This week it was back to Nathan, the person now typing, to be the director. With the knowledge that we are rapidly running out of foreseen time together before other projects and journeys have to happen, I had to make the exploration concise and productive.
Focusing on complicité and also concluding any issues and format queries that we were encountering. The first rehearsal of the week was okay and we had troubles with losing interest making the run all on one player to keep the whole piece together. Clearly not fair on that person nor productive on trying to ‘follow the follower’ instead of have one player leading.
Using the games we had been using with Ana, we added in some complicité games too. We couldn’t rehearse as much this week, but with one player’s confusion of times and venues we stumbled upon some wonderful energy and playfulness: Which has always been the key to Ludus Ludius. Using this, seemingly, we couldn’t play the usual rules to a warm-up game... ‘Crack’. It ended up being about delivering spontaneous objects to one player who either took it or gave it to another. We discovered 80s rap in the style of Beastie Boys and how sticking to the rules of that are difficult but crucial. We also had fun with ‘What are you doing?’ and ‘Questions Only’. Initiating with some nostalgic memories of what we have liked from the past. There was so much.
From the weariness of the first rehearsal of the week we needed to remember all the great moments we have had even in times where we were nowhere near the format itself. Now we were doing half runs, exploring the opening of the show and how that runs into the rest. We used TV Channel to get us in the mindset of exploring ‘perception’. We tried a ‘Rupert’ opening stolen from MissImp in Nottingham. We also used improvising art game that I thought I had invented, but I’ve played it from someone else’s facilitation too now. Thus it’s a common game that been around for ages.
All in all we ended on a good run. Now to slot it all together and name it cooked, ready to serve and be eaten.
Monday 30 May 2011
Saturday 28 May 2011
What's happening now?
With some big projects on the go at the moment, we take the time to enjoy the beauty of sharing.
Improvisation is a shared experience. With an audience its a wider sharing too. Tales of great depth and lovely humour can be in conjunction with the trauma of being spontaneous. Spectators revel and improvisers play. All from a suggestion that may have been grabbed from the onlookers.
Instead of grabbing some form of suggestion from NTW for this blog though, I shall just type. And thus share.
A little about us: As you may know or may not, Ludus Ludius Improvisation Theatre Company was founded in 2007 by Nathan Keates and Matt Mills. We began to create theatre through improvised playfulness. Now we are a collective. Various performers, artists, actors, dancers, musicians and obviously improvisers are called upon when a project could be ideal for whom ever. Ludus Ludius are moving towards applying improvisation skill and techniques to those that may benefit personally, socially, emotionally and collaboratively. This therefore means that along with productions that we explore and workshops we share, move to applied improv.
A workshop that is coming that we are sharing the art form through is open to all. People in the theatrical world and those that aren't. This generally makes for better improvisation in any case and is always really interesting. In a weekend workshop we shall cover the basics of improvisation. Covering topics from Keith Johnstone, Viola Spolin, John Wright, Chris Johnston and some from the infamous Nathan Keates (amongst others). By the end of the weekend you should have a good understanding of the art form of improvisation and can stroll through the wonders that is your journey to the unknown.
We call the process the 'journey to the unknown' because no one can tell you how to improvise and everyone has a different 'journey' or process to finding their approach that suits them.
Next Weekend is planned for: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July '11, 10am - 5pm @ Rummer Tavern
(14 Duke Street - Opposite the castle)
Book via: www.ludusludius.co.uk > Workshops (tab)
Or Skiddle, Brown Paper Tickets or Eventbrite
And the ALMIGHTY Edinburgh Fringe production that we are rehearsing for too. Read about it on Ideastap or our Blog. Initially set out as aiming to explore an emblem or theme/issue spontaneously and improvisationally as a free-form long-form improvisation and now after months of processing we are nearing the stage where we can state what it is. This very day we opened the rehearsal sentimentally and reflectively. It was nice to recall what we have done in the past and use that energy to look to the future.
