On Day 158 I was asked if I would give a talk the following week at an evening of Dangerous theatre. The talk was based on the performance I have recently created. I used some text from the performance and took the opportunity to ask this room full of strangers to hold hands with each other. The talk was titled Palm to Palm – Embracing the danger of social discomfort.

Here is a little quote from the talk:

Social discomfort which perhaps some of you are experiencing this evening is a powerful tool which I believe when applied through the correct frame and context can offer transformative moments in all manner of communities and learning environments.

Social discomfort is something I have become fascinated with whether it be my own personal discomfort or that of the people I invite to take part in my challenge. It is perhaps a natural progression of audience participation in the tool box of the social engaged artist, to move the art form further from the passivity of a theatre to place the action and responsibility of the work with those that have come to watch it.

I hope to seek new environments and ways to engage people in the group happening of my daily practice.

Here is catch up of my hand holding with a few extras from the talk.

An evening of dangerous theatre