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"We turn toward God only to obtain the impossible"

The evening introduces the troubling philosophical question which form the centre of Camus' work: in a world where everything is permitted, can anything be denied? In what appears to be a meaningless universe can we find an authentic ethic (and should we bother trying)? This is a terribly uncomfortable and unsettling notion for the majority of people, so very strong is our desire for meaning that we dismiss the idea that there is no meaning to be found. The struggle to find meaning where none exists is what Camus calls ‘the absurd’.

This talk introduces the philosophical work of Albert Camus, looking at the ethics of the protagonist Meursault, in Camus’ novel ‘The Stranger’, his essay ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’, and his most famous play ‘Caligula’.

The event proceeds two forthcoming productions of Caligula. The first is a new production by the Ashes and Diamonds theatre company, running from the 22nd March to the 21st April at The Elevator Gallery in Hackney Wick; the second is a touring opera set in a football stadium at the ENO in May.

The speaker is Simon Lea of The Albert Camus society U.K. Simon is one of Europe's experts on Albert Camus and his work."Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend."

Ashes and Diamonds Theatre company perform plays, classic and modern, in their own style. Their last production was their own adaptation of Dostoyevsy's ‘Crime and Punishment’, performed in a 10million pound squat in Mayfair belonging to The Sultan of Bruni which was "liberated" by the Oubliette Arthouse, and proud to achieve sell out shows. ‘Caligula’ is their third production, which is their first commissioned translation from the original French text. Ashes and Diamonds have also written an original play ‘The Underground’, based on the Warsaw uprising of 1945, and are seeking funding with ambitions to tour France, Germany and Poland.

The Albert Camus Society UK, founded on January 1st 2005, exists to promote the work of Albert Camus. The aim of the Camus Society is to increase awareness of Albert Camus as a relevant voice in contemporary philosophy.

Elevator Gallery occupies the attic of a former Victorian chocolate factory in London’s East End, next to the River Lea. The gallery is committed to exhibiting artists at all stages of their career. The curators are especially interested in transgressive and thought provoking work. Besides regular exhibitions of international contemporary art, the gallery has a regular programme of live art, cinema and musical events.