Showing posts with label cardiff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cardiff. Show all posts

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Ludus Ludius' perform 20 minute improvised musical (the rehearsal songs)



In our rehearsal for the Newport Comedy Festival where we performed our 20 minute improv comedy musical, Ludus Ludius Improv do songs based on a couple of suggestions.

In this song we had just stolen a melody and reeling off that we go into this tune, "Two Pints o Guiness"



In this song we started again as we lost inspiration, but we got a song out after. Not the best song, but certainly catchy.



In this song we found and lost our feet, but I blame... "Radiation Sickness"

A big thank you goes to the improvisers that gave so much effort into this show, Charlie Hammond, Osian Llew and Nathan Keates. Each improviser showed a tremendous amount of energy in the festival too for Tin Shed Production's Launch Pad 2011, as apart of the Newport Comedy Festival. Our "Racoon's Fishy G**ch" blew them away that night and we can be glad to gain such comments as "...you've been the best in this half..." We were in the first half, just in case you were wondering.

Check out www.ludusludius.co.uk for more details of workshops and performances.

Thursday, 9 June 2011

Edinburgh Preview (Cardiff): Emblem Spontaneous Thoughts on Perception

It was 6:45pm and we had just got into our warm-up when I, Nathan took on to see who may well be turning up. I looked outside to see a vast crowd of air. However when visiting the crowd downstairs I found our audience. The loveliest fact was that the numbers kept coming in making our cameraman become an usher. Due to this rather premature fetching of our audience we did start five or so minute too early. No one that came in at seven o’clock missed much of the opening exploration of the suggestion.

So I, Nathan opened the show like any other improvisation show. Apart from keeping them waiting in a semi-amused state beforehand with a meet and greet of who we had. Even managed to get a doorstep, sorry I was corrected doorstop. What is one little letter in a word anyway. A ship is still a ship with a little letter changed? We began with enough energy to start a wind turbine and plenty of interaction. Warming their suggestions up with the norm: names, colour, and holiday destination. Wasting no more time we started the show.

Our suggestion was ice cream, and they were amused, shocked that the next hour would be all on ice cream. To be quite honest in a normal long-form show that would be one of the best suggestions ever! Our show isn’t normal, but the stuff we got was pretty cool.

The show comprises of drawing, processworks*, scenes and alternative skills. Using the content of what we have done in the past we surpassed my expectations of the preview production ‘s possibilities by far. The cast worked well and hard and picked up on the offers and utilised alsorts of wonderful ‘adds’ to scenes that enhanced them tremendously. Recently we saw a return of a game we played once in rehearsal months ago and it turned up in the show too. These moments of agreeing and doing are wonderful to watch and definitely beautiful to be in.

Well done cast for such an amazing production to be in and great to be onstage with you all.

We have one more preview booked currently:

The Ballroom in The Bedford, Balham, South London – Saturday 30th July 2011, 1pm.
It’s a part of a mini-festival of Edinburgh Previews.

We are in Edinburgh for PBH’s Free Fringe:

Kiwi Bar @ Walkabout, Omni Centre, Leith Street – Sunday 14th August – Saturday 20th August 2011, 8.45pm (1 hour show)

~ Nathan Keates

* Processworks is based on Improbable's 2007 show where they used it as a freeing method of discussing.

Monday, 30 May 2011

11th Week of Rehearsals

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.

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.

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.

Monday, 11 April 2011

Rehearsal 5: Emblem - EdFringe

5th Week of Rehearsals

With Anna flying back to Mexico, we were left locked out of Atrium for the time being and returned to Keith's house, which was very much appreciated. For this rehearsal we began by exploring some short form Improv, moving onto structured long form and ending the session with focus on exploring and defining our environments. Memborable moments arose from: Ian, as the Taxi driver who adopts and collates characteristics from each of his passengers; Amy beating us at our own wish to make her frustrated during the Conference game; a fiendishly long game of 'biberty bibert BOP', with underhanded tactics by all and an effective use of stomach rumblings by introducings characters who were, like us at 2 o'clock waiting for our lunch break, quite hungry.

Two instances stood out from the session as a whole: a wonderfully awkward moment between a father (Nathan) and son (Ian) when the father reveals that the reason his family has always referred to him as 'Uncle Bill' was because he was infact, Ian's uncle and not his father, resulting in Nathan fufilling the role of the dirty uncle with a disturbing attraction to his nepthew, and also the small details that engage an audience when establishing an environment. It was agreed that we would like to explore both of these areas in more detail as the more awkward and sinister situations hold more realism underneath; we were laughing because the only other alternative way to react is to accept the gruesome possibilities, as well as the awareness that the two actors may have to actually play the parts out which, in retrospect, we felt had been cut short to avoid this. The establishment and use of an environment was engaging as it allowed the audience to engage with our activities, the rinsing of a sponge as someone cleaned a window and the shuffling of a pack of cards were notably effective, as well as changing our previous pace and style. We felt this allowed more time for each character to form and for the story itself to progress from the group collective, instead of the inter-mingling of our individual ideas which seemed somewhat strained at times.



