The Polar Bear (is Dead)
30th August 20:00
Stage One, stage@leeds
FREE ENTRANCE

Photo John Slemensek

The Polar Bear (is Dead) is a playful exploration of what we bring, what we take & what we leave behind. Set in our current precarious landscape, it considers the survival of life on our planet and the cost to each and every one of us.

Covid-19 has highlighted the fragility of our lives compared to unstoppable natural forces, so the show’s already urgent ecological message has now been massively highlighted. The huge and daunting theme of the climate crisis is addressed using comedy and physical theatre to create an accessible & compelling show.

Its universal themes are combined with our own personal experiences of life and loss, of endings and regrets. It creates a non-judgmental space for people to rediscover an enthusiasm for the natural world and to think about their own relationships to the climate crisis, nature and loss.

As a species we named ourselves Homo Sapiens, meaning ‘wise men’ but Homo Sapiens might be the only species to cause its own extinction.

The climate crisis is overwhelming and individual efforts feel hopeless. By sharing personal experiences to convey the crisis in human terms, we aim to make a real connection with the audience, so they feel their actions can make a difference and are empowered to do something about it.

Running time: 60 mins

Age guidance: 12+

Content warnings: References to death and bereavement

Website: https://nataliebellingham.co.uk/

Natalie Bellingham is a theatre maker, performer and physical comedian based in Yorkshire. She was a 2021 Funny Women finalist and co-founder of Uncanny Theatre with whom she toured original work for a decade throughout the UK. She is currently working with acclaimed art clown Jamie Wood to create a new solo show Look After Your Knees.

Daniele Pennati is an actor, theatre designer and circus performer based in Milan. He is an associate artist with multi award winning Florence-based international company Sotteraneo and regularly performs as Muffin in Drag Queen Story Time, making work for young people about gender identity and expression.