“What makes Newham, Newham?”
“What was the most challenging moment during the first wave?”
“And what was your most beautiful?”
In the Autumn of 2020 I filmed 47 of Newham’s health workers, from ward clerks to the medical director, having a conversation with me. I asked each individual a series of simple questions about their experiences of the first wave of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Hello. I’m James, an artist and mental health activist. I make art about themes like mental health, and how we care for each other.
Filmed with one camera in an informal and honest way in my artist studio, I learnt about the complexity of each health professional's experiences. The challenges they faced, the compromises forced upon them and yet the beauty in caring for their patients and each other. I heard about the reality of how these workers coped (and didn’t) and how this compares to the official narrative of ‘heroes’ we hear so much about. Their stories reveal their moral struggles, resulting in mental health challenges and frustrations, but they also speak of their resilience in teamwork and peer support, and their hopes for the Newham community they serve.
Designer Sascha Gilmour and I would like to share some of what I caught on camera and what I've learnt with you. Join us for an evening of film, storytelling, and music to remember the details of a truly extraordinary time, population and place.
--
Thu 14th* - Sat 16th October, 7:45pm BST
Tue 19th - Fri 22nd October, 7:45pm BST
The performance on Wed 20th October will be captioned | More about Stagetext
The performance on Thu 21st Oct will include a touch tour | More about VocalEyes touch tour & introduction notes
*Thursday 14th October - SOLD OUT
This film screening and performance will take place in The Littlewood Theatre, Applecart Arts, 170 Harold Road, London E13 0SE
Run time: 2 hrs
Free Ticketed Performance - Subject to availability, please book in advance as capacity is limited for each performance, allowing for social distancing, all performances will be relaxed and venue is wheelchair accessible.
We will encourage audience members to wear face masks.
Content to consider: Due to the subject matter the production contains content that some may find distressing. Death from Covid 19, Mental Health, Pregnancy Loss, Racism.
--
Filmed, written, performed and created by ‘the vacuum cleaner’ aka James Leadbitter
In collaboration with Dr Emma Young, Dr Cecilia Wee and Newham’s Health Workers.
Design and Performance: Sascha Gilmour
Sound Design: Rhiannon Armstrong.
Music Performance: New YVC.
Audience Facilitation: Fox Irving.
Lead Interview Producer and Assistant Editor: Becky Sumerling.
Interview Producer: Kai-Oi Joyce Yung.
Live Event Producer: Jesse Bateson with Beki Bateson and Stratford Circus.
Image credit: Richard Pelham
Exposure is supported byArts Council England, Stratford Circus, Newham Council, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Royal Docks team and Wellcome Collection.
EXPOSURE - Trailer from the vacuum cleaner on Vimeo.