Dissonance. (360G-Wellcome-107166_Z_15_Z)

Dissonance uses the paradox of a puppet to explore current thinking into the social, emotional and cognitive processes that underlie mental-health and empathy in a direct and comical style. How can something so obviously not alive become so alive? Drawing on ideas such as Cognitive Dissonance (Leon Festinger) Terror Management Theory (Sheldon Solomon) and Fight or Flight (Walter Bradford Cannon) the performance features a punch-bag puppet suffering an existential crisis, embarking on an unfo rgettable odyssey through the doors of the human mind. Building on the scientific expertise of Dr. Nathan Heflick, University of Kent, School of Psychology, and his ongoing research, award-winning Strangeface will create an original piece of theatre to give the audience a greater awareness of their cognitive processes. Aimed at adults and played in a variety of venues the hour-long piece will have a programme of wider engagement online and in person. We will pilot the performance on ca mpus, in flagship arts venues and at a community venue for a Creative People and Places project, the ACE investment programme in areas where people's involvement in the arts is significantly below the national average. Developed concurrently the team will make a viral personality test to pique interest and gather data on the compelling desire to formulate narratives from objects. Written documentation, films and photographs will support the project and capture the process for future develop ment. Both challenging and empowering the work is ultimately a testament to the power of the imagination and the staggering potential of human beings.