Abstract

The End is an elegantly structured piece of devised theatre that uses the stage direction 'exit pursued by a bear' from Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale as the inspiration for an ingenious deconstruction of theatrical practice and ultimately as the starting point for a candid analysis of the 'performer's ego', personal worth and manipulative power. With minimal staging suggesting that the audience is witnessing the action 'in the wings', and limited props (two bear suits,1000 index cards and a blindfold), the show explores the demise of real and imaginary relationships, asks why people perform and how they will know when to stop. Video trailer commissioned by the British Council.