Fluxx Presents: The Good Neighbour

· by · in birmingham, Theatre, west midlands. ·

The Good Neighbour

– A two-part interactive theatre performance developed for the residents of Balsall Heath

What makes a good neighbour? How much is it reasonable to tolerate when those next door behave badly? What responsibilities do you have to your neighbours, either to help them in difficulty or to intervene if there is distress or violence next door? Is ‘neighbourliness’ the secret to a harmonious community?

These are just some of the many questions explored by The Good Neighbour (And Her Many Trials Of The Heart), a new two-part interactive semi-improvised performance which takes place at Balsall Heath Church Centre (Part 1, Tue 18 Nov 2014) and mac Birmingham (Part 2, Thu 20 Nov 2014).

Presented by citizens theatre company Fluxx, the performance follows the trials of two fictional adjacent inner city households – one Pakistani, the other Jamaican-English – as one of the homes is torn apart by domestic conflict. Should the other get involved, or is it ‘none of our business’?

Audience members are invited to not only observe the incident, but also interact with those involved, listening to and even questioning protagonists as a story unfolds towards a yet to be decided conclusion.

Using themes chosen following detailed consultation with residents of Balsall Heath, The Good Neighbour explores key issues deemed important to the community. While audiences can attend both parts independently, a more complete experience is gained by attending both as Part 2 continues the narrative.

The production marks the conclusion of a series of creative arts activities in the Birmingham neighbourhood, and is preceded by a free Urdu Poetry Night featuring local spoken word artists and performers (13 Nov 2014, Balsall Heath Church Centre). The night will also be attended by Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Shafique Shah.

Fluxx Director Chris Johnston said: “We’ve been working with Balsall Heath residents since the spring and The Good Neighbour reflects many of their concerns with a production that follows the repercussions of a specific fictional incident, and spirals out into the wider community.

“The performance, which include professional actors and local people, has an interactive element, allowing audience members to really get involved in the action – although they can simply observe if they prefer.”

Tickets for The Good Neighbour: Part 1 are free; Part 2, £8/£6 (with Balsall Heath residents £2), available from mac birmingham Box Office 0121 446 3232, macbirmingham.co.uk. For more information, see: www.fluxx.co.uk

LISTINGS

Fluxx Presents:
The Good Neighbour (Her Many Trials Of The Heart): Parts 1 & 2
Directed by Chris Johnston
With funding from Arts Council of England, Birmingham City Council and the Cadbury Foundation. Part of the Hall Green Arts Champions Programme.

Tuesday 18 November 2014
Fluxx Presents:
The Good Neighbour (Her Many Trials Of The Heart): Part 1
A domestic incident tears apart a household: how do the neighbours react? And how is their reaction perceived? An interactive theatre performance developed for the residents of Balsall Heath.
Balsall Heath Church Centre, 100 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 9JU
7.30pm
Admission free
www.fluxx.co.uk

Thursday 20 November 2014
Fluxx Presents:
The Good Neighbour (Her Many Trials Of The Heart): Part 2
Following the aftermath of a domestic incident and its effect on two inner city households and the wider community. An interactive theatre performance developed for the residents of Balsall Heath.
mac birmingham, Canon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH
7.30pm
Admission £8, £6 (conc.), £2 (Hall Green Residents)
Tickets: 0121 446 3232, macbirmingham.co.uk

  •  Additional Event

Thursday 13 November 2014
Urdu Poetry Night
Featuring spoken word performances by nine local poets. To be attended by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Shafique Shah. Organised with Balsall Heath Forum.
Balsall Heath Church Centre, 100 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 9JU
7pm
Admission free
www.fluxx.co.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About Fluxx

Formed in 1998, the company’s primary commitment at present is to its Citizen Theatre model which incorporates interactivity, debate and improvisation. This was seen most extensively in the production Without Planning Permission which toured extensively in 2012.

The Good Neighbour has been developed using Fluxx’s Gameplan methodology which offers: community engagement with hard-to-reach audiences; volunteer participation in creating a production; articulation and dramatisation of local themes; learning through online activity and live participation; a legacy of interconnectedness between participants.

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