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Kiss & Cry Collective: Cold Blood

London International Mime Festival

the set is a room with a crib in it, and a hand is posed as a person walking across the stage

Dancing hands star in elaborate miniature sets, the action filmed live to become epic on a big screen. See an ingenious show animated before your eyes – ‘a total theatrical treat’ (Times).

In this wonderfully whimsical production, the story of seven surprising deaths takes audiences into an array of scenarios that touch on the fleeting fragility of life. Watch as performers and crew conjure visuals onstage or simply succumb to the beautifully detailed kaleidoscopic vistas appearing on film. From the razzamatazz of a Fred and Ginger-style dance number to a floating figure in outer space, from a ravaged war-torn cityscape to the recreation of an iconic Boléro ballet.

Set to music including Ravel, David Bowie and Janis Joplin, Cold Blood brings together intricate hand choreography, tiny props, live cinema and a witty script. From Jaco Van Dormael and Michèle Anne De Mey – who co-directed Kiss & Cry here in 2017 – ‘it is entirely original and totally entrancing’ (WhatsOnStage).

1 hour 20 mins, no interval
Age guidance 14+ (contains depictions of death. More Information

Post-show talk, Thu 30 Jan
Free to same-day ticket holders
 

BSL-interpreted performance and post-show talk, Thu 30 Jan

Presented by the Barbican in association with London International Mime Festival. Executive production by Astragales. Association production by Mars, Mons Arts de la Scène – Belgium and Théâtre de Namur – Belgium. Co-produced by Charleroi Danse – Belgium, La Fondation Mons 2015, KVS – Belgium, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Le Printemps des Comédiens – France, Torino Danza – Italy, Canadian Stage, Théâtre de Carouge-Atelier de Genève and Théâtre des Célestins – France. With the support of Fédération Wallonie Bruxelles – Service de Danse.

Reviews

‘Heartwarming, captivating and irresistible‘
The Guardian
‘Nothing short of exquisite‘
Arts Desk
‘Our eyes and imaginations are beguiled … breathtaking, affecting, magical‘
Herald Scotland

Digital Programme

Theatre