The Starcatcher

The Starcatcher was performed as part of The Construct Theatre Project's production of MYTHOS; an anthology showcase adding to the world's vast compendium of mythologies with three original stories - The Starcatcher, Connections and The Wrath of Artemis. MYTHOS premiered at The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre in Chorlton, Greater Manchester in 2022.

"The Starcatcher hears them sing. They see them dance in the rippling reflection of the cool night sea. Their presence made to soothe the mind is nothing but unsettling, for the Starcatcher is only there to take their lives."

Driven by storytelling and atmospheric soundscapes, the piece follows Starcatcher as he collects the blood of the stars in an attempt to save his dying friend. But when the moon has had enough of his killing, she sinks his boat and casts him out to sea. Left alone, Friend discovers the truth about what he has been putting in her medicine.

The Starcatcher was written, directed and designed by myself. The set design was simplistic with a DIY aesthetic, including handmade puppets and cardboard set pieces decorated with origami stars, to make it feel as if the world had jumped straight out of a storybook. Music and soundscapes were used as starting points for devising and world building and played an integral part in the performance. Movement sequences were devised and choreographed collaboratively with the cast and team, and 'making through play' was an essential part of the process and of my own practice.