A spectacle of herself
During the performance on May 10th there will be childcare in the Dampfzentrale.
Join Laura on a mission to serve herself up (in)appropriately for your consumption, in a bold, cinematic, acrobatic odyssey through the frontiers of mental health, queerness, rage and the 21st Century space race. Directed by Ursula Martinez, with Laura’s critical and cheeky signature mix of autobiography, lip-sync, video and aerial rope, A Spectacle of Herself navigates the personal and political, to seek out new worlds and ways to be seen.
Laura Murphy is a genre defying queer and neurodivergent performance maker from Bristol. Her work is cross-disciplinary fusion of theatre, live art, aerial choreography, dance and verbal explosions, which integrate intimacy and spectacle. She holds a PhD investigating aerial work’s potential as a critically engaged practice and its use as a vehicle for social and political propaganda and has taught practice as research at international circus institutions including Circomedia, the National Centre for Circus Arts & Stockholm University of the Arts.
Following the performance on 9.5. there will be a discussion with the artists at 21:15.
Easy Read
The piece is something between circus and comedy. Laura takes centre stage and wants to be seen. But she can’t and doesn’t want to behave appropriately.
Surtitles
The English spoken text is surtitled in German and English. The surtitles do not contain any additional information about sounds and music.
For people with mobility disabilities
The Dampfzentrale is wheelchair accessible. Stairlifts are available to the foyer, the hall Turbinensaal, and the toilets. An Access Friend will be happy to assist you with the lifts, or you can use the Eurokey. The theater has an accessible toilet.
Relaxed Performance
This is a Relaxed Performance.
Freedom of movement and audience noises are explicitly welcome. You are welcome to take breaks at any time, leave the theatre hall, and return when you’re ready.
Alternative seating (seats, cushions, etc.) is available. Beanbags are available in the front row for you to sit on. You can sit, lie down, or change seats during the performance.
Please note that Relaxed Performances focus on adapting the theatre environment, not the content of the performance. Check the content notes and sensory trigger warnings for further details.
Content notes
This production adresses topics related to mental health, autism, neurodiversity and space, contrasting this with how powerful people assert their presence in the world.
This production contains clown imagery and nudity.
Sensory Triggers
Flashing lights
Moments of darkness
Loud noises and music
Shouting, whispering
Environmental effects (stage smoke, haze)
Latex baloons
High energy performance
Special Check-In
We offer a special check-in option. If for any reason you'd like to avoid the crowded foyer, require a specific seat, assistance due to a mobility impairment, or would like to be picked up at the bus stop, please contact us in advance. A member of our team will accompany you according to your needs. Register: checkin@auawirleben.ch
Access Friend
At the Dampfzentrale, Access Friends welcome audiences and are available before, during, and after performances. These people are identified and wear purple vests. Questions about accessibility can be directed to the Access Friends.
Social Story
Social stories are used as a tool to prepare people for a public event, such as a theater performance. Our social stories provide a detailed description of what to expect at the venue and the customs that apply there. You can find the (German) PDF of the «A spectacle of herself» social story here.
- Performer, Writer
- Laura Murphy
- Director
- Ursula Martinez
- Producer
- Nicole A’Court-Stuart
- Lighting Designer
- Jen Roxburgh
- Video Designer
- Ben Glover
- Filmmaker
- Holly Black
- Production Manager
- Dean Sudron
- Devising Projection Designer
- Mark Morreau
- Access Consultant
- Max Sutherland
- Lip Sync Supervisor
- Dickie Beau
Co-producers: Contra Productions, Carré Magique Pôle national cirque en Bretagne, Cambridge Junction
Supported by: Jacksons Lane Theatre, La Verrerie d’ales Pôle national cirque Occitanie, La Grainerie Pôle Européen de production, Cologne Circus Dance Festival, The Invisible Circus Launchpad Scheme
Funding partners: Arts Council England, Jerwood Arts, National Center for Circus Arts