“It’s been a wonderfully rewarding process. Not only have I learnt how to awaken my body through movement, but I’ve learnt that speech isn’t always needed to create a powerful, emotive performance.”
Created by a group of individuals who have a relationship to HIV and/or AIDS, Within Reach was inspired by the themes found within Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance.
This poignant response piece used movement to physically explore participants experiences, memories, challenges and beliefs over the course of two months.
Director Grace Gibson, supported through the Jerwood Assistant Director Programme at the Young Vic, told us more about this work:
“The topic of HIV and AIDS is huge and means different things to different people. We can only speak (or in this case move) from our own experiences. Each individual has brought their own story and energy to the process and it has been a true collaboration.”
One of our amazing participants, Jill, recorded a poem alongside Sound Designer George Dennis as a personal reflection of her time working with us. Listen here:
Our Director Grace went on to explain why she chose movement as the means to tell the story:
“This is the first time the full group have used movement as a form of self-expression. Through exercises involving trust, contact and improvisation the company created a safe and generous environment in which they allowed each other to openly share and take risks.”
You can read some audience responses to the piece here:
Brilliant, the performance, the direction and loved the music aswell George I heard the movements that created the sound and it supported the whole piece. More collaborations and creations this is what we need ❤️
— Positively Mindful (@MindfulHIV)
I spend a lot of my time watching and making people move and yet today watching #WithinReach @YVTakingPart @gracegibson I was reminded why I do it. It was so simple, beautiful and human and I loved it. Congratulations all involved xx https://t.co/dVJylg1Q8z
— Vicki Manderson (@VickiAnnM)
Congratulations to all involved! A gorgeously moving piece - could've watched it for twice as long. #WithinReach https://t.co/VAaBVUX0zk
— @reviewsandtings (@reviewsandtings)
