All Roads Lead to Rome
Chris Dobrowolski
Marketing Pack
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Tagline (11 words)
A quick-witted, fast-paced expedition through consumerism, communism and
classic car mechanics
Short (38 words)
Part personal investigation into the Italian Campaign of WWII and part muse on
our growing materialistic culture, Chris uses slideshows, kinetic sculptures and his
charismatic wit to explore the surprising connections between communism,
consumerism and classic car mechanics.
Long (84 words)
Having lovingly repaired his father’s Triumph Herald Estate, Chris embarked upon a
road trip from his childhood home in Braintree in Essex to Turin, Italy, where this
quintessentially British car was designed. This is a show about that journey.
Part personal investigation his father’s time as a Polish soldier during the Italian
Campaign of WWII and part muse on our growing materialistic culture, Chris uses
slideshows, kinetic sculptures and his charismatic wit to explore the surprising
connections between communism, consumerism and classic car mechanics.
Biography
Chris Dobrowolski is an Essex-based artist and maker whose practice combines
kinetic sculpture, story telling and performance. He studied Fine Art in Hull but,
when he first got there, he built a boat from driftwood to try to escape. Chris has
since made a series of fully functioning vehicles in a similar vein, including a pedal
car, a flame-throwing tank, a hovercraft and even an aeroplane. Each vehicle
has its own story attached, collated in his recent publication, Escape.
His recent work includes a solo show at & Model, Leeds, the performance lecture
Antarctica based on his role as Visiting Artist at the British Antarctic Survey, Poland
3, Iran 2 about international football in the 70’s and Vanishing Point, a series of
miniature film installations made for lamp-posts and trees. Chris is currently an
associate artist at Art Exchange, University of Essex.
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Dobrowolski’s eccentric and theatrical manner transforms ‘pointing at pictures with a
stick’ into an engaging and thoroughly interesting investigation… I think this show will
appeal to fans of storytelling, art and comedy alike, so if you are looking for something a
little different I’d highly recommend checking this out Nerdgeist
http://nerdgeist.com/2014/05/11/all-roads-lead-to-rome-cathedral-quarter-arts-festival-2014/
A simple, effective and intellectual piece, told with warmth and a twinkle. Fringe Review
http://www.fringereview.co.uk/fringeReview/5397.html
Dobrowolski’s one man show is an hour of charismatic storytelling which invites its
audience inside the Triumph Herald for a multimedia drive through his life. Broadway Baby
http://www.broadwaybaby.com/shows/all-roads-lead-to-rome/4936
He takes us from the personal to the political, across a great swathe of 20th Century
history, all without leaving the driving seat of the Triumph Herald.**** The Scotsman
http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/blog/2013/08/16/theatre-review-all-roads-lead-%E2%80%A8to-rome/
This is one of the best shows I have ever seen in a theatre – and it isn't really a show… It's
like someone showing you their holiday snaps - except this time you actually want to stay.
Colchester Gazette
http://chrisdobo.tumblr.com/post/67045861999/the-local-newspaper-reporter-liked-it
This is live art in all its glory and a great introduction to the medium for those less familiar
with it. Three Weeks
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2013-theatre-review-all-roads-lead-to-rome-chrisdobrowolski-escalator-east-to-edinburgh/
Merges travelogue, documentary and comedy to create an entirely beguiling personal
tale of possessions, loss and consumerism. In Suffolk
http://www.insuffolk.com/roads-lead-rome-insuffolk-review/#
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Chris Dobrowolski’s performance, All Roads Lead to Rome, comes to [Venue] on
[Dates] – [Booking info]
Full information can be found here:
www.artsadmin.co.uk/projects/all-roads-lead-to-rome
Chris Dobrowolski is an Essex-based artist and maker whose practice combines
kinetic sculpture, story telling and performance. He studied Fine Art in Hull but,
when he first got there, he built a boat from driftwood to try to escape. Chris has
since made a series of fully functioning vehicles in a similar vein, including a pedal
car, a flame-throwing tank, a hovercraft and even an aeroplane.
