TOMORROW PARTIES. DIrector Tim Etchells

Tomorrow’s Parties is a playful, poignant and at times delirious look forwards to futures both possible and impossible. On a stage framed by coloured fairground lights, this seemingly minimal performance soon reveals itself as a low-fi theatrical explosion. Two performers enjoy the pleasure of invention as their suppositions take them in different directions. From utopian and dystopian visions, science fiction scenarios, political nightmares and absurd fantasies, Forced Entertainment deliver a thought-provoking survey of hopes and fears as they speculate about what the future might bring.

Forced Entertainment occupy a unique position in British theatre as trailblazers of experimental and devised theatre. They formed in 1984 and have worked together ever since to explore both contemporary life and the mechanics of theatre, building up a 30-year canon of work which continually pushes the boundaries of performance. Their trade-mark collaborative process — making work through long months of improvisation and discussion — has forged a remarkable six way artistic partnership between the core members. Their unrivalled body of work in theatre and performance as well as projects in digital media, video and installation has brought them critical and popular acclaim as well as making them a fixture on academic curriculums in the subject of performing arts. Although they remain staunchly based in Sheffield they are continually invited to present work all over the world at prestigious venues and festivals. Led by Artistic Director Tim Etchells, the company continually strives to find new performance and theatre forms with which to describe contemporary urban life. Their work is sometimes challenging but always funny and moving.

Tomorrow’s Parties is a production of Belluard Bollwerk International, made possible thanks to a contribution of the Canton of Fribourg to culture. In co-production with BIT Teatergarasjen (Bergen), Internationales Sommerfestival (Hamburg), Kaaitheater (Brussels), Kunstlerhaus Mousonturm (Frankfurt), Theaterhaus Gessnerallee (Zurich) and Sheffield City Council. With the support of Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation.

Forced Entertainment is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organization.

Duration: One hour, 20 minutes. There is no interval.