Behavioural Training
for Astronauts for Earthlings
Behavioural Training for Astronauts for Earthlings was a participatory work in which audience members join a space mission. Based on the European Space Agency behavioural training programme, it is part performance, part game and part LARP. The plot is full of adventures, forcing participants to find ways to work collaboratively - from decision making to fulfilling practical tasks. The challenge is complex: managing the mission but also managing to suspend disbelief. The tension is tangible as at any point someone might crumble and take both the mission, and the performance, crashing down. Using minimalist props and no staging, the piece successfully
questions and subverts authority
by creating a space
– physically, dramatically and conceptually - to explore these issues, while being engaging, risk taking and very funny. The three creators gracefully carry the entire crew and audience with them, in and out of space.
— Shiri Shalmy, (Antiuniversity Now, United Voices of the World).
Behavioural Training for Astronauts for Earthlings was co-devised and performed with Giles Bunch and A.S.S.A (Autonomous Sexy Space agency) has certified a number of humanoids for life in space on earth. It introduces ‘rookies’ to new behaviours not often present on earth such as: supporting others, negotiating high risk environments, practices hygiene and self care as well as vital space skills such as communicating across cultural differences.
It was first presented as part of the Antiuniversity (2016) and since has been performed at Supernormal Festival, The Palace, Nysa, Poland and Lewisham Arthouse (2017).
Image credits: group photo out the front of dome, credit: Sophie le Roux, black and white images from Supernormal Festival, credit: Giles Bunch, colour images from Lewisham Arthouse credit: Sheena Patel and Kerri Jefferis
Menu image: training props from The Palace, credit: Giles Bunch