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Forced Entertainment: Exquisite Pain

Forced Entertainment, Exquisite Pain. Photo by Hugo Glendinning. Courtesy of the artist.

Inspired by the works of renowned French conceptual artist Sophie Calle, Exquisite Pain unfolds as a man and a woman recount and reframe stories of heartbreak and trauma. Accompanied by striking images – a red telephone on a hotel bed, a subway station, a green Mercedes – their narratives evolve with each retelling, blurring the lines between remembering and forgetting. This introspective production invites audiences to reflect on the stories we construct to navigate life’s most painful moments.

About Forced Entertainment
Forced Entertainment is a celebrated theater ensemble based in Sheffield, who has been creating provocative and innovative performances since 1984. Known for pushing the boundaries of storytelling, the company blends experimentation with emotional depth, offering audiences a space to reflect on universal human experiences. Their collaborative approach and commitment to challenging artistic conventions have earned them international acclaim, cementing their reputation as pioneers in contemporary theater.

Exquisite Pain (presented January 9 – 11, 2025) is a related event for the Walker exhibition Sophie Calle: Overshare (October 26, 2024–January 26, 2025) and a featured presentation of Out There 2025.

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