Immergence
Immergence is a journey through high streets and backstreets of Torquay, UK, juxtaposing sites and perspectives of local young people with reminiscences by UK author Philip Hoare, who visited Torquay as a teenage tourist.
Accompanied by a mobile soundtrack, each audience member winds their way – via panoramas, laneways, carparks and seasides – through a Torquay seen through the eyes of local teens, offering surprising and unimagined perspectives on this classic seaside town.
At the same time an exploration, a critique and a celebration: of Torquay… of reminiscence… of teenage-hood… of Bowie… of the glamour of this ‘English Riviera’…. leading audiences on an experiential and contemplative wander through Torquay, its history and its present, and how these all meet today.
Immergence is a commission by Situations (UK) as part of The Tale. Inspired by the ideas of writer and broadcaster Philip Hoare, The Tale is a journey of discovery from the coastal resort of Torquay, through Paignton and secret locations and across the bay to the fishing town of Brixham and beyond.
Image Gallery
Reviews
Immergence, and the larger arts project of which it was a part (The Tale) was the subject of a research paper by University of Exeter. The following comments are drawn from participant interviews in that report.
Often we were finding it unexpectedly emotional, I think. Because it is giving you that time to focus on something that is completely reframing your experience. You know, focusing on where you are looking at, what you are thinking about and of course being sound-tracked by often quite emotional and emotive music was incredibly powerful, I suppose. And knowing that we were all pressing the button at the same time, so we were all experiencing individually but also collectively as well, was very nice.
It’s a very heightened experience. I liked the way that it worked with place itself. I particularly liked the engagement and the involvement of the young people. Very often you have arts projects and young people get involved and it’s rather supplementary but they were integral parts of the performance and that’s quite important as well.
Creative Team
Created by: one step at a time like this – Suzanne Kersten, Clair Korobacz, Julian Rickert, Sharon Thompson
Associate Artist: Sam Halmarack
Co-devised with Collaborators from Play Torbay: Annoshka Bradshaw, Hugh Malyon, Jade Willow Whatley, Lucas Bradshaw, Robin Evelyn, 21 Guns
Sound support : Dan Hobson
Media: Theo Wright
Partners and Support
Nina Bonnacci – Australian Producer
