The House of the Stone that Spoke
GAIL BORROW
Catherine Rajhans
ExploreTheArch is the UK’s theatre of domestic life located in a ‘theatre house’ in St Leonards-on-Sea. The inter-disciplinary arts collective mount three experiential productions a year at this venue, along with their international installation work and community arts practice projects.
The forthcoming production is located in evocative attic spaces, areas not opened to the public before. Ukrainian harp duo Elizabeth Isadora and Catherine Rajhans and their mother, yarn artist Anna Smirnova, invite audiences into their intriguing inner world to explore the lyrical stories of their ancestors through live harp music drifting through the walls of the domestic rooms. Spoken thoughts and reflections echo through the rooms while evocative film excerpts and magical stringed shadows dance across the walls of this William Morris era building. The wild outside weaves through the architectural features of the cosy interior.
Relocating to Hastings from Kyiv, the performers found that they were inspired to explore the lives of inspiring women from the Kyivan Rus kingdom who trod similar journeys across Europe 1,000 years ago. The team conjure intrepid princesses, Anastasia, Anna and Elisiv, who travelled to become influential political figures in kingdoms located in what is now Germany and Hungary, France and an area across Scandinavia. It was in Norway where Elisiv married Harald, the ambitious politician and fighter, who was later defeated by Harold of England at Stamford Bridge in England.
Hastings’ mediaeval history has inspired this production not only because of its 11th-century narratives but also because of its beautiful coastline. The trio have spent much time exploring stones along the shore, finding that rocks help to connect to their place of birth and other heritage lands. Catherine, Elizabeth and Anna share how stones speak to them as global connectors and how the act of finding offers tangible connections to historical stories steeped in myth and legend.
Tickets for a one-hour show are £15+booking fee via eventbrite: eventbrite.co.uk +the house of the stone that spoke. Archer Lodge, Charles Road, St Leonards-on-Sea. Under 19s able to book free tickets to accompany adult ticket holders by emailing [email protected]
Accessibility: the attic rooms are reached via two flights of stairs. ExploreTheArch regrets that there is no lift in the Victorian venue. Please email with accessibility queries.
The production runs in tandem with ExploreTheArch’s Fossil Finder In Us All project at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. All info: explorethearch.com
22 December 2023-5 January 2024 at 7.30pm, Charles Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN34 0QX, opposite Markwick Gardens.
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