Chris Chambers has teamed up with writer Sarah Diamond to construct a series of four one act plays.
'Swift's Dream' celebrates the 350th anniversary of Jonathan Swift with a play that explores his intriguing relationship with two women. 'Death On A Pale Horse' takes JMW Turner's relationship with his mentally ill mother as its theme, as he strives to develop his approach to light and colour. 'Brixton Queen' and 'The Upper Chamber' focus on 'belief systems' and their power over an individual, for better or worse.
A multitude of themes link the pieces from the 17th Century through to now, though all discuss what it is to be considered mentally ill, and the fine line between madness and total genius. Swift left a considerable amount of money to set up a hospital for 'fools and mad'. He clearly knew that the line was very fine indeed. To this day, St. Patricks continues to treat those who are considered mentally ill.
Each of these stories present a changing landscape. Swift arguably achieved the first 'novel' by writing 'Gulliver's Travels' - Turner revolutionised the presentation of landscape in art - and in our two original stories (Brixton Queen & The Upper Chamber), set in the present, we see how the mind is a landscape too that can be laid waste or bathed in glory, depending on events.
'Swift's Dream' celebrates the 350th anniversary of Jonathan Swift with a play that explores his intriguing relationship with two women. 'Death On A Pale Horse' takes JMW Turner's relationship with his mentally ill mother as its theme, as he strives to develop his approach to light and colour. 'Brixton Queen' and 'The Upper Chamber' focus on 'belief systems' and their power over an individual, for better or worse.
A multitude of themes link the pieces from the 17th Century through to now, though all discuss what it is to be considered mentally ill, and the fine line between madness and total genius. Swift left a considerable amount of money to set up a hospital for 'fools and mad'. He clearly knew that the line was very fine indeed. To this day, St. Patricks continues to treat those who are considered mentally ill.
Each of these stories present a changing landscape. Swift arguably achieved the first 'novel' by writing 'Gulliver's Travels' - Turner revolutionised the presentation of landscape in art - and in our two original stories (Brixton Queen & The Upper Chamber), set in the present, we see how the mind is a landscape too that can be laid waste or bathed in glory, depending on events.
SWIFT'S DREAM
Jonathan Swift has dementia and the world deems him mad. 'Gulliver's Travels' is a phenomenon, but who was the man behind it?
Near to death, a lock of hair and an enigmatic locket unravels a mystery that Swift has refused to answer. Did he marry Stella? Did they have a son? Must the Dean of St Patrick now admit a secret that he vowed never to reveal?
Written and directed by distant relative, Chris Chambers to celebrate his great great great great great uncle Jonathan Swift's 350th Anniversary, who left all his money to a hospital for fools and mad. More info.
Jonathan Swift has dementia and the world deems him mad. 'Gulliver's Travels' is a phenomenon, but who was the man behind it?
Near to death, a lock of hair and an enigmatic locket unravels a mystery that Swift has refused to answer. Did he marry Stella? Did they have a son? Must the Dean of St Patrick now admit a secret that he vowed never to reveal?
Written and directed by distant relative, Chris Chambers to celebrate his great great great great great uncle Jonathan Swift's 350th Anniversary, who left all his money to a hospital for fools and mad. More info.
BRIXTON QUEEN
The Millenium approaches and a young man living in Brixton strikes up a friendship with a lovely lady from the flat above. She is different - spiritual - kind and funny. And she sure has had one hell of a life.. Maybe that is why shes got all the answers.
After all she is 63.
She shares an unexpected secret which changes both their lives and takes the young man on a journey from which there is only one way out. More info.
DEATH ON A PALE HORSE
'It is only when we are no longer fearful that we begin to create.'
Sarah Diamond crafts a play from the genius of JMW Turner - iconic painter of landscapes. Through the lens of his mother, admitted to a mental hospital when Turner was only a child, the play captures their struggle to capture the meaning of life in very different ways.
More info.
THE UPPER CHAMBER
It's 2017 and over two decades have passed since the young man (Brixton Queen) met his Brixton Queen. The world's landscape has changed - BREXIT, Trump, Climate Change, relationships, family and work. Surely his life should not have gone this way? What of the promises made?
Struggling with PTSD from the confusion of unresolved questions and events through his twenties the young man starts to re-evaluate his life through the help of a Healer and revise his opinion of the world, giving him a renewed hope. More info.
SWIFT'S DREAM & BRIXTON QUEEN will make up PART ONE of Changing The Landscape Tour.
DEATH ON A PALE HORSE & THE UPPER CHAMBER will make up PART TWO of Changing The Landscape Tour.
