Howard Barker's "13 Objects: Studies in Servitude"

Odds are, if you live in the United Kingdom, you've heard of Howard Barker. However, if you live anywhere else, his name likely doesn't yet ring a bell. But on October 21st, that will all change. "Why on October 21st?" you may ask. The answer is simple: that is when the 21 for 21 celebration will take place around the world, undoubtedly sparking a new found interest for the playwright.

The 21 for 21 celebration celebrates the 21 years of the Wrestling School, a theater company that Barker himself set up. The most notable theater company participating in this celebration is the Royal Shakespeare Company. To find out if the celebration will take place in a town near you, visit 21for21.co.uk

But what if there isn't a theater company participating in your own home town? That's where the Avatar Repertory Theater Company (A.R.T.) comes in. Being sponsored by Coventry University, A.R.T. has the honor of producing the first virtual performance of one of Barker's works, "13 Objects: Studies in Servitude."

I recently had an opportunity to speak with the director, Joff Fassnacht, and producer, Ada Radius, of this Second Life production. Joff said, "[Barker] is a bit of an unsung hero. It's about time that people get to hear and see his incredibly rich work."

But what makes the play "13 Objects: Studies in Servitude" so special? 13 Objects shows the secret lives of everyday objects, such as a cup and saucer, or a camera, to make intimate connections and inspire powerful feelings, with poetic language, provocative ideas and dark humor. Joff states: "[It's] all about power of relationships. Sometimes within the scenes, the balance shifts and you're not sure who really is in control." There truly is a statement to power and submission in the play. Each scene, each object, makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about life and reevaluate your place within.

But in the end, the question still remains: Why Second Life? What makes a virtual world the ideal place to see this provocative work? Ada Radius tackles this question: "We can explore the surrealism of the play more than in a real life theater. We are not restricted as a real life production would be. For example, we can literally turn an officer into a loudspeaker."

A.R.T. will be performing "13 Objects: Studies in Servitude," live in Second Life, October 20th at 4pm and October 21st at 2pm SLT at the Coventry University sim. So if you don't already have one, get a Second Life and come witness this historical performance.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Coventry University/32/171/751/