Doorbells

Doorbells, a physical theatre performance about a woman’s wonderful world of imaginative, surreal and humorous lands, inspired by everyday objects, that enable her to survive being alone.

 

The performance features original compositions with double bass, guitar and voice, alongside projections and soundscapes. The piece has been inspired by collecting true stories through artist residencies, personal experiences, lives of literary and historical characters and analysing academic papers.

 

Doorbells is a poignant and reflective performance where journeys unfold to transport us beyond the everyday. What memories, dreams and wishes do we imagine to carry us through long hours of isolation?

 

“Skimstone Arts skillfully capture the tension between people being anxious about contact with strangers and the self-made enjoyment of the imagination – the bitter sweet mix of being alone”  – Prof Charlotte Clarke, Edinburgh University

 

We are delighted to be continuing to tour a new version of Doorbells,  with the development supported by Arts Council England. We hope you will consider this show for your 2016/17 programme.

 

PRESS REVIEW

Click here to download The Northern Echo’s Review of Doorbells

 

CAST

Claire Webster Saaremets – Kathleen / vocals

Peter Saaremets – Paul/ guitar

John Pope – Johnny / Double Bass

Josep De Garcia – Lighting & AV Technician

 

An earlier version of Doorbells, called Doorbells of Delight, was inspired by artistic interventions with residents living in Newcastle, during a week-long residency exploring how in our later years, we feel about our homes, neighbourhood and opportunities for connecting with others. This commissioned work is part of a research project between The Elders Council Quality of Life Partnership, Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, and Skimstone Arts, focusing on how our communities are changing, and how we may explore opportunities, choices and challenges that this presents.

 

By 2025 almost one in every four people in the UK, will be aged over 65 (ONS 2011)(1) and currently in Newcastle 37% of people aged 65 and over, live alone (2).  Such statistics raise critical questions such as whose responsibility is it to secure all our futures, our individual and collective older age.

 

Performance photography © Ali Pritchard

 

References:

  1. Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2011) National population projections, 2010-based, Office for National Statistics
  2. Know your city: a profile of the people living in Newcastle (2014) Accessed 12th June 2014
Information

Produced
2014/5

Performed at:

Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
Scratch Nights at Northern Stage, Newcastle
Barnsley CIVIC Theatre
Black Swan Theatre, Newcastlee

Commission/Sponsors

Northumbria University
Newcastle University
Elders Council
Growing Older in MY HOME
Arts Council England

  • “The participants seemed overwhelmed by the richness and breadth of ‘their’ stories that you gave back to them today – as Norman said ‘you’ve made our ordinary lives seem so extraordinary’.”

    - Dr Catherine Bailey

  • “I never imagined for one moment that you would be able to cover so much in such a rich tapestry.”


    - Barbara Douglas

  • “You’ve done a remarkable job; the refining of the material and the clever creative ways of making all the voices heard, as well as the weaving together to make parts become a whole. Congratulations!”

    - Mary Nicholls

  • “I thought it was great the way you could make such an entertaining piece but put across everything we discussed in the workshops; the highs and lows of being an older person.”

    -

  • “It’s remarkable how you took pieces of ordinary mundane life and turned it into entertainment. It shows we don’t have a mundane life!”

    - Norman

  • “It could play an essential role in both disseminating ideas and encouraging debate about the issues of ageing that affect not just the ‘ageing population’ but the entire population, especially in relation to ideas of community and collective responsibility.”


    - Dr Matt Hargrave

  • “A skilful ‘song cycle’ accessible to a range of audiences… containing comedy, pathos and deft interplay between music, physical image and text.”


    - Dr Matt Hargrave