Glass Ceiling Beneath the Stars
Theatre (devised, multimedia)
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Venue 23Pleasance Dome - QueenDome
- 14:00
- Aug 27
- 1 hour
- Country: United Kingdom - England
- Group: Bric à Brac Theatre, Grace Dickson Productions, Pleasance
- Warnings and additional info: This show contains strobe lighting, a blackout & some loud/unexpected noises. It references potentially distressing themes & imagery of a rocket explosion. The performance uses live video - while audience members may be in shot, no footage is recorded.
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 2 years
Description
1992. Hurricanes in Hawaii, riots in LA, the longest-running game of tennis at the US Open and NASA launches the Endeavour STS-47. Onboard are two women set to change history. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to go to space, and Jan Davis, the first woman to go to space with her husband. Back on Earth everyone had one question: did the couple have sex in space? Five performers and three cameras investigate sexism at NASA, racial politics in the US and our fascination with the sex lives of others.Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Main queue inside Dome at left of building. 5 steps up to the space or Level access to left of venue — ask staff for assistance.
- Stairs: 2 - 5
Wheelchair access type: Level Access
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
Captioned performances
- Dates: 2 August, 3 August, 4 August, 5 August, 12 August, 11 August, 10 August, 9 August, 8 August, 7 August, 6 August, 13 August, 14 August, 27 August, 20 August, 21 August, 23 August, 16 August, 17 August, 24 August, 25 August, 18 August, 19 August, 26 August
- Type: Open
- Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team to book your tickets and request any specific seating locations or if booking a unit is required.
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Dorothy Parker 35 days ago
Brilliant show. So innovative and well performed
Rebecca Hanbury 39 days ago
We really enjoyed this refreshing and passionate piece of multimedia theatre. The performers are clearly super passionate about their craft and great care and attention has gone in to bringing this Fringe perfect piece about race, feminism, NASA and space.
The use of the cameras was superb and the weightlessness scene in particular has real charm.
The performances are great. Marion, in particular, is stand out. A mesmerising actor with exquisite vocal skill and command of the space.
I loved the work of Bric a Brac Theatre and this innovative piece deserved a generous audience. Prepare to be transported to the stars.
An hour well spent!
(And pssssst - the bench seating is super comfy and there’s air con! A huge bonus after a long week at The Fringe!)
Julie Phillips 40 days ago
Nicely done. The use of technology was interesting. Didn’t quite grab me as much as some of the other reviewers but an enjoyable show.
David Muir 42 days ago
I enjoyed it- it's interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to become an astronaut.
The cast surely deserve some sort of special technical award for not only acting but being camera operators- almost everything you see performed on stage is also filmed in close up, following very precise directions, by any "spare" actresses and projected live to a screen.
The filming - the choice of angles- is cleverly done: what you see on screen is often familiar from real TV footage, for example scenes of the astronauts walking in step to their craft, and later floating gleefully in their shuttle.
TBH I think I'd prefer if the filming was cut down a bit, as sometimes it was distracting- I'd be turning my head from the screen to the stage, whereas often I'd prefer to have been focussing on just one version of events. Perhaps it would have been better to display the footage on the large screen behind the stage rather than the small one at the side, so both versions could be viewed simultaneously.
Warren McGinnis 42 days ago
This show blew me away.
They take you to SPACE!
With two camera rigs, one mounted camera, a huge projector screen, and a tv monitor, this ensemble of five create both a captivating stage movement/dance piece, as well as a documentary filmed and streamed in real time. Their model work is reminiscent of the original STAR WARS films, utilizing the medium to recreate the launches. Beautiful moments of joy, like when the women first experience zero gravity, and also moments of sheer weight and disappointment when their accomplishments are diminished to their race or their sex life.
Innovative in a way I have not seen in any other shows thus far, Glass Ceiling is worth checking out for the seamless blend of performance and live feed technology. And incredible acting on the full company's part.
Dave Sutton 43 days ago
Adored letting this show wash over me. Sublime. Captivating. Moving. Fun. Important. Visually & technically inventive, the actors weave their lines and storylines over & around each other with entrancing style. It engages the brain in a way that is exciting & educational. Hurray for an original take on an already exciting story, that of NASA missions to the stars, while looking at women’s part in its success being overlooked and diminished. The strong creative female cast create an v impressive piece that will stay with me beyond the stars!
Sarah D 47 days ago
I was really impressed with how technology was integrated as a storytelling technique in the show. The acting was fabulous by the whole company and who worked wonderfully as individual performers as well as an ensemble. Really great show that took a piece of recent history and presented it in an interesting, dynamic and thoughtful way.
Andrew Bray 47 days ago
Went to the production on the 12th. Phenomenal piece of theatre. Would recommend as my pick of the fringe.
Aimee 50 days ago
I really enjoyed the innovative way that this production tells the story of two NASA astronauts, and explored the themes of gender and race. It was a bit like being behind the scenes of a movie, which added an element of fun to what is otherwise a quite serious and moving storyline. Really worth going to see, the description doesn't do it justice!
Andrea Thorpe 51 days ago
Creative and inventive take on an interesting topic - energetic actors and great use of multimedia.
Emmy Weldon 51 days ago
Absolutely Fantastic! Wonderful actors also serve as camera operators in this amazing multimedia space adventure. This show is experimenting with the limits of what theatre technology can achieve in storytelling. A beautiful example of mixing traditional forms of live performance and puppetry with modern techniques in film and projections. Best show I've seen at Fringe this year.
Nina and Bas 53 days ago
This was incredibly beautiful. Brilliant acting. Great idea. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Was a bit tearful when it was over. Please go see this!
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
One4Review 42 days ago
Lisa In The Theatre 44 days ago
British Theatre Guide 46 days ago
Starburst Magazine 48 days ago
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.