2020. According to The Guardian, the word that most described this year by readers was “shit”, followed by “fucked”, followed by “exhausting”. We saw the Arts industry, particularly theatre, not only be the first to be shut down, but individual artists and independent theatre makers, amongst others, be called non-essentials and denied any government support. When we did a call out for open submissions, we wanted to be as reasonable and realistic about what we might receive back – we were prepared for artists to say, “Hey, you know what? Maybe not next year.” Fair. What actually happened, was we were smashed over 3 months with over 200 applications. 50 of whom we met with (digitally) and had the impossible task of streaming it down to our final 12. And these artists had something to say. Independent artists don’t make work for “free” - they are prepared to further the fiscal nightmare of 2020, not because they don’t recognise their value, but the absolute contrary – because they recognise the insurmountable value of what we do and know now is the time to do it. 

Have you tried turning it on and off again?

Co-Artistic Directors Constantine Costi, Catherine Văn Davies and Alexander Berlage