Chris’ latest project, All Roads Lead to Rome, follows a recent road trip from the
heart of Essex to the Italian peninsula – a mirror image of the journey that his father
took as a Polish soldier during the final months of the Second World War. In the
style of a performance-lecture, it brings together story telling, film, photography
and kinetic sculpture to reveal the surprising connections between the Italian
Campaign of World War II, family history, Cold War politics, the rise of consumerism,
car mechanics, contemporary art and classical civilisation.
To make All Roads Lead to Rome, Chris spent a year repairing his father’s ancient
but beloved Triumph Herald Estate car. Purchased just before he was born, the car
is a testament to “make do and mend”, the antithesis of modern consumerism.
Chris says:
“The car is of great personal significance because my father bought it when my
mother found out she was pregnant with her second child – me. My father taught
me how to repair and service it and we managed to keep it working for far longer
than it was designed to last.
Driving my old car to Italy was a very real journey to an almost illusory place; a kind
of modern “Grand Tour” to seek out some of the places my father would have
encountered whilst in action, and an attempt to verify his stories which have, over
the years, achieved mythological status.”
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Whilst in Italy, Chris gathered the material for All Roads Lead to Rome, including
old photos, new film and some surprising mechanical objects.
The Triumph Herald originally accompanied Chris for his showings of All Roads Lead
to Rome, before the car was tragically stolen and burnt out on the last night of his
Edinburgh Festival run. The only lasting remnant of the car, the passenger seat, will
still escort Chris across his UK tour.
Join Chris and this old seat in a witty and moving testament to the journeys of our
fathers in a material world so different from today.
PRESS CONTACT
Cat Harrison [email protected] | T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee
Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
[VENUE-SPECIFIC LISTINGS INFORMATION]
NOTES TO EDITORS
All Roads Lead to Rome is produced by Artsadmin and supported using public
funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. This tour is presented
by house.
Chris Dobrowolski is an artist and teacher. He has an MA in Sculpure from the
Royal College of Art, London and is an associate artist at Art Exchange, University
of Essex. His recent work includes the publication, Escape, a solo show at & Model,
Leeds, and performance lecture Antarctica based on his role as Visiting Artist at
the British Antarctic Survey.
www.cdobo.com
Artsadmin is a unique producing and presenting organisation for contemporary
artists working in theatre, dance, live art, visual arts and mixed media. At its
Toynbee Studios home, Artsadmin has established a centre for the creation,
development and presentation of new work and a space for artists and audiences
to experiment. The organisation offers a wide range of artist-development services
including a free advisory service and mentoring schemes as well as a bursary
scheme. Artsadmin is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
www.artsadmin.co.uk
house is a development initiative delivered by Farnham Maltings and supported by
Arts Council England to improve the range, quality and scale of theatre presented
across the south east of England.
www.housetheatre.org.uk/
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
About All Roads Lead to Rome
In All Roads Lead to Rome, Chris Dobrowolski tells the story of how he repaired his
father’s Triumph Herald Estate so that he could take it on a road trip to Italy, where
it was designed. This journey also took Chris to the evocative locations in which his
Polish father fought during WWII. Told in a simple fashion (one man and a
PowerPoint presentation) the show is witty and surprisingly moving, revealing the
connections between the car, his childhood, and his father’s time as a soldier.
The show is accompanied by a series of interactive sculptures, created from
everyday objects (vacuum cleaners, fridges, record players) and vintage toys.
Chris’ blog (regularly updated during his journey) contains photos, short films,
reflective writing and historical/contextual information – all of which can be used
as part of a social media campaign.
Selling points
• An intimate and relaxed experience, presented as an informal talk
• Will make you laugh – witty, warm and charismatic with a stand-up comedy feel
• Celebrates a classic British icon, the Triumph Herald, well loved by vintage car
enthusiasts around the world
• A personal perspective on major historical events (WWII, Cold War)
• Evocative storytelling which brings to life the experience of taking a European
road trip in a battered classic car
Potential target audiences
Previous audiences have demonstrated the wide appeal the show has. The
historical links, classic car connection, and contemporary performance style mean
it could attract a range of audience groups, including:
• Frequent, multi-arts attenders interested in a range of events
• Audiences for stand-up comedy (eg Dave Gorman)
• Audiences for contemporary performance
• Classic car interest groups, mechanics etc
• Individuals or groups with an interest in history (eg WWII and Cold War)
• Individuals or groups with Polish or Italian connections
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Social media updates
You can schedule these in advance using Hootsuite or Tweetdeck.
