my head is an ANIMAL
The performance deals with the critical voice inside your own mind. That annoying one that doesn’t seem to go away no matter how hard you try. Questioning who is the voice inside your head and are you listening? It’s also about my mother but that’s a long story so we can save that for later.
A solo piece using text, movement and audio with gentle audience participation including a live phone call.
Devised and performed by Lauren Hart
A solo piece using text, movement and audio with gentle audience participation including a live phone call.
Devised and performed by Lauren Hart
PAST PERFORMANCES
2017
September
Pori Theatre Festival, Annakatu 6, Pori, Finland, 28100
January
LAB Programme
English Theatre International Performing Art Center
Fidicinstraße 40, Berlin, Germany 10965
September
Pori Theatre Festival, Annakatu 6, Pori, Finland, 28100
January
LAB Programme
English Theatre International Performing Art Center
Fidicinstraße 40, Berlin, Germany 10965
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
'First of all, thank you for last night's performance of 'My Head is an Animal'. Such a brave, bold, original, funny and heart-warming performance. Thank you for putting that inner voice aside to let yourself develop and present the performance to an audience last night…I hope you feel rewarded by and proud of the experience, and the audience's reaction to it.
Straight up, beautiful staging / prop placement. Aesthetically the stage looked beautiful and complete, with the tape player and the high heel shoes framing you and giving you context. I love that you didn't touch the shoes… they were a poignant visual symbol of the mother-daugher relationship, of womanhood, of fitting into roles that we may or may nor want to inhabit… The red shoes, the red of the pot plant-- wonderful aesthetic choices.
Your humour and self-awareness throughout the piece was smart and well timed. I loved when you attempted to fit inside the cupboard, and of course the scene with Rupert (so clever, and illuminating). And when you screamed into the 'pillow' - again this touch of humour and self-awareness but very, very moving. I loved that the picture of the plant on the wall (to which Rupert was comparing himself to) wasn't a particularly lush or inspiring plant// shining some nice light on what we do every day - comparing ourselves to similarly mediocre (or similarly great, depending on how you look at it) people… we are all individual and incomparable.
And how wonderful was the phone conversation with your 'borrowed Mum'. To hear such supportive and caring words from a complete stranger… I must admit I cried a bit when this happened, when she said "it doesn't matter how many eyes are on you, you must believe in yourself". It was completely disarming. In some way this conversation (with this woman's love and kindness and acceptance of you calling her 'mum') seemed to embody the process of theatre: when a performer becomes vulnerable by expressing their true emotion and thoughts, the audience will respond in kind… I want to see more of this!!
Great list of Housekeeping Rules. And the pre-recorded text "My head is an animal…", "This is about my mother/ this is not about my mother" was poetic and beautifully delivered. Something about the rhythm and repetition that really gave your piece strength. A definite highlight of your performance.
Thanks, Lauren, for your performance… I really enjoyed it and was very moved. I left feeling so excited, excited by the potentials of this performance, excited by its originality and insight… excited and moved by your honesty and strength as a performer -- such great stage presence, such grit.'
Caitlin Hodder, English Theatre, Berlin 2017
Straight up, beautiful staging / prop placement. Aesthetically the stage looked beautiful and complete, with the tape player and the high heel shoes framing you and giving you context. I love that you didn't touch the shoes… they were a poignant visual symbol of the mother-daugher relationship, of womanhood, of fitting into roles that we may or may nor want to inhabit… The red shoes, the red of the pot plant-- wonderful aesthetic choices.
Your humour and self-awareness throughout the piece was smart and well timed. I loved when you attempted to fit inside the cupboard, and of course the scene with Rupert (so clever, and illuminating). And when you screamed into the 'pillow' - again this touch of humour and self-awareness but very, very moving. I loved that the picture of the plant on the wall (to which Rupert was comparing himself to) wasn't a particularly lush or inspiring plant// shining some nice light on what we do every day - comparing ourselves to similarly mediocre (or similarly great, depending on how you look at it) people… we are all individual and incomparable.
