The Cubicle
You’ve got a perfect body. Yes, you!
Your eye-lashes catch your sweat; you gag when you swallow a fish-bone; you laugh when you get tickled. Step inside The Cubicle – a space where you’re perfect just the way you are.
It doesn’t matter if you’re tall, short, bulging, skinny, hairy, bald, fresh-faced or wrinkly – you can still enjoy all your body has to offer! Sing! Stretch! Dance! Laugh! Dream! Breathe!
The Cubicle is a lovingly created, pop-up installation that works well on its own but better with a pair of actors - either as improvising shop attendants on a mission to help you love yourself or as hosts to a short compelling participatory performance starring hiccups, toe-nails, goosebumps and hairy armpits.
Now booking for festivals, swimming pools & school halls throughout 2023 & beyond… and high street shops that need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror!
Developed in collaboration with University of Bath body image researchers, The Cubicle has played host to a wide programme of approaches to build resilience to marketed ideals of ‘the perfect body’.
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Dr Melissa Atkinson, psychologist & researcher at the University of Bath, co-developed the concept & script using world-leading community resilience programmes, aimed to change the focus from body aesthetic to body functionality. As part of her ongoing research in the field, Dr Atkinson concluded that The Cubicle “actually works!”
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Listen to Kilter’s Artistic Directors, Caroline Garland and Olly Langdon, talking about the project with Dr Melissa Atkinson.
“We were delighted to have The Cubicle as part of World Mental Health Day 2019. Kilter tackle a hugely sensitive subject in the most engaging, funny and visually eye-catching way. It’s impossible to leave without feeling special, uplifted and amazed by the wonders of the human body.”
– Alex Homewood, The Edge, University of Bath
Previous events
The Cubicle @ The Edge
University of Bath
10 October 2019
For World Mental Health Day 2019.
The Cubicle @ SouthGate
Outside Debenhams, Bath
27 September 2019
Part of FUTURES, a series of free events across Bath and Bristol for European Researchers Night 2019.
R&D on digital technology in performance
February – April 2019
Funded by the South West Creative Technology Network.
The Cubicle: an Exhibition
Royal United Hospital, Bath
6 October – 16 November 2018
An exhibition of images from The Cubicle. Part of the Art at the Heart of the RUH programme.
The Cubicle @ 44AD
Abbey Street, Bath
28 September 2018
Part of FUTURES, a series of free events across Bath and Bristol for European Researchers Night 2018.
The Cubicle @ FaB 1
94-96 Walcot Street, Bath
31 May – 7 June 2018
Part of the Fringe Arts Bath (FaB) Festival and the Bath Fringe Festival. Featuring daily performances, a programme of free workshops including yoga, singing, social dreaming and DISCOrobics, an exhibition of work by artist Hollie-Ann Hart and Body Positive Cafe events with cutting-edge researchers and activists.
Audience reactions
“Life affirming!”
“It works – my body feels great!!!”
“The show was amazing. It was fantastic to hear some guidance on how we can put the ‘rebellion’ into action. I hear a lot of people being very positive about their bodies but have no real guidance on how to get there myself – focusing on body functionality, appreciating the intimacies of the physical and building positivity through gratitude – great messages.”
“The changing room of dreams.”
“It’s good to be reminded that we are all different, and it’s OK to be different.”
“Life affirming!”
"Kilter have done an exceptional job helping to translate research from the University of Bath into immersive and thought provoking experiences for local people… It’s been heart-warming to read feedback from attendees who now feel more confident in their bodies”
- Rob Cooper, Public Engagement Officer, University of Bath
Credits
Creative Producers: Kilter
Written, directed & designed with Sarah Davey-Hull & performed by Oliver Langdon & Caroline Garland
Installation design: Molly Hawkins
Lead Researchers & Body Positive Cafe Hosts: Melissa Atkinson & Jessica Alleva
Front of House: Sarah Parkes
Filming: Suited and Booted
Photography: Anna Barclay
Produced in partnership with: Public Engagement Unit at the University of Bath
Workshop Leaders: Katie Stone-Lonergan, Sue Krzowski & Sue Walker, Krissy of PriyaWorks Studio and Carly of Project HB
Guest Speakers: Fabio Zucchelli (UWE), Kirsty Garbett (UWE), Jade Parnell (UWE), Nadia Craddock (UWE), Niamh Ni Shuilleabhain (University of Bath), Jasmine Fardouly (Macquarie University Australia), Emi Lou Howe, and Lisa Beasley (My Body Positive)
With thanks to: Arran (Fringe Arts Bath), Steve and Wendy (Bath Fringe) and The Bell Inn