Chris has a number of YouTube videos you can refer to here as well as an ongoing
blog dedicated to All Roads: http://chrisdobo.tumblr.com/archive
Chris is active on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisDobrowolskiArt
and uses Twitter handle (@Chris_Dobo)
Please note that some of Chris’ videos and social media updates may contain
adult content.
Where possible please include a link to the ticket-buying web page in your
updates.
Twitter examples
All Roads Lead to Rome is finally parking up at [VENUE]. Now’s your chance to see
“the greatest living artist in the UK” @Chris_Dobo
Check out @Chris_Dobo’s funny vid of his "All Roads" interview with @BBCNorfolk
last year (warning: adult content!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB4WyEFnDSA&list=UUup4a29X759YKKyGNhO
NeZQ
Here's a snapshot of what you can expect at @Chris_Dobo's "All Roads…" on
[DATE] http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/artsonline/202/all-roads-lead-to-rome-trailer
@artsadm
Nerdgeist: "if you're looking for something different I’d highly recommend checking
this out". We agree! Come along to @Chris_Dobo on [DATE]
Sneaky preview of one of @Chris_Dobo's amazing kinetic sculptures you can see
as part of "All Roads" on [DATE]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COLWlL7Ubls&index=35&list=UUup4a29X759Y
KKyGNhONeZQ
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Duration: 1 hour, 5 mins – no interval
Audience notes
We suggest a lower age limit of 14 due to the historical and political focus of the
work, that will be enjoyed more by audiences with some prior knowledge. The
performance is very accessible, but requires audience concentration. The
performance includes some swearing and an image of Mussolini’s body hanging.
What is All Roads Lead to Rome about?
All Roads Lead to Rome is a one-man show telling the story of how Chris
Dobrowolski repaired his father’s Triumph Herald Estate so that he could take it on
a road trip to Italy, where it was designed, and onwards to some of the locations in
which his father fought during WWII. Told in a simple fashion (one man and a
PowerPoint presentation) the show is witty and surprisingly moving, revealing the
connections between the car, his childhood, and his father’s time as a soldier.
Who is Chris Dobrowolski?
Chris Dobrowolski is an artist who works from his garden shed in Colchester, Essex.
He is primarily a sculptor, and makes moving mechanical objects with a
deliberately makeshift aesthetic. Chris’ projects often involve him building or
repairing a vehicle using recycled materials, including a tank, a hovercraft and
even an aeroplane. He then makes performances and lectures to share his
adventures with audiences.
Who might enjoy this show?
The historical links, classic car connection, and contemporary performance style
mean it could attract a range of audience groups, including:
• Frequent, multi-arts attenders interested in a range of events
• Audiences for stand-up comedy (eg Dave Gorman)
• Audiences for contemporary performance
• Classic car interest groups, mechanics etc
• Individuals or groups with an interest in history (eg WWII and Cold War)
• Individuals or groups with Polish or Italian connection
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
This information has been written to help Box Office and Front of House teams
provide clear and comprehensive information to audience members with specific
access requirements. For additional information, please contact Edd Hobbs:
[email protected] / 020 7247 5102
Synopsis:
-­‐ Chris introduces his car – a Triumph Herald 1200 Estate from 1967, E reg,
painted "Gun metal blue". He has a strong emotional attachment to the car,
which was bought brand new by his father when his mum was pregnant
with him.
-­‐ Chris’ presentation is based on photographs from his mother’s old photo
albums – over the years, the car has developed a habit of sneaking into the
family photographs.
-­‐ The car was bought in England but it was designed in Italy. Chris repaired
the car so that he could drive to Italy where the car was designed.
-­‐ When he arrived at the designer’s house there was nobody there. But just as
he was about to give up and leave, the son of the designer arrives.
-­‐ Chris introduces his father by talking about the things that his father had
made.
-­‐ Chris’ father also went to Italy; he was there during World War 2. He fought in
the Battle of Monte Casino on the top of a mountain, so Chris drove his car
there.
