Dreamscape is based on real-life events in California on December 28, 1998, when police officers shot Tyisha Miller in her car while she slept. Using a mixture of live beatboxing, rap, spoken word and dance, writer and director Rickerby Hinds has created a piece that remembers Tyisha and asks us to confront police violence and racism in this vulnerable portrait of grief.

This elegant and heartbreaking portrayal of Tyisha traces each of her bullet wounds as they end the life of this sleeping 19-year-old woman. Analysing each of the 12 shots, her memories, as if in a dream, come alive in vibrant vignettes of rhythm, charm and girlhood. Jada Evelyn Ramsey, playing Tyisha, gives us the humanity, joy and vivid essence of a person whose life is abruptly stolen, while Josiah Alpher narrates, feeding us the story with characters, beatboxing and the scope of each bullet’s devastating effect.

The vocal performances, lyricism and quality of the work is exceptional. Hip hop, music and movement merge, serving us snippets of favourite songs, family life and hopes for the future. Simultaneously playful and harrowing, the bullets give us a constant reminder of the reality of the situation, and the piece ends in a brief but pleading warning to the audience to confront these real issues and put an end to senseless violence. Skilfully enacted and deeply affecting, the show is an important and urgent message to us all about police brutality and systemic violence. 

Dreamscape, Gilded Balloon Appleton Tower, until 24 August, 1.30pm; picture: Charisma Benitez & Gianna Cosenza.