Subsequently we are previewing the production, 'Emblem: Spontaneous Thoughts on Perception' in ATRium Studio (CB218) on Wednesday 8th June, 7pm. Its free, but it is a fundraiser so help us out and come support a welsh-based production get to Edinburgh. (I know there are more than just this show that is going from Wales). There is some welsh in the show too, perhaps. It may not arrive on the preview - lets see.
Do not panic if you are busy as we are also previewing in London near the end of June. With a lot of other Edinburgh Fringe previews. That will take place in Balham in South London. The Bedford is the home of great shows and some massive famous names have played in the venue. Even great improv has been shown there. The likes of Hoopla have used the venue a lot in the past.
Once more if you do not make that date either, then there is always the run itself in Edinburgh to come to. It would be advised that you come anyway, whether or not you saw a preview. Mainly advisable as the previews are where we fine tune it for the fringe itself and thus not the complete finished product.
Kiwi Bar @ Walkabout (Venue #344), Leith St nr the railway. From Sunday 14th August - Saturday 20th August, 20.45pm - 21.45pm. Free entry there too, but donations welcome to make sure we survive doing the fringe.
So what's happening with Ludus Ludius? A lot, big projects.
Improvisation is a shared experience. With an audience its a wider sharing too. Tales of great depth and lovely humour can be in conjunction with the trauma of being spontaneous. Spectators revel and improvisers play. All from a suggestion that may have been grabbed from the onlookers.
Instead of grabbing some form of suggestion from NTW for this blog though, I shall just type. And thus share.
A little about us: As you may know or may not, Ludus Ludius Improvisation Theatre Company was founded in 2007 by Nathan Keates and Matt Mills. We began to create theatre through improvised playfulness. Now we are a collective. Various performers, artists, actors, dancers, musicians and obviously improvisers are called upon when a project could be ideal for whom ever. Ludus Ludius are moving towards applying improvisation skill and techniques to those that may benefit personally, socially, emotionally and collaboratively. This therefore means that along with productions that we explore and workshops we share, move to applied improv.
A workshop that is coming that we are sharing the art form through is open to all. People in the theatrical world and those that aren't. This generally makes for better improvisation in any case and is always really interesting. In a weekend workshop we shall cover the basics of improvisation. Covering topics from Keith Johnstone, Viola Spolin, John Wright, Chris Johnston and some from the infamous Nathan Keates (amongst others). By the end of the weekend you should have a good understanding of the art form of improvisation and can stroll through the wonders that is your journey to the unknown.
We call the process the 'journey to the unknown' because no one can tell you how to improvise and everyone has a different 'journey' or process to finding their approach that suits them.
Next Weekend is planned for: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July '11, 10am - 5pm @ Rummer Tavern
(14 Duke Street - Opposite the castle)
Book via: www.ludusludius.co.uk > Workshops (tab)
Or Skiddle, Brown Paper Tickets or Eventbrite
And the ALMIGHTY Edinburgh Fringe production that we are rehearsing for too. Read about it on Ideastap or our Blog. Initially set out as aiming to explore an emblem or theme/issue spontaneously and improvisationally as a free-form long-form improvisation and now after months of processing we are nearing the stage where we can state what it is. This very day we opened the rehearsal sentimentally and reflectively. It was nice to recall what we have done in the past and use that energy to look to the future.
Subsequently we are previewing the production, 'Emblem: Spontaneous Thoughts on Perception' in ATRium Studio (CB218) on Wednesday 8th June, 7pm. Its free, but it is a fundraiser so help us out and come support a welsh-based production get to Edinburgh. (I know there are more than just this show that is going from Wales). There is some welsh in the show too, perhaps. It may not arrive on the preview - lets see.
