The War Inside is an audio-visual immersive theatre show which aims to shine a light on invisible illnesses. Told through the story of Marnie, a young woman whose body is at war with itself, it is inspired by the director’s own struggle with an autoimmune illness.
The audience is invited inside Marnie’s inner world, a psychedelic playground of larger-than-life inflatable organs, whimsical floating cells, fabric landscapes of skin and bones, and mesmerising soundscapes. Designed as an inflatable art installation representing major organs of the body, (heart, brain, gut and cells) this environment became the surreal dimension in which the story unfolds and audience members became “cells” themselves, making the show fully immersive. By constantly stepping in and out this internal landscape, through Marnie’s giant eye which provides us with an external viewpoint, the audience witnesses the shock of her diagnosis and participates in the internal and external battles as she adjusts to her lifelong condition.
The story wants to reach out to anyone affected by a hidden condition. The Tapestry of Imperfections, a collaborative artwork that accompanies the show, acts as a container for the collection of stories, conversations, and experiences of audience and participants we met during this journey.
VAULT Festival (March 2023)
The Albany (Sept 2023)
The Arts Depot (Audiovisual installation) (October 2023)
Written & Directed: Camille Dawson
Movement Direction: Chloe Young
Co-performer : Sophie Taylor
Producer: Heather Ralph
Sound Designer: Paul Freeman
Art Installation: Cristina Ottonello
Videographer: Molly Pendlebury
Dramaturg: Joana Nastari
Photo credits: Ellie Kurtzz
