The refugee ‘crisis’ of 2016 put human migration at the centre of public debates. As more asylum seekers arrived in Europe, political and media stories did not quite match the reality on the ground. Despite common assumptions, 97% of the world’s population does not migrate. The overwhelming majority of those that do, stay within their home region.
CONTAINED looked at the gaps between migrant experiences and popular opinion. It explored wide-held ideas and beliefs about migration. Performances stirred debate and got people to question their views. These offered a strong base to learn, discuss, empathise and question.
With researcher Marieke van Houte we created a multi-disciplinary approach. Inspired by migrant’s stories from around the world, three elements were developed to create most impact:
Experience
Audience experience through participatory, immersive and physical theatre. Part 1. Passers-by being asked to imagine what a decision to leave home would mean to them. Part 2. Choosing audience members through an opaque selection process. Part 3. Staged performance, based on the play Pecking Order by Joakim Daun, using the migration of birds as a metaphor.
Research
Presenting talks and debates about migration issues. Offering information and fact sheets alongside events.
Creative learning
Offering creative learning opportunities through texts, workshops and audio/visual projects.
“the cast’s backgrounds in theatre, physical theatre and dance are betrayed in how wonderful they are to watch.” Daily Info
You can find full details of the project through the website links below. If you’re interested in any elements of contained, get in touch.
Devising Performers
CONTAINED – PART 1 Decisions & Journey
Sarah Jane Clarke, Daniella Cromwell, Sonja Wiencke, Marieke van Houte, Remco Heijmans, Sparrow, Dan MacMahon, Anja Meinhardt, Federica Infantino, Steve Hay, Dominic Heaney, Friederike Otto
CONTAINED – PART 2 Movement & Change
Based on the script ‘Pecking Order’ by Joakim Daun
ROBERT: Luke Chadwick-Jones / Peter Dewhurst
KAFIYAH: Daniella Cromwell / Fiona Watson
MAYOR: Remco Heijmans / Judith Von Orelli
ANNE: Anja Meinhardt
CONTAINED – PART 3 Arrival & Reception
Remco Heijmans, Anja Meinhardt, Marieke van Houte, Mbalou Arnould, François Makanga, Simon Rakovsky, Natalia Martinez, Romana Úlehlová, Steve Hay, Judith Von Orelli, Fiona Watson, Peter Dewhurst
Artistic Director
Anja Meinhardt
Research Director
Marieke van Houte
Education Specialist
Remco Heijmans
Composer & Sound Designer
Quentin Lachapele
Film Maker
Ben Johnston
Writer
Joakim Daun
Poetry
Sarah Jane Clarke
Set Designer
Simon Dormon
Lighting Designers & Technicians
Ophélie Lebrasseur / James McKeogh
Costume Designers
Suzanne Burlton / Zoe Grace Parkinson
Production Assistants
Natalie Hind / Brittany Roberts
13 June 2016 – International Migration Institute (Greenhouse performance)
17 June 2016 – OMSS, Pitt Rivers Museum (excerpts)
25 June 2016 – Oxfordshire Science Festival (Decision & Journey, Debate)
7 August 2016 – Wilderness Festival (Pecking Order)
16-18 September 2016 – The Story Museum (Creative Lab)
1 October 2016 – European Quarter, Brussels (Nuit Blanche)
8 December 2016 – Transmic Event, Oxford (all parts)
11-12 February 2017 – The Story Museum (Pecking Order)
9 June 2017 – Lawyers Against Poverty, Oxford (Pecking Order)