Theatre / Taylor Ayling
‘Watch Me Die’: the Bristolian director’s twisted, interactive one-woman comedy set at a funeral
Bristolian theatre director Taylor Ayling makes physical, interactive work, inviting audiences into the space to become what he terms a “fictional temporary community” for the duration of a performance.
His first fully devised, self-produced show since graduating from Rose Bruford’s M.A. in contemporary directing practice, the provocatively titled Watch Me Die, is coming to the Loco Klub on October 30, for three consecutive nights.
In it, the audience become mourners at the funeral of a social media influencer, Petunia Grace D’Sousa – played by Ayling’s collaborator, actor-musician Eunice Da Silva. They are invited to sing together, and to say their prayers to the body.
is needed now More than ever
The story originated on the basis of one overarching idea: “that central to the story and the set would be an infinity mirror,” explains Ayling; “a glowing tunnel of unending depth”.
Petunia’s reputation as a holistic wellbeing practitioner is thrown into doubt after a sex tape leaked. “During the disintegration of her online self and the torrent of misogynistic abuse that she receives, she decides she needs to do something radical,” says Ayling.
“She needs to publicly lay to rest the identity she has been creating for so many years, so she can say goodbye and become reborn.”
The show plays out as a warm-hearted immersive experience laced with humour that builds into an examination of the exhilarating, but ultimately illusory comfort that social media can provide.
“Central to the play is the feeling that, for all its misgivings, our obsession with social media is a completely reasonable response to a world that is constantly changing. “It’s a teasing and lighthearted foghorn to those who have become intoxicated by the fantasy.”
The Loco Klub shows will be prefaced by special guest performances every night, including Everglowing School of Burlesque and Gurt Haunted: a Bristolian comedy séance.
Watch Me Die (age recommendation 18+) is at The Loco Klub on October 30-November 1 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from www.headfirstbristol.co.uk.
All photos: Taylor Ayling
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