Or Am I Alone? by Cardboard Citizens

Or Am I Alone? by Cardboard Citizens

24 November, 2010
by: JoSuthers

Jo Sutherland experiences Forum Theatre for the first time courtesy of Cardboard Citizens production of a Lizzie Nunnery play.

Until last night, I was a Forum Theatre virgin. And now my cherry has been popped, thanks to Cardboard Citizens and their unique performance of Or Am I Alone? at Toynbee Studios. I intend to immerse myself in this interesting field of performance more often!

Adrian Jackson, Artistic Director, founded Cardboard Citizens in 1991. Cardboard Citizens UK's only homeless people's professional theatre company in the UK is also the leading practitioner of Forum Theatre in the UK. This interactive style involves audience members getting up on stage to offer their own approach to the lead character’s situation. The company is comprised of homeless and formerly homeless actors: each possesses an indisputable talent, and radiates a unique energy and enthusiasm for the work they do.

Or Am I Alone? by Lizzie Nunnery incorporates three short stories, all based on real life experiences. The pieces were insightful, thought-provoking, and hit home pretty hard. The venue was bursting at the seams and there was a distinct sense of belonging in the auditorium. Once the play was over and the forum kicked off, the audience became a collective, a kind of support network. Ideas flew around the studio and a domino effect ensued. Active participation coupled with a riveting energy bore an explosion of creativity. The forum really allowed us to share our ideas, thoughts and feelings, which in turn exposed our passion.

The work should be praised on every level; not only because the company changes lives, but also because they produce excellent, engaging theatre. The snippets of reality displayed before us are handled with sensitivity and care. There is nothing cliché about the clichés – quite a feat in itself!

The minority of us rarely glimpse the reality behind the stories we hear of misguided youth lost to the London drug scene; the desperation encountered by those less fortunate than ourselves. But the cast of Or Am Alone?, with their daring and captivating characterisation, have exposed the truth of these situations and offer audience members the chance to have a say and change the outcome. I left the night all too aware that Cardboard Citizens is much more than a theatre company.

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JoSuthers