Saved events

Online Porch Sitting

Split Britches

Split Britches on their front porch

Join queer-feminist theatre icon, Lois Weaver, in this re-imagined online version of her Porch Sitting. Sit, think, dream, wonder and take part in conversation around our collective future.

Now in lockdown, Lois brings the porch online and into your home, as she hosts this interactive digital event to help us talk to one another, ease a little tension and consider some survival strategies for our new world.

Lois Weaver is a multi award-winning artist, activist and Professor of Contemporary Performance at Queen Mary University of London. As one half of international performance troupe Split Britches she has been creating and touring work with her collaborator Peggy Shaw for over 40 years. Split Britches' latest production, Last Gasp, was scheduled this summer at the Barbican but it has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Running time: 90 minutes, no interval

Age guidance 16+

If you have any issues accessing this event then please contact us at [email protected]

Photo credit: Alex Legge

Reviews

‘Thought-provoking debate on ageing and unexplored potential‘
The Stage on Split Britches Unexploded Ordnances

Questions you might have

What is a Porch Sitting?

Porch Sitting is inspired by the notion of sitting on the porch outside your home, watching the world go by. This is Lois Weaver's protocol for public contemplation and conversation that has been brought online during the global pandemic.

Where is this event happening?

This live and interactive event is completely online using video conferencing software Zoom. You'll be invited to join a room along with other audience members and the event will be hosted in real-time by Split Britches artist Lois Weaver.

What can I expect?

You'll join a Zoom call where throughout the event some members of the audience will be randomly invited to sit quietly on the porch with Lois or engage in casual conversation. During this time, your favourite-place photo will be showing on the screen and you will be able to join in the conversation. The remaining participants not on the porch will still be able to listen and see photos of other people’s favourite places which you'll be asked to set up in advance.

How do I take part in this event?

This is a free but ticketed event. Once you've booked a ticket, you'll be sent instructions by email on how to join the Zoom call on the morning of the event. The event will start promptly at 7pm so we recommend that you set up your Zoom account in advance. The room will be open from 6:45pm.

There's a limited capacity of 60 tickets available and it's one ticket per participant.

If you're having issues accessing the event then please contact us at [email protected]

What technology do I need?

  • A computer (laptop or desktop)
    Due to the participatory nature of this event we recommend that you don't use a mobile device such as a phone or iPad.
     
  • Zoom application installed https://zoom.us/
     
  • Speakers
     
  • Camera not required
    Audiences members should turn off their cameras during this event. You should upload a picture of your favourite place as your Zoom profile image instead. 
     
  • Microphone (optional)
    This event will mostly involve listening and you don't need to speak if you don't want to.
     
  • Headphones (optional)

How to change your Zoom profile picture

During the Porch Sitting we’ll all have our cameras turned off automatically to help us to feel more relaxed. We encourage you to change your Zoom profile picture to a picture of your favourite place in advance. This photo will then be seen by others if you speak during the Porch Sitting.

Follow these three easy steps ahead of the event

Create a Zoom account at http://zoom.us/ if you don’t already have one. Then log in to change your profile image.

Find a picture of your favourite place and save it to your computer desktop. The file must be no larger than 2 MB in size. Use this tool to reduce the file size if needed.

Click ‘Change’ below the picture icon

Choose the ‘Upload’ button and select the image you saved on your Desktop

Use the tool to Crop your chosen photograph into a square

Once you've uploaded the picture to your Zoom account you're ready to go. The link to the Zoom event will be sent via email on 28 July. Click the link and login. Your profile picture will then appear in the chat if you're chosen to sit on the porch and join in the conversation.