Modern Day Chronicles was created by Candela May and Raquel Arnaiz in 2021 and Seen 00:25 is their first show. As a company, their main goal is to tell stories that are relevant to the Z and X generations. With their pieces, they want to reinforce the idea that we should not look away from what is hard to watch but instead take action. Seen 00:25 is a solo show exploring a young woman dealing with anorexia and how she navigates her mental health with this disorder. Our protagonist copes with the harsh societal pressures and triggers that have contributed to damaging her and other young women’s mental health.
The show features Miss A(Candela May), the protagonist, and takes the audience on a journey of self-destruction and self-discovery all at once. Set in the present day, the protagonist claims to be Miss A’s reincarnation, who was the first girl ever diagnosed with anorexia. She examines the society she lives in while frozen in the sanctuary of her room.
Modern Day Chronicles feels it is absolutely necessary to tell this story. What makes the company stand out is its approach to the subject of mental health amongst young women, a subject that has often been neglected. Although there have been more conversations about mental disorders in the past few years, there has not been nearly enough action taken towards fixing the problem.
“We hope that this piece will help our generations navigate and comprehend better mental health coping mechanisms in the twenty-first century”, the company sustains. The use of screens that society is now obsessed with is a huge part of the performance. This makes the company’s piece relatable to all audience members.
“We aim to portray the truth of the Y and Z Generations using raw emotions and real examples of what it may be like for us, young girls and women, today”, Modern Day Chronicles upholds. It is important to the company that their piece is performed in an intimate venue so that viewers feel they are entering the protagonist’s personal space.
This will create a deeper connection with the character and allow audiences to feel as if they were reading her diary, rather than merely watching a show.
Seen 00:25 is a show that desperately needs to be shared to people of all generations. Audience members will experience the history of anorexia and how the media influences young people today. The show was written and performed by Candela May and directed by Raquel Arnaiz and Candela May.
Eating disorders are not something to be taken lightly. However, Modern Day Chronicles sheds light on the serious nature of the subject with love, humour, and understanding. It is a show without judgement placed on people struggling with this disorder, a look into the root of disordered eating. It is raw. It is real. Seen 00:25, directed by Raquel Arnaiz, is a show that needs to be seen.
Omnibus Theatre, 1 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 0QW from 17-19 Mar at 20:30 and 16:30.
Tickets available from Omnibus Theatre at https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/seen-0025/
Teaser: https://vimeo.com/721778134