With a name taken from Shakespeare’s classic play Hamlet: “There is a willow grows aslant the brook”, Aslant Theatre Company is interested in producing both new works and imaginative interpretations of classical repertoire.
This line in the play is delivered by Queen Gertrude, describing Ophelia’s death and this moment where one female references another female’s death sums up Aslant’s interest in theatre to look to the classics. More broadly, Aslant is conscious of who gets to speak, especially in literature or on stage.
“We aim to give a voice to those who have historically been “aslant” and to show a different perspective on the stories that we know,” says the company.
Aslant Theatre Company is truly a reflection of its creatives: the company is female-led and this is why it takes this feminist approach. Although only forming in April 2019, the company is are already excited to announce its debut production of the show MUSE, written by artistic director Antonia Georgieva. The latter has worked on a variety of productions for both theatrical and non-theatrical spaces, and her praise has not gone unnoticed.
MUSE, which will be fully produced by Aslant Theatre Company, tells the story of the surrealist photographer Dora Maar and her relationship with Pablo Picasso.
As the inspiration behind his “Weeping Woman” paintings, Dora Maar appears always fragmented, not quite there, forever refracted and distorted through his gaze… MUSE tells the story from Dora’s point of view, taking us on a surreal journey through time, colours, tears, blood, and fragments and asking what is the price to pay for a place in the long halls of art history?
Aslant’s debut show will be performed during the Camden Fringe 22-25 August at Camden’s People’s Theatre, before playing at Tristan Bates Theatre on 19-23 November. Tickets for the summer production will go on sale on 1 June and auditions will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for that!
Aslant Theatre Company’s slogan “Re-tell and Re-member” encapsulates what they are all about. They want to challenge the way history is told and remembered and they are constantly asking themselves how they can flip the dominant narrative. This is exactly what their debut play MUSE will do, so make sure to catch it either this summer or in November.
More than anything, Aslant want people to re-evaluate their preconceived ideas about history, literature, women and representation. They have some serious long-term goals, especially as they only formed as a company a matter of months ago, but don’t underestimate this storm of determined women.
Quick Fire Questions
In the theatre world, who inspires you? “Yael Farber, Bryony Kimmings, Rebecca Frecknal, Robert Ike, and companies like Dead Centre and Smooth Faced Gents” What is your favourite show that you’ve seen? “Angels in America, Yerma, Emilia, People, Places & Things” What is your favourite genre of theatre? “New writing and site-specific theatre…Oh, and we love a good Shakespeare play” What do you think we need more of in theatre? “Transparency, fair pay, bold stories and even more opportunities for young/emerging artists and collectives”
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