Aequitas Theatre returns to the stage this month with the world premiere of Lauren Morley’s topical new play The Collab, about the grey areas of online consent. It runs at The Space in London from 31 May to 11 June 2022, with a press night on 2 June and livestreams on 4 and 8 June. Time to get booking!
When fame slides into your DMs, what would you do?
Ella Blair is a rising star in the online video scene. Together with the help of her friend, Kat Daniels, a budding fashion photographer, Ella’s building a platform around sustainable fashion. When an opportunity arises to “collab” with superstar influencer Max Jessup on his latest video art project, Ella jumps headlong into it…but at what cost?
Aequitas dives into a multimedia look at fame, friendship, and the #MeToo movement in the online sphere.
The Collab is a look at the world of art and online video, consent, and the grey areas we still need to define.
“I’m not interested in portraying how she was ‘exploited,’ okay? … If all of what people get from this is ‘erm, why’s she naked and they’re all suited up, that’s so threatening!’ then you’re missing the entire bloody point of your own project.”
The Collab is written by Lauren Morley and directed by Rachael Bellis, with set design by Constance Villemot, sound by Ellen Kruger (assistant Keri Chesser), costumes by Anika Moore, lighting and video by Rachael Bellis.
The premiere production stars Andre Frey, Louise Lord, Maria Eastwood Krah and Clark Alexander.
Warning, recommended for 18+: This play deals with consent and has adult themes of a sexual nature (and implied sexual misconduct). There is a scene that involves nudity.
About Aequitas Theatre
Aequitas Theatre
Aequitas creates theatre that represents and comments on our ever-changing world. Past productions have mashed technology with theatre in work that looks at sociopolitical aspects of today. Aequitas is made up Rachael Bellis and LaTanya Peterkin. The company is committed to equality and justice and is named after that principle in Greek philosophy. Aequitas works with artists of all backgrounds and is committed to casting diversely and accessibility.
What the critics say
Praise for previous Aequitas productions includes:
“Heart-breaking, joyous and painfully honest, a play you won’t want to miss” – ★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions on e-baby
“An important and apt revival for these troubling times” – ★★★★ London Pub Theatres on Fear and Misery of the Third Reich
“An inventive and accessible production” – ★★★★ London Pub Theatres on Antigone
“A great cast, engaging scenes and plot unafraid to highlight its subject matter head on… a highly enjoyable and moving production” – ★★★★ Views From the Gods on What’s Your Issue
Bios
Lauren Morley (writer) – Lauren is a Finnish-Canadian playwright and performer based in London. She has recently written with Soho Theatre in their Writer’s Lab and Alumni Group, and performed in world-class venues across Canada and Europe. Lauren’s first play, Hope and Her Children, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, Theatre Royal Haymarket’s Pitch Your Play, and the Verity Bargate Award. The Collab is her first commissioned and produced play.
Rachael Bellis (director) – Rachael trained at NYU Tisch as a performer and began directing in 2016. Notable credits include Fear and Misery of the Third Reich (Jack Studio Theatre, 2017), Sunday on the Rocks (Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 2019), Dream Lover (Jane Elia, Bread and Roses, 2021), and critically acclaimed A Little Princess (Rebel Theatre Company, 2019). She is the Artistic Director for Aequitas Theatre Company as well as the creator of zoom Shakespeare company Worldwide Shakespeare. She holds a Masters in Classical Theatre in addition to her drama school training. She is a neurodivergent artist and a member of Equity’s DDMC.
Louise Lord (Ella) Louise Lord, an actor and actor combatant from West Sussex, is super excited and thrilled to be portraying ‘Ella’ in Aequitas Theatre Company’s production of The Collab. Since graduating in 2020, Louise has appeared as ‘Little John’ in the Hawth’s production of Robin Hood, ‘Cassie’ in Solomon Theatre Company’s UK tour of Last Orders, as well as short films with company’s such as Forgotten Birthday Films & Brighton Film Academy. She is also currently in production of her upcoming film ‘Rule Three’ which she has written & produced. Alongside acting, Louise is passionate about bees and hopes to one day own her own hives and become a beekeeper.
Our first read through is tomorrow morning! Here are our cast (and our director) getting ready. Excited doesn’t even begin to say it!
Tickets: https://t.co/ORBUX3TVum pic.twitter.com/RazD35Cyse
— Aequitas Theatre (@AequitasTheatre) May 12, 2022
Andre Frey (Max) Andre Frey is a young Mexican-German actor with a highly international upbringing, having lived in countries like the US and France. Therefore, he speaks Spanish, French, German & English at a native level. Andre has furthered his training and career in various institutions & cultures. With experience in theatre, screen, musicals & more, he is passionate about every dimension of acting. Now settled in London, Andre wishes to embrace the city’s international nature and high regard for public performances.
Maria Eastwood Krah (Kat) Maria Eastwood Krah is a 19-year-old Filipino-Ghanian British actor and singer who utilises her culturally diverse upbringing as inspiration to embody a variety of roles. She moved to London in 2021 following a two year Professional Acting Diploma at Bristol Old Vic’s Boomsatsuma School in Oxford, and has since studied at The Unseen and Identity School of Acting in London while working on commercial and theatre acting roles, as well as songwriting. She has acting experience in radio and in theatre productions in Oxford as well as London, including playing the lead role for Lysistrata at Soho House Theatre in 2021.
Clark Alexander (Brett) Clark trained at Drama Studio London 2014 and has just finished a European tour of Othello. He was in the original rehearsed read-through of “The Collab” and is excited to return. Over the Pandemic he worked on a children’s show called Bicycle Boy Directed by Helen Eastman. Other credits include: Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Pericles, Emma, Loves Labours Lost, Pygmalion, Fear & Misery Of The Third Reich.
