In Between Time launches 9th annual live art festival

Bristol-based arts charity In Between Time (IBT) have been a leading producer of live art in the city since their inception 20 years ago.

Well known for staging challenging, interactive work in unique and extraordinary ways, they are investing in artists and audiences alike though ‘hybrid global commissions’ based on collaboration and co-authorship, and remain dedicated to ‘helping to ensure the world’s most urgent stories get heard’.

Challenging the ‘outmoded’ status quo in their production of live art, they are instead advocating for greater creative democracy, adopting a boundary-breaking approach that dares artists and audiences alike to step into new territory in the spirit of change.

Themes explored within their ninth annual live art festival, IBT21: The Rupture range from queerness, home, family and belonging, to joy, nature, and escape.

This year’s festival spans several months (the initial two shows took place during the summer months), and for artistic director and CEO, Helen Cole, the expanded hybrid programme on offer is testament to the calibre of participating artists.

“To gather together such an extraordinary group of artists and experiences for our expanded arts festival feels like a unique opportunity. IBT21 The Rupture is a culmination of many re-imaginings in the face of adversity…

“In Between Time gives a platform to urgent artistic voices and the wildest of imaginations. We can’t wait to welcome Bristol and an online global audience into The Rupture.”

With a wide mix of shows on offer, and opportunities to interact with the work either in person or a virtual online space, the programme offers experiences for theatre goers, wherever their location. The next phase of the festival begins on Thursday, October 28 and events continue until December.

Highlights include:

October 28&29, Mamoru Iriguchi – At The Ends Of The Day, a virtual, remote performance characterised as ‘an antidote to zoom fatigue’ during which audience members will be given a pseudonym, asked to switch off lights in favour of candles, and wear headphones.

November 6, Sylvia Rimat – Some People Climb Up, an immersive audio walk through Leigh Woods exploring themes of nature and mortality.

IBT: The Rupture has also made possible free workshop opportunities delivered by world-renowned performers, including poet Muneera Pilgrim though The Joy Project, which brought women together in virtual spaces during lockdown – “at a time of extreme isolation for many… exploring the meaning of community, connection, intimacy and joy”.

Muneera Pilgrim, Creative Exchange Lab 2019, IBT. Photo: Manuel Vason

The Queer School of Live Art will deliver a series of workshops enabling up to 10 artists to explore and grow their practice through creative adventures in costume, drag, movement and queer live art history, concluding with a live cabaret showcase on December 18 to round off the festival, hosted by Rachael Clerke and Tom Marshman.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVBDCxts8cY/

For full details and tickets for individual events, visit inbetweentime.co.uk/ibt21-the-rupture. Every ticket sold will go towards planting trees (through Citizen Ticket).

Main photo: Sylvia Rimat, by Laura Montag

Read more: Bristol 24/7 Queer Catch-up episode four: solidarity, inclusivity and Tom Marshman

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