Do not panic if you are busy as we are also previewing in London near the end of June. With a lot of other Edinburgh Fringe previews. That will take place in Balham in South London. The Bedford is the home of great shows and some massive famous names have played in the venue. Even great improv has been shown there. The likes of Hoopla have used the venue a lot in the past.
Once more if you do not make that date either, then there is always the run itself in Edinburgh to come to. It would be advised that you come anyway, whether or not you saw a preview. Mainly advisable as the previews are where we fine tune it for the fringe itself and thus not the complete finished product.
Kiwi Bar @ Walkabout (Venue #344), Leith St nr the railway. From Sunday 14th August - Saturday 20th August, 20.45pm - 21.45pm. Free entry there too, but donations welcome to make sure we survive doing the fringe.
So what's happening with Ludus Ludius? A lot, big projects.
Monday 23 May 2011
10th Week of Rehearsals
Still with the lovely Ana Diaz directing and as with last week the focus has been ironing out (and sometimes bashing out until we get the idea) the small problems. One of the games which we all seem to have gone the hang of is to die in 30 seconds. Exactly. This has given us all a sense of time, for some being too quick but mainly a certain tendency to drag things out has been noted. Unfortunately this came into this weeks game of 5,4,3,2,1 where we used half of our time limit in the first round, but we certainly picked up the pace after that.
Some further exploration of the perception idea and the start of the show has led to the possibility of opening with a combined drawing from all of us of an ideal object (probably one suggested from the audience) such as ideal women, car, home, and then a discussion around this. Then we hope to incorporate some of our perception based questions to the audience as well to allow us plenty of material and spontaneous ideas to work with.
However, at this stage there seems to be a drop in energy levels, we seem to go from highs to lows, and there is a need to revitalise our improvisation skills by pushing into new boundaries, new situations and new risks. The known and comfortable are dull; the risky and spontaneous is compelling.
- Charlie Hammond
Some further exploration of the perception idea and the start of the show has led to the possibility of opening with a combined drawing from all of us of an ideal object (probably one suggested from the audience) such as ideal women, car, home, and then a discussion around this. Then we hope to incorporate some of our perception based questions to the audience as well to allow us plenty of material and spontaneous ideas to work with.
However, at this stage there seems to be a drop in energy levels, we seem to go from highs to lows, and there is a need to revitalise our improvisation skills by pushing into new boundaries, new situations and new risks. The known and comfortable are dull; the risky and spontaneous is compelling.
- Charlie Hammond
Thursday 19 May 2011
WE ARE THE NEW THEM: Don’t Congratulate Yourself Too Much
WE ARE THE NEW THEM: Don’t Congratulate Yourself Too Much: "I’m a very lucky (and talented) girl – in the last few weeks Katy and Rach, Music Box and The Maydays have all got fantastic reviews (see th..." This article is actually about quite the opposite! So read it and you'll enjoy. Well written and it connects.
Saturday 14 May 2011
8th Weekend of Rehearsals
We began this weekend by bringing along our individual personal offerings, some of which were singing, dancing, juggling, drawing, languages (Welsh and Spanish), puppetry, and apparently Shakesperian Philosophy. We then experimenting with them and placed the activities within scenes. Two of the more successful were singing in an improvised song, which is challenging but very rewarding, and the use of languages whether in a translation game or simply one actor speaking Welsh and the other Spanish. Both of these offerings brought a contrast to other scenes and allowed new situations and humour to develop.
With these skills and previous sessions in mind, we did a run through of the show for the first time in order for us to get used to the format and the challenges ahead. In retrospect we agreed the the start was filled with short, fast-paced scenes, and that it felt as if everyone was competing for ideas, and that there were not enough longer scenes which emerge naturally by using the environment and paying attention to the other actors onstage. All in all the reality of the show certainly hit home, and all the actors are aware of the level of skill required in order to make this show a success. With an overall group dynamic starting to emerge and an awareness of our strengths and weaknesses we seem to be stumbling towards the right direction.
