UK-based theatre director Alex Chisholm on live performances for mobile phones in times of social distancing

We look at plays through the prism of our current reality so their meaning changes, says the noted director.

3 min readUpdated: May 11, 2020 07:11 PM IST

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Director Alex Chisholm on theatre playsamid covid-19. (Source: Alex Chisholm)

It is a sunny picnic weather in Leeds, UK, where acclaimed theatre director Alex Chisholm is locked in like the rest of the world. She has visited this sense of desolation before — while directing North Country four years ago. As the Bradford theatre company Freedom Studios, of which she is Co-Artistic Director, streams North Country on YouTube, Chisholm makes time for an email interview.

Excerpts:

Scene that

The plague that’s in North Country is more virulent than the COVID-19 but it has brought a greater immediacy to the play than when it was performed in 2016. The experience of the characters, who are blamed because they look different, is one many people are going through now. Reality is always changing and we look at plays through the prism of our current reality so their meaning changes too. There were lines which seemed fantastical in 2016 that are now a reality.

The Other Side

The later sections of the play — one year, 10 years, 40 years in the future — resonate strongly with me. The play reflects how, under pressure, humans will retreat to the strongest form of identity they know. They will defend themselves against the ‘other’. But, it also shows that we always have choices. That even when those choices aren’t easy or clear, we can try
to choose a way that brings us together not drives us apart.

Alex Chisholm directed North Country four years ago. (Source: Alex Chisholm)

Cellphone Theatre

North Country was made entirely by and with mobile phones, in a burnt out building, in Bradford, without power or wifi. Much of the play is direct address to the audience, where it felt like these characters are sharing their story with the audience through video recording on their mobile phones. I am interested in the possibilities of making live performance for digital mobile devices. At the time, Freedom Studios had a Technologist-in-Residence, Imran Ali, and this enabled us to experiment with live digital performance.

Places as characters

All of Freedom Studios productions use the connection between play, location and audience. The building gave us a number of locations in which to situate the play. The intended effect is not film-like realism, but reimagined theatricality for digital space. Location becomes a character in the play.

Alex Chisholm’s working with her team. (Source: Alex Chisholm)

Looking Ahead

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I’ve been working on creating live performance for mobiles since 2016. Just as lockdown happened, we were doing a test broadcast via a new app we’ve developed with Carbon: Imagineering (Imran Ali’s company). The app would allow easy, low-cost live performance by and for mobile devices. I don’t think this will replace live theatre completely but it could be part of the answer to performance in a time of social distancing. I’m interested in what is the new form of performance that emerges from that. Not theatre or film but a hybrid that uses the intimate space of your mobile as its stage.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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