INTERVIEW WITH JOSIE DALE-JONES
Josie Dale-Jones is lead artist, performer and producer of A LITTLE INQUEST INTO WHAT WE ARE ALL DOING HERE which plays at Shoreditch Town Hall next week. Below she talks about the show, the venue and her process.
A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here dives into themes like censorship and freedom of expression. What made you want to explore these topics, and what do you hope the audience takes away from it?
"I thought theatre was a place for difficult conversations, and it turned out that programming work that explores them had become too complex."
"In 2022 a show I was making was cancelled before it was seen. The experience of that, and the fall out from it, left me wondering what to make theatre about: censorship and freedom of expression. How self censorship works and how we modify what we want to say. A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here explores societal censure, and self-censure - I think the question of who censors who is really important right now."
"I made this piece (together with a brilliant group of people) because I want to keep believing that we do have a place to sit in discomfort and nuance, and that we still have the energy to listen to people with views that might be different from our own. That’s what I hope the audience re-engages with."
You’ve mentioned that a show you were working on in 2022 was cancelled. How did that experience impact the way you approached A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here?
"A Little Inquest is rooted in that experience. This show is – in some ways - a development of the show we were making. It sits in its place. And so it comes with the context of what happened."
"The experience of the cancellation was really present in the room - the fear of it all happening again. In lots of ways, this show is a response to the idea of fear, and making work in the context of fear. Not an easy place to make from, but I think that’s the reality of what a lot of us makers, programmers and funders are trying to combat at the moment. Sometimes we need to feel the fear and do it anyway."
Your show blends your own experiences with fictional elements. How do you juggle the personal with the creative in the performance?
"We use a personal experience to talk about a more universal theme. I think that the story of what happened is (at times) quite unbelievable. And having a real person tell it helps to make the link between what happens online and its effect on everyday life. In that way, the private becomes public."
"And – hopefully – we do that with some theatricality… The story grows out of something very real, into a more surreal place. When the personal gets boring, we get creative!!"
Shoreditch Town Hall is such a historic space for debate and discussion. Why did you choose this venue for the show, and what makes it the right fit?
"In 1888 Shoreditch Town Hall hosted the inquest into the murder of Mary Kelly. The motto ‘More Light, More Power’ commemorates the boroughs reputation for pioneering bold ideas. And in the 60s, Shoreditch Town Hall was a huge part of local democratic and civic life in the borough of Shoreditch. I think it’s exciting that a Town Hall operates as a theatre. Especially one that offers a programme of work that tackles tricky themes. The building being a site for public shared space and open debate is still very much in keeping with the buildings original values. It feels really special to be performing A Little Inquest in a building that is so deeply connected with a history of standing up for what you believe in."
Your work often pushes boundaries and asks tough questions. What do you think artists should be doing right now in terms of sparking conversation and challenging ideas?
"Keep making work."
"I don’t think artists should have to make work that sparks conversation and challenges ideas, it’s just hard not to in the current cultural climate…"
"Lots of artists make work to say something. Whether it is in a theatre, a gallery, a social media account, many artists also have a platform. And although it is unlikely one artist is going to change the shape of public discourse alone, each piece is an offer and contributes to making change."
"Together we can keep finding ways to speak directly about our experiences and what we see happening in the world around us."
"As we continue to live in a world governed by media and rich people in power, the arts is becoming more and more of an important tool in challenging societal norms."
You’ve talked about A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here being a kind of hopeful space for artists to tackle difficult subjects. How do you think art can offer hope in today’s world?
"Art is a part of resistance and solidarity. I hope that by continuing to make art in all its forms we offer some hope of connection, of communal experience, and of bringing people together."
Winning the Scotsman Fringe First Award for the show was a huge achievement. How has that recognition changed your perspective on the piece, and where do you see it going from here?
"Winning a Scotsman Fringe First award often means that your work will tour, that it will continue to meet audiences and it will keep conversations going. There are lots of reasons that I doubted this show would be programmed outside of the Festival Fringe in this country. An award acknowledges that this show happened and was here. The recognition helps make the show something accessible, it is a seal of approval or something…"
You’re bringing the show to London after its success at the Edinburgh Fringe. How does it feel to present it to a new audience at Shoreditch Town Hall, and do you think Londoners will react differently?
"The festival is a relatively safe space to try out new ideas, and although your show is in the public sphere, the fringe is a world of its own. Shoreditch Town Hall’s programme and audience isn’t totally different to that of the Fringe, but I am curious about the response. I am braced and equally looking forward to doing the show again in a different context."
You’ve had support from several independent venues like Camden People's Theatre and Streatham Space Project. How important has that support been to the development of the show?
"We will all need to continue to be creative, continue to be resilient and continue to push for joy to make, programme and watch work that is political. We will need to find spaces to do this outside of institutions that want to stop us from saying what we want to say."
"ZOO, Shoreditch Town Hall and Traverse Theatre programming the show, and other independent venues supporting the making of it has reaffirmed that this is possible."
"Hold on to the venues that stand with freedom of expression!!"
Looking to the future, what’s next for A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here? What do you hope the audience walks away with after seeing the performance?
"I hope people are encouraged to keep talking."
A LITTLE INQUEST INTO WHAT WE ARE ALL DOING HERE
Tuesday 11th - Saturday 15th March
Shoreditch Town Hall
Please note: This is a syndicated interview provided for the website by the PR company connected with the show and was not conducted by a member of the Pink Prince Theatre team.
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