Description
I can work harder
I can do longer days
I don’t need breaks
I can––
A dystopian future or the nightmarish present?
In the frenetic space of USELESS, the war between control and choice reaches a feverish climax. In a world where autonomy becomes a privilege and where robotic productivity is at the zenith of its powers – who holds the playing cards? Who makes the next move? You decide.
Told through movement, interactive and spoken word performance,USELESS is a new immersive work interrogating society’s obsession with productivity and lays bare the human sacrifice made at the altar of capitalism. The countdown is on, but whose time are we on?
Please note that to fully experience this show, a mobile number is required when making your booking, due to its interactive nature.
See 2 Housemates Festival shows for £25 or book 3 shows for £35. Simply book all shows in the same transaction and the discount will be automatically applied when checking out online.
Please note that the performance on 13 July will be filmed.
Trigger warnings: Flashing lights, strobing lights, haze, sensory overwhelming.
Content warnings: Depictions of acts of violence. Safeguarding is in place.
Theatre and technology: the making of USELESS
Join the team of USELESS for a post show talk Sat 15 July to unpick the two year creation and development process of the piece, and why the use of digital technology became a key part of it. They will share their creative inspirations and process, as well as practical and challenging aspects of making it happen.
USELESS is an immersive and interactive performance interrogating the future of our society and the concept of human productivity, with live texting (SMS) to the audience. The show’s sound design has also been fully produced via Artificial Intelligence. USELESS is premiering as part of Housemates Festival.
Housemate: Marisol Spensieri
Marisol is a Latinx actor, theatre and performance maker. She creates and performs interdisciplinary pieces that are thought-provoking, and highly visual and physical.
Her work is inspired by and reflects on social and political themes, with an interest in questioning and deconstructing canonical ideas ingrained in our society. At the core of what she does, there is a transnational, multicultural and multilingual approach.
Her work has been supported by Arts Council England, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, CASA Festival, Seven Dials Playhouse, and many more.
As an actor, Marisol is currently part of the international project Interactiones, supported by a consortium of European theatres and festivals, developing new pieces and dramaturgies.
Instagram: @uselessperformance @marispensieri
USELESS: The trailer
Creative and Production Team
Created, directed and performed by Marisol Spensieri
Associate Director: Christopher Matthews
Lighting Designer: Rena Iizawa
Technical Designer: Tony Porteous
Costume designers: Sara Svati and Christopher Matthews
Video designer: Mercedes Luna Larrahona
Production Manager and Technical Stage Manager: Wei Wei
Assistant Stage Manager and Performer: Kerrica Kendall
Administration and Production Coordinator: Hannah Nichols-Chia
Associate Movement Director: Maya Orchin
Artists who were part of past creative development: Sung Im Her, Karlina Veras, Maria Cuervo, Laura Peña Nuñez, and Christopher Matthews
With special thanks to Semyon Bodian
USELESS was developed with support from Arts Council England, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Migrants in Theatre, CASA Festival and Seven Dials Playhouse.
