Eau de Memoire

An outdoor show for the nose:
Eau de Memoire celebrates the rich experiences and memories evoked by our sense of smell, recalling moments in time via bespoke perfumes for an olfactory experience combining live performance and audience interaction.
The outdoor show brings together a diverse group of artists for a series of scented performances called ‘perfumances’ with smell-along fragrances – bringing their memories of specific places and times to life.
The Eau de Memoire range of ‘perfumances’ includes ‘Leisure Centre 1992’, ‘Brazilian Beach 2017’, ‘Funfair 1978’, ‘Squat Party 2002’ and ‘School Disco 1988’ – spectacular visual vignettes which incorporate dance, comedy, fun, and surprise.
Prior to the performances the ‘Head Perfumier’ and her assistants distribute sample perfume cards* to the audience. QR codes on the cards link to the scent formulas and background stories behind the artists’ fragrances (which were created by them with a perfumier).
Eau de Memoire was inspired by my experience of parosmia – temporarily losing my own sense of smell from Covid-19. Smell is the sense most closely connected to memory and imagination – through this link we have created an accessible, engaging show with inclusivity at its heart. Eau de Memoire is fun, quirky and approachable… and smells amazing!
Starring live artists including Miss High Leg Kick, Abi Cunliffe, Steve Nice, Harold Offeh, Katy Baird, Richard Layzell, Lorna Rees, Haitch Plewis, and two younger artists Reggie Roberts (15 years old) and Luciana Hutt (11 years old).