STORM was an unmissable opportunity to participate in a full week of workshops and debates with some of the UK's most exciting theatre makers.

A week-long project led by the Lyric, PUSH and Graeae for artists / theatre makers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to collaborate and find new ways of telling stories.

There were over 40 artists taking part in master classes, workshops, seminars etc held by a variety of leading practitioners in the specialism area of physical and visual theatre.  The week allowed us to explore and develop ideas and techniques in this specialism.... and I was lucky enough to be one of them.

We took over the Lyric in Hammersmith and everyavalible space was turned into a creative space... even the dressing rooms. The week was amazing, I felt completely creativley rejuvinated by the end of the week as well as a little tired.

Here is waht I got upto and the workshops I took part in....

Javier Marzan (Peepolykus)

Javier is one of the founders of Peepolykus, a company known for its anarchic verbal slapstick, visual surprises and ridiculous comic performances. The workshop focused on improvisation and finding 'the game' which creates the scene. We worked through play and allowed ourselves to be silly. I ended up snogging Carro, another participant... but it was all in the name of comedy!

Tristan Sharps (Dreamthinkspeak)

Tristen explores the use of space, light, image, film, sound and text as equal ingredients in creating live performance and to explore how the use of different environments can radically alter the relationship of the audience to the work. They work in both conventional and unconventional theatrical settings in creating works that are in constant evolution. We  created mini site specific pieces with the use of light in the dressing rroms at the Lyric.

Aitor Basauri (Spymonkey)

Aitor is joint Artistic Director of Spymonkey, a quartet of international performers who create dark, edgy, physical comedy. We learn't to trust our instinctive and spontaneous self and explore how we make people laugh through status play offs, parody and improvisation. This workshop was about creating a fresh, trusting and highly enjoyable atmosphere of revelation in order to discover 'You're Funny.'... and do you know waht ... I am!

Mem Morrison (Mem)

Mem's work expands on a back catalogue of memory and personal history to reflect on a wider universal human experience, often revealing previously untold truths. In this workshop we explored how material is created from ourown personal memories and how the personal can be developed, through devising and collaboration with others, into stories and concepts for performance.

Jenny Sealey & Mojisola Adebayo

Jenny and Mojisola share  a passion for exploring how audio descriptive narrative and sign language can enrich the artistic experience. In this workshop we delved into this largely unexplored territory and generate new ideas and ways of working. I ended up creating a scene about a 6ft white rabbit and an Orge in an abortion clinic... it was very funny...honest!

Vicky Amedume (Upswing Aerial)

Vicky is Artistic Director of UpSwing and has worked in many areas within circus since 1997. Contemporary Circus is the name applied to circus work that mixes classical physical circus techniques with theatrical narration, dance, visual design, light, sound and multimedia effects. In this workshop we played around using harnesses and silks, it offered an insight into how Upswing produces its modern take on circus work... and if you know me I love a bit circus.

 

David Farr

David is currently Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company where he has recently directed The Winter's Tale. David is also a writer and previous Artistic Director of the Lyric. In this workshop we were encouraged to explore ways in which to develop and strengthen the story in devised theatre. We looked at simple narritive structure and the moments that create conflict and drama.

Emma Rice (Kneehigh)

Emma is Artistic Director of Kneehigh Theatre. Kneehigh tell stories, are based in Cornwall, create theatre of humanity and are passionate about their multi disciplined creative process. Emma gave us practical introduction to the techniques and ethos of the company. We played around with different sorts of lifts in pairs... I actually lifted a Cat, a 6' woman in the air with her head between my legs, a great experience had by all. We then used these lifts to created short scene. My scene involved being an old married couple with Carro. We started the week with a kiss and ended as an old married couple... now there is closer for you.

Also there all  week was Sketch City, a Manchester based company that painted the space in reponce to what we were doing all week. It loloked amazing on the Monday, but By the friday they had completed an amazing Mural in respponce to our thoughts and ideas and what they had observed... my pictures can not do them justice.

What a full and amazing week... abig thankyou to everyone involved!