Louise Reay: Hard Mode

With Conservatism and right wing politics smothering the free world, this was a timely piece looking at censorship, surveillance and freedom of expression. The setting is a TV schedule where the BBC is controlled by the Chinese government with three masked security people ensuring any unsuitable comments are removed and dissenting audience members taken away for insubordination. Despite sounding grim, this was a very funny, immersive piece with Reay taking delight in the organised chaos she created. A hilarious video interview with a playful Ai Weiwei picking apart Reay’s questions and some truly bizarre impersonations made this an unusual and thought-provoking delight.

Komedia Studio Bar, 21 May 2017

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