'We like you, we like all of you, we like ourselves and everyone who ever has been and ever will be, and if we can't say anything nice, we will say nothing at all.'

The Strange Names Collective would like you to join being very nice about everyone, in their new show 'Testimonial'. They will describe the best qualities of people who have had a profound impact on our lives, and say the things that you always wish you had. They will flatter as many strangers as possible, without too much embarrassment, and say good things about people who it is offensive to say good things about. In 'Testimonial' The Strange Names Collective will find the moments when saying anything nice is a terrible thing to say, and when they can't say anything nice, they will say nothing at all… 'Testimonial' is a performance based on real transcripts given by the Collective. In the show the performers will give their own testimonials, read from transcripts, and interact with the audience in order to explore the best things we can say about people, whether they deserve it or not, giving credit where's its due or damning with faint praise and silence.

In case you are missing the perforance already here are some photos we took in rehearsal: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Or these screen grabs taken from a recoding of the show: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

A DVD of the show will be available in due course.

Audience feedback:

'Fascinating! At times bizarre, unusual, thought-provoking. Throughly enjoyable.'
'It was a truly enjoyable evening full of charm, visually engaging, and fun!'