Bernice Afriyie | Arts Editor
Featured image: S h e e t s. contains scenes of nudity and is not suitable for young audiences. Viewer discretion is advised. | Courtesy of Dahlia Katz
It’s normal to be uncomfortable with someone entering your personal space. As humans, we all have different tolerances for what we deem as acceptable and unacceptable levels of proximity that stem from our understanding of intimacy. Regardless of how chummy or distant we can be in interactions with strangers, the idea of entering personal spaces becomes sticky when nudity is introduced.
S h e e t s. is a new Toronto production written and directed by Salvatore Antonio that explores what happens when a group of random strangers occupy a single hotel room. The indie production runs from March 24 to April 9 at The Franco Boni Theatre in Toronto.
S h e e t s. plays with how nudity is commonly used in the performative and media arts. Nudity often functions as a shock factor or some form of sexual release or allure. Antonio’s production steps away from that by normalizing the naked body as performers Prince Amponsah, William Ellis, Danny Ghantous, Taborah “Tabby” Johnson, Dayle McLeod, David Reale, Alice Snaden, Tyler Stentiford and Jennifer Wigmore interact with one another.
Antonio never doubted the essentiality of nudity in S h e e t s. to the story, as it reveals the personal truths of the performers, but also notes that there is so much more work and artistry behind the naked bodies.
“In this day and age where so many of us maintain a shuttered focus, whether it’s looking down on the pavement or into our phones, this play asks us to look up and see each other and perhaps discover a connection or similarities,” says Antonio.
Nudity plays into this idea beautifully as audiences are forced to see performers as they are. Shedding their clothes symbolically represents a removal of barriers between physical and emotional intimacy that persist in today’s society.
Playing with space is essential to create intimacy between the performers and the audience.
“I spent a year in various hotel rooms by myself for work reasons and in that time, became hyper aware of the energy of these places,” shares Antonio.
“I started imagining the people attached to some of these energies. I then became interested in exploring the idea of intimacy after a workshop with the late Adrian Howells entitled Intimacy in Performance.”
Antonio’s vision and studies translate into S h e e t s.’ use of theatrical space and lighting.
“We keep the audience about seven feet from the action and the bed on three sides. The audience is lit and therefore implicated in action,” says Antonio.
It’s common for audience seating to have no lighting. In the context of a production that bares it all, emotionally and physically, lighting the audience invites theatre goers to do the same. The setup may seem daunting and in your face, but it allows the audience to get into the folds and crevices of S h e e t s. in a truly immersive experience.
