Bristol Theatre News

Stars At The Bristol Old Vic This May

Stars: an Afrofuturist Space Odyssey, will be coming to The Weston Studio at Bristol Old Vic this month as part of a UK tour.

The show fuses acting, a live DJ and projected animation – alongside creative captioning – in what is described as a ‘sensitive and joyful show’ focusing on desire, touch and reclaiming pleasure.

Mrs is an elderly lady who goes into outer space in search of her own orgasm – a quest sparked by encounters and secrets.

It’s written by Mojisola Adebayo, born during a writing retreat with Idle Women on a Lancashire canal boat. The idea grew with support from FORWARD, an African women-led organisation working to end violence against girls and women.

It was also supported by intersex activists including Del LaGrace Volcano and Valentino Vecchietti as well as Accrington women who took part in workshops on the power of pleasure.

Producer and DJ Debo Adebayo expanded the concept futher, mixing the music that will be played by the live on stage DJ.

Artistic Director of co-producer Tamasha, Pooja Ghai said: “Tamasha is a home for our Global Majority artists to explore their voices and nurture their forms of artistic expression. In celebration of this, we are delighted to present the world premiere of Mojisola Adebayo’s STARS. Mojisola is an outstanding artist who has been inspiring and challenging perceptions of African diasporic histories through her work. Experimental in form, STARS is bold – in its fusion of music, ‘Afriquia’ theatre and animation, in its exploration of LGBTQI+ themes, and in its celebration of African mythology and folklore. Tamasha is excited to come together with the ICA in this collaboration to present a unique ‘concept album on stage’ and we look forward to sharing this afrofuturist space odyssey with audiences.”

Direct Link: https://youtu.be/8qRGRgkpwj8

Stars will be on in The Weston Studio of Bristol Old Vic from 23 -27 March 2023

For more information or to book: https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/stars

Creatives
Written by Mojisola Adebayo
Directed by Gail Babb and S. Ama Wray
Design by Miriam Nabarro
Animation Artist: Candice Purwin
Music Direction + DJ Mixes by Debo Adebayo
Lighting Design by Nao Nagai
Video Consultant: Gillian Tan
Creative Captions by Stephen Lloyd
Co-Produced by Tamasha and the Institute of Contemporary Arts

Cast
Mrs – Debra Michaels
Michael Manners – Bradley Charles

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