Qui peut faire…

A nice French song that we’ve been using in our warm-ups…

Qui peut faire de la voile sans vent
Qui peut ramer sans rames
Et qui peut quitter son ami
Sans verser de larmes

Pics from our first week

L’Autruche – 1st week R&D, a set on Flickr.

A few images by Alex Rogers taken during our first weeks R&D at The Nightingale Theatre, Brighton

Animal, vegetable or mineral?

It seems like a good time, whilst looking back on our first days in the space, and towards our next week, to talk analogies; specifically, those muddle mouthed attempts to talk about the shape or the identity of a show as it’s being made, before it can be defined.

Opening of the scrapbook… with a dance!

1 day in to rehearsals, and the list of ‘things we want to know about’ begins to grow. Going to experiment with using this blog to gather links, references, lists, research findings and thoughts etc. for the ensemble to share. It’s there for you, dear public, to peruse too of course, but I’ll put it in a separate category (‘scrapbook’) so you can read around it if preferred.

First up (and i have a feeling that to begin with, Wiki is going to be a good friend), some info about the Minuet.

Oh, it’ll be fine!

An appropriate ditty for the day before our first rehearsal, and the title of an emblematic song of the French Revolution. Bought some essential rehearsal kit today from Brighton’s finest car boot sale: a pitchfork, a hoe and a rake, and a tube of tennis balls.

A visit to the Queen’s Hamlet

I am writing this on a train, in a  tunnel, beneath the sea. The novelty of Eurostar must’ve worn off for most people by now, but as this is my first time, I’m going to savour a little shameless excitement. Besides, today I’ve been in Paris to research our next piece.

Tags: Eurostar, Paris, Queen's Hamlet, research

Emperor Joseph (aka Count Falkenstein)

The starting point for Keepers was a lot narrower than the one we are taking into rehearsal soon for L’Autruche. Essentially, we knew what the story was and we were going to set about telling it. Through research, and in wrangling with the potential core, premise or drive of this starting point, I’m trying to find some possible tantalising shapes, questions, or opportunities that can give us something of a frame, no matter how blurry, within which we can start to play with material

Arvon calling: the premise and the ostrich.

All being well, it’s just a few weeks now until we start work on a new show, the one about The Queen’s Hamlet. Back in that familiar place where excitement about getting started is mixed in equal parts with the terror of not really knowing what we’re about to make.

Workshop opportunity with The Plasticine Men

Following the success of the UK tour of Keepers (‘a beautifully crafted piece of no-frills physical theatre’ The Guardian) The Plasticine Men have waved a fond farewell to The Smalls Lighthouse and are sailing into the uncharted territory of their next show.

The company’s Director, Simon Day, will be holding a workshop in July, and is looking for performers to explore some very early ideas with. Please get in touch if you would like to come and play.

WED 20 JULY, 10am – 4pm, The Nightingale Theatre, Brighton

Theses aren’t ‘training’ sessions, being instead an opportunity to devise, improvise, get lost and find our way together.

Numbers are limited. To apply for a place, please download an application form and return no later than 5pm, Mon 11 July . Any questions, please email simon@theplasticinemen.co.uk

The difficult second album…

I’m delighted to announce that The Plasticine Men have every intention of making another show together. Not quite as dramatic as Take That ditching Robbie, breaking up then reuniting to go multi-platinum, but hopefully, if Lawrence is involved, it’ll at least sound better. But (to continue the metaphor) what will The Difficult Second Album ‘sound’ like?