Search Party vs Derby
Search Party vs Derby
We will be performing Search Party vs Derby at Derby Feste on, Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th of September 2009, 11am – 6pm (Sat) & 11am - 4pm (Sun) in the Market Place, Derby.
Hope you can make it for a game or two.
Jodie & Pete x
Details below:
Search Party are throwing down the gauntlet. They challenge you, the people of Derby, to a marathon game of Ping Pong. Search Party vs Derby borrows the notion of team from sport to examine connections between the personal and the geographic, exploring ideas of community, place, belonging, team identification and competition.
Search Party vs Derby is an interactive two-handed durational performance in which Search Party challenge the host city/town to a marathon game of table tennis. The performance is situated in a public space (e.g. foyer/park/theatre/gallery/town hall etc); spectators and passers-by are invited to form a team and play against Search Party; to represent their city and to support each other through thick and thin. The performance is accompanied by a live commentary text which is re-defined by each location, drawing on the identity of the host city whilst also borrowing from real sporting events and referencing iconic sporting heroes. The live commentary reacts to the unique circumstances of each game creating a real and imagined context for spectators and participants. Modes of behaviour are suggested, the crowd are invited to become fans, to sing, to chant, to wear their heart on their sleeve and to take their tops off and swing them round their heads. The results are recorded; participants are invited to return throughout the day for re-matches or to stay and support their fellow team mates.
Search Party vs Derby aims to attract a diverse audience that is representative of the host city creating a temporary community unique to the geographic location of the performance. The event is part of Search Party’s ongoing research into sport and performance, exploring themes of community, place, belonging, team identification and competition. As the tournament develops and fatigue sets in, new unexpected narratives emerge, rousing team talks and comfort breaks are needed and the allegiance of each supporter is tested.
Search Party have already played matches against Bristol, Plymouth, Clapham, Leeds, Kupio in Finland and Myatt's Fields Park in Camberwell.
Search Party
