... Art of Engagement...
by Elliot Montgomery, Artistic/Education Director
We are passionate about creating dynamic theatre that actively educates and engages our audiences, particularly in school settings.
The challenge of touring our work with a small cast and still connecting with diverse audiences calls for a blended approach in the way we utilise traditional theatre techniques. Often, these techniques lean towards a non-naturalistic approach but not exclusively. Our work also uses elements of heightened naturalism to promote empathy with the intention of captivating our audience whilst effectively conveying our educational message. Our work to-date has been closely associated with the plays of Mark Wheeller and verbatim theatre, but here are some of the other techniques that you may expect to see in our work:
Physical Theatre
Utilising the body as a primary means of expression, physical theatre engages audiences through movement, gesture and visual storytelling. This is the perfect theatrical vehicle for our small touring casts and transcends language barriers, making it accessible to diverse audiences. It enhances the emotional impact of the educational message, leaving a lasting impression.
Mime and Gesture
Mime relies on silent storytelling through expressive movements, while gesture emphasises intentional, symbolic movements to convey ideas. Mime requires minimal props and set design. It enables the exploration of complex concepts in a visually compelling way, allowing nuanced storytelling even with a small cast.
Choral Movement/Choral Speaking
We think that choral movement and choral speaking play pivotal roles in enhancing the theatrical experience for our audience. The synchronized motion of a choral ensemble can transform the stage into a dynamic visual spectacle, creating a mesmerizing backdrop for the narrative. Additionally, choral movement can convey emotions, emphasize themes and guide the audience's focus. Meanwhile, choral speaking, where the cast recites text in unison, adds a rhythmic and melodic dimension to our performance work. It is also often used in our work to 'mark the moment' of the narrative. Together, these elements contribute to a sense of unity, power, artistic expression and foster a deeper connection between our actors and audience.
Direct Address
Breaking the ‘fourth wall’ through direct communication with the audience provides us with the opportunity to gain a greater insight into our characters and establish an intimate connection with the audience. It provides an opportunity to delve into individual characters' experiences, fostering empathy and understanding.
Puppetry
Puppetry adds a fantastical and imaginative element to our performance work, making it a powerful vehicle for storytelling. It allows for the creation of diverse characters without an extensive cast. It captures the audience's attention and enhances the delivery of an educational message in a visually engaging manner.
Forum Theatre
Rooted in Augusto Boal's work, Forum Theatre breaks the fourth wall, inviting the audience to step into the narrative and alter the story's course. Forum Theatre provides an intimate and interactive experience. Scenes can address specific educational themes, encouraging our audience to explore alternative solutions to real-world issues. Students engage with our actors using forum theatre exercises in our post-show workshops.
A blended approach
In the realm of Theatre in Education, this blended approach between naturalistic and non-naturalistic techniques, combined with multi-rolling, projection, music and token props and costume, serves to overcome the logistical constraints of being a touring theatre company and amplifies the educational impact of our work.
Our ability to captivate, educate, and inspire an audience has been influenced and inspired by the likes of theorists Bertolt Brecht, Augusto Boal and Konstantin Stanislavki. Among many companies who have inspired us and whose work we admire, include Frantic Assembly, Steven Berkoff, Box Tale Soup, Theatre Re, Wise Children, DV8 and the many others who have inspired us, is testimony to their longevity and relevance in the 21st century.
Read on: Origins story...
