My performance is site specific in which I am performing on a bridge relevant to the subtext of my performance. This bridge is the main University campus bridge and is used every single day by not only students, lecturers and working people of the University, but also locals of Lincoln travelling to enjoy comedy at the LPAC or drinks at the Tower Bar, etc. I chose this space because it is symbolic, it helps people reach one destination from the other. We trust that it will not fall and collapse and we never stop think how important they are. Bridges are symbolic in the emotional aspects of our lives also often being  quoted in ways that express anger, hope, desperation and moving on.

“Build a bridge and get the f**** over it”

“I hope we can move on and build bridges between us”

“I’m done. I’ve burnt my bridges with you” 

“Bridge over troubled water”

I decided to have a look at different types of bridges around Lincoln, see what they do for people on a practical level and explore other potential space. I know my performance will be taking place on a specific bridge however I would like to explore and see if there is a better space for me to perform on. “Autobiographical performances that are site specific, double the dynamic of the real subject/performed character with the audience embodied experience of a particular geography that is likewise both real and performed” (Stephenson 2010, p.336).

These bridges are all architecturally individual in both appearance and construction, however Uni campus bridge fits best with regards to space, audience, location and duration of piece. I have received permission off the University’s Student Union and Health and Safety manager (Garry and Colin) to purchase some glass pens/chinographic pencils and write on the glass panels of the bridge. The writing will consist of life quotes, sprawled along, not in linear order or pretty pattern. I want to do this because it creates a striking image and symbolically represents  our ‘bridge of life’ consisting of literal life quotes scrawled upon it. I will interact only slightly with the writing by smearing my hand across them in disgust, but I hope that the audience see’s my intentions. The life quotes follow you through your journey over a bridge, leaving one thing in search of another. What I find ironic about my choice of structure and narrative is, I live by life quotes. I like to live my life referring to them and will also cite them when talking or giving guidance to my friends. I am going to enjoy the fact that I turn them on their head and think negatively about them, I don’t want quotes to become a sort of religious bible people have to abide by where they preach to others in my performance, I want to show that those positive quotes can become negative and that major life events can influence your decision to believe in them. However, this is how I live my life and this distinguishes the difference between myself and ‘Shannon the performer’. I appreciate that Solo Performance allows such a dynamic and ambigous narrative of events.

 

WORKS CITED:

Stephenson, Jenn (2010) ‘Review of Deidre Heddon ‘Autobiography and Performance’ in Theatre Survey, Vol 51, pp:335-337.