Site Specific Performance GC1

My presentation

Holly's Presentation

Holly's presentation was about London Bubble, they began in 1972 in London, and began to grow as a company. They are known for performing site specific pieces in places like community centres and nurseries/schools. They look to involve mainly the elderly and the younger generation in performing arts, by reaching out into their communities. They do this by running weekly drama classes and speech therapy sessions for young children. They have workshops including 'tea break theatre' for the elderly, for a 'gentle workshop and a cup of tea'.

Jaydee's Presentation

Jaydee's presentation looks at Willi Dorner. He was born in 1959 in Baden in Austria, where he studied at the Austrian Society for Dance Therapy. He also trained at the Erick Hawkins studio in New York. His piece is called Bodies in Urban Spaces, and is site specific, much like a lot of his works. These, and his stage shows are shown in Europe, Africa, China and North and South America.

Isabel's Presentation

Isabel's presentation is about Punch Drunk, a company that look at sensory experiences in theatrical spaces. It was founded in 2000 by Felix Barret, looking at classical texts in an abstract way, in old buildings, or outside etc. They include artsy set, props, immersive staging's and physical theatre in their pieces, breaking the fourth wall, to allow for a more engaged audience.

What do the companies have in common?

One of the main things that these four companies have in common is that they all use site specific performance styles in their works, whilst breaking down the fourth wall. They use this to reach out to the communities around them. London Bubble, helping the young and old to feel more confident by showing them a new way to express themselves, Punch Drunk giving their audience a full experience, and Willi Dorner literally using the publics surroundings to portray a message during their day to day lives. Another thing these companies have in common is that they are all travelling companies, they all move around the country or the world relaying their messages to the masses through the arts. London Bubble and Punch Drunk both started in London, this is known as the capital of performing arts this proves that it is a place of success for abstract companies like this. 

What is different about these companies?

In my opinion I feel that Will Dorner is the most different in comparison. He has a specific motive in most of his pieces, this contrasts to London Bubble and Punch Drunk and how they use things like classical Theatre, Physical theatre and elaborate set. Willi also works more with outside spaces at random, as apposed to creating a piece and taking it somewhere. Another difference is the target audiences for these companies, London Bubble specifically look at people that may be suffering in silence, and works to bring out the best in them, whereas Punch Drunk want to allow anyone to feel and experience something new, Willi Dorner will give an unexpecting audience a piece of movement art that they didn't expect, allowing them to tell others.

Which company are you most drawn to and why?

I am personally most drawn to Punch Drunk, this is due to their use of classical texts. I enjoy the use of Shakespearean texts, and creating them in a new exciting way that allows younger, modern audiences to see this theatre in a at that is easy to understand, but still gives the message that the original playwright intended. They take these pieces around the world, giving others a taste of theatre from a place they are not familiar with, and they therefore learn about different types of theatre and how it can vary from what they are used to.

What is most surprising about the work you have discovered through research?

The most surprising thing I found about my own company, Welfare State International, is that the company started in 1968, meaning that the types of theatre that we see as modern, with elaborate sets and sculptures, have actually been being created for a very long time. It makes me think about how the creative industry has always been something that can tackle difficult subjects throughout history and has a renowned effect on society. I am very interested in this type of puppetry as a way to send a message, as it reaches out to peoples childish side, no matter their age, making it more personal and deep.