What appears to be light and entertaining, can be dark and lonely behind the curtains. Onstage a mask, offstage the truth. In a universe, where theatre is life and life is a dream we find two performers, Harley and Pedro. They do whatever they can to help each other through their show night after night. Ephemeral Ensemble combines the skilled physicality of the performers, playful stage craft and original music to invite you to take a look behind the curtain to loneliness and depression in a sensitive and timely exploration of suicide.
OFFSTAGE has a narrative woven based in true stories from those affected by suicide. The piece treats the subject sensitively with the respect it deserves. It is also thought provoking and humours, which helps to break the stigma around the subject and facilitates the communication with the community.
Developed with support from SOAS Social Anthropology professor David Mosse, Papyrus - Prevention of Young Suicide and L.A.S (Life After Suicide). Founded by National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Co - director Ramon Ayres comments, “Offstage reveals the life of two performers, who have been friends since when their were kids. One struggles with depression and other struggles supporting the depressive friend. Unfortunately, it is still a taboo to talk about suicide. When we tell people what our show is about, people often have strange reactions, they seem not to be sure how to take it. On the other hand, we have had really close friends sharing for the first time how they have been affected by suicide, how unusual and liberating it feels to openly talk about it. It has been life-changing to work on this project and talk to people who have contemplated suicide and suffered alone and people who have gone through the heartbreak of losing a loved one to suicide - these people were the true inspiration to us. Ultimately, our piece is about the fragility of life and the loneliness of those who suffer alone quietly.”
Ephemeral Ensemble: is an international physical theatre company that strives to create original, sincere and ambitious work that is inspired by human stories. Corporeal mime technique is at the centre of their devising process. The ensemble was founded in 2016 by Eyglo Belafonte from Iceland and Ramon Ayres from Brazil.
They graduated from The International school of Corporeal Mime and have worked with Theatre de l’ Ange Fou, touring with them in the U.S. Eyglo is Theatre Re’s associate artist, currently performing The Nature of Forgetting, touring worldwide. And recently premiered Birth as part of London International Mime Festival. Ramon has co-directed and performed in The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall that went on tour in the UK,Italy and India. He performed last year at the Barbican in 300el x 50el x 30el by FC Bergman as part of London International Mime Festival.
Offstage
Performance dates: 17th - 22nd June 2019, 19:45
Running time: 60min
Location: Tristan Bates Theatre, 1A Tower St, London WC2H 9NP
Box Office: Tickets are available from https://www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk/whats-on/offstage
£12 (£10 concession)
www.ephemeralensemble.com Trailer: https://vimeo.com/291476998
Notes: Ages 14+
A physical theatre show looking behind the mask to private struggles in a compassionate exploration of suicide
Tristan Bates Theatre - 1A Tower St, London WC2H 9NP Monday 17th - Saturday 22nd June 2019, 19:45 (60min)
Directed by Ramon Ayres and Eyglo Belafonte
Set, props and costume by Rob Evison
Lighting design by Josephine Tremelling
Research support from PAPYRUS, L.A.S and Professor David Mosse Mentoring by Marcello Magni
Music by Alex Paton Dramaturgy by Allison Smith Devised by the company Cast Ramon Ayres / Pedro,
Tom Benjamin/ Harley
