Award-winning theatre company, Hijinx, presents a provocative, funny, and visually immersive delight set not too far in the future. the_crash.test will open at Wales Millennium Centre on 13 & 14 May followed by its international debut at Mittenmang Festival in Bremen, and additional performances as part of the Hijinx Unity Festival in June and July 2022 in Cardiff, Bangor and Llanelli.
Incorporating motion capture puppetry, large scale projection and original composition, the_crash.test presents an inclusive cast of performers on stage and via video link, for audiences both in person and online.
Known for its pioneering, inclusive theatre work that is original, surprising, edgy, and funny and in huge demand across the globe, Hijinx’s newest production draws a parallel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and our relationship with technology. A comedic venture into the world of A.I. and the robotic versions of ourselves we might create in the future. the_crash.test features tech start up Figital who are on a mission to create the next big thing; “the thing we never knew we wanted, but it turns out we all needed. A new thing-a-me-bob. Or ‘Bob’ for short”. However, they don’t quite know how it works or the consequences of their new creation!
Hijinx’s Artistic Director and Director of the crash.test, Ben Pettitt-Wade said, “We are continually looking at new ways of creating our work and new ways of providing a platform for our brilliant artists. Interaction has always been important to our performances, the challenge we have set ourselves is to provide an interactive experience that is equal, though different, for an audience online and in person. As ever our artists have been at the heart of creating this production, bringing with it their unique perspective and creativity. We can’t wait to share it with you”
This latest work is the third in a series of ‘Hybrid Theatre’ explorations, fusing performance and technology by the Cardiff based company who pioneer, produce, and promote opportunities for actors with learning disabilities and/or autism.
In 2020, Hijinx’s critically acclaimed online digital performance Metamorphosis premiered at the Green Man Festival and signified the beginning of the company’s pursuit of boundary-breaking ways that culture can be delivered, performed and enjoyed. The work was widely praised for its innovative use of Zoom, which even garnered an award at that year’s Good Theatre Awards by Red Curtain International.. Hijinx are also partners in a pioneering cultural exchange, “EyeSeeAi”, working with several Vietnamese companies to test and explore new ways of creating AR performances and develop an app with actors with learning disabilities and autism based in Wales and Vietnam.
the_crash.test will have BSL and audio description on 14 May. The online version of the event will be live captioned for every performance.
The production will later feature as part of Hijinx’s eagerly awaited, Unity Festival returning to Cardiff, Bangor and Llanelli for its tenth edition!