Ava Hunt Theatre presents

ACTING ALONE

One frantic actor’s struggle to come to terms with trying to change the world alone.

Written and performed by Ava Hunt
Director and dramaturg: Tilly Branson

**Long-listed for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award 2016**

“director Tilly Branson succeeds in presenting a simple stripped-back piece that does not need huge production sets, props, and costumes to fulfil its goal of triggering both deep compassion and inspired action in audiences” ***** [click here to read full review]

Acting Alone is inspired by the people Ava Hunt met on a visit to the West Bank and to Tel Aviv. In her unique performance style, Ava weaves together stories of immense complexity and fragile humanity. Heartbreaking, witty and confronting, Acting Alone asks questions of us all. Do we stand up for what we believe in? What are we willing to risk? Find out what inspired Ava to go to Palestine, and what happened in the middle of the desert when she got there. 

“It didn’t just prick my conscience, it stabbed it” – Audience feedback

Trailer

Tour dates

Thursday 2nd July 2015 – Derby Theatre Studio: SOLD OUT
Friday 3rd July 2015 – Nottingham Playhouse: SOLD OUT
Tuesday 14th – Thursday 16th July 2015 – Buxton Fringe Festival
Friday 4th September 2015 – Performance, Politics, Protest Conference, Cork, Ireland
Thursday 15th October 2015, Kardomah94, Hull – Click here for tickets
Tuesday 10th November  2015- Performance of Hope Conference, International Applied Theatre Symposium, Auckland, New Zealand.
Wednesday 20th January 2016 – Nottingham College
Friday 22nd January 2016 – Buxton Opera House Studio Theatre
Saturday 30th January 2016 – Chapel Square Arts, Halifax
Saturday 27th February 2016 – Theatrau Sir Gar, Llanelli, Wales
Friday 4th March 2016 – Labour Club, Chesterfield
Saturday 5th March 2016 – Merlin Theatre, Frome: SOLD OUT
Saturday 23rd April 2016 – New York University, USA
Friday 13th May 2016 – Lincoln Drill Hall
Friday 10th and Saturday 11th June 2016, Brockley Jack, London. For tickets click here.
Thursday 16th June 2016, International Federation for Theatre Research Conference, Stockholm, Sweden
Friday 22nd July 2016 – Story City Festival, Leicester
5th, 6th, 9th, 10th and 12th August 2016 – Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Details here.

Originally commissioned by Amnesty International and performed at Wirksworth Festival in 2014.

Production photography: Robert Day

Reviews and audience responses (2015/2016)

“a poignant, witty, and compellingly thought-provoking one-woman piece that defies all norms…This provocative performance is simply essential for all of us. *****” (Edinburgh Fringe 2016 review. Read full review here.

“thought-provoking reflections… Ava… speaks powerful words of wisdom with an extraordinary level of understanding… More than just storytelling, more than a play, quite an experience”. Read full review here.

“a highlight of the symposium… your performance had such an impact on the many delegates that attended”, Dr Molly Mullen, conference convenor, Performance of Hope, New Zealand.

Comments from Derby Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse audience members:

“effective and motivating… [Ava’s] passion shone through… wonderful”
“effective and affecting because of the mix of personal and political”
“very moving performance… I could feel the tears so many times. It was a real privilege to be in your audience”
“Touching, powerful and inspiring”
“Captivating evening of theatre… so special”
“Packed with integrity, humility and wit”
“Thought-provoking, honest and brave work”
“a raw and honest account of an actors visit to Palestine, that touched me, made me question what I would do”
“It is rare to be so engulfed by such a beautiful story congratulations Ava Hunt for Acting alone. Truly inspiring”
“honest, truthful with an honesty that was palatable”

Audience responses (2014):

“We are delighted that the Arts Council England grant will enable more audiences to see Acting Alone – engaging from the onset, provocative, entertaining and motivating possessing the question what can an individual do in the face of injustice?” Paul Webb, Vice-Chair, Wirksworth and District Amnesty International Group.

“I thought this was an absolutely brilliant piece, immaculately done…amazing. Thought provoking, made stronger by personal experience. It did make a difference! Bold and courageous.” 

“A very moving and thought provoking performance…you confronted us with some very real and searching questions. Incredibly thought-provoking, amazing way of showing the complexities of the situation. I loved the play within the play. Thank you for doing what you do, you have made a difference.”

“An excellent play. Thank you. Very thought provoking and challenged the comfort of sitting in Wirksworth Town Hall in this idyllic town in rural England listening to a tragedy which is happening now and has happened before and will happen again if we all ignore what is happening around our world. Wonderful heartfelt performance. Amazing. Hugely moving. I felt you captured the immense complexity of the conflict. So sad that the oppressed so often become the oppressors and so the cycle continues…many lone voices eventually become a crowd, and we should speak out against violence on both sides. Violence is never the answer.”