BEYOND OURSELVES

Written and Directed by Andrew Muir

A new dark, surreal comedy.
A dream turned sour and then turned sweet again with the help of a song, a prop and a touch of rouge.

A group of recent performing arts graduates take over an empty space with the intention of creating something. Anything, it doesn’t matter. A moment that can be shared with an audience if in fact any audience ever turns up to see it. But should that matter? Is art created for an audience or for the artist themselves?

BEYOND OURSELVES is a new play created for the Ardent8 Ensemble and written by Andrew Muir which aims a spotlight on the current state of our creative industry for those young graduates wishing to make a career out of it. The obstacles they face and the drive and determination to overcome them. A dream turned sour and then turned sweet again with the help of a song, a prop and a touch of rouge, this story aims to ignite the flame that is so often blown out.

PERFORMANCE DATES:
TUE 7 - SUN 12 NOV 2023 - Union Theatre, London
WED 13 MAR 2024 - Lighthouse Poole
THU 14 MAR 2024 - De Montfort University Leicester
FRI 15 MAR 2024 - Manchester Metropolitan University

CAST

India Pignatiello
Danielle Laurence
Thoma O’Neill
Caoimhe Mackin
Eddie Drummond
Jake Rayner Blair
Callum Diaz
Annabel Worsfold

PRODUCTION

Writer & Director Andrew Muir
Stage Manager
Chloe Brown
Lighting Design
Charlie Speck
Social Media Manager
Gigi Pacifico
Press and PR
Kevin Wilson Public Relations
Publicity Design
Sean Longmore
Original song by Jake Rayner Blair

REVIEWS

★★★★★ "Beyond Ourselves proved to be one of the best shows I’ve seen this year… In a rare turn for a night out at the theatre, we were left wanting more. When the cast entered the bar for a post-show drink, the entire room burst into applause. Haven’t seen THAT happen in a while." North West End UK

★★★★ "8 young actors get their chance to shine and show us that there is still hope as long as we believe - Ardent Theatre Company are everything that is important and vital about the arts, and long may they bring such wonderful and thoughtful shows to London." Everything Theatre

★★★★ “The Ardent8 Project has produced a terrific ensemble of actors who have been given the chance to stand in a spotlight that probably doesn’t exist anywhere else.” Theatre Weekly

★★★★ “the combination of gritty reality and idealistic imagining produces something as compelling as it is hilarious” LondonTheatre1

Production Photos: Mark Douet

FAQ

  • Ideas for the play were created during 2 days of workshops with the ARDENT8 ensemble. It’s a play about a group of actors trying to create a play! The actors play heightened versions of themselves. As they try to work out the setting and plot of their play, they reveal some of their deep down hopes, fears and dreams. It’s a play with a surrealist style.

  • 75 minutes without an interval.

  • There is a lot of humour in it, but also explores serious issues of prejudice, body image, loss and self-doubt.

  • We’d recommend 12+. There’s some swearing.

  • Both Ardent and the venue follow current government guidelines. At present, there are no restrictions on attending indoor live events.

    Although the venue does not require social distancing or mask wearing, we recommend the following:

    Please consider taking a lateral flow test before you set you

    If you are unwell or think you may have symptoms, please stay home and contact the theatre to let them know you can’t come. Contact them also if symptoms occur after you have seen the show.

    Please use your own discretion whether to wear a mask when moving around the cafe/bar and in the theatre.

    Should any of the actors fall ill or test positive we will do our best to find an understudy who will go on with a script in hand. If we are unable to find someone, we may have to cancel. If several cast members test positive and it’s no longer possible to continue the production we will let you know and issue a refund.

FUNDERS

This production has been made possible thanks to:

Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Fenton Arts Trust, Garrick Charitable Trust, Phil Davis, Evanna Lynch, Ardal O'Hanlon, Debra Allen, Sue Dunderdale, Charles Glanville, David Harris, David and Jenny Hendon, Sinead Howlin, Margaret Ling, Trina McCann, Robert Newland, Diana Patrick, Rita and Ralph Sands, Simon Sapper, Jo Simmonds and Sonia Sudhakar.