These performances are about the pleasure and strangeness of connection, they are intimate. They take you out of the everyday into a sea of possibility, a queer expansion. I celebrate trance states, the edges of madness, weird fun, and want to bring people along.
These intimate performances are characterised by small spaces, small groups, singing to people one at a time, no amplification just voices, whispering in your ear, looking at you kindly, holding hands, sinking to the ground.
Intimate performance is more sustainable for me, it protects me from burn-out or self-sacrifice. It’s softer and more mutual.
They are emotional, loving, knowing, vulnerable spaces, risky and safe. They feel like a dream, “Did that really happen?”
Manifestations
LADA Festive Fair, 2019
The Merch table was augmented with a series of Official Experiences.
Bent Fest, May 2019
We hung out at the Merch table. People were unsure of our cardboard medallions and sovereign rings that you tie to your fingers with string.
When it was nearly time, we went to a quiet room and put on extravagantly sequinned and feathered costumes.
We came out of the room and circulated in the hanging out space. Instead of talking we sang and invited people to come and see us in the main performance space. We gave people compliments and asked for help, singing all the time. We had a sign inviting people to join us, and declaring that we had subtitle cards for people with hearing impairments.
When it was our time we entered the main space and I made a circle on the ground out of salt. I enjoy beginning a performance from the audience, being part of them and then not part of them, being amongst the bodies of an audience. I sang what I was doing.
Kay and I took our places in the salted circle and beckoned someone to come in with us. People were very scared of doing this, it would mean taking a bold step, perhaps being judged. Someone came in and we cupped their ears in our hands and whispered a song to them: “I love her and she loves me.” We took it in turns to stay with the person and to invite more in.
Gradually more people softened and entered the space to be sung to. People sang to each other. Some people remained outside, but the circle became crowded. There was a hum of this song being sung quietly by people to each other.
We stayed this way, circulating and singing. Then Kay and I moved to the centre, held each other, we sank to the floor and crawled out on our hands and knees.
We got changed into our everyday clothes. Then I went back into the main performance space and swept up the salt so that no one slipped or fell.
Life in a Peaceful New World, 2013
Ruth Angel Edwards painted this incredible picture, one of a series. Kay and I sang in front of it at the opening, holding hands.
Dates
8 December 2019
Live Art Development Agency Festive Fair, London
26 May 2019
Bent Fest, DIY Space for London
26 February 2019
Hard Work, The Beehive, London N17
4 July 2013
Life in a Peaceful New World by Ruth Angel Edwards, The Albert, 1–5 Albert Road, London
3 May 2012
Rebel Bellies Berlin presents: an evening of fat positive performance and activism! Damenbar_T, Projektraum, Hermannstrasse 48, Berlin
16 July 2011
Barn Party, Warminghurst, West Sussex