Their first production since 2007’s Fringe First Award winning and Total Theatre Award nominated Mile End, Beachy Head has been two years in development via Analogue’s characteristic method combining meticulous research with intensive cross-art form collaboration, from 3-D animation and integration of computer game graphics to original music, object manipulation, text and physical performance.
Continuing Analogue’s theme of work influenced by real-life stories, Beachy Head is inspired by Britain’s most popular suicide spot, looking at the ripple effects of one man’s decision to take his life and telling three interconnected stories of those caught up in a single fall from those notorious cliffs. Previously, Mile End was inspired by the true story of a commuter pushed under a train by a man with a mental illness.
Analogue’s extensive research period saw the Surrey based company work closely with a professor of histo-pathology working with the Royal College of Pathologists as well as health care academics, Samaritans volunteers and experts in social care to develop a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding suicide, grief, depression, and the process of pathology.
It's been a month since Stephen jumped. Amy collects her husband’s effects, the things he had with him gathered in a single box. There was no sign - no warning. Fractured memories of their last night together rewind, replay and begin to unravel. Joe and Matt are making a documentary. Whilst reviewing their footage they make a startling discovery - the blurred image of a man jumping from the cliffs. And Dr Rachel Sampson records the facts of the body in front of her, but she has her own loss to confront.
Beachy Head is a co-production between Analogue and the New Wolsey Theatre. The Ipswich-based venue have partnered the company to bring the piece to Edinburgh, following the success of their 2007's co-production, Hoipolloi's Story of a Rabbit.
