The Bed

Centred around a large bed, two performers embark on a night journey of psychologically charged moments for an audience who stays with the performers throughout the night.

Exploring issues of communal experiences, voyeurism, privacy and intimacy, The Bed is as much about the interior experience of the audience as it is about the display of dance choreography. In a shared space and time, in which the distinction between performer and audience increasingly becomes blurred, and where physical reactions of tiredness, proximity to others, solidarity and the passage of time influence the perception of the performance, The Bed asks important questions about the psychological and emotional truth of performance and live experience. The performance finishes with a collective breakfast for performers and audience.

Due to its length and night-time setting The Bed presents a radical approach to encounter live performance. Yet the experience is deeply moving, emotionally rich and aesthetically inspiring.

Soundscore: Angus Balbernie

Original dancers – Lois Taylor and Robert Mennear

Production and creative assistant – Ali Kaviani

“For some categorising Praed’s work is a challenge. Not many people create site specific, choreographic sleepovers. It is not a dance performance; it is more a choreographic installation. Here, the imposition of ritualisation and order in the recreation of a domestic routine classifies the work as live art – quite simple life as art. Yet the core of the piece is contemporary dance movement” Katie Phillips – Dance Theatre Journal

“It was fabulous. Such an extraordinary time. The audience and participants have gained so much more than we expected. The work goes so deep. I could not realise this before.” Roxanne Hilmond – Director, Dans Centrum Jette – Brussels

The Bed was created with support from Arts Council England, The Works, Creative Skills, Dartington Arts and Laban. The Bed has successfully toured internationally and been presented at Dans Centrum Jette, Brussels (November 2008), Isadora Duncan Centre, Athens (January 2010), Tobacco Factory (Bristol – UK) Dartington College of Arts (UK) Brewhouse Theatre (Taunton – UK), CCA Glasgow (UK), LABAN (London) Dance Pavilion (Bournemouth)