On a dark circular stage with a glowing rim, a performer kneels facing a bright orange light while another in a long beige coat stands nearby.

The Backstage Theatre, Mountview2025

Against

The Production

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts presented Christopher Shinn’s Against at The Backstage Theatre in July 2025, performed by members of the MA Acting cohort. The contemporary Silicon Valley-set play follows an aerospace billionaire driven by a divine command to confront violence and change the world.

45 photographs in the curated edit

Director: James Yeatman
Movement Director: Steve Brownlie
Lighting Design: Mark Dymock
Set Design: Nicolai Hart-Hansen
Costume Design: Kat Stone
Sound Design: Sonum Batra
Commissioned by: Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Photography: Steve Gregson

A performer in a lavender blouse looks anxiously ahead under warm stage light, with a second performer blurred behind her.

A wide view of a circular, glowing-edged stage shows one performer in a tan suit facing another in a beige trench coat beneath cool overhead lights.

On the round stage, a performer in a green sweater grips a blue chair with eyes closed while two others stand and sit farther back under warm lights.

At the glowing edge of the round stage, a performer in a brown jacket crouches opposite a seated performer in a beige trench coat during an intimate exchange.

An ensemble sits and stands around the circular stage on blue chairs, focused toward the centre under multicoloured overhead lights.

In a tight stage grouping, a performer in a lavender blouse stands tensely in front holding a small dark object, with two performers behind her out of focus.

A bearded performer in a brown jacket extends a small dark dangling object at arm’s length against a smoky blue-lit background.

A performer lifts a large translucent bottle overhead as fine mist glows in an orange beam, while another performer stands with their back turned holding a coat.

Under a warm amber backlight, one performer raises a large bottle as mist falls, another sits cross-legged on the floor, and a third stands reading papers in a colourful red-and-white costume.

A performer in a blue headscarf and white textured blouse sits under cool blue light, raising one hand as if examining it.

On a circular stage, two performers face each other at the centre while others sit or stand around the edge under bright overhead lights.

Two performers clasp hands tightly in a close-up, one in a pale hoodie and the other in a brown jacket, lit by blue and amber stage lights.

In deep blue lighting, a performer in a hoodie walks past an overturned chair on a circular stage while another sits between two blue chairs.

A performer in a brown jacket holds a microphone close while speaking intensely to a performer in a green top under warm stage light.

A performer in a bright blue suit leans forward with a finger to their lips, watching a blurred performer in the foreground.

A barefoot performer gestures at the centre of a circular stage while another stands behind with arms crossed and others sit around the edge.

A performer in a tan shirt reaches a steadying hand toward another performer, his face serious in warm close-up lighting.

Several performers rush inward with outstretched hands toward a central pair on the circular stage, creating a sense of urgent movement.

A tight group of performers huddle in red-orange darkness around a small flame, their faces lit with tense, absorbed expressions.

A barefoot performer stands alone under a bright spotlight on a circular stage, surrounded by four slim vertical poles and darkness.

Two performers face each other closely in tense conversation under green stage light, with rows of chairs fading into the background.

A barefoot performer sits hunched among cardboard boxes, holding an open book while covering their face with one hand.

On a circular stage scattered with boxes, one performer sits in the foreground with arms folded while two others argue or gesture behind her in warm light.

A bearded performer in a beige shirt looks anxiously toward a blurred figure in the foreground against a dark stage background.

Two performers in orange high-visibility vests kiss closely under a cool overhead spotlight on a dark stage.

A performer in a white sleeveless top and chunky chain necklace speaks intently to a bearded performer seen from behind in warm close-up lighting.

A wide view of the circular stage shows cardboard boxes, a tipped blue chair, and two performers facing each other under warm overhead lights.

A bearded performer lies on a patterned rug, reading a handwritten notebook beside scattered papers and a wooden box.

On a circular stage under bright overhead lights, one performer lies on a rug with papers while two others stand or sit apart at the edges.

Under warm amber light, a bearded performer in a white T-shirt smiles face-to-face with a woman in a pale pink top against a dark stage.

A bearded performer in a white T-shirt studies small pieces of paper in a tight pool of warm light.

A barefoot performer stands alone on a rug at the centre of a circular platform, with others holding cardboard boxes in the dim edges of the stage.

Two performers stand side by side in bright, contrasting costumes, one in a crocheted top and red trousers and the other in a yellow graffiti-patterned jacket.

Two performers sit close together on a patterned rug, leaning toward each other in an intimate exchange.

Performers rush around the circular stage while a barefoot man stands still at the centre, surrounded by boxes and dramatic spotlights.

A barefoot man stands on the lit circular platform facing two performers, while others sit or crouch near cardboard boxes around the stage.

A woman in a cream sleeveless top looks tensely to the side, her face isolated against the dark background.

A wide stage view shows performers spread around a circular platform among labeled cardboard boxes, with one person seated at a monitor in front.

A bearded performer raises both hands while another performer films him closely on a smartphone.

A young woman in a white top crouches beside a wooden chair, clutching a wristwatch and looking upward anxiously under stark stage lighting.

On a circular stage scattered with cardboard boxes, a man aims a handgun at another man standing in a box with hands raised while others watch from the edges.

A man with a rifle slung across his body presses a handgun to another man's forehead while gripping his hand in bright, tense stage light.

At close range, a man points a handgun at another man, who holds up open hands and reacts with alarm against a dark stage background.

Two performers in orange high-visibility vests stand face to face, smiling warmly at each other under focused stage lighting.

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