bluebeard, Cradeaux Alexander

About

Bow Arts welcome Cradeaux Alexander back to the Bow Arts Courtyard to present his new performance bluebeard. Based on the 17th century French folktale of the same name, Alexander explores our current world through the tale’s poignant themes of vanity, privilege and revenge. The performance will be accompanied by a mid-career retrospective exhibition Scripted Bodies, in which the acclaimed video and performance artist brings together 12 videos and recordings of works created between 2009 and 2018.

In bluebeard Alexander inhabits the character of the eponymous infamous wife killer, portraying him as the embodiment of corruption. The work is performed by an ensemble of performers, utilising video, live performance, visuals and original text. As with much of Alexander’s oeuvre, it is part theatre, part installation, and part absurd spectacle exploiting the strength of live performance to transform topical debate into a compelling aesthetic.   Alexander’s practice explores the intersection between theatre and art, an elision he employs to mediate and comment on a broad range of socio-political concerns, as well as postmodernist takes on subjects such as pornography and self-representation. In many cases he reaches into history and literature for inspiration and the new work bluebeard is an example of this. Following the Alexander's highly successful Desire Caught by the Tail and Rhino, both premiered in the Bow Arts courtyard, bluebeard is not to be missed.  Performances are ticketed - click here to book tickets.

Performances 

• Fri 14 Sept 7 – 8pm
• Sat 15 Sept 7 – 8pm
• Fri 21 Sept 7 – 8pm
• Sat 22 Sept 7 – 8pm

The Scripted Bodies exhibition is free and open at the following times: 

• Fri 14 Sept (private view) 5 – 7pm
• Sat 15 Sept 12 noon – 7pm
• Sun 16 Sept 12 noon – 4pm
• Fri 21 Sept 12 noon – 7pm
• Sat 22 Sept 12 noon – 7pm
• Sun 23 Sept 12 noon – 4pm 

Exhibition and performances will take place in the Bow Arts Courtyard, 183 Bow Road, London, E3 2SJ