PHYSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP - YORGOS BALAKOS - CORPUS SOMA

15th & 16th May 2007

The participants will train their voice and body through exercises based on the principles of Meyerhold and Grotowski’s theatre techniques. Through these systems of actors training the participants will explore elements of acting like body awareness, discipline in the space, sense of the rhythm, reaction to impulses. The aim is to work against our tics and physical habits, focusing on the discovery of the neutral presence.

This two day workshop will culminate in an informal ensemble performance in a non-theatre space, using elements found over the course of the workshop.

BIOGRAPHY

Yorgos Bakalos is an international physical theatre performer/workshop leader and he has worked extensively for companies such as Para Active, La Fura Dels Baus and Senza Tempo. He is a Co-founder/artistic director of General Ludd Physical Theatre Company. Yorgos has trained in theatre, specialising in Meyerhold and Grotowski’s theatre techniques. He also trained with Jaroslaw Flet, Phillipe Gaullier, Complicite, Tapa Sudana (Peter Brooks' actor).

ACROBALANCE - NIKKI ANDREWS - BONGO BOLERO

17th & 18th May 2007

This is a beginner/intermediate Acrobalance workshop starting with a warm up using traditional stretching and basic Ashtanga yoga. You will then work on handstands – looking at shape and technique, and different ways into a handstand (e.g. lunge, tuck up). You will also learn a wide range of 2 person balances and a number of ‘moves’ as well as looking at transitions and short sequences. We will explore the dynamic work and timing that is so crucial to the success of most skills, and in contrast, look at slow controlled movement to increase your understanding and depth of knowledge. There will be a focus on correct body alignment and good technique. The exact content of the class will be dependant on the experience and overall skill level of the group.

BIOGRAPHY

Nikki Andrews started as a competitive gymnast, training and later coaching in Worcester. After a number of years studying, travelling and working abroad she found her