Alexithymia
Experience the world through AutismThe Meat Market
8 - 19 November 2017
Presented by Citizen Theatre & A_tistic as part of Poppy Seed Theatre Festival 2017
Citizen Theatre and A_tistic joined forces to create a new theatrical work: Alexithymia. The production simulates an autistic experience of the world for audiences.
Alexithymia is a condition that noticeably affects 85% of people diagnosed on the autism spectrum and is defined as an inability to name or describe emotions.
︎ Official trailer

RED, BLUE & YELLOW
Developed and presented by a neuro-diverse cast and creative team, Alexithymia was a speculative fiction, featuring an interdependent and delicate mix of sensory stimuli, sound design and stylised performances.
Multiple studies have shown that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder excel at pattern recognition and visual tasks. The design of Alexithymia weaves complex patterns and visual cues by using only the primary colours: red, blue and yellow.
Developed and presented by a neuro-diverse cast and creative team, Alexithymia was a speculative fiction, featuring an interdependent and delicate mix of sensory stimuli, sound design and stylised performances.
Multiple studies have shown that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder excel at pattern recognition and visual tasks. The design of Alexithymia weaves complex patterns and visual cues by using only the primary colours: red, blue and yellow.



COSTUME & SET DESIGN
Alexithymia was presented as three short works – Social_function.exe, The Curious Case of You, and Nirvana Syndrome each of which included three characters: Red, Blue & Yellow. Each character wore a white base layer with corresponding red, blue or yellow blazer, belt and socks.
Alexithymia was presented as three short works – Social_function.exe, The Curious Case of You, and Nirvana Syndrome each of which included three characters: Red, Blue & Yellow. Each character wore a white base layer with corresponding red, blue or yellow blazer, belt and socks.


SET DESIGN
Alexithymia was performed in the round on a stage divided into three sections: red, blue and yellow. In each section was a chair of the corresponding colour. The audience was divided into three teams: red, blue and yellow during the second act of Alexithymia: The Curious Case of You. If you looked closely, all of the props that the performers used during the show were of the corrensponding colour.
Alexithymia was performed in the round on a stage divided into three sections: red, blue and yellow. In each section was a chair of the corresponding colour. The audience was divided into three teams: red, blue and yellow during the second act of Alexithymia: The Curious Case of You. If you looked closely, all of the props that the performers used during the show were of the corrensponding colour.


The movement and behaviour of the characters was also dictated by the colours: red, blue and yellow.
Each character would naturally gravitate towards their corresponding colour section of the stage and would move freely in this space. When the characters moved into the two other areas of the stage their emotions were likely hightened and they would behave differently. This was to demonstrate and simulate the autistic experience for neuro-typical audiences.
The Alexithymia season included a sensory friendly/relaxed performance.
Each character would naturally gravitate towards their corresponding colour section of the stage and would move freely in this space. When the characters moved into the two other areas of the stage their emotions were likely hightened and they would behave differently. This was to demonstrate and simulate the autistic experience for neuro-typical audiences.
The Alexithymia season included a sensory friendly/relaxed performance.


Credits
CAST
Emma Hoy - Yellow
Keagan Vaskess - Blue
Nicola Bowman - Red
CREATIVES & CREW
Director/Co-Producer: Jayde Kirchert
Writer/Co-Producer: Tom Middleditch
Visual Designer/Co-Producer: Stu Brown
Dramaturge: James Matthews
Sound Designer: Phillip Dallas
Lighting Designer: Peter Amesbury
Stage Manager: Sophie Andrew
Production Assistant: Jacinta Anderson
Trailer videography & edit: Lucas Heil
Production photography: Tom Overend
Hero Image: UA Creative
Emma Hoy - Yellow
Keagan Vaskess - Blue
Nicola Bowman - Red
CREATIVES & CREW
Director/Co-Producer: Jayde Kirchert
Writer/Co-Producer: Tom Middleditch
Visual Designer/Co-Producer: Stu Brown
Dramaturge: James Matthews
Sound Designer: Phillip Dallas
Lighting Designer: Peter Amesbury
Stage Manager: Sophie Andrew
Production Assistant: Jacinta Anderson
Trailer videography & edit: Lucas Heil
Production photography: Tom Overend
Hero Image: UA Creative
SELECTED PROJECTS