Welcome to Algorhythm Digital Theatre Festival
This is not how things were supposed to happen this year. The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School had an entire Spring Season programmed for 2021, but once again Covid had other ideas. The response from the students was to devise six brand new pieces of work that embrace and explore the limits of digital theatre & film. The creative teams have approached this festival with a sense of innovation, adventure and a lightness of touch in order to bring joy to challenging times. We bring you comedy, we bring you interaction and we will bring you on journeys to unexplored places. The future of digital there is diverse and exciting – the future of digital theatre is here.
We are living in extraordinary times and all of the work shown here has been made possible by the resilience, creativity and ingenuity of the directors, actors, writers, production arts students and staff at BOVTS.
(Algorhythm image credit: Vladislav Solovjov)
Directed by Jessy Roberts
Born from clusters of storms, hurricanes are unpredictable. But like most natural disasters, they serve a higher purpose – to keep the earth’s temperature stable.
In Details of a Hurricane real people examine their relationship to the Earth and The Universe, and explore their own personal hurricanes: what it’s like standing in the eye of them as everything happens around you, how they shape us, and what happens next. This short verbatim think-piece is an exploration of destruction, hindsight and hope. Details of a Hurricane can be enjoyed as a film, or simply as an audio piece. We recommend listening while going on a walk, whilst doing the washing up, or sitting with a cup of tea, and letting the piece wash over you.
Details of a Hurricane premieres 9 March at 7pm.
Bill Caple
Evie Hargreaves
Alexander Uzoka
Tanvi Virmani
Christopher Dalton
Director: Jessy Roberts
With thanks to Evan Lordan, Richard Maxwell, Ella Lovelady, Kaija Brunyate and Holly Stevens
Devised by the Company, Emma Hadley-Leonard, Tessa Wong, Dewi Wykes
Directed by Hope Thain
Designed by Natasha Sadier
lend me home follows young Pea on a wayfaring journey through many unknown worlds. Cast out of his hometown, a mysterious ringing sound leads Pea towards a map and guides him through an open door where he finds himself rambling through the hills of Wales, the villages of China and the seas of England. Confronted with giants, mystical beasts and the sirens of the sea, Pea discovers people and places that he never knew existed as he is cocooned in different cultures and tales of the past.
Told through music, puppetry, shadow play and song, this is a heartwarming story about the discovery of one’s self.
lend me home premieres 8 March at 7pm.
All material devised by the company:
Emma Hadley-Leonard
Dewi Wykes
Tessa Wong
Director Hope Thain
Designer, Stop Motion Animator, Set Construction, Shadow Puppet Maker Natasha Sadier
Stage Manager on Book, Editor Kizzie Tims
Edit and Animation Advice/Support Kaija Brunyate and Elkie McCrimmon
Vocal Coach Caroline Gill
Thanks to:
Evan Lordan
Richard Maxwell
Frank Bradley
Ed Wilson
Leila Glen
Hannah Bracegirdle
All at 104. P.V.S.
Strong Language
References to Death
Flashing Images
Images of destruction and rough seas/water which some people may find distressing
Devised by The Company
Directed by Frazer Meakin
Designed by Eliza Podesta
Welcome to the future. Life is monotonous, the outside world seems a lifetime away and all we have is technology to keep us company.
What happens when one day your technology talks back and offers you a chance of a lifetime? Companionship. Is there a catch? No, of course not. All you need to do is sign up and the rest is handled by corporate giant Lucan Cross and his latest venture Q-Pid. Quest- Pairing Individuals Destinies.
Join us on zoom for Can’t Take My Eyes Off You where you are more than just an audience; you are the experts, the matchmaker and it’s down to you to guide our candiDATES to meet their perfect match. Cupid’s arrow is poised; it just needs you to fire it.
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You runs 4 – 6 March at 7pm.
Booking is essential. The show features interactive elements which mean strictly no latercomers will be admitted.
