Caretaker: Royal Court Theatre invites audiences inside with virtual installation
David Farnor | On 30, May 2020
The Royal Court Theatre is opening its doors – sort of – during the coronavirus lockdown with new installation Caretaker.
The durational installation by Hester Chillingworth is a livestream of the uninhabited stage, offering audiences some digital space, along with a few words of encouragement.
Witty, playful and supportive audio messages will intermittently be broadcast throughout the empty auditorium, breaking the silence.
“No productivity is demanded. Nothing needs to happen and nothing is expected of you. You are, after all, already doing really well,” says the Royal Court Theatre. “If you’ve been missing our stage, if you’ve never visited it, if you want an intimate experience of it just as we left it, if theatre is the last thing you’re thinking about – there is a space being held for you simply to be, and for that to be enough. Log on wherever you are, whenever you want.”
Caretaker has been streaming live since 7.30pm on Friday 8th May and will continue for as long as lockdown lasts. The theatre is currently set for Shoe Lady by E.V. Crowe, directed by Vicky Featherstone, designed by Chloe Lamford, which was running when the theatre closed.
The installation follows the Royal Court’s release of its play Cyprus Avenue online, which is available to stream until 31st May. Read our review here.