lifeline

The story of a lifetime played out on the line of
a vertical rope.

A single rope hangs in space: a life unfolds along it from childhood through maturity to old age. It is a duet between a woman and a rope - her partner through life is the singular line of her life itself. The rope supports her, it is her literal lifeline as she grips onto it or is gripped by it, until she reaches its end - the point where the line of the life, the rope, runs out.

Lifeline, the piece, is itself enjoying a long and varied life. Originally it developed out of a commission given by The Circus Space in 2001 and was directed by Brenda Waite. Since this time it has been slowly 'growing up' and has received guidance along the way from several outside eyes at different stages in its growth: Samuel Journot, Bim Mason, Annabel Arden, Rosemary Lee, Andrew Dawson.

'Her performance is a revelation... performed with subtlety and clarity... immaculately conceived and timed to perfection' The Times

'Combining subtle theatricality, emotive expression and super skilled aerial tricks, a beautiful and touching piece - lively, mesmeric and sensitively portrayed.' The Stage

Matilda performed Lifeline at The Royal Opera House's Festival of First in '04 and at Aurora Nova in St. Stephens as part of the British Council showcase at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival '05. The piece received fantastic reviews and was shortlisted for a Total Theatre Award.

Lifeline was commissioned by
The Circus Space in London in 2001

Choreographed and performed
by Matilda Leyser
Music by Daniel Weaver
Lighting design by Chahine Yavroyan