ATRESBANDES is a young theatre company from Barcelona that has established a reputation for sharp, perceptive work – and we are delighted to host the world premiere of its latest performance as part of this year’s festival.
Inspired by going “all in” at poker where the player risks everything, ALL IN takes a wild ride through vastly different, seemingly unconnected worlds. Everyday situations take unexpected turns into the absurd and poignant, boundaries are tested, meals ruined, a dead guest goes to a nightclub and a bearded lady bares her soul.
Behind the humour and swirling imagery lies a deeper exploration of how the tyranny of the crowd annihilates the individual. From dictatorship to national anthems, education to self-help manuals, we consider ourselves free from indoctrination, but at the same time choose to participate in other systems of apparently harmless social control.
ALL IN has been commissioned by HOME, Manchester and Festival TNT – Terrassa Noves Tendències/CAET, Barcelona in association with the Office for Cultural and Scientific Affairs of the Embassy of Spain in London.
Praise for ATRESBANDES:
★★★★ “Meticulous – impeccably staged” – The Stage on Locus Amoenus
★★★★ “Atresbandes pack more heart, drama and comedy into the hour than some mega budget movies” – Londonist on Locus Amoenus
★★★★ “Uproariously rude and discomfiting. A smart script is performed with terrific timing.” – The Times on Solfatara