Vijay Patel

Sometimes I Leave

Presented by Word of Warning, Contact + STUN
Part of Works Ahead 2018 in a double bill with Emma Geraghty

In Brief

How do we leave? Why do we leave? Should we leave? Is the thought of leaving more worrying than the act? Sometimes I Leave unravels the inner workings of the Asperger’s mind — before making a dash for the door…

Venues + Booking Details for Works Ahead

Dates: Thursday 17 May 2018, 7.30pm (Friday 18 May 2018, 7.30pm: sold-out)
Venue: STUN Studio at Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester, M15 5ZA
Tickets: £7/4 (Z-arts charge 5% online or telephone transaction fees)
Box Office Tel: 0161 232 6089 (Z-arts)

Access Information for Works Ahead

Age advisory: 14+ (parental/guardian discretion). Duration: the double bill will last up to 2½ hours, including an interval (running order tbc). Both works largely spoken English; Emma’s work also includes bad language + live music. For specific age and access information please email info@habmcr.org or call 0161 232 6086.

At the turn of the millennium, Vijay was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism). In a time where the diagnosis was new, he went through courses of prescribed drugs in order for him to cope in the ‘real’ world.

Often accused of looking at people the wrong way or saying the wrong thing, in an attempt to navigate his Asperger’s mind as an adult, almost 20 years later, he’s decided to make a show about it…

Sometimes I Leave is a performance, a respite, which navigates the point within a conversation context when it all gets too much. How do we leave this context? Why do we leave this context? And maybe there are more inner anxieties about the thought of leaving than actually doing it.

Who is he?

A London-based performance artist, Vijay Patel crosses forms from live art, performance, cabaret, and installation. The work he makes predominantly surrounds cultural identity, making political points about this within the contemporary condition. His earlier performances have previously dealt with the complexities of being of mixed Indian/British heritage, gender, sexuality, and the crossover between these subjects. Vijay is currently interested in exploring his Asperger’s identity, further research on disability studies, and how he can communicate this to a wider audience.

What people have said about him

An engaging, exciting and charming performance artist. His work is funny, poignant, fearlessly personal, and current. He makes the political palatable and uses pop-culture references to inform his work and turn them on their head in a surprising and entertaining way.
— Sh!t Theatre
Vijay Patel is a dynamic young artist exploring the contemporary condition with humour, pathos and heart. Mark him as one to watch.
— Simon Casson, Duckie

Credits

Thanks to VFD (Nicol Parkinson + Phoebe Patey-Ferguson), Theatre Delicatessen, and Brian Lobel + Tracy Gentles.
Works Ahead 2018 is co-commissioned/co-produced by hÅb, Contact + STUN (Sustained Theatre Up North); supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Project Mentor: Peader Kirk