I just saw a 30min monologue at The Old Vic called Sea Wall and I feel as if I had paid a full ticket to see a production at the Opera House where the soprano showed up in her yoga clothes to sing for us three arias a capella and left. The audience gave a standing ovation.

I won’t go into the writing. I won’t go into the delivery. I won’t even discuss the duration. I would just like to point out the importance of choosing the right context when it comes to performing a transgressive action. Live Art has taught us a lot about this issue.

I understand the intention of stripping down the performance -no lights, no costumes, no chorus, no scenography, no props, except a 500ml disposable plastic bottle of Aquafina- to bring the story closer to the audience. Artaud did it a century ago. Grotowski too. I am fascinated by Dario Fo who raised the figure of the medieval jongleur onto a stage. But is this action still a rebellion when performed in the premises of a safe and enclosed building with red velvet seats positioned in a semi-circle, for an audience who like me has paid to see a production? Really, in 2018?