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I, Lord
16:30
Groups of 10+: £5 each
Response Ability Theatre presents
I, Lord
Monday 30 October 2023
4.30pm
£8 / £6 concs.
Groups of 10+: £5 each
ALL DISCOUNTS ARE APPLIED TO BASKET
For accessible seating, please contact the Box Office: 020 3108 1000 / ticketing@ucl.ac.uk
Written by Nell Hardy
Directed by Nell Bailey
Designed by Victoria Maytom with Bahja Mahamed
Sound Design by Radhika Aggarwal and Lorenzo Bassignani (Echo Chamber Audio)
Lighting Design by Amy Daniels
Movement Direction by Marc Pouani
Assistant Direction and Stage Management by Holly Gibson and Carly McCann
“Atheists like you are everything that’s wrong with religion.”
Evie can’t pray. Ayeza can’t stop praying. Priya doesn’t want to pray - or at least, that’s
what she tells everyone. Will you take this time to pray, or will you let your mind wander?
Response Ability Theatre (NoMad) brings its uncompromisingly compassionate lyricism into I, Lord, inviting you to attend mass through the mind of a survivor of spiritual abuse.
Inspired by writer Nell Hardy’s experiences within the Church of England, and informed
by survivors from other and no faiths, the show explores what makes us put up with
mistreatment within faith settings, what prevents those outside of faith settings from
creating safety for survivors, and how we can follow our own callings in a world that
needs us to take sides.
Cast:
Nicole Acquah, Jan van der Black, Iman Boujelouah, Ayeshah Émon, Nell Hardy,
Lisa Ogun’, Claire Reay, Francesca D’Souza, and Richard Stirling
Panel discussion
The play will be followed by a panel discussion led by Dr Ayeshah Émon, Lecturer in Public Health at UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care. Also a survivor, Ayeshah will moderate discussion on the different meanings and forms of spiritual practice and boundaries in cross-cultural ways, the role of faith in public health, and how theatre and the arts can bring faith groups, NGOs, and academics together to approach these challenges.
Speaking on the panel will be:
Dr Karen O’Donell: Academic Dean at Westcott House, Cambridge. She is a feminist theologian with particular interest in trauma, women's embodied experience, and spirituality.
Chula J Goonewardene: a BACP, BAPAM and BAATN registered therapist, who spent his former years as a musician. Coming from a Buddhist family; Chula uses this philosophy to enhance both his personal and professional life.
Dr Aradhna Kaushal: Lecturer in Public Health at UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care. She has several research interests, including the role of religion and spirituality in health.
Matt Mahmood-Ogston: founder and Executive Director of Naz and Matt Foundation. The multi award-winning charity tackles homophobia, triggered by religion or culture, to help parents accept their LGBTQI+ children.
Professor Lisa Oakley: Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at the Univeristy of Chester, and Chair of the National Working Group for child abuse linked to faith or belief. She has been researching issues of faith, safeguarding and abuse for more than 15 years.
Children’s Show
An interactive children’s show will happen concurrently in room 119 of the Malet Place Engineering Building on the same premises. This will explore religious choice and healthy spiritual curiosity through parables from various faiths, drawing, music and creative writing. It is free to all children whose parents are attending the main show. Please e-mail info@responseabilitytheatre.com stating how many children you will be bringing and what ages, as spaces are limited.
Children’s show co-created by Radhika Aggarwal, Jordana Belaiche and Nell Hardy
Performed by Radhika Aggarwal and Jordana Belaiche
Accessibility
The play will be closed captioned, and the panel discussion will have live captioning.
No strobe lighting will be used in the show.
Readmission will be permitted if you need to step out during the performance. We recommend you booking an aisle seat if you may need this.
The play handles topics of spiritual and faith-based abuse, child abuse, abortion, homophobia, marriage and family breakdown, and mental ill-health. Peer support will be available from Jane Chevous of Survivors Voices, who will make herself known on the day.
For any questions or concerns about the content of the performance and discussion, please contact info@responseabilitytheatre.com.
For any questions or concerns about the accessibility of the venue, please contact the Bloomsbury Theatre box office at 020 3108 1000.
I, Lord is generously supported by lottery funding from Arts Council England, space from Old
Diorama Arts Centre, and started through a residency from Theatre Deli
Running time: 2hrs 40mins (90 minute show, 20 minute interval, 50 minute panel discussion)
Age guidance: 11+
Response Ability Theatre presents
I, Lord
Monday 30 October 2023
4.30pm
£8 / £6 concs.