And how wonderful was the phone conversation with your 'borrowed Mum'. To hear such supportive and caring words from a complete stranger… I must admit I cried a bit when this happened, when she said "it doesn't matter how many eyes are on you, you must believe in yourself". It was completely disarming. In some way this conversation (with this woman's love and kindness and acceptance of you calling her 'mum') seemed to embody the process of theatre: when a performer becomes vulnerable by expressing their true emotion and thoughts, the audience will respond in kind… I want to see more of this!!
Great list of Housekeeping Rules. And the pre-recorded text "My head is an animal…", "This is about my mother/ this is not about my mother" was poetic and beautifully delivered. Something about the rhythm and repetition that really gave your piece strength. A definite highlight of your performance.
Thanks, Lauren, for your performance… I really enjoyed it and was very moved. I left feeling so excited, excited by the potentials of this performance, excited by its originality and insight… excited and moved by your honesty and strength as a performer -- such great stage presence, such grit.'
Caitlin Hodder, English Theatre, Berlin 2017
'This was the first time I have seen Lauren perform. I had no preconceived ideas of what she was like as a performer or what the show was about, although I guessed it was something to do with her animalistic nature and her relationship with her beast, I was however wrong about this as the show proved to be based a lot about the relationship with her mother. A new twist, that drove me down a different path I was glad to go down, reluctant at first but I found it refreshing.
The show started with some contemporary, type physical movement to some Harold Budd I believe, I enjoyed this scene and could see that it was obvious Lauren had some previous movement experience and knew what she was on about.
As the show went on I felt throughout Lauren was able to hold the space well and more importantly hold my attention (no easy feat when performing on your own for 45 minutes). Lauren is a confident performer and fully committed to what she delivers as an artist, her piece is well thought out and entirely her own creation.
She took risks whilst performing, at one stage using the audience to directly influence her show to find a new Mum, a tactic that could of so easily backfired but it worked out well and she was able to use the audience in such a way as to not only make them feel included but heighten the theatrical impact of her work, a definite attribute we need to see more of in the modern day theatre space if you ask me. So not just a show you sat back and watched but a show that left you feeling apart of it, and taken on a deliberate journey into the 'hart' of Lauren's relationship with her mother, I was left with the feelings of my own relations to my parents and the strife that brings trying to prove ones self and your worth to them. I was able to recognize the confusion, contradiction, longing, rejection, need for approval and love of a complex mother and daughter dynamic that Lauren seems to still be working through and is outing in this piece... the best way to commit to personal issues as an artist is to work them out within your chosen field and put yourself on the line in order to turn pain into art, but albeit at a cost and a very brave sacrifice.
Many people I'm sure can relate to this work. I sure went away feeling amused, bemused, uplifted and intrigued. I was under prepared going into watching and I hope to see it fully developed further. There still surrounds an element of mystery to the work and I am fine about that, even if the artist her self doesn't know the exact means of what she constructs, she is a vessel for us all to take flight on and uplift the lid on the absurdity of everyday life, I need not questions answered after my preferred visit to the theatre but rather more questions pushed towards me about my life and the world around me, so the more challenging the better. And this show contained those elements but needs expansion, not that i can give total guidance as to where that lies; that is up to the role of the artist herself.
My one piece of advice: maybe risk even more, be vulnerable, daring and open... use the audience more to ponder the banality of everyday life, the role of parents and the inescapable humour of the whole charade.'
Dean Reeve, English Theatre, Berlin 2017
The show started with some contemporary, type physical movement to some Harold Budd I believe, I enjoyed this scene and could see that it was obvious Lauren had some previous movement experience and knew what she was on about.
As the show went on I felt throughout Lauren was able to hold the space well and more importantly hold my attention (no easy feat when performing on your own for 45 minutes). Lauren is a confident performer and fully committed to what she delivers as an artist, her piece is well thought out and entirely her own creation.
She took risks whilst performing, at one stage using the audience to directly influence her show to find a new Mum, a tactic that could of so easily backfired but it worked out well and she was able to use the audience in such a way as to not only make them feel included but heighten the theatrical impact of her work, a definite attribute we need to see more of in the modern day theatre space if you ask me. So not just a show you sat back and watched but a show that left you feeling apart of it, and taken on a deliberate journey into the 'hart' of Lauren's relationship with her mother, I was left with the feelings of my own relations to my parents and the strife that brings trying to prove ones self and your worth to them. I was able to recognize the confusion, contradiction, longing, rejection, need for approval and love of a complex mother and daughter dynamic that Lauren seems to still be working through and is outing in this piece... the best way to commit to personal issues as an artist is to work them out within your chosen field and put yourself on the line in order to turn pain into art, but albeit at a cost and a very brave sacrifice.
