PROJECTS > A PLAY FOR THE LIVING IN A TIME OF EXTINCTION
Barbican, Uk Tour Of A Play For The Living In A Time Of Extinction
Contracted by Headlong to design and build the bicycle-powered energy systems for the UK premiere of A Play for the Living in a Time of Extinction, directed by Katie Mitchell and starring Lydia West.
The entire production ran off-grid. No mains electricity. Every watt of power for lighting, sound and projection was generated live by cyclists pedalling on stage.
We built three separate systems for the tour:
A 10-bike generator system for the Barbican Theatre in London, with two giant watt counters showing the audience exactly how much electricity was being generated in real time.
Two smaller 4-bike touring systems, each with a single watt counter, built to travel between the five remaining venues: Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Shakespeare North Prescot, New Vic Newcastle-under-Lyme, Theatre Royal Plymouth and York Theatre Royal.
The production was part of a groundbreaking international experiment in sustainable theatre, originally conceived by Katie Mitchell at Théâtre de Vidy in Switzerland. The UK tour was the first of its kind in this country, where the play toured but the people and materials did not, with a different performer and creative team at each venue.
Written by Miranda Rose Hall
Katie Mitchell Director
Moi Tran Designer
Paul Clark Composer
Bethany Gupwell Lighting Designer
Paul Clark Composer and Sound Designer
Installation
10-bike generator system built for the Barbican Theatre in London
Two giant watt counters displaying real-time energy output at the Barbican
Two smaller 4-bike touring systems, each with a single watt counter
Touring systems designed to travel between five UK venues
All lighting, sound and projection powered entirely by cyclists on stage
Impact
Part of a groundbreaking international experiment in sustainable theatre, originally conceived by Katie Mitchell at Théâtre de Vidy in Switzerland
First production of its kind in the UK, where the play toured but the people and materials did not
Coverage in the Guardian, the New York Times and across national press
Demonstrated that a full-scale theatre production can run without mains electricity
Audiences saw exactly how much energy was needed to power a live performance
Outcome
Three bespoke generator systems designed and built
Six UK venues powered entirely by bicycle: Barbican, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Shakespeare North Prescot, New Vic Newcastle-under-Lyme, Theatre Royal Plymouth, York Theatre Royal
Zero mains electricity used during any performance