Drawing from living folklore centred on femme resistance, they take the audience on a kaleidoscopic journey through time. The performance captivates with its spontaneous problem-solving, finds humour in its absurdity, and reveals a raw intimacy through its vulnerability, all propelled by a dynamic soundscape of pulsing kicks and soaring synths. Unpacking celebration and transaction, Give or Take asks: Does anything ever come for free?
Bold Mellon Collective’s Give or Take is an interactive performance combining clown, dance-theatre and live electronic music.
This multidisciplinary experience explores the complexities of gift-giving, celebrating its role in connection whilst unpacking its use as a transactional tool.
Audiences are invited into an immersive re-enactment of their favourite gifts, with a narrative that intertwines the rich history of the Tatar diaspora, focusing on themes of resistance and community.
With live music, movement, and storytelling, Give or Take is a captivating journey through joy, grief, and reflection.
“The synergy between Annie and Emilia moved seamlessly through joy, grief, stillness, and noise. I loved how it remained true to the theme of gift-giving while allowing us space to reflect on our own experiences.”
Give or Take is devised and performed by Emilia Nurmukhamet and Dear Annie and will run at Stanley Arts, London, on 22 November and 23 November, 7.30 pm. Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill London SE25 6AB, United Kingdom.
Workshop: Saturday 23rd at 2pm
A Give or Take community workshop will be held to unpack the themes of the performance. Exploring giving and receiving through dance, live sound, and improvisation, with a focus on embodied consent, Emilia Nurmukhamet and Dear Annie will draw on techniques from physical theatre, clown and butoh. The workshop is open to all experience levels and will take place on 22 November, 2 pm at Stanley Arts.
All performances of this show will feature British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, ensuring accessibility for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. All performances will be relaxed, with free earplugs and sensory props available.
About the Artists
Dear Annie is an artist who creates binary-melting experiences with autobiographical beginnings, weaving together dance, music, physical theatre and poetry. Alongside their collaborations with Bold Mellon Collective, Annie works with international companies like Surface Area Dance Theatre leading to work across the UK and Greece, and co-founded Mud Summons Records, hosting experimental live music events across London. Dear Annie’s music refracts found-sound and analogue riffs through dance-ready rhythms, performed at such venues as: Bush Theatre, The Social and VfDalston. Annie is also a Registered Dance Movement Psychotherapist (ADMP UK) within NHS Adult Mental Health services, living a queer ethic of care that celebrates difference and challenges norms.
Emilia Nurmukhamet is a migrant and queer theatre-maker, performer, founding co-artistic director of the Bold Mellon Collective and an emerging associate with the National Youth Theatre. Emilia’s work focuses on a multidisciplinary approach to performance: combining live sound, digital media and performance art alongside foregrounding autobiographical and documentary style writing. Emilia has performed in and devised critically acclaimed performances and staged productions, as well produced sold-out artist showcases across the UK and internationally (credits as a co-creator/performer: OFFIES award nominated BELINDA at Vaults Festival and Camden People’s Theatre 2023 FORGIVING (MY MOTHER) at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Voila! Festival 2024 KLAZO commissioned by Theatre Deli for the Social Model More Festival 2023).
About the Creative Team
The production’s creative team includes Theodor Spiridon, a Romanian theatre artist and lighting designer known for blending psychophysical theatre, scenography, and soundscapes. His credits includeThe Decline of a Distant Memoryat The Glory (2020) andSht Happens* at Camden People’s Theatre (2019). Jim Osman, a London-based director and musician supporting with sound dramaturgy.
With experience across theatre, opera, live art, and audio drama, Osman has directed projects likeOily Barron(2022) andThe Wandering Scholar at Northern Opera Festival (2021).Nicole Vivien Watson, Executive Director of Surface Area Dance Theatre, leads movement consultancy. Watson has collaborated with international organisations such as The British Council, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, and The Barbican and is a champion of British Sign Language (BSL) and D/deaf culture. Desree is an award-winning artist, and a producer that curates live events, festivals, and visual media, with a focus on amplifying diverse voices and creating impactful, cross-disciplinary experiences. Nathan Charles, Co-Founder of Brightmouth Productions, is a theatre maker, writer and producer. Dedicated to prioritising accessibility and affordability in the arts, Nathan has a keen interest in diverse storytelling methods