-­‐ After spending the night in the rebuilt town of Casino, Chris triumphantly
arrived in Rome; a journey that echoed the Allied forces victory parade in
July 1944.
-­‐ Chris describes the old toys and furniture that he has found in his mother’s
loft. This includes a handbag full of plastic toy soldiers – one of which had
fallen out some time in the 1970’s and was found under the back seat of the
car.
-­‐ Following the route that his father took through Italy during the war, Chris’
path leads him to places of significance for Mussolini, including Predappio,
Mussolini’s birthplace.
-­‐ The journey continues until Chris reaches a river where his father was
bombed by friendly fire, and then a war cemetery in Bolonia.
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
-­‐
-­‐
-­‐
-­‐
-­‐
Chris’ journey ends in Milan, where Mussoli’s body was put on display outside
a petrol station.
Back in England, Chris reveals he grew up on a post-war housing estate, on
a road named after the commander responsible for destroying the town of
Casino.
Chris talks about the Cold War (his dad was prisoner of communist party) in
relation to the rise of consumer society and the new domestic appliance.
The legacy of the Cold War was to find the old car still in his dad’s shed.
Chris is faced with an ever-increasing pile of possessions and artwork – which
led him into making performance. This included presenting All Roads Lead to
Rome at the Edinburgh Fringe festival
Whilst celebrating the show’s success, Chris’ car was stolen and driven to the
other side of King Arthur’s seat, where it was set on fire and met it’s end.
Music:
The music in All Roads Lead to Rome relates historically or geographically to the
subject of each section, and is mostly Italian and American pop music from the
1950’s/1960’s. The soundscape also includes archival war sounds, some classical
music and the Russian Red Army Choir.
Set:
Fridge freezer, vintage (blue) leather car seat, Chris’ mum’s wooden TV table
Visuals:
PowerPoint presentation – images of car, old family photos, Chris’ journey to Italy,
World War 2 and old furniture.
Note:
The production follows a PowerPoint presentation, in which the visual themes and
story telling are directly and clearly connected.
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Date: 22 January 2015
Venue: South Street Arts Centre, Reading
Address: 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU
Time: 8pm
Box office: readingarts.com/southstreet / 0118 960 6060
Date: 5 February 2015
Venue: The Theatre, Chipping Norton
Address: 2 Spring Street, Chipping Norton, OX7 5NL
Time: 7.45pm
Box office: chippingnortontheatre.co.uk / 01608 642350
Dates: 7 February 2015
Venue: Tom Thumb Theatre, Margate
Address: 2A Eastern Esplanade, Margate, CT9 2LB
Time: 7.30pm
Box office: tomthumbtheatre.co.uk / 01843 221791
Date: 12 February 2015
Venue: The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Havant
Address: 56 East Street, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1BS
Time: 8pm
Box office: thespring.co.uk / 023 9247 2700
Date: 20 Feb 2015
Venue: Letchworth Arts Centre
Address: 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 3EW
Time: 7.30pm
Box office: letchwortharts.org / 01462 670788
Date: 12 March 2015
Venue: The Showroom, Chichester
Address: Bishop Otter Campus, College Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6PE
Time: 7.30pm
Box office: theshowroomchichester.co.uk
Date: 19 March 2015
Venue: King’s Lynn Arts Centre
Address: 29 King Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1HA
Time: 7.30pm
Box office: kingslynnarts.co.uk / 01553 764864
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Date: 20 March 2015
Venue: Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford
Address: 40 George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AQ
Time: 7.30pm
Box office: oldfirestation.org.uk / 01865 263 980
Date: 24 March 2015
Venue: ICIA (Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts), Bath
Address: University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
Time: 7.30pm
Box office: bath.ac.uk/icia / 01225 386777
Date: 28 March 2015
Venue: Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre, Bordon
Address: Station Road, Bordon, GU35 0LR
Time: 7.30pm
Box office: phoenixarts.co.uk / 01420 472 664
Date: 4 April 2015
Venue: Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Walton-on-Thames
Address: Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 2PF
Time: 8pm
Box office: riverhousebarn.com / 01932 253 354
Press and Marketing Enquiries: Cat Harrison [email protected] | www.artsadmin.co.uk
T: 020 7247 5102 | Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB