Dark Land Light House
A play by Timothy X Atack directed by Tanuja Amarasuriya
>> Incoming, deep travel
>> Estimated 600 souls
>> Estimated 600 souls lost in 81 minutes
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There is a Dark Land in the depths of space. Ships are drawn to it like moths to a flame, where they are consumed, destroyed. A lighthouse orbits the Dark Land. Teller Ghent is the keeper – one woman alone on Lighthouse 5. But the lighthouse is dying. Teller’s only company is a sentient computer with a taste for the poetic... and a host of terrible visions from the end of the universe.
Teller is afraid. She thinks she might be losing. But she is never, never giving up.
Dark Land Light House is concerned with themes of loneliness, displacement and uncertain identity in the face of an uncaring universe; underpinned by a deep-seated belief that the insurmountable should not daunt us.
“It’s theatre at its most demanding, its most uncomfortable, its most evocative, its most primal, its most human, its most complex, and its most brilliant... it's highly unlikely you'll experience a more unforgettably visceral, immersive, darkly intense and mesmerisingly beautiful theatrical 105 minutes this year. A masterpiece.”
365.bristol.com
“Eerie, thought-provoking, moving, exquisite - Dark Land Light House is a reminder of all that theatre can achieve, when done well and with a dauntless imagination.”
Judy Darley, skylightrain.com
Cast & Credits:
TELLER GHENT Jessica Macdonald
PARCIVAL SEGUNDUM Derek Frood
HYPATIA Laura Dannequin
ARCHIVED KEEPERS Eno Mfon, Caroline Hunt
Additional voices CJ Amarasuriya, Caroline Hunt, Eno Mfon, Joe Shire
Written by Timothy X Atack Directed by Tanuja Amarasuriya Set & Costume Design by Rosanna Vize Lighting Design by Ben Pacey Original Music and Sound by North Sea Navigator & Timothy X Atack Projection & Video Design by Rod Maclachlan Production Manager Chris Swain Production Photography by Paul Blakemore
Produced by MAYK. A Jerwood Charitable Foundation and Bristol Old Vic Ferment commission. Developed with support from Bristol University Drama Department. Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Here's the trailer for the original production:
Dark Land Light House is a visual and visceral science-fiction for theatre. It premiered at Bristol Old Vic. In 2021 we were awarded Trailblazer funding from Bristol & Bath Creative R&D to develop a pitch for adapting the story for Virtual Reality.
“an intensely unsettling, visceral treat with haunting sound design & gripping lead performance.”
Audience response
“mesmerising and astonishing”
Audience response
“Sophisticated, deep fall into our collective darkness.”
Audience response