Groups of 10+: £5 each
ALL DISCOUNTS ARE APPLIED TO BASKET
For accessible seating, please contact the Box Office: 020 3108 1000 / ticketing@ucl.ac.uk
Written by Nell Hardy
Directed by Nell Bailey
Designed by Victoria Maytom with Bahja Mahamed
Sound Design by Radhika Aggarwal and Lorenzo Bassignani (Echo Chamber Audio)
Lighting Design by Amy Daniels
Movement Direction by Marc Pouani
Assistant Direction and Stage Management by Holly Gibson and Carly McCann
“Atheists like you are everything that’s wrong with religion.”
Evie can’t pray. Ayeza can’t stop praying. Priya doesn’t want to pray - or at least, that’s
what she tells everyone. Will you take this time to pray, or will you let your mind wander?
Response Ability Theatre (NoMad) brings its uncompromisingly compassionate lyricism into I, Lord, inviting you to attend mass through the mind of a survivor of spiritual abuse.
Inspired by writer Nell Hardy’s experiences within the Church of England, and informed
by survivors from other and no faiths, the show explores what makes us put up with
mistreatment within faith settings, what prevents those outside of faith settings from
creating safety for survivors, and how we can follow our own callings in a world that
needs us to take sides.
Cast:
Nicole Acquah, Jan van der Black, Iman Boujelouah, Ayeshah Émon, Nell Hardy,
Lisa Ogun’, Claire Reay, Francesca D’Souza, and Richard Stirling
Panel discussion
The play will be followed by a panel discussion led by Dr Ayeshah Émon, Lecturer in Public Health at UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care. Also a survivor, Ayeshah will moderate discussion on the different meanings and forms of spiritual practice and boundaries in cross-cultural ways, the role of faith in public health, and how theatre and the arts can bring faith groups, NGOs, and academics together to approach these challenges.
Speaking on the panel will be:
Dr Karen O’Donell: Academic Dean at Westcott House, Cambridge. She is a feminist theologian with particular interest in trauma, women's embodied experience, and spirituality.
Chula J Goonewardene: a BACP, BAPAM and BAATN registered therapist, who spent his former years as a musician. Coming from a Buddhist family; Chula uses this philosophy to enhance both his personal and professional life.
Dr Aradhna Kaushal: Lecturer in Public Health at UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care. She has several research interests, including the role of religion and spirituality in health.
Matt Mahmood-Ogston: founder and Executive Director of Naz and Matt Foundation. The multi award-winning charity tackles homophobia, triggered by religion or culture, to help parents accept their LGBTQI+ children.
Professor Lisa Oakley: Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at the Univeristy of Chester, and Chair of the National Working Group for child abuse linked to faith or belief. She has been researching issues of faith, safeguarding and abuse for more than 15 years.
Children’s Show
An interactive children’s show will happen concurrently in room 119 of the Malet Place Engineering Building on the same premises. This will explore religious choice and healthy spiritual curiosity through parables from various faiths, drawing, music and creative writing. It is free to all children whose parents are attending the main show. Please e-mail info@responseabilitytheatre.com stating how many children you will be bringing and what ages, as spaces are limited.
Children’s show co-created by Radhika Aggarwal, Jordana Belaiche and Nell Hardy
Performed by Radhika Aggarwal and Jordana Belaiche
Accessibility
The play will be closed captioned, and the panel discussion will have live captioning.
No strobe lighting will be used in the show.
Readmission will be permitted if you need to step out during the performance. We recommend you booking an aisle seat if you may need this.
The play handles topics of spiritual and faith-based abuse, child abuse, abortion, homophobia, marriage and family breakdown, and mental ill-health. Peer support will be available from Jane Chevous of Survivors Voices, who will make herself known on the day.
For any questions or concerns about the content of the performance and discussion, please contact info@responseabilitytheatre.com.
For any questions or concerns about the accessibility of the venue, please contact the Bloomsbury Theatre box office at 020 3108 1000.
I, Lord is generously supported by lottery funding from Arts Council England, space from Old
Diorama Arts Centre, and started through a residency from Theatre Deli
Running time: 2hrs 40mins (90 minute show, 20 minute interval, 50 minute panel discussion)
Age guidance: 11+
Bloomsbury Theatre Event Bloomsbury Theatre and Studio