Interview: Ray Young's OUT
K Bailey Obazee talks with Ray Young about their upcoming show OUT at Sadler's Wells.
Ahead of the re-staging of Ray Young’s award-winning duet ‘OUT’ at Sadler’s Wells Lilian Baylis Studio. PRIM got the chance to learn about the show; exploring its focus on movement and the body, as well as the changes made since its original debut in 2017.
KBO: Can you give a brief overview of who you are, as an individual how would you describe yourself and your interest in the focus areas of your practice?
RY: I am a black queer non-binary femme. Sometimes tomboy. Caribbean, grew up in Nottingham. I’m an artist and writer because these feel like sensible ways to describe my practice, and I also wish to ensure my work spans across education. I went to drama school in Manchester, which my parents were not happy with, but I was determined. I wanted to be an actor, but I realised it wasn’t enough. I needed to give space for things to breathe. To make things for ‘us’ as an audience. I started to think about ‘what is the work I would like to see, what is the experience?’
KBO’: The press release for ‘OUT’ notes that “OUT carves out a new kind of space from which to reimagine, reclaim and celebrate aspects of Caribbean culture from a queer perspective.” Are you able to expand on this a little for me? It would be great to hear of any specific parts of Caribbean dance culture you are drawing on and how have you tried to shape this with a queer lens?
“I wanted to create something where they could fully exist.”
RY: This work is born out of chats with friends over years, at different times and in different places. Our conversations on occasion considered the friction between queerness and Blackness that existed for them in various spaces. I wanted to create something where they could fully exist. The work is an opportunity to break out of the things they…we…we’re stuck in. And choosing to create a piece of work through the body, through the very fabric of our being, it felt easier for us to have this conversation in an embodied way. What happens when you're listening to music that, through its words, challenges the existence of who you are? The work is about taking these songs and transforming our experiences with it.
KBO: This upcoming performance is a re-staging of ‘OUT’ from 2017. What are the key differences between that first performance and this upcoming one?
RY: Structurally it is the same. The beats in the work are the same, however it will be read differently as there are two new additions - Azara and Bambi Jordan Phillips who bring an important artistic element to this iteration. Notably, I will not be performing and so this is going to feel really different more than anything. I will also say that the process of creating ‘OUT’ this time has been an incredible experience, everyone is excited to be a part of the project.
“…this kind of work must continue to be made.“
KBO: You probably have thought about your ‘why’ a hundred times, but what made you want to create this piece of performance art?
RY: Given this hostile environment, it’s important to highlight that we deserve to be here. We deserve to live, to breathe and enjoy, love, feel good, everything. Shared responsibility is also something I thought about - we have to keep going, to ensure work is continued - this kind of work must continue to be made.
KBO: What would you say is the key take away you want for people when they watch the show?
RY: The show is an opportunity to build community. I also recognise that the work lives differently in a space with a Black audience. At Sadler’s Wells, what does it mean to take this work here? To reconcile this space.
KBO: Is there anyone or community you especially want to engage in this show? And why?
RY: Black Queer Community Come Through. Do I need a reason? Ha
KBO: How does it feel to almost bring this project / journey to completion?
RY: I was saying this morning that it’s been a huge journey. I’ve learnt a lot from being outside of the work instead of in it this time. Taking stock of my achievement and being able to sit in it - I realise how good it feels to be able to create my own opportunities.
About Ray Young
Ray Young is a transdisciplinary performance artist, experience maker, and writer, widely recognised for their groundbreaking work at the forefront of activism, queerness, race, and neurodiversity. Their practice is centered around creating a safe space for those who exist at the intersection of multiple realities, through collaboration and resistance to traditional forms.
About AZARA
Azara is a multi-disciplinary artist that likes to share personal politics on sexuality, gender, racism, classism and homophobia through live art and film using poetry, breakdancing and theatre.
Throughout Azara’s developing career, Azara has worked with a variety of artists such as playwright Roy Williams, Company 3, Coral Messam and Freddie Opoku-Addaie.
Azara has also performed in The Shakespeare’s Globe production I, Joan, The Dog Show at The Pleasance and the five star Talawa show, Run It Back at Fairfield Halls. Azara’s show Just Another Day and Night, received a four star review from The Guardian and has been shown at Ovalhouse, The Lowry, & The Place amongst other venues across London.
Azara really enjoys creating work that unites a desire for introspection within the audience and themself, but through that a celebration of individuality should reign supreme.
About Bambi Jordan Phillips
Bambi Jordan Phillips is a creative producer, movement artist and model interested in driving artistic work for social change. Bambi quickly became a cornerstone of the London Ballroom Scene, where she is a part of the iconic, Unforgettable House of Revlon and Mother of the Kiki House of Laveaux. Bambi believes in Voguing as a form of social activism - a direct connection to trans embodied ancestry. She creates work that explores identity and the deconstruction of learned ideas of gender, sexuality, desire and race.