Something that happened was Rolf Harris came on stage, in some way...
With these skills and previous sessions in mind, we did a run through of the show for the first time in order for us to get used to the format and the challenges ahead. In retrospect we agreed the the start was filled with short, fast-paced scenes, and that it felt as if everyone was competing for ideas, and that there were not enough longer scenes which emerge naturally by using the environment and paying attention to the other actors onstage. All in all the reality of the show certainly hit home, and all the actors are aware of the level of skill required in order to make this show a success. With an overall group dynamic starting to emerge and an awareness of our strengths and weaknesses we seem to be stumbling towards the right direction.
Something that happened was Rolf Harris came on stage, in some way...
Wednesday 11 May 2011
Hoopla: Paul, Cariad, David, Rob, Phil, Glue
Want to read about some of the great improvisers in the UK? Then here is a link for you, written by a fantastic improviser too!
Hoopla: Paul, Cariad, David, Rob, Phil, Glue: "Such a great night at The Miller last night I felt inspired to write about it. We had a first half of Cariad Lloyd and Paul Foxcroft doin..."
Hoopla: Paul, Cariad, David, Rob, Phil, Glue: "Such a great night at The Miller last night I felt inspired to write about it. We had a first half of Cariad Lloyd and Paul Foxcroft doin..."
Sunday 8 May 2011
Extra rehearsal #1: ProcessWorks
Although we didn't take any photos or videos and therefore have no media from the night for sharing here, we did get exhaustion.
Processworks in the words of Nathan is a way of discussing. Processing a discussion in a way that frees and allows everyone to engage by whatever means they need to. Processworks was explored by Improbable in their production, 'Spirit' and we shall be trying to use this too.
"Process Work methods support artists to get in deeper contact with the material and its innate structure, feel in touch with their performance, and build new levels of contact between performers. It's not about pushing across boundaries into the unknown, but more about using your awareness to meet and unfold the creative tension, found in the most difficult bits, and by playing with the most suprising and minimal cues. It's about both catching the creative spark, and giving the necessary play and work to bring it to life - whether working with a script, in a process of devising, or in moment to moment performance." - Arts Artelier
"Process Work was developed by Jungian analyst Arnold Mindell in the 1970s when Mindell began to research illness as a meaningful expression of the unconscious mind. He discovered that the unconscious manifests not only in nighttime dreams but also in physical symptoms, relationship difficulties, addictions, and social tensions." - ProcessWorks
It was a great night with a lot of natural flow and amazing discoveries within each other. From the sublimely abstract and releasing the tension with a most likely inappropriate exploration to the intense fiery discussions that upset someone as they couldn't speak. Frustration certainly ensued.
All in all, a good time.
Processworks in the words of Nathan is a way of discussing. Processing a discussion in a way that frees and allows everyone to engage by whatever means they need to. Processworks was explored by Improbable in their production, 'Spirit' and we shall be trying to use this too.
"Process Work methods support artists to get in deeper contact with the material and its innate structure, feel in touch with their performance, and build new levels of contact between performers. It's not about pushing across boundaries into the unknown, but more about using your awareness to meet and unfold the creative tension, found in the most difficult bits, and by playing with the most suprising and minimal cues. It's about both catching the creative spark, and giving the necessary play and work to bring it to life - whether working with a script, in a process of devising, or in moment to moment performance." - Arts Artelier
"Process Work was developed by Jungian analyst Arnold Mindell in the 1970s when Mindell began to research illness as a meaningful expression of the unconscious mind. He discovered that the unconscious manifests not only in nighttime dreams but also in physical symptoms, relationship difficulties, addictions, and social tensions." - ProcessWorks
It was a great night with a lot of natural flow and amazing discoveries within each other. From the sublimely abstract and releasing the tension with a most likely inappropriate exploration to the intense fiery discussions that upset someone as they couldn't speak. Frustration certainly ensued.
All in all, a good time.
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