Because
By Hassan Govia
"Why do you hurt yourself?"
The Cockpit, August 2024
Presented by Unshaded Arts
Jade has all the answers, that is until some unexpected news provokes overwhelming questions and resurrects painful memories. Suddenly thrust into an existentialist journey of self-discovery, Jade finds himself at loggerheads with his most trusted voice of reason... himself.
Written and performed by Hassan Govia, Unshaded Arts presents the world premiere of an explosive solo show that explores the long-term impact of bullying, engaging with issues of mortality, masculinity, privilege, and (undiagnosed) mental illness.
Writer / Performer: Hassan Govia
Director / dramaturg: Rebecca Goh
Sound Designer: Malak Alhajri
Set Designer: Gülfem Özdoğan
Producers: Hassan Govia and Chiedza Rwodzi
Reviews and Feedback
“Groundbreaking work… This quality of the work is exactly what makes it so powerful. Hassan Govia has not only written this intense, overwhelming work, he also performed it with a deep commitment that maybe only the playwright can bring to such a play. He was helped by the director and dramaturg Rebecca Goh. Both have created a work that makes us experience the life of someone who is hearing voices. It is incredibly powerful.”
“Govia’s exchanges with the recordings played over the sound system are much more slick, developing a surprisingly natural flow and momentum… The contribution of the tech is very smooth and effectively embodies Jade’s intrusive thoughts. The amount of preparation and skill required from the Unshaded Arts team to deliver this cannot be overstated.
[There’s] a strong vision for this production and there are many excellent moments which stand out… With a huge amount of potential, this production will hopefully return bigger and better in the future.”