Gecko's New Show Exploring Political Divorce Opens Next Week at Warwick Arts Centre

Award-winning physical theatre company Gecko's new show The Wedding focuses on personal and political marriage. With a performing company of nine, this is Gecko's most ambitious show to date which previewed at Northern Stage (Newcastle, 30 March - 1 April), followed by three performances at New Wolsey Theatre (Ipswich, 20 - 22 April) and is opening at Warwick Arts Centre next week (Coventry, 4 - 6 May).

Gecko is an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company, led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav. Established in 2001, Gecko has developed 6 full-length shows, numerous youth projects and workshops and celebrated its 15th anniversary last year.

We are all married, bound by a contract.

But what are the terms of this relationship? And can we consider a divorce?

Gecko's seventh creation, The Wedding, is inspired by the complexities of human nature: the struggle between love and anger, creation and destruction, community and isolation.

An extraordinary ensemble of nine international performers guide audiences through a blur of wedding dresses and contractual obligations, a dystopian world in which we are all brides, wedded to society.

Combining movement, imagery and provocative narratives in Gecko's trademark style, The Wedding brings these contracts into question with an emotionally charged and spectacular performance.

We all want to believe in our journey, but where are we heading? Is it too late to stop, to go back, to fall in love, to start again?

Amit Lahav, Gecko's Artistic Director, has devised a rigorous and productive process of developing a show over a period of two years, which includes a Creation Tour where the show changes and progresses whilst on tour.

The Wedding's work in progress was shared in June 2016 at Pulse Festival in Ipswich and was met with great audience feedback:

"Seamless technical brilliance aside I found this to be a profoundly moving experience. Washed through with a glorious soundtrack, the theme of wedding is taken so much further than it's literal meaning, to explore not only the contracts between lovers, families and family members; but the way that these interactions interrelate with the systemic pressures of society, state and cultural tradition. Joy, fear, love, loss and the power of innocence are here. Can't wait to see it again."

"It was an emotional ride, one I would expect from Gecko! Remarkable use of light and everyday items, which got a second, more meaningful life. This should and will touch every audience member personally and us all as a nation. Looking forward to seeing the finished work!"

Further development of The Wedding has then continued throughout autumn 2016 with spring 2017 dates being the show's Creation Tour.

Dates for autumn 2017 and spring 2018 tour of The Wedding can be found at:

http://geckotheatre.com/the-wedding/.

Production of The Wedding has been co-commissioned by DanceEast and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Northern Stage, HOME Manchester and Beijing 707 N-Theatre Co. Ltd (Edinburgh Fringe Showcase in China) in association with Lighthouse, Poole and Warwick Arts Centre, supported by The Point, Eastleigh.

Amit Lahav, Gecko's Artistic Director said: "As a company working with an international ensemble of artists we are devoted to sharing our work with as wide an audience as possible. To have eight regional arts organisations supporting us in this commitment with The Wedding is of great significance. Gecko's ambition is to be seen as a resident rather than touring company in each place we visit: to develop and nurture a long-lasting relationship not only with the in-house team but with the audiences who put their trust in us each time they come to experience a Gecko show."

Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak

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