HAPPINESS FORGETS

I was looking for a little comfort. Turns out, the past wasn’t the place to find it…

Remember the good old days when everyone got along, when life was simple, when our television screens protected us from sex, violence and the discomfort of difference? Remember when police were friendly, politicians were statesmen, mothers were wholesome, the rich worked hard and celebrities were role models? Remember when we knew where we belonged?

Me neither.

Starting from a Cosby Show binge, viewing the pre-digital past through the dirty glasses of hindsight, Happiness Forgets interrogates the space between celebrities and fans, credibility and doubt, comedy and tragedy. It’s about race, sex, nostalgia and the moment when we see something familiar in a whole new light.

Happiness Forgets takes the form of a lecture performance utilising dance, video, and sound.

Happiness Forgets Live Tumblr – a dramaturgical repository.

The piece debuts at The Drum in Birmingham as part of the Fierce Festival on 11 October, 2015.

UK PERFORMANCE DATES:

Leeds:  7 November 2015 at Live Art Bistro

London:  26 November 2015 Sacred Festival at The Chelsea Theatre

Lancaster: February 2016 at Lancaster Arts

AFRICA PERFORAMNCE DATES:

Lagos: 25-28 February 2016 at Lagos Theatre Festival

PRESS FOR HAPPINESS FORGETS:

The Guardian Interview Season Butler

Co-commissioned by Fierce Festival, Chelsea Theatre (for Sacred), Colchester Arts Centre, Compass, Live Collision and Lancaster Arts.

Work developed during a Staycation Residency at Chisenhale Dance Space.

Photo: Christa Holka (2015)