Our new play Descent is a multi-media event. The audience moves through different locations, and each location is like an “art installation.”

Descent is set in the aftermath of a war. In one scene - known as the “Confessions” scene - the characters talk about some of the things that have happened to them in the war. It’s a powerful scene.

We decided, in our production, to film the "confessions." Audiences will watch them on a bank of TV monitors.

This week, we have been filming the scene – and we decided that the “confessions” would be even more evocative, if we shot them on zoom...

David Allen (the play’s director) observes: “I think it’s inevitable that the play will evoke associations in people’s minds, with some of the things we have all been living through in the last few months.

"Theatre is a communal event. The fact that, at last, we are going to be able to share it again, is going to make Descent a powerful experience, for audiences and actors alike.

“It's so great that live theatre is back!”

FINALISING LILITH PIPER'S DESIGNS FOR DESCENT

Artist Lilith Park is designing some of the costumes for Descent and we are also integrating her stunning art work into the set.

This week we have been finalising the choice of art work for different locations in the play. The above image shows the design for one of the locations - the "Tree of Life."
DESCENT on Radio WM

You can hear David Allen talking about Descent on Radio WM on Wednesday 7 July between 7.30am-8am.

He will be interviewed by Elise Evans.

David will also reveal some of our future plans after Descent - including a possible "sequel" (with the working title, Ascent!)
The last seminar in our “The Psychology of Descent” series is on 7 July at 7pm (UK time). Descent is loosely inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy. In this online event, Professor Gwenyth Hood will discuss Divine Comedy as an archetypal dream-vision, full of images emerging from the writer's own psyche.

Gwenyth Hood has taught at Marshall University since 1989. Her book, Dante’s Dream: A Jungian Psychoanalytical Approach is published this year by De Gruyter.

Tickets for this event are free but places are limited. You will be contacted closer to the date with a zoom link for the event.

To book, go to: https://dante-underworld.eventbrite.co.uk

MAT & PURBANAT THEATRE
present the world premiere of
DESCENT
by David Calcutt and Sarah Sayeed
26 July - 8 August 2021
@ The Lampworks, Key Hill Drive, Birmingham B18 5NY
For more details, go to:
www.midlandactorstheatre.com
Follow the link below to book tickets (£10/£5)
Descent is supported by Arts Council England and the Sir Barry Jackson Trust