Action Hero
Inspired by the self-aggrandising of boxers at the pre-fight weigh in, Slap Talk is a verbal sparring match that is both a linguistic version of the fight
itself and a reflection upon the violence present in everyday language.
Speaking to each other and to the audience via a live feed from a camera to a monitor, the performers rant, insult and threaten each other in a scripted version of a pre-fight press conference crossed with a 24 hour rolling news channel.
Over 6 hours, an autocue scrolls a continuous barrage of passive aggressive violence of lovers talking, the hard sell of a shopping channel, the anger of the fire and brimstone preacher, the subtle violence of middle class one-upmanship.
Patrons are welcome to enter at any stage over the duration of the performance. No booking required.
Credits
Created, Written and Performed by: Gemma Paintin & James Stenhouse.
Press
“Some of the most thrilling work currently being produced in the UK” The Guardian
Funding
Developed with the support of Caravan and BIOS, Athens. Slap Talk began in The Darkroom, China Plate’s development space for writing and performance.
Action Hero are a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England.