As part of an exciting programme of live performance arriving at Dartington this autumn, Lisa Hammond and Rachael Spence of Improbable will be performing their acclaimed Still No Idea on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 October.
Almost a decade after creating their first piece together, No Idea, the duo is back in action, touring the country with their long-awaited sequel with Improbable and the Royal Court Theatre, and supported by Arts Council England.
Back in 2010 best mates Lisa and Rachael wanted to make a show but had no idea where to start, so they went out onto the streets and asked the public. What story should they tell? What characters should they play? When they saw Lisa in a wheelchair and Rachael not, what the public said was funny, jaw-dropping and ultimately heart breaking. So they made a show about it. It was called No Idea, and it toured the UK before heading to the Young Vic in London and going to Syria and Egypt with the British Council.
Now people say the world has changed and things are looking up. There are more disabled people in the mainstream media, Lisa landed a big part on TV, disabled mates are getting regular auditions – happy days. So what kind of exciting stories are the TV professionals dreaming up for them?
Still No Idea is the whole story (so far): the British public, the professional writers, the TV execs. Part verbatim theatre, part improv, part comedy sketch show, this is a raucous and mischievous exposé of good intentions gone bad and how sometimes no matter how hard we try, we still have absolutely no idea.
Amy Bere, executive director of arts, Dartington Hall Trust, says:
‘One of the aims of the Dartington Live programme is to present live performance crafted through innovative process. Lisa Hammond and Rachael Spence are two brilliant theatre makers and performers, who confront their audiences in the making and sharing of their work together. Still No Idea is a fantastic example of a simple idea, beautifully realised that packs a punch to our preconceptions, echoing our programming in this season of performance that challenges and inspires.’
Still No Idea is written by Lisa Hammond, Lee Simpson and Rachael Spence. It is performed by Lisa Hammond and Rachael Spence with direction by Lee Simpson, design by Ben Stones, lighting by Colin Grenfell, sound by Gareth Fry and projection by Adam Lansberry.
“Pin sharp, provocative and hugely entertaining” The Times (on No Idea)
“Wonderful to watch… hilariously rude and naughty” The Daily Telegraph (on No Idea)
Dartington Live works with acclaimed artists and thinkers from around the world to tackle some of today’s very real challenges and explore the ‘big’ questions in an imaginative, innovative and transformative way. The autumn 2018 season welcomes a diverse range of productions exploring activism, welcoming significant artists with strong roots in the area or who are exploring perceptions of identity.
