Ill Lit

Following the cancellation of this piece due to Omicron in 2022, Kasia Zawadzka returns with this powerful aerial and physical theatre performance Ill Lit, using the Japanese art of Shibari (rope bondage) to explore mental health, cycles of repetition and the struggle to break out.

‘Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before’ – Edgar Allan Poe

An obsessive inner voice that doesn’t let you be at peace. Pulling you back into your head. At times it feels like being a prisoner. It feels like drowning in thick slime, dark and cold. And yet, at the end of the day, despite your inner suffering, you have to put your mask on, your uniform nice and clean, and get out. Go to work, school, for a meeting, walk the dog, shopping. Duties call.

We are not alone in this.

Kasia Zawadzka is one of the pioneers of world self-suspension rope performance. She has worked with some of the world’s leading rope practitioners including Kinoko Hajime, Saki Kamijoo, Garth Knight and Esinem, to name a few. Recent appearances include: Torture Garden in Scotland, London and Rome. Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015 and 2016. DIVE, BOUND, BARK, ANATOMY, KELBURN FESTIVAL, MANIPULATE Festival, MODERN PANIC FESTIVAL and HIDDEN DOOR FESTIVAL, as well as self-suspension performances throughout Europe including: UK, Norway, Seychelles, Germany, France, Greece, Poland, Czech Republic, Swtizerland, Holland and more.

This production was originally scheduled in 2022 and had to be postponed due to Omicron.