Productions

Albion, Awake!

William and Catherine Blake in their own words

William Blake has messages for us that are prescient and more vital than ever:

The Winners’ shout the Losers’ Curse
Dance before dead England’s Hearse!

Blake’s work aims to heal the wounds of a divided self and a divided nation…

This original script introduces Blake’s ideas and tells the story of his turbulent, but creative time in Felpham, Sussex, which culminated in his arrest and trial for sedition. Yet out of this adversity Blake forges his epic illuminated poems: Milton, which begins with the ‘second National anthem’, And did those feet in ancient time.

Poetry, prose, letters and projections of Blake’s paintings and drawings are used to create the visionary world of Blake’s mind. William Blake was a revolutionary writer who challenged conventional ideas of gender and identity, social hierarchy and racism. He collaborated with Catherine Blake, (who appears in visionary video form), to produce illuminated texts which show complete originality of technique and content. He was dismissed as mad by some contemporaries for being too radical in his vision and considered as a genius by others. He championed Individual freedom, the abolition of slavery and the power of the creative imagination.

The process uses the psycho-physical techniques of Michael Chekhov, drawing on imagination rather than memory and using physicality to create character and mental/emotional states. Projections of Blake’s texts and artwork provide the means for the actor to explore and embody the figures in the pictures. These then inform physical actions, gestures and postures that enable the actor to find and express the emotions and states of mind of Blake in the core of the text.

Albion, Awake! has been performed in a range of settings:

The Cube, Bristol

William Blake’s spiritual anarchist vision feels like it was birthed in 2022. This solo multimedia psychodrama raises the ghosts of his imagination, philosophy, biography and visual art right in front of you. Headfirst Staff Pick

Swedenborg Hall, London

Astonishing and elevating. Dr. Peter Dodd

To show Blake in the world of Imagination -nothing less- is the ambition of this inspired play and its mesmerizing performance. This was a profoundly moving performance – it showed sensitivity towards Blake’s art and brought his words to life. Sibylle Erle, Chair of the Blake Society.

International Polymath Festival

Such a treat. Fabulous and inspiring. Thank you. Romy Maistry

So sensitive and lovely. And the beautiful words of William Blake bring you a bit closer to heaven! Rachel Govan

Extraordinary to see something I’ve recently begun to explore come vividly to life in the imagination of another. A welcome stimulus to dig deeper into Blake’s work and imagination. Thank you. Matthew Snape

Very well received, some people (including me) moved to tears. Waqās Ahmed, Polymath Festival Director and Curator-in-Residence at the Barbican Centre

Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, City of London

The piece brought to life the profound complexity of Blake’s work, a multi-media performance which was compelling, spellbinding and transporting.’ Jocelyne Quennell. Director of the Wellbeing Faculty, Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education

I attended last night. It is extraordinary and wonderful and would return to watch it again this weekend, if I could. Lesley Ann

Thoroughly enjoyed the journey @swedenborghouse thank you! Karen Beadle

Development Workshops