Directed by Sinéad Rushe, the piece explored the mechanics of weight and what happens when we face the limits of our strength. Performers used sandbags and planks to explore how bodies and structures learn to bear loads or fall apart.

Before selected performances, the audience were treated to curtain raiser performances by students from Stoke High School, Ormiston Sudbury Academy and Birmingham Ormiston Academy. Students from the schools took part in theatre workshops led by the creators of LOADED where they explored various imagery, scientific texts and the effects of weight and used it to create their own pieces that reflected the themes of LOADED.

Friday’s performance was followed by a post-show Q&A led by LOADED’s creative team and Director. The discussion raised an interest from audience members as the panel answered questions on the creative process, how the performers found working with a large set design and what inspired the themes behind the piece and the process of research and development.