Roy Claire Potter ‘COMMS FAIL’

Roy has worked with a team of fellow artists, radio astronomers, amateur radio operators, musicians and creative consultants to research and develop ‘COMMS FAIL’, a multicomponent artwork that will unfold throughout 2026.

Several iterations including, a performance, a live radio broadcast, an album with booklet, and a sculptural installation explore the grammar of communicative resilience and remote connection by amplifying autistic perspectives.

On Saturday 2nd May at Bluecoat, a staged performance written for three voices with music composed by Carmel Smickersgill, will invite a live audience to help produce a radio broadcast for a remote audience. There will be gentle interaction with ushers and performers to pick your preferred spot to enjoy the action, and to contribute by making sounds or being quiet, moving props, or being a witness.⁠.

The performance and simultaneous radio broadcast lasts for 1 hour and begins with ushers welcoming guests into a large, dimmed performance space. Live audio description of the audience settling in and actors setting up their space will be audible in the room at first, before transferring to headsets. Throughout the performance soft white spotlights occasionally turn red, acting as a cue for the live audience to interact with sound-making props to herald listeners elsewhere.

COMMS FAIL is mixed live for broadcast on Resonance FM online and 104.4 FM in Central London

Research and development has been generously supported by Art Explora, Paris, and informed by consultancy from Erik Chancy (LB1KJ) of Norsk Radio Relæ Liga, Philippe Zarka SNRS Research Director at Paris Observatory, and by the work of Professor Philippa Browning at Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester.

Later in 2026, a live album documenting the performance will be released on Cafe OTO’s digital record label TAKUROKU along with a booklet published under their new imprint OTOHON, containing the script and the visual scores that informed the music. All proceeds will go to National Autistic Society, UK

Location

Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX

Time

1pm – 2pm
COMMS FAIL will last 1 hour, and there will be a Touch Tour 30 mins before the performance.

Access

This event is audio described, BSL interpreted and captions are provided on a monitor on stage.

A touch tour is available 30 mins prior to performance start – no need to book.

Easy Read programme notes are available a week in advance upon request.

The performance is broadcast on Resonance FM for audiences who cannot make it to the venue. Use the event registration form to receive a helpful reminder with a link to listen on Resonance FM on the day.

There will be a quiet room available at the venue.

The event registration form invites guests to share any additional access requirements and has the option to book two tickets if you need to bring a companion.

If you’d like an alternative way to book tickets we’re really happy to help. You can email info@biennial.com for assistance or if you have any questions about our events.

Credits

Written and devised by Roy Claire Potter
Performed by Roy Claire Potter, Lucy Enderby and Alex Symington
Set design by Roy Claire Potter with contributions by Jamie Gawronski, Elodie Horsewell, Andrew Li, Rima Salem and Anya Taylor
Music by Carmel Smickersgill with additional sounds by Jamie Gawronski, Roy Claire Potter, Peter Messmer and Philippe Zarka
Arrangement and audio production by Kit Callin
Technical production by William Rose

This project is an Unlimited UK Partner Award 2025 commission with Liverpool Biennial made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England.