Ad Infinitum presents

If You Fall

A show about care, love, and the end of our lives

Part of: HOME Theatre 2 Spring Summer 2023 Season

Margaret is a pillar of her local community. Norson is a brilliant cook. He loves cricket and fishing. She loves singing and her lavender plants. They’re both surrounded by loving families. Their lives are full… So what happens when you lose your independence, your voice, your mind – the essence of what makes you, you?

In Ancient Greece, older people were highly respected. In Egypt, old age was a marker of wisdom. Today, in the UK, care for older family members is often outsourced. But the care system is breaking at the seams. If You Fall tells the deeply human stories of older people, their families and carers struggling to approach end of life care with dignity.

Multi-award-winning Ad Infinitum brings you a moving, humorous and sensitive story based on real-life personal testimonies. Filled with acapella singing and their signature style of physical theatre, this intergenerational ensemble cast explore older people’s care in all its complexities.

There will be two performances with integrated BSL and captions on Sat 6 May (matinee) and evening of Wed 10 May.

Co-commissioned by Northern Stage, HOME and Corn Exchange Newbury and supported by Bristol Old Vic, Birmingham Hippodrome, The North Wall, Culture Weston and Theatre Orchard. Made possible through funding from Arts Council England. The production is supported by Paul and Joanna Pearson.

About Ad Infinitum

Ad Infinitum is a multi-award-winning, internationally acclaimed theatre company. They return to HOME following their sold out run of ‘Extraordinary Wall of Silence’ in 2020 as well as ‘A Small Gathering’ a digital film made during lockdown as part of HOMEs Homemakers programme. Compromised of an international ensemble of theatre-maker, Ad Infinitum are the award-winning creators of Light, Ballad of the Burning Star and Translunar Paradise amongst many others.

Epic

The Times, (Light)

A theatrical hand grenade

The Guardian, (Ballad of the Burning Star)

This tour de force of physical theatre is unmissable

The Stage, (Odyssey)

High-intensity performance in Ad Infinitum’s signature style

The Stage, (Beautiful Evil Things)

One of contemporary theatre’s vital organs

Time Out, (Beautiful Evil Things)

Production Images

BSL Flyer

Clive Duncan

Devising Company and Cast Read bio

Elisabeth Gunawan

Devising Company and Cast Read bio

Jabari Ngozi

Devising Company and Cast Read bio

Kirris Riviere

Devising Company and Cast Read bio

British gangster film cult classic ‘I'll sleep when I'm dead' was Kirris's first professional job as an actor graduating from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. The character he played was 'Big John' featuring alongside Clive Owen as one of his main men. This was a prominent role. From films like DC Comics Red2 acting alongside Helen Mirren to theatre at R.S.C in 'Comedy of Errors' Kirris was then cast in the TV Series 'Above Suspicion' as a Lawyer then In BBC’s Casualty. A few years later he acted in Mount Pleasant as a main character as well as TV series 'Nylon' as a regular. His next role was in the film 'Double Time' staring James Dreyfus, When Kirris is in between acting jobs he teaches at a local secondary school called Ashton Park, as a cover supervisor. Kirris has also acted in Bollywood’s ‘Welcome 2 Karachi’, to Orange Tree Theatre’s production of ‘Playmas’ written by Mustapha Matura and directed by Paulette Randall. Stratford East in A Clockwork Orange directed by Dawn Reid. His recent successes has been in various TV shows, short films and creating his own work as a new writer, getting Arts Council England funding with ongoing projects including an animation series, to his biographical one person show. Kirris has also written three screenplays that he hopes will be produced in the next few years. His most recent work has been to star in ITV’s ‘Manhunt’ acting alongside Martin Clunes. Kirris featured in DC Comics/ Warner Bros/ Netflix’s highly anticipated TV series ‘The Sandman’. The Nutcracker family blockbuster at bristol old vic, Tom Morris final play at Bristol. Toby The Crow written and directed by myself and currently in production. Writer Director & Creator of a new CIC company with his brother https://goodpeopleproductions.org/ Kirris says “I am incredibly thrilled to be a part of this insightful production which is full of compassion, integrity and nuance. It is on so many levels extremely close to my heart”.

Heather Williams

Devising Company and Cast Read bio

Robin Paley Yorke

Devising Company and Cast Read bio

Helena Middleton

Director Read bio

Grace Dobson

Assistant Director Read bio

Jack Drewry

Composer and Sound Designer Read bio

Ali Hunter

Lighting Designer Read bio

Deb Pugh

Movement Designer Read bio

Katie Sykes

Set and Costume Designer Read bio

Amy Astley

BSL Interpreter Read bio

David Ellington

BSL Consultant Read bio

Show information

Duration:
1 hour and 10 minutes

Running time: 70mins (no interval)
Age recommendation: 12yrs+

Content warning.

This piece explores themes of dementia, death, grief, and loss. It also includes strong language, microaggressions, and graphic representations of intimate care.
It also contains a few subtle light flickers and some fast snap changes in lighting states but
no strobe lights.

Ticket information

Tickets: £15
10% discount if you book tickets for 3 or more shows in the Theatre 2 season, in one transaction

Access information

British Sign Language Interpreted: There will be two performances with integrated BSL on Sat 6 May (matinee) and evening of Wed 10 May.

Captioned Performance: The performances on Sat 6 May (matinee) and evening of Wed 10 May will also be captioned

Audio Described Performance: Thursday 11 May 7.45pm

Touch Tour: Thursday 11 May 6.45pm