On the Verge fest: A-Void
A-Void is a new dark comedy performance piece which invites its audience on a journey through an exploration of cult mentality, body politics and propaganda… quite literally - as it takes place on a bus.Inspired largely by the lies of the pro-Leave Brexit campaign, Donald Trump’s rise to power and "other political catastrophes", A-Void, devised by all-female Mooncup Theatre, aims to challenge human susceptibility by, they say, "using a combination of theatrical techniques and psychological experiments to coerce its audience, as its cast assemble their own vehicle to drive public opinion!"Part of Hope Street Ltd's On The Verge festival, A-Void is one of numerous immersive theatre pieces taking place across the city from Thursday to Sunday this week (October 19 to 22), all in unusual settings. The piece has also been supported by funders including Arts Council England’s ‘Grants for the Arts Fund’ and Awesome Liverpool.Mooncup Theatre is made up of four producers - Rebecca Clarke, Alice Phillips, Lydia Ellen Parsons and Isobel Balchin, who describe themselves as "weird, wonderful and worried about the current political climate".Warrington-born Rebecca Clarke said: "We’re excited to unveil this piece. Liverpool is the perfect city to experiment with this kind of comedy performance – the region’s staunch political leanings are no secret, we’re sure a lot of our audience members will be attuned to the teachings of A-Void pretty quickly."It’s going to be pretty hectic, dark, disorienting – we’re mirroring some tactics of the political elite, hopefully opening some eyes and having some laughs along the way."The company is planning further performances in partnership with domestic abuse charity Tomorrow’s Women Wirral, community organisation The Studio Widnes and Stanley Park Liverpool CIC.As for the performances taking place this Saturday (October 21), audience members are advised to wrap up warm, as part of the show will take place on a bus and in a non-heated space. Viewers must also be aware that the performance contains some strobe lighting. All performances carry an age appropriate suggestion of 16+. A-Void will take place at 3pm, 5pm and 7pm, from the pick-up point of the Walker Art Gallery - booking for the limited amount of places is advised.Tickets are £5 and available online.
