ACEDIA

The Athanaeum, 27 Fawcett Street, Sunderland, SR1 1RH

Friday 27th August 1.30pm & 7.30pm
Saturday 28th August 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7.30pm
Sunday 29th August 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7.30pm

This digitally augmented performance, from award-winning Southpaw Dance Company, fuses innovative technology with live performance via a hologram structure, to create an immersive audience experience.

Social distancing has limited our physical contact. Lockdown constricts physical space and movement, whilst upending routines and habits. These conditions have for many generated a strange combination of listlessness, undirected anxiety, and the inability to concentrate; together these make up the paradox of ACEDIA, the lost name for the emotion we’re all feeling right now.

In ACEDIA, we see many different versions of the same character, layered and overlapped, creating a sense of pandemic isolation. In a prolonged time-lapse of their time in lockdown, we see the contrasting versions of our performer and their means of coping in a confined environment. As the days and weeks pass and isolation sets in, our performer’s repetitive routine slips and further versions of our performer appear, evidently struggling with prolonged isolation.

Featuring Southpaw’s unique storytelling, ACEDIA is scripted by Lee Mattinson in collaboration with the North East community. This relatable story examines the possibilities and the optimism of re-connecting and finding ourselves once again as we as we tentatively emerge from lockdown.

Please note:

Part of ACEDIA is experienced through an iPad digital device – this will be provided fully set up ready for the performance.
More details will be sent to you pre-event about audience experience and instructions.
CONTENT WARNING: The performance contains some swearing.
The venue – The Athenaeum is only accessible by stairs. Please read our accessibility information below for more information and pictures.

Part of Unlocking The Doors Sunderland, a programme of live performance across Sunderland commissioned by Sunderland Culture. #UnlockingSunderland

Unlocking the Doors is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.