
CALL FOR AUDITIONS - 'ONLINE SELVES'
We are looking to cast 4 actors to play members of the ONLINE SELVES group. This project presents a unique opportunity for actors who are interested in incorporating improvisation, audience response and elements of method acting into their performance. We are looking to build an enthusiastic and committed group of actors excited by the idea of being full-scale collaborators rather than just delivering lines, interested in work that challenges traditional ideas of genre and blurs the dividing lines separating performer, director, audience and writer, and who, moreover, are intrigued by the projects' subject matter and willing to offer their own ideas and perspectives on it.
SPECIFICATIONS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Age range: 20-35
- No experience required
- Auditions will be held on 18/02/24 @ SAAN1 gallery , if you are unavailable on that date let us know and we will try our best to accommodate you.
- Our plan is to make the events free to attend which means we are unable to pay performers.
If you are interested, either DM on Instagram : '@onlineselves' or send an email to 'onlineselvestheatre@outlook.com'. We will respond by sending you a sample of the script, giving you more information about the characters and providing you with open audition slots.
CASTING CALL
Manchester and surrounding areas
We are looking for 4 actors between the ages of 20-35 to cast in 'ONLINE SELVES' - an interative theatre experience
This project follows the formation, development and spectacular implosion of a fake artistic movement comprised of a group of very 'online' artists, writers and techies.
No acting experience required! It is more important that you are intrigued by the projects' subject matter, excited by the idea of taking part in interactive and experimental performances, and willing to offer your own ideas and perspectives!
This will be an unpaid opportunity as performances will be free to attend
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON
18/02/24 @ Saan1 Gallery (Northern Quarter)
Prepared material not required for audition
For further information, character list and script - DM us '@onlineselves' or email at 'onlineselvestheatre@outlook.com.'
ROBERT
The enthusiastic but muddled leader of the ‘Online Selves.’ As the project wears on his motivations for setting up the group are called increasingly into question – is it a genuine attempt at collaboration or an attempt to create a captive audience to rubber stamp his idiosyncratic theories? In the second half of the project he finds himself in an all-out war with Denise, not only for control of the group’s continuing trajectory but also over his fracturing self-image.
DENISE
Composed, self-aware and unrelentingly critical, Dee believes she sees a potential in the group that Rob, due to his potent narcissism, is unable to unlock and decides to take matters into her own hands. Many of the most important scenes in the project are two-handers between Dee and the other characters as she tries to overcome their reservations regarding her character and motivations and lay the groundwork for meaningful collaborative relationships with them. Of course, the true nature of her motivations is never quite clear, even to herself.
MADDIE
The creative heart of the group whose allegiance and sympathy is coveted by each of the characters. Maddie is frustrated by her idealisation and elevation at the hands of the other members, especially Rob, and is also in the midst of her own personal, creative crisis. (ALREADY CAST)
TERENCE
A successful digital artist, curator and art-world impresario in-waiting. At the beginning of the project Terence is happy to play the role of a comedic and intellectual foil to Robert, but as it goes on his allegiances begin to shift. Terence hides his insecurities behind a hip, jovial persona, but as his loyalties begin to come under scrutiny the cracks start to show.
VEE
A shy, diffident but very intelligent software engineer, Vee feels out of place amongst the rest of the groups’ overactive egos. Unashamed to appear naïve or even ‘un-cool’ Vee is at the centre of the projects’ few truly heartfelt and authentic moments and by the end sits apart from the others as a confused, and slightly tragic, onlooker to the chaos – occasionally trying, and failing, to set things right.
ONLINE SELVES
ONLINE SELVES
Chris Holt is
ROBERT
ONLINE SELVES
Scarlett Anderton is
DENISE
ONLINE SELVES
Reece Paul Brown is
TERENCE
ONLINE SELVES
Alexandria Astin is
MADDIE
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 1 :
'the ones sat around the table'
‘This – here – is an avante-garde movement. That’s what we’re going to be doing here. This [gestures] is gonna be something. Maybe something crap, but, yknow, something.’ – Robert Singleton
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 2 :
'the ones sat on the stools'
The ones sat on the stools introduce themselves and get acquainted. They provide information about their online lives.
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 3 :
'the ones sat around the table'
‘I’m not enjoying this. It’s feeling quite cultish.’ – Denise
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 4 :
'Mr Mediation'
‘What body parts do you retain when you’re online.’ – Mr Mediation
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 5 :
Drawing made by Robert in response to discussion of the ones sat on the stools
‘Robert – could you draw as we go and we’ll see what we end up with?’ – Mr Mediation
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 7 :
'the ones sat around the table'
‘You can’t do anything online without a name.’ – Terence
‘Becuase you need to have something to leave behind to show you’ve been around.’ – Maddie
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 6 :
Visual aid [a data cluster visualisation]
‘This is what the intelligence agencies and corporations that we’re all so scared of see when they turn their attention to us. Like Sauron’s eye. They don’t see faces – so there’s no point trying to hide by covering up those little cameras on your laptop like some people do, becuase they can see you perfectly, and you look like this. Like this smudge…’ – Robert Singleton
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 8 :
'the ones sat on the stools'
The ones sat on stools develop their concept of what an ‘online self’ is through animated debate and discussion.
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 9 :
Visual Aid - Robert's drawing of an Online Self
‘Ok! I’ll give you that at least. It has hands!’ – Robert
ONLINE SELVES: 1st meeting 8-3-24
artefact 10 :
The whole group
The entire group, sat in a circle, reflects on their dicussion and on their identity as a collective.
ONLINE SELVES
ONLINE SELVES is an interactive theatre experience which follows the formation, development and spectacular implosion of a fake artistic movement. The audience is invited not simply to watch as the members of this ‘movement’ discuss, joke, collaborate with and denounce each-other but will also have the opportunity to take part themselves - to make contributions, pick sides and even to help steer and determine the movements' overall trajectory.
MrEsCyberdelicCritChannel
Stream Schedule
1. 'Live from the Imagoplex!' - Poetry Reading 31-3-24
Mr E presents a selection of Poetry Readings taken from Youtube and custom-builds association grids/image clusters/combinatorial matrixes around them. ‘Matching the image to the word.’ Re-purposing the music video format to the poetry reading.
2. 'Chat-tical Criticism' - Live AI Poetry Criticism Session 2-4-24(?)
Mr E will re-perform the radical pedagogical experiments of IA Richards, documented in his classic work ‘Practical Criticism’, using ChatGPT.
2. 'PHONES OUT!' - GCSE Poetry Revision Session 10-4-24(?)
Mr E will demonstrate how the association-making power of the internet can be used as a tool for the teaching and study of poetry. 1st session will be focusing on Ted Hughes’ ‘Bayonet Charge’ and will be streamed from an unused public space.
