WORLD PREMIERE

body as oracle, a trance, a rhythmic interface, an atmosphere, a landscape with the texture of my current mental state. a dance informed by everything and everyone i have ever encountered, seen, heard, felt, been beside that has become part of me, as i try to identify my own voice. and then see if i can stand it. nothing ever really goes away.

a choreography that prioritises density over going anywhere, noise over silence, now over yesterday and pleasure over doing it right.

a meditation on osmosis and internalisation, the responsibilities of blackness and queerness, the pressure to ‘take space’, the feeling of being possessed by other people’s fantasies and the fear that my own would just be too rude.

i ride in colour and soft focus, no longer anywhere Trailer 2017 from lastyearzinterestingnegro on Vimeo.

Last Yearz Interesting Negro is the solo project of Jamila Johnson-Small.

music: Phoebe Collings-James, Josh Anio Grigg, Junior XL, Nkisi, Shelley Parker lighting design: Jackie Shemesh sound design: Josh Anio Grigg set sculptures: Joey Addison video: David Panos

Commissioned by Fierce Festival and The Marlborough Pub and Theatre, supported with public funding from Arts Council England Grants for the Arts.

Jamila Johnson-Small also co-curates Hotline for Fierce 2017