Cambridge Junction’s showcase of experimental theatre and dance returns for its second year
Forget any misconceptions you might have about Cambridge being a bit on the staid and traditional side, we’re about to welcome one of the edgiest arts events around to our city. Taking place at Cambridge Junction on 28 May, Watch Out is a day-long festival of experimental theatre and dance which is geared towards showcasing ‘dangerous ideas from some of the country’s leading theatre-makers’.
Featuring contemporary performances from regional and national artists, the event will be serving up 12 shows in total – seven premieres, two shows on tour and three works-in-progress – all taking place across Cambridge Junction’s spaces and beyond.
This year’s festival has a special focus on Cambridge itself, with many pieces made by artists who live in the city. On the line-up you’ll find former Hills Road student Andy Field, who’s premiering Lookout, a new piece developed with the help of local schoolchildren who were tasked with imagining the future of their city. Another local talent, Stefanie Mueller of Cambridge’s Hoipolloi will be delving into the choices we make and why in Prelude to a Coat.
Feeding brave? Join Cambridge-based artist Anna Brownsted for the intriguing Marginalia. Designed to be experienced by just one person at a time, this immersive sound installation involves the audience member lying in complete isolation and enveloped in darkness, not knowing what’s about to happen. Duo Hunt & Darton, residents at the Junction and well known in the city for their colourful pop-up cafés, will also be representing Cambridge talent with a new work in development about being local.
Artist Christopher Brett Bailey will be taking over the Junction’s large gig space, J1, with his music project THIS MACHINE WON’T KILL FACISTS BUT IT MIGHT GET YOU LAID. Performed by his experimental guitar quartet THIS MACHINE (yep, he really likes caps), this full-throttle performance promises ‘a sonic battlefield of feedback, chord clusters and maximum aural overload’.
Other highlights include a work in progress developed as part of The Spring Festivals Commission 2016 from Jamal Harewood and Sh!t Theatre, as well as TheatreState’s part documentary, part surreal theatre piece Tribute Acts.
“New projects from the most exciting artists we can find”
“I’m delighted to announce the programme for the second WATCH OUT festival, though it’s many more years than that of our annual festivals of experimental performance,” says Daniel Pitt, arts producer at Cambridge Junction.
“Year round, we support and commission new projects from the most exciting artists we can find, with something to say about the world and a relevance to our audiences in Cambridge. This year’s programme features shows made with Cambridge academics, with Cambridge children, from Cambridge-dwelling artists, and made in our J3 studio – all of it in some way, made with Cambridge. All we need now is the inquisitive people of Cambridge to come and see the shows! You’re in for a treat.”
Festival passes are £15 (£10 concessions) which includes a full day of experiences and shows.