Many people I'm sure can relate to this work. I sure went away feeling amused, bemused, uplifted and intrigued. I was under prepared going into watching and I hope to see it fully developed further. There still surrounds an element of mystery to the work and I am fine about that, even if the artist her self doesn't know the exact means of what she constructs, she is a vessel for us all to take flight on and uplift the lid on the absurdity of everyday life, I need not questions answered after my preferred visit to the theatre but rather more questions pushed towards me about my life and the world around me, so the more challenging the better. And this show contained those elements but needs expansion, not that i can give total guidance as to where that lies; that is up to the role of the artist herself.
My one piece of advice: maybe risk even more, be vulnerable, daring and open... use the audience more to ponder the banality of everyday life, the role of parents and the inescapable humour of the whole charade.'
Dean Reeve, English Theatre, Berlin 2017
'My Head is an Animal' is like a journey through your own mind. It triggers thoughts, it is enjoyable, funny, moving, uncomfortable in a good way, surprising, deep and very entertaining. Lauren Hart is taking the audience with her and involves them by showing her deepest inner feelings. By expressing the voice inside her head, represented by her mother, she was reaching me, impressed me and left me inspired.
The mixture of audio, voice, dancing, audience participation and singing lets the audience explore the voice inside of her head and leaves enough space to develop their own thoughts triggered by the performance. I would like to see more work like this, because it is thought through and touching. It felt like Lauren Hart left the audience impressed and changed a bit their way of seeing things. This is my feeling I had during the post show talk and talking to other audience members afterwards.
Audience Member, English Theatre, Berlin 2017
The mixture of audio, voice, dancing, audience participation and singing lets the audience explore the voice inside of her head and leaves enough space to develop their own thoughts triggered by the performance. I would like to see more work like this, because it is thought through and touching. It felt like Lauren Hart left the audience impressed and changed a bit their way of seeing things. This is my feeling I had during the post show talk and talking to other audience members afterwards.
Audience Member, English Theatre, Berlin 2017
Well I just love it!
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
Thank you once again! Just wondering what kind of mother I am to my daughters. Send my regards to the nice gorilla I met last year
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
Thank you for a lovely show! And my mum tried to call me back just when you got your call. So you probably have a mother that you can borrow
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
Funny, emotional, sad, crazy and too short!
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
I though only Arabic mum's were like that. And yes I had tears in my eyes. Merci
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
The bit about borrowing a mum was the best. Overall a a fun short performance
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
I really like the part where you borrowed a mum! Really cool idea. Thank you for the performance. There were lots of parts where I felt I could relate
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
Thank you once again! Just wondering what kind of mother I am to my daughters. Send my regards to the nice gorilla I met last year
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
Thank you for a lovely show! And my mum tried to call me back just when you got your call. So you probably have a mother that you can borrow
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
Funny, emotional, sad, crazy and too short!
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
I though only Arabic mum's were like that. And yes I had tears in my eyes. Merci
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
The bit about borrowing a mum was the best. Overall a a fun short performance
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
I really like the part where you borrowed a mum! Really cool idea. Thank you for the performance. There were lots of parts where I felt I could relate
Audience Member, Port Theatre Festival Finland 2017
So here in my poor English previous comment's to parts of Lauren Hart's My Head Is An Animal in the writing: so I read in on your recent posts on the blog. They are really intense in a good way, from the professional reader's point of view. As a reader you really have the notion that this is written just for you - and with your open and always questioning style you leave an acre of your heart open for the reader to share with you and play and indulge the moment in the environment you suggest be it interior or exterior. So with the complex nature of your writing, where you combine past and future and yet place the reader, the 'you' and the 'I' in the now, and also exhibit the notion of mysteries already solved and investigated and established as such simultanously, your text invites to certainty and insecurity, letting the reader oscillate between different stages of electrified scenes, yet in a always humble and life celebrating voice. Thank you.
Jakki von Lühmann, Berlin, Germany
Jakki von Lühmann, Berlin, Germany