LeanerFasterStronger

SYNOPSIS

How far would you go to be the best?
What if bio-engineered body parts and medical science were on tap to make you leaner, faster and stronger?
Would you fight it; or embrace the brave new world?
A darkly humorous and provocative theatre experience which explores the limits of what human means.
 

"… a provocative meditation on biological engineering that predicted Paralympians may one day overtake their able-bodied rivals…" (The Guardian, 2012)

"LeanerFasterStronger presents a fascinating glimpse into a brave new world. It certainly provides plenty of food for thought. So go and get your mind enhanced!' (Disability Arts Online, 2012)

First production

A Chol Theatre and Sheffield Theatres co-production.
Opened 23rd May 2012
Sheffield Crucible Studio

Director: Andrew Loretto
Writer: Kaite O'Reilly
Designer: Shanaz Gulzar
Lighting Designer: Gary Longfield
Composer and Sound Designer: Shane Durrant
Cast: Kathryn Dimery, Christopher Simpson, Morven Macbeth, Ben Addis

LeanerFasterStronger was part of Extraordinary Moves, an exciting arts and science partnership between Chol Theatre and Sheffield Hallam University. Extraordinary Moves was part of imove, a Cultural Olympiad programme in Yorkshire.
www.imoveand.com        

REVIEWS

LeanerFasterStronger was Lyn Gardner's pick of the week for The Guardian two-weeks running,

"… a provocative meditation on biological engineering that predicted Paralympians may one day overtake their able-bodied rivals…" (The Guardian, Alfred Hickling, )

"....smart new play... engaging (and) eye-opening....Kaite O'Reilly's agile script... bristles with detail gleaned from impeccable research." (Sheffield Star)

'LeanerFasterStronger presents a fascinating glimpse into a brave new world. It certainly provides plenty of food for thought. So go and get your mind enhanced!'
Disability Arts Online

"....to have not only a brand new play, but a play about elite sports, with subliminal Olympic but challenging messages was quite unexpected…we talked all the way home in the car about the 'layers' of message it gave us!" (Judith Donovan, Legacy Trust)

"...there's a depth of research and thought that makes it like watching a dynamic conversation … the script makes its arguments provocatively … Powerful performances, persuasive language … get down there before it closes..." (Posted on Sheffield Theatres website)

'The staging of the piece, the choreography of it [and] the physicality of the actors was very well realised … The climax … seemingly speaks about the ultimate strength and weakness of man [and the play] examined sides to sport which might not readily be discussed … We debated some of the issues on the train ride home, and that is all a piece of theatre can really hope to achieve' (Posted on the Guardian website)

PHOTO CREDITS

Photos by Andrew Loretto