Intimate Performances

The Mount Stuart Dry Docks have undergone several alterations over the years. Disused in the present day, the dock walls stand idle and the water between them, at a level 2 metres below, sits still and empty. The design of a stage between these docks, embedded in the water, and hidden from view by a series of umbrellas, creates an opportunity for performances of rare humility and intimacy. The pattern of the umbrellas, white and clean, stands in strong contrast to the surrounding docks. This flamboyant display invites curiosity, drawing visitors in from the surrounding area.

Upon stepping down from the dock, they begin a procession down a long set of concrete steps that continue to descend even after reaching water level, until the user's torso stands in line with the water's surface. The concrete path continues, and the user disappears underneath the umbrellas.

The path then opens out into a large circular space. The performer is installed in the middle of the circular drum, and the audience gathers around, standing, sitting or lying down where comfortable. The audience and the performer remain on the same level, as equals. An intimacy and connection is created that is missing from large scale performances where the stage is on a platform separated from the audience.
LED tubes light the umbrellas from below when it gets dark, making an exhibit of their contours. This lighting display reflects in the still water just below eye level, creating a visual spectacle to accompany the auditory performance. The path is under-lit at its edges to guide people back towards the dock. Three of the umbrellas towards the back, act as roofs for enclosed ‘huts’. Each hut serves a different function: one is a control room, another is a changing space equipped with kitchenette and toilet, and finally, a meeting lounge.
In terms of materiality, the frame of each umbrellas is constructed from Corten steel. Due to their placement in the water, the layer of rust which protects Corten from harmful corrosion is essential.

The concrete pathway system is constructed with board-formed concrete, meaning concrete is poured into temporary volumes made from wooden boards. Once set, the cast concrete is left with a board-marked surface that imprints the pattern of the material it was cast within, creating a decorative effect. The brutality of the concrete's appearance is mitigated by the decorative pattern of the wood, yet the concrete still acts as the solid and imposing antithesis to the slender frames of the umbrellas. The timber boards used for the formwork are then reused for the cladding of the huts.