Sunday, 19 June 2011
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.
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.
Emblem: Spontaneous Thoughts on Perception | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Emblem: Spontaneous Thoughts on Perception | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
That is Us!
Kiwi Bar @ Walkabout from 14th - 20th August 2011, 8.45pm (1 hour show) in the PBH's Free Fringe.
That is Us!
Kiwi Bar @ Walkabout from 14th - 20th August 2011, 8.45pm (1 hour show) in the PBH's Free Fringe.
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)