"A powerful examination of loss, and a moving study of loneliness. It’s perfect for our times”
★★★★
- The Reviews Hub.
"Daphna Attias and Terry O’Donovan’s inventive and intimate video podcast about grief and our digital afterlife."
★★★★
- The Stage
"On one level, the show looks like something that could potentially be moved wholly online – but how well would they manage it without the atmosphere of the café, and Terry’s live presence? The answer is: brilliantly... The level of detail is superb."
- Total Theatre
USER NOT FOUND is an immersive video podcast about what happens to our online identities after we die.
For this new digital adaptation of the 2018/19 critically acclaimed live show, we have created a virtual site-specific world. Charge your phone, plug in your headphones and find a quiet space for this intimate, meditative and funny story of one man grappling with something deeply private.
USER NOT FOUND explores the ethics of digital ownership, public and private grief and shifting notions of connection and community.
WINNER - Most Innovative Production in the Scenesaver Birthday Honour Awards
FINALIST 2021 OnComm Award for Innovative & Interactive Performance
Prix Europa 2021 Digital Media Nomination
- Created by Terry O'Donovan & Daphna Attias
- Directed by Daphna Attias
- Writing by Chris Goode
- Performed by Terry O'Donovan
- Creative Technology Design by Marmelo
- Sound Design & Composition by Yaniv Fridel
- Video Content by Preference Studio
- Produced by Sophie Ignatieff
VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY
Joseph Black (Luka), Angela Ekaette Michaels (Maria), James Short (Laurent Mercier), Freya Storch (Laurent Mercier’s Nouveau Monde), Simon Rice (Tim), Stuart Barter (voiceover), Fiona Watson (voiceover), Zoe Allum, Robert Beck, Shelby Bond, Anastasia Booth, Edward Dingley, Patrick James French, Stephanie Fuller, Benjamin Grant, Sophie Gunn, Charlie Hendren, Ben Howarth, Sophia Kakembo, Bridget Lappin, Makis Mezopoulos, Ken Mulligan, Madeleine Oslejsek, Pedro Pablo Rodriguez, Faith Rowley, Maria-Eleni Sitaropoulou, Jessica Warnes.
THANK YOU
Thanks to Inna, Hannah and Richard at Stone Nest. OJ Shabi, Ron Ganbar, Ilana Loraine. Chris at The Guardian. Rob and all at the Space.
- Technical Stage Management & Captioning by Philippa Mannion
- Access Development by Sophie Gunn
- Sound Engineering by Julian Blanco
- Additional Composition, Production & Vocals by Oscar Moos, Ofer (OJ) Shabi, JJ & Ilana Lorraine
- Recorded & Mixed at Soho Sonic Studios
- Additional Visual Effects by Maya Raviv
- Podcast & Digital Consultancy by Clare Freeman & David Sabel
- Animation corrections by Louis Hudson
- Marketing Management by Vic Shead
- PR Representation by Cliona Roberts
- Come Away With Me by Norah Jones. Used By Permission of EMI Blackwood Music Inc. Muthajones Music LLC. All Rights Reserved.
We had the idea for the video podcast very soon after creating the live show of User Not Found and had begun work on it at the start of 2020. The live show takes place in cafés but also in the world of the screen, via the bespoke smartphone app used, so it was a natural extension to create a digital only experience. Then the world locked down due to Covid-19 and suddenly our project about connecting via the digital sphere, acquired a whole new relevance.
The process began with working with the writer Chris Goode, to interrogate further the world of the screen. Exploring the digital landscape proved to be an exciting artistic challenge. We worked together with the creative team who worked on the live show, including Marmelo who created the bespoke app used in the show and Yaniv Fridel, our Sound Designer, to build a virtual site-specific world.
We are delighted to be working with a range of exciting new partners on this project, which has really developed our ways of working. Being commissioned by digital development agency, The Space, to create the video podcast, pushed our understanding of digital art and expanded our creative networks. We are excited to be launching the experience with The Guardian, and for audiences to be able to experience it via their & theatre partner’s websites.
We look forward to sharing the experience with audiences nationally & internationally, so let us know; would you push the button?
We are delighted to be launching the video podcast with The Guardian; it is now available to experience on The Guardian’s website here
Read the Guardian feature ahead of the launch here.
"A powerful examination of loss, and a moving study of loneliness. It’s perfect for our times” ★★★★ The Reviews Hub
"Did you hold your hand up to the screen. I did. Oh, how I long to touch real flesh and blood at this moment. The magic moment of touch." Lyn Gardner
"User Not Found accurately captures the dazed awakeness of loss, the too-real unrealness" ★★★★ The Stage
"It’s in these subtle ambiguities that director Daphna Attias thrives, weaving a complex and beautiful depiction of modern loss." ★★★★ The Upcoming
"This show understands the key difference in telling your audience to get on board and inviting them to." ★★★★ A Younger Theatre
"Dante or Die is a site-specific theatre company, and so they’ve made our phones their new playground." Exeunt
For this digital adaptation of the 2018/19 critically acclaimed live show, the company have created a virtual site-specific world.
“digital theatre really does have the ability to reach through the screen and touch our hearts” ★★★★ A Younger Theatre
Additional Learning Opportunities: Available Virtually or In Person
- Virtual Talk: on the creation of digital theatre, focussing on User Not Found as a case study
- Online Workshop: on making theatre for the digital sphere; using writing & devising exercises to explore the online world as a landscape to make theatre within.
All sessions will be run by Dante or Die’s Co-Artistic Directors who have a wealth of experience creating and facilitating sessions & working as guest lecturers for a variety of settings, from the University of Reading to Central School of Speech & Drama.
Sessions will be tailored to the specific area of study of your students. They can take place in person or via a digital platform of your choice.
For more information or to book a session, contact Sophie Ignatieff on sophie@danteordie.com
USER NOT FOUND, the live show, is the recipient of In Good Company's mid-career artist commission and supported by artsdepot's Creative Residencies, Southbank Centre, University of Reading, South Street, The New Wolsey Theatre, Roundhouse London, Stone Nest & Farnham Maltings.
The live show was funded by IMAF, AHRC, Cockayne - Grants for the Arts and The London Community Foundation, The Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Fund, and Arts Council England.
The video podcast is supported by The Space and Arts Council England.
