«Void Story» follows a beleaguered pair of protagonists on a rollercoaster ride through the decimated remains of contemporary culture.
Forced Entertainment perform this bleak and comical modern fable as if it were a radio play, sitting at tables, turning the pages of the script, ‘doing’ the requisite voices and adding in sound effects. Simultaneously the stage is dominated by a series of projected images, a storyboard for an impossible movie-version of Tim Etchells’ unsettling text. Somewhere between the live dialogue, the recorded sound effects and the collaged images is where «Void Story» actually takes place.
2009 marks Forced Entertainment’s 25 anniversary. Since forming the company on graduation from Exeter University in 1984, the six core members of the group have sustained a unique artistic partnership for quarter of a century, confirming time and
again their position as trailblazers in contemporary theatre. The company’s substantial canon of work reflects an interest in the mechanics of performance, the role of the audience and the machinations of contemporary urban life. The work –
framed and focused by Artistic Director Tim Etchells - is distinctive and provocative, delighting in disrupting the conventions of theatre and the expectations of audiences. Forced Entertainment’s trademark collaborative process – devising work
as a group through improvisation, experimentation and debate – has made them pioneers of British avant-garde theatre and earned them an unparalleled international reputation.
“Confounding conventions and exploding audience expectations.” The Times
“One of Britain’s greatest theatre companies.” The Guardian
“Theatre turned inside out.” Sunday Times
"Void Story is a lushly macabre piece that makes a farce of storytelling." WHAT’S ON STAGE.COM
Devised by Forced Entertainment: Robin Arthur, Tim Etchells, Richard Lowdon, Claire Marshall, Cathy Naden and Terry O’Connor. Text, Images and Direction: Tim Etchells. Performers: Robin Arthur, Richard Lowdon, Cathy Naden, and Terry O’Connor.
Design: Richard Lowdon. Sound & Music: John Avery. Lighting: Nigel Edwards. Production: Ray Rennie and Elb Hall. Performers in the photo-collages: Rajni Shah and Chris Williams, Kaya Freeman, Nigel Edwards, Jim Fletcher, Bob Clarke, Will Waghorn and Vlatka Horvat. Additional Photoshop Assistance Stephanie Wong and Graeme Stonehouse.