theatre user timeline reversioned for Mori
- see ice cream van in distance
-approach ice cream van. See usherette outside with tray full of different flavours of memory ice-cream and programmes inside inside. Read info on display on side of van or in programme - realise this is an art project, not a normal van.
-listen to ‘sales pitch’ from either Mori at window or usherette. Buy ticket to go inside the van from one of them – this consists of buying an ice cream, and you choose your flavour at this point. Your ice cream is delivered as a token with a number – now you wait your turn.
(Is Mori a puppet when at window?)
(It is explained to you that you can go into the van as a group of two or three at a time – same flavours?)
You read programme and info about show whilst waiting- this can also have on it some amusing text about the invention of the memory freezing process to keep people occupied whilst waiting. The facillitator explains that each group of 2 or 3 persons entering the van can choose 2 flavours between them)
- It is your turn, so you are ushered into the van. You step through the door and pull back the curtain to reveal something (maybe an ice cave, maybe library with index card drawers, maybe an inventors workshop, or Mori’s house –kitchen scene? – Matt’s coat on pegs etc?)
- Mori (actor) comes and seats you down and delivers his patter, which offers you hints about the experience, and outlines the ‘rules’ eg please stay seated, the memories will come to you….
-Mori goes to his special machine ( a special ‘dumb waiter’ type device with dry ice and flashing lights) and brings out perfect, tiny scoops of nouvelle cusine style ice cream, tastefully garnished.
- The lights dim in the van interior - as you start to eat the ice cream, a collage of voices becomes audible.
- As each voice sounds, one of the drawers nearby or flaps in the tabletop partially open, or ice-screen projection defrosts,or glow, or vibrate. If that drawer/flap is opened it reveals an automata/object/scene/slide inside illustrating the memory, and that part of the collage audio is played in full. If the drawer is not opened the collage audio just carries onto the next memory. The collage fades out after approx 2 mins
- The lights come up?, Mori re-enters, and swaps the empty tubs for new tubs containing another slightly larger portion, this time it’s ‘Holiday of a lifetime’ of ice cream. He checks everything is all right for you, and vanishes again behind the curtain.
- As you eat, you start to hear a voice recalling a memorable holiday experience. Areas of the otherwise darkened interior begin to light up - an old photograph on a shelf, various props related the memory (eg keys to a secret walled garden that was visited on the holiday )As the story gets underway, puppets appear from various hidden corners in the van and a scene is played out in front of you, illustrating a moment from the story. As the story ends, the lights on the puppets go down.
- House lights come up, Mori reappears and checks everything was alright for you. He ushers you out of the van.