All in all a productive rehearsal with a realisation for the importance of discussing the events of the day at the end of the session in order to allow us to grow as a group. And, perhaps, the importance of being quiet and stealthy Ninjas instead of Karate Kids whilst in someone's house, due to shouts for us to 'shut up' from across the street.

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Intensive Improv Weekend Workshop

Intensive weekend workshop is Saturday 13th June 09 to 14th June, starting at 10 AM till 4PM @ The Annexe, Ebenezer Chapel, Charles Street, Cardiff CF10 2GA. This workshop is suitable for beginners to improvisation and performance.The journey to the unknown starts off the discovery and exploration of improvisation with Ludus Ludius' focus of play and playfulness. Throughout the weekend we get to know the players and discover the unknown together and exploring what improv is a and playing with this art form.We have three sets of these workshops, beginners, intermediates and advanced. We begin with the basics of improv through fun and playful games and exercises. We then move to Johnstone and Spolin approaches as we we look at other ways. Ludus Ludius puts emphasis on play and playfulness in improv and we discover and explore through these means. Every workshop is different, so we can cover more or less than what's listed.To book onto this event goto the workshops page on www.ludusludius.co.uk

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

FREE Improv Jam in Cardiff

Hello,
FREE Improvisation workshop (To take part or watch).
On Monday 30th March 09, at 6pm in the Meeting room of Cathays Youth and Community Centre, 36 Cathays Terrace in Cardiff; Ludus Ludius Improv Theatre Co will be running a free improv workshop. To improvise we spontaneosly create and in the workshops we play towards creating theatre through improvised playfulness.
Thank you for your time,
Nathan Keates
nathan@ludusludius.co.uk
www.ludusludius.co.uk

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

Ludus Ludius Launches TV stream

Improvised telly online from the Playful Cardiff Improvisers, Ludus Ludius.

With a 24/7 stream of improvised archived television programming and live events too, you can enjoy the jollity of improv all day every day.

Visit us now to have a look, www.ludusludius.co.uk

We are always building new programmes for you to catch, so soon enough we can have a daily schedule of when a programme is showing.

Saturday, 14 February 2009

The start of Ludus Ludius Youth

For young people aged 11 to 18, the workshops will delve into the unknown with hilarity and jollity. Developing performers spontaneity and ensemble skills for the purpose of improvised performances.
Creating theatre through improvised playfulness.

Monday, 3 November 2008

Ludus Ludius perform at Clwb Ifaw Bach, tomorrow

The Sprout launch party is tomorrow, Tuesday 4th November 2008 and Ludus Ludius are to perform their short-form production, Playtime with Us. It shall be the short version, running for a mere 15 minutes, but it will be the greatest improvisational period of the night.

Apparantly, it is due to be the busiest school night for the welsh club according to the information that Sprout, the events website for young people, have messaged around to people attending the night.

Ludus Ludius, or as they have mispelt it Ludus Luduis, will be performing at 9:15pm. This slot will be in-between two bands. The band playing before us are winners of the battle of the bands and their is a band that plays after us. This information can be found through The Sprout or on other resources that they use to let everyone know about tomorrows launch.

New Navigation Menu on the Ludus Ludius website

New easy way around the website now. With this modernised navigation system that we can call Menu or Henry if you want. (Menry, if you cant choose what you prefer.) It is now easy-peasy to find out exactly what you wanted, going directly to the information you desired to locate. Whether it is a specific production or joining us through booking an audition, its at your finger tips with this fantastic menry.

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

All Change in Cardiff with Improv

Now Ludus Ludius Improvisation Theatre Company are going crazy with projects.

Check out our newly updated website for the full details. With new developing shows and great new projects like voluntary workshops for people with learning difficulties upcoming. Possibly developing into a more permanent scheme rather than what it currently stands at.
  • Connect with Other Theatre Artists or Improvisers
  • Street Jams
  • Learning Difficulties
  • Weekend Intensive Improv
  • Glamorgan Improv Troupe
  • Afterschool Club still available
  • Physical Improv with sound
  • And many more...

So visit: http://www.ludusludius.co.uk/ or email nathan@ludusludius.co.uk for details.

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Free Improv Workshops Deal

Refer a Friend and get a free improv workshop with Ludus Ludius.

New promotion especially for you and your friends. Start improvising playfulness and have a great time with your pals.

Book your workshops now to get this offer. Wednesdays at 7PM in Cardiff, we shall improvise!

For more information visit: www.ludusludius.co.uk
Alternatively email nathan@ludusludius.co.uk

Wednesday, 17 September 2008

Forum Theatre Practice Group

Ludus Ludius offer free* practice of the Joker role in Forum Theatre to anyone who has had Theatre of the Oppressed training. So for more info visit the website. (http://www.ludusludius.co.uk/)
*Attendees will share the cost of the venue hire.