A duet for the two ends of life.
Ernie is 19, Gerard, 74… there are 55 years between them.
Both are highly skilled performers. Ernie is a boxer, singer and National Youth Dance Company alumnus. Gerard arrived at Stacked Wonky after working with the likes of Improbable Theatre, Punchdrunk and Stan’s Cafe.
They like and trust each other.
The duet is Ernie's idea, made possible by partners willing to commission an intuitive young choreographer.
Join the performance as it weaves its way through public and private, intimate and open spaces this summer. You will find Gerard with his "in memoriam" bench looking for a good spot to rest.
Devised & performed by Gerard Bell and Ernie Shorten
Choreography Ernie Shorten
Music Sebastian Tesouro
Design Angie Newbold
Photography Jon Barrett
Produced by Stacked Wonky
Film Lucy Cash
Tour 2026
Working with programmers and local communities, we have put together an unusual, site-responsive tour incorporating a wide variety of spaces: back gardens, shopping centres, care homes, seafronts and well-loved parks. Performances will pop up in, around and between Ernie’s birthplace in Barnstaple, and Gerard’s in Tunbridge Wells, from July.
Running time 30 minutes
Suitable for all ages
Tour Dates
Friday 7 August
Taunton Brewhouse, Taunton
Outdoor performance followed by tea + cake
1 pm and 4 pm
Reserve a space
Tuesday 11 August
Presented by Creative Crawley
Breezehurst Drive Playing Field, Bewbush
12.15 pm and 1.15 pm
Free, just turn up
Friday 11 September
Gravesham
TBC
Saturday 12 September
Presented by Applause Rural Touring
Amelia Centre, Tunbridge Wells
11.30 am and 2 pm
Free, just turn up
Tuesday 22 September
South by South East Festival, Gulbenkian Arts Centre, University of Kent
TBC
Saturday 26 September
Taunton Together
TBC
Saturday 17 October
Presented by Super Culture
Good Grief Festival, Weston-Super-Mare
TBC
Free, just turn up
Sunday 18 October
Presented by Strike A Light Gloucestershire Dance Day, East Gate Shopping Centre
TBC
Free, just turn up
Past tour dates
June 2025 – Fringe TheatreFest
July 2025 – East Quay, Watchet
September 2025 – Welcome Weekender Festival, Ilfracombe
-
"This was so, so good"
Sarah Easter Collins, Author
Photographs courtesy of Jon Barrett and Jesse Roth