Book tickets here.
Theo Spofforth Lucan Cross
Amelia Paltridge Bella
Jake Kenny-Byrne Adam
James Jip Casper
Director Frazer Meakin
Stage Manager on Book Jamie Craker
Dramaturg Charlotte Smith
Design Eliza Podesta
Sound Design Miranda Sellers
Sound Op Frances Ashton
Zoom Op Chris Davies
Editor Ella Lovelady
ASMs Neamh Campbell and Danni Davis
With thanks to:
Ellie Condon
Contains strong language and themes of mental illness, controlling relationships and death.
Devised by Michael Drake, Katie Dorman, Eliza Smith
Directed by Imy Wyatt Corner
Designed by Cat Fuller
‘Remember – it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission’ – Banksy
A new Banksy mural has appeared in Bristol. What does this mean? Can it help us to reveal Banksy’s true identity? Has the great elusive street artist returned to his hometown? A local (amateur) news channel investigates…
It’s 2016 and a Banksy has appeared on a wall in Bridge Farm Primary School, much to the delight of primary school teacher and avid Banksy fan Miss McNally. A documentary crew have arrived to interview residents in the hope of discovering Banksy’s true identity. Some claim to have met or seen the mysterious artist, some are more tenuously linked to the event, but all are affected by the new painting.
Shot on iPhones, BANKSY, A Portrait of Bristol, is a heartwarming comedy about art, community and the man behind the spray can.
BANKSY, A Portrait of Bristol premieres 5 March at 8.30pm.
Eliza Smith
Katie Dorman
Michael Drake
Director Imy Wyatt Corner
Designer Cat Fuller
Editor/ DOP Emily Poole
Stage Manager Frederick Macleod
Costume Supervisor Laura Pogose
Sound Designer Spencer Cash-Archer
Voice Coach Lucinda Roberts
Dramaturg Rachael Walsh
Welcome to the world of Echo Deep
You are the former captain of the Crescent Moon Liner on Lobster Wing Cruiselines.
As a retirement gift to yourself, you have decided to book a ticket as a passenger, to relax in the sun and eat all the delectable patisseries you can manage. Feel free to take a dip in our on-deck swimming pool. Why not visit the jazz bar and see the latest musical offerings from our on-board entertainment team? Or perhaps you’ll want to journey below deck and see what watery mysteries lie beneath. Whatever the weather, there will always be something for you on Lobster Wing. All aboard!
Echo Deep is an interactive web project designed to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own computer screen.
ECHO DEEP premieres 3 March at 7pm.
Devised by Rachael Walsh and the Company with writing by Pearl Andrews-Horrigan.
Grab a cup of tea and settle down for five minutes every night this week for a dose of your new favourite soap opera. See the classic characters from Greek mythology doing what they do best. LIES! BETRAYAL! MURDER?!
Each night of the week brings you the next instalment of this serialised soap opera based on the classic Greek Myths.
Pedro Leandro Orpheus
Stephanie Booth Medusa, Athena, Eurydice
Charlie Hall Creon, Antigone
Director Rachael Walsh
Writer Pearl Andrews-Horrigan
Production Manager Ed Wilson
Production Assistant Leila Glen
SM Supervisor Rosie Giarratana
Stage Manager (on Book) Laura Davies
ASM Hannah Bracegirdle
ASM Karris Holm
Head of Costume Jill Blundell
Costume Supervisor Jasmine Barron
Editor Rachael Walsh
Editing Support Emily Poole
Post-production Sound Kaija Brunyate
All additional material by:
Rachael Walsh, Pedro Leandro, Stephanie Booth, Charlie Hall, Dumile Sibanda
Special Thanks:
Evan Lorden, Kizzie Tims, Tom Codd, Ruth Sidery, Alix Abram, Ella Lovelady, Andy Jenks, Richard Maxwell, Billy Crouch
References to drugs (comedic), Death (comedic).