not so hard to imagine
The Chandler Theatre | 2024 | devised by Romi | Dramaturgical assistance from Florence Logan | Performed by Florence Logan, Dale Williamson and Dale Thrupp
An experimental durational performance that examines the notion of violence, our obsession with it, and the stagnant shame it infects. An attempt to collect all the memories of violence one body has been exposed to, to understand whether it’s destined for it, or can it birth something different.
If we hadn’t taught ourselves that death is so horrible,
we would have not used it to hurt each other.
Maybe there’s still a chance to say:
Oh! it's not epic, it’s simple.
I’m trying to elicit a change in my memory,
but they keep shooting.
We’re all so scared by our unoriginality and equal importance.
I’m so ashamed to be so defensive and alert all the time.
I should probably admit that I’ve known so much violence.
I’m sorry.
Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!
Don’t go,
I’m bleeding.
Do you want to take a picture?
I think I don’t stand anymore, I hide under the blanket, waiting for someone to rape me, or rob me, or send a rocket straight on my head. I hide under the blanket and imagine how they break the door, put a gun to my temple and ask me what’s my opinion, and I pee in my pants, because I don’t have any opinions anymore, I’ve spiralled and spiralled and discovered nothing. I don’t know how to break free from all this violence, I don’t have any collective imagery of kindness to elicit change. I’m left with this non-oriented love that feels like a burden, and with guilt.