CLAYground is a monthly chance to simply see and seriously play.
We’re throwing the doors wide open on the first Friday of every month! Come to cavort with us. CLAYground is a night of experimental performance by a different guest artist each time. It’s a place for hearts in mouth and to test new ideas. Bring your curious pals and your great chat and observe experiments come to life, where difference is celebrated.
CLAYground presents: SWEXTSHOPS presents D·E·FÆ·REG·ID
(Dei Ejectus Færie Regina ID)
The Færie Queene of the Secret Commonwealth pays an Official™ visit to Leeds to engage/gather data of its inhabitants to strengthen interdimensional relationships. Taking the form of an ongoing series of performative encounters across the UK, D·E·FÆ·REG·ID views our unconscious manipulation by algorithms and machine-learning technologies as an update of the duplicitous færyworld of folk belief.
This exciting new product is delivered by Sweætshops® (alternatively stylised as SWEXTSHOPS), an award-winning multidisciplinary artist and multi-instrumentalist.
A “multipersonality conglomerate” creating mystery-shopper plays, ceremonial muzak and public disruptions out of the waste of consumerism and pop culture. Their moniker a portmanteau of sweatshops and sweetshops representing the contradictory social lottery (exploitation and indulgence) of the 21st century.
This work is a durational performance that will start at 8:00pm
Booking is advised There is a reservation fee of £3.50 per person and the price of the ticket will get you that amount off your first round of drinks unless you decide to donate the cost to CLAY.
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CLAYground pilot series (August- October 2021) was made possible with support from Leeds Inspired to address the lack of non-hierarchical spaces for live artists and those interested in artworks to co-exist and test things out.
Variously described as “either a whole load of nonsense pretending to be art or performance art at its best” (The Write Angle) and “varicoloured and raw…the undeniable energy of a high doom” (Phasmid Press).
Recipient of the //BUZZCUT// Emerging Live Artist Award, their work has been selected by a wide variety of organizations and festivals including the National Theatre of Scotland, Hidden Door Festival, the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Radiophrenia Festival, the Scottish Queer International Film Festival and Palić European Film Festival amongst others.
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The runtime of all events at CLAY are an estimation.
We can't give an exact runtime for the majority if our events as often they are experimental in nature.
Work in our Programme can be anywhere from 40 - 90mins unless stated otherwise.
Additionally performances are relaxed, meaning you can leave the performance space at anytime if needed.
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This is event is wheelchair accessible. We have done what we can to make the space accessible by including a wheelchair friendly portaloo on the floor of the event space. We also have 2 gender-neutral toilets that are down a flight of stairs that is 12 steps. Unfortunately, there is no lift in our building. The rest of the building is on one floor. Unless stated this is a relaxed performance. If you need any more information please check our venue info page here.