In 2022, A Learning Society was written for Crave Arts x Worcester Theatres ‘On the verge of…’ course, and performed as part of the course showcase at Worcester Fringe.
Then, A Learning Society was produced by Theatre Paradok in November 2024…
“But would you navigate the swathes of content about the human soul without a map?! Would you travel down the river without a boat?! No. You need a structure! And thus we have invented the literary theorist”.
Two Clowns, Bim and Bom, attend a seminar on poetics led by the renowned Professor Bloomcock. Bom is fascinated, Bim apathetic. Later, as they study for an upcoming exam, discussions about the nature of poetry, the “joy of learning” and the point of accessibility turn into arguments, and lead an increasingly exasperated Bim towards tangible violence…
It’s a play with Clowns, Mozart, Gould, Keats & Carlos Williams — it’s about poetry, tradition, language, academia, apathy, mediocrity & totalitarianism — it’s trying to expose and interrogate tensions in our academic institutions — it’s classical, it’s grotesque – it’s serious, it’s stupid — it’s pure idea, it’s pure practicality — and it’s extremely educational.
Still and promotional material from the 2024 production.