Previous Workshops
Greek Tragedy
led by Richard Spaul
Athens in the 5th Century B.C. was an extraordinary place for theatre. One of the few periods in Western history where theatre was right at the heart of cultural life, not reduced to the status of entertainment, but the means by which a community thought about itself, its issues and its destiny.
Mask, Chorus, Protagonist, Tableau, Catharsis: these are concepts that have dominated Western theatre ever since. And yet, when people read the often stilted, old-fashioned translations available, they can feel a lack of contact, a lack of a sense of the plays as live theatre.
This practical and energetic workshop aims to remedy this problem, working on key texts from all three major Tragedians, using Masks, and exploring the physical and vocal techniques needed to create an effective Chorus. Modern methods illuminating ancient masterpieces.
Participants will be expected to learn two short texts, both of which will be supplied.
Brecht and Epic Theatre
led by Richard Spaul
Director, playwright, poet and political activist, Bertolt Brecht is one of very few theatrical practitioners to have developed a coherent theory of acting. The effect on theatre practice throughout the world has been incalculable and yet his work remains little understood.
This whole-day workshop explores the plays and the theories from the point of view of the performer. What are Brechtian acting techniques? And how can they be used to increase the power, range, subtlety and joy of the actors work? An ideal introduction to the work of this great practitioner.
Participants will be required to learn a short solo text of their choice, plus a dialogue which will be supplied
Please contact us if you're interested in new dates for this workshop.
Creating a Character
led by Richard Spaul
Much British theatre is still dominated by the old Stanislavskian school of Naturalism, with its rather narrow, psychologistic approach.
This workshop aims to open up new ground and offers other approaches, stressing the importance of a fully-energised body, a flexible voice, a free imagination and an understanding of space and status as essential means of creating radical and exciting transformations of character.
Participants will be expected to learn a short solo text of their own choosing and a dialogue from Chekhov or Ibsen which will be supplied on booking.
Please contact us if you're interested in new dates for this workshop.
Artaud and the Theatre of Cruelty
led by Richard Spaul
Actor, writer and prophet, Antonin Artaud enjoyed little success in his lifetime, but left a legacy of writings that profoundly influenced the shape of 20th Century theatre - in particular his vision of The Theatre of Cruelty, a theatre of the senses, of sound, colour, movement and environment, rather than text and individual psychology. Artauds work challenges orthodox notions of theatre and has proved a lasting inspiration to the unorthodox and experimental.
This one-day workshop explores the practical possibilities of The Theatre of Cruelty in terms of breathing, voice, image-making and the actor-spectator relationship.
Participants will be required to learn a short solo text of their choice.
Please contact us if you're interested in new dates for this workshop.
