Two guards. One portrait. Utter absurdity.

The Portrait

Buster Keaton collides with Banksy in this bold new physical theatre work that takes a satirical look at the art world, celebrity, and the absurd expectations placed on those who guard it. On the day of a grand unveiling, two gallery attendants find themselves swept into spiralling chaos — a funny, surprising, and wordless exploration of human vulnerability beneath the uniform. Blending razor-sharp timing and masterful physical comedy, the work reveals both the humour and humanity in the cracks of cultural spectacle.

Created and directed by Clare Bartholomew (one half of Otto & Astrid’s Die Roten Punkte and one third of The Long Pigs), the show is performed and devised by Emilie Bloom and Tim Sneddon, with sound composition and design by Steph O’Hara, set design by Mike Finch, production management by Sarah Platts and directing mentorship from Debra Batton and Peter Houghton.

A special preview performance season presented as part of the 2025 Borderville Festival.