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Transform 19, Leeds citywide
Transform 19, Leeds Issues of gender, identity, state repression and digital surveillance figured large in a major festival of experimental theatre and dance
Absurdist: bYOB

OVER its two-week run, Transform hosted groups from all over the world to provide their perspectives on some big global themes.

One is a perceived “crisis of masculinity” and different notions of it are touched upon in bYOB, a new piece from Britain’s 70/30 Split. It starts chillingly, with a man in black combat gear silently outstaring the audience.

But before long matters turns increasingly absurd. The cast of four variously go on to reference the Milk Tray Man, the rose petals in American Beauty and the giant teddy bears of Jeff Koons while reappropriating morris dancing, military training and slumber parties in what’s a humorous yet pointed piece exploring the need to belong and the dangers of this being misdirected.

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