Inspired by Luis Bunuel’s satirical, surrealist depiction of Italian society in his 1972 film ‘The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie’, and the confessional art of sculptor Louise Bourgeois, dark-clown Scanticlad presents her unique take on the way things are. In a story that begins with expulsion from the Garden of Eden, ’The Pain & Strife of the Bourgeois Life‘ probes at archaic, though persistently hypnotic, narratives of ‘us’ and ‘them’, and the intoxicating megalomania of Western society. Convinced by the aspiration of the millennial you-can-do-anything-if-you-try rhetoric, and carrying the shame of The Fall, she sets out to save the world. And discovers a world of papists and puppets, conquerors and abandoned souls.

‘Our tolerance is part of what makes Britain Britain. So conform to it, or don’t come here’ Tony Blair famously said. Scanticlad has a few questions about this… 

With multiple characters, quick-changes, hilarious choreography, physical theatre and puppetry… she answers none of them. But inhabits the hypocrisy, fear mongering, disembodiment, cruelty, divisiveness and power play all the way.   

An anarchic, existential comedy, a debut solo show from Philippa Hambly. The audience should expect to be made complicit in the confession. Scanticlad is what she sees… and the world is a beautifully unpredictable place.

‘Philippa is definitely an actor I shall be looking out for in future’ – London Theatre1 (Myths, Blue Elephant)

‘Philippa… performs comic moments with masterful execution’ – Whatspeenseen (Marelle, CWCS)

Written, directed and performed by Philippa Hambly, winner of Best Emerging Ensemble with Teatro Envilo, Mimetic Festival 2014 and Upstage part III, 2015. Additional directorial support from actor and clown teacher Inda Pereda.

After presenting sections of The Pain & Strife of the Bourgeois Life at Scratch That Hackney, Scratch That Brixton, and winning Upstage at the Moors Theatre, the full show will be shown for the first time at the Camden Fringe 2015, with the hope to bring it to more London venues later in the year.
Details

Venue: Moors Theatre, Crouch End

Dates: 24 – 26th August

Time: 9.15pm

Website: Piphambly.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scanticlad?fref=ts

twitter: @APhilippahambly

You can click here to watch a trailer.