Image
Pictured in motion, stands Eve Stainton against a cream backdrop. They are white with bright blonde scraped back hair, reaching just below their ears. Their shirt, in neutral, contrasting tones is a mixture of textures and materials. Their stance is strong, leaning exaggeratedly to the left. Their hand reaches forward as their index finger points out. Their image is duplicated and overlayed.
Lydia Garnett
Fri 24 Oct 2025
The Joystick and The Reins
Dance
Performance
Theatre
Event organiser:
Transform

Join Transform for Eve Stainton’s unnerving choreographic performance exploring societal suspicion and the construction of threat. As a solo figure moves amongst us, the Airedale Symphony Orchestra play a live soundtrack – the music from 80s horror film The Thing.

The Joystick and The Reins interrogates who decides who and what is a ‘threat’ within society, and how these ideas are reinforced through systems of oppression and authoritarianism.

Reproducing intense, hyper-emotional states, Stainton’s references include historical reenactments, police and riot arrest imagery, and 1980s ‘Crime Watch’ episodes.

Complicating ideas of power and dominance, perpetrator and victim, threat and interpretation, the show asks: what it means to reconstruct a theatrical scene that draws on truth, and what societal constructs keep people at risk.

Performances at Transform 25 co-presented by Transform and Slung Low’s The Warehouse in Holbeck.

Co-commissioned by Bold Tendencies, Dansehallerne, Transform, The Place and performance, possession + automation (funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council). Supported by Queen Mary University of London, Old Diorama Arts Centre, Den Frie Udstilling, SLUG and L'Ecart Biennial. 

The Warehouse in Holbeck

The Warehouse in Holbeck
Crosby Street
Leeds
LS11 9RQ
United Kingdom

53.784701461359, -1.5636393037743

    Date
    Fri 24 Oct 2025
    Show all dates/times
    Fri 24 Oct 2025
    8:00pm - 9:00pm

    Ticket price

    £
    2
    £
    35
    Pay what you can

    Recommended price: £25 

    Accessibility

    What to expect: This performance is presented in a warehouse space with theatre seating. The artist will move through the audience at parts of the performance and there will be optional moments of audience interaction. 

     

    Duration: 60 mins 

     

    Age guidance: 14+ 

     

    Language: English 

     

    Content guidance: The performance includes movement and moments of loud music (ear plugs will be available). 

     

    Audio Description: Audio description will be available. 

     

    Step free access: There is step free access to the event and there is an accessible toilet at the venue. 

     

    Seating: Most of the seating is high-backed chairs. 

     

    Rest area: A rest area is available. 

     

    Open door policy: We have an open door policy across all shows at Transform, meaning ticket holders are welcome to come and go as they need. 

     

    More information: Head to Transform’s Access page for more information. 

    Baby changing facilities
    Buggy friendly
    Wheelchair access
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