Spirit Level is a full-length performance text exploring the dynamics of globalisation through conflicting responses to a stretch of ocean – the Gulf of Guinea. A tense psychological hostage drama set on a floating oil rig and involving Nigerian, ex-Yugoslav and British oil workers changes into a life boat rescue by inhabitants of a floating Chinese fishing depot preparing to alternately barter with and fend off a boat of environmental activists. Identity and belonging, violence and the oil industry, exile and environmentalism are explored through character and action, the intersection of stories, and juxtaposition of Chinese, Western and African forms of music, visual design and performance.
A text development workshop with actors took place at Studio One, Goldsmiths (14 January, 2009) and performances of Spirit Level are being prepared across a range of collaborations. Composer Kevin Richardson (Goldsmiths) is scoring music and creating a sound installation, scenic artist Benny Strong is designing a visual environment, design engineers Lisa and Francis Archer (Ove Arup) are modelling machine platforms, poet Yang Lian is contributing Chinese poetry through the figure of the exile, performance artist Janette Parris is developing a concert to close Spirit Level with Ayo Thomas on drums. Annie Aiping Guo is advising on the staging of Chinese musical performance and Boris Boskovic on Balkan music and performance.
The producer is Sam Jones (formerly casting director of the RSC). For further information e-mail samjonescasting@btconnect.com.
- Extract from Spirit Level (pdf)
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