LANDSCAPE (1989)
performance for theatres, 60 mins, 2018
available for touring
A razed forest and two people journeying towards the horizon. One foot in front of the other.
Inspired by Anna Tsing's anthropological study, The Mushroom at the End of the World, Landscape (1989) weaves together the history of matsutake hunters in Malheur National Park, Oregon, the early life of John Cage, Francis Fukuyama's essay The End of History and imagery from apocalypse fiction to create a compelling and haunting portrait of life in the wilderness.
On a bare stage, two people perform choreography inspired by the movements of foragers, conjure a forest fire, and cook in silence. At the end, and alone at last, two mushrooms sing to the audience.
Set against a score of bright trumpets and droning strings, Landscape (1989) is a meditation on endings and beginnings, asking how we might find hope amongst ecological ruins. It’s an intimate and reflective performance which provides a whispered call to attention; a space to listen more closely, more carefully, to what surrounds and outlasts us.
'Did I know all the time what was going on or what was the intention? No. Did I mind? Double no.' - Lyn Gardner
'Work that gets stuck in your teeth... Rewarding and fascinating and eerily beautiful.' - Darker Neon
NOW TOURING 2023/24
Upcoming dates:
1 November 2023 / Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
2 November 2023 / Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham
23 January 2024 / Exeter Phoenix
Landscape (1989) was developed with support from the Institute of Advanced Teaching and Learning (IATL)
Created and performed by Clara Potter-Sweet and Ben Kulvichit
Sound design and dramaturgy Nat Norland
Lighting design Ciara Shrager
Producer Emily Davis
Photos Matt Wendzina
Show filming Aydan Tair
Previous dates:
2 September 2021 / Sensational Ecologies, University of Sussex [online presentation]
9 February 2021 / Bedales School, Petersfield [online presentation]
19 February 2020 / Wickham Theatre, Bristol
2-25 August 2019 / ZOO Venues, Edinburgh
21 June 2019 / Offbeat Festival, Oxford [cancelled]
31 May 2019 / Pulse Festival, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich [extract]
13-14 February 2019 / VAULT Festival, London
24-25 November 2018 / New Diorama, London
31 October 2018 / Emerge Festival, Warwick Arts Centre
3-4 March 2018 / University of Warwick [work-in-progress]
For booking enquiries email emergencychorustheatre@gmail.com