A video essay on the work and process of Forced Entertainment

About

Hugo Glendinning & Tim Etchells: Uncertain Fragments 

Uncertain Fragments is a video essay reflecting on the work and process of the world-renowned UK performance ensemble Forced Entertainment combining interview fragments with artistic director Tim Etchells, performance excerpts, backstage and rehearsal room material from diverse projects, focused around an excerpt from the group’s 2001 performance First Night.

Combining material from Glendinning’s FE 84-14 series that was created to mark the 30th Birthday of the company, as well as weaving in other documentary and interview materials, Uncertain Fragments is a kind of assembled-essay whose scenes were gathered in different venues and locations around the world as part of creation processes and performance presentations by the group. Touching on the nature of performance, the making process, the importance of chance and the political context for the work, Etchells’ thinks through a set of questions and observations which lead right to the heart of the Forced Entertainment’s work.

The screenings of Uncertain Fragments are part of a three-day intensive Forced Entertainment residency at Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts which also includes the UK Premiere of the company’s new show, Real Magic (on Friday 11 November and Saturday 12 November), a public conversation about the company's work, between Tim Etchells and Dr. Sara Jane Bailes, and a rare chance to see the group’s legendary durational work of improvised storytelling And on the Thousandth Night… which runs 4 to 10pm on Saturday 12 November, with the audience free to arrive depart and return at any point.