– VAULT Festival 2022 has now been cancelled – Commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre with support from Arts Council England, Helen brings to light the largely unknown story of Britain’s first astronaut, Helen Sharman, highlighting the human side of her unique journey, the sacrifices she made and the obstacles she faced – finally reclaiming her status as a feminist icon.
N2P’s newest work is a dramatisation of Helen’s bookish life leading up to hearing that fateful advert. Because before she was a national hero, Helen was just a 26 year old from up north who came to London to study.
N2P’s Helen reminds us that everyone has the potential to do great things and that sometimes you have to go (really) far away to find your way back to what really matters- family.
Using their signature brand of ensemble movement to unpack gritty, working-class stories, award winning theatre ensemble Nothing to Perform are proud to finally tell Helen’s story.
Helen was originally recorded during lockdown in 360 degree VR technology for Battersea Arts Centre’s ‘Wild Times’ season in March 2021, which was sadly postponed. This means that after over a year of setbacks and against all odds, the inspirational story of Helen will finally have its premiere live at Vault Festival in March 2022.
N2P is a London-based production company co-founded in 2017 by Scott Howland (Playwright) and Harriet Taylor (Director) while completing their MA at RADA/Birkbeck – the same school where Helen Sharman earned her PhD.
Since then, the company have been committed to creating new, challenging theatre, increasing access to the arts through free monthly workshops for creatives called Networkshops, and cast actors/directors for paid work at world-class institutions like The London Film School and Central Film School. Helen will be the company’s fourth original show. Their last piece, GRIP, won the Audience Choice Award at the International Youth Arts Festival in 2019.
Helen is at VAULT Festival’s The Cavern 15th – 20th March 2022.
