#andyetitmoves

Today saw the final performances of And Yet It Moves, Neighbourhood Theatre’s latest community show, created in response to the Young Vic’s Main House production, Life of Galileo.  Running from the 15-17th June in the Young Vic’s Clare Theatre, and performed by an exceptionally talented cast of twelve, it was written by Molly Taylor, and directed by Joe Hancock.  

The play explores questions surrounding "how we know what we believe we know”.  The play tells the stories of three characters’ attempts to find their way through their respective social systems in order to change their lives for the better.  Their stories invite us to consider the struggle faced by those who challenge the status quo and social structures which define their lives, while reminding us of the trials faced by those with specific needs and vulnerabilities.

NhT members have been fully involved in the creative process for the upcoming community show, And Yet It Moves - even those not in the cast.  Having had the opportunity to attend Research and Development sessions for the show earlier this year, with director Joe Hancock and writer Molly Taylor, members were invited to attend this afternoon’s rehearsals to see the work in progress.  In addition, there was also the chance to attend a design workshop for the show with designer Naomi Kuyck-Cohen (see post below).

It was great to see rehearsals for this exciting show in full swing; and to see how the themes from a classic play like Bertolt Brecht’s Life of Galileo (currently playing in the Young Vic’s Main House theatre) could inspire a powerful and thought-provoking piece of new writing.  Like Life of Galileo, And Yet It Moves explores questions surrounding "how we know what we believe we know”, but in a modern context.  And Yet It Moves focuses on three characters’ attempts to find their way through their respective social systems in order to change their lives for the better.  Their stories invite us to consider the struggle faced by those who challenge the status quo and social structures which define their lives, while reminding us of the trials faced by those with specific needs and vulnerabilities.  One of the characters, for example, is living in very cramped accommodation and is on the housing list to be moved.  We witness her frustration and anger with the processes that control her living conditions and, therefore, her life.  

As the company rehearsed a scene set in a housing office, and another in which neighbours discover offensive graffiti written by the character described above, it was quickly clear that the power of the writing is strongly reflected in the power of the acting of the cast.  Even in a rehearsal session, the passion and emotional commitment to the piece was palpable.  Joe worked with the actors on detailed moments in the script, layering and building up scenes to make them more nuanced and alive, and trying different things out.

Several of the cast are new to the Young Vic, and they were singing the praises of the creative team, as well as the play and project as a whole.  Despite describing the idea of performing as “terrifying”, these actors were also finding the process “fun”, and were clearly deeply committed to the project.  Other actors in the cast are NhT members, or about to become NhT members in Year 2. As different members of NhT came in to see the work in progress today, it was great to see people recognising each other, and catching up in break times.

After narrowly returning back from berlin with the rest of the family, this music video navigated itself out of my brain and onto the social airways. It’s the newest Andyetitmoves material. Berlin is an amazing place, and we were hit with nothing but luck and good times. The majority of this flick was filmed in an old abandoned children’s hospital we came across.

Take a look for yourself.

We head out on tour mid may and the next chapter will begin, so now you’ve been made aware of this sound, keep your ears to the ground. There’s storms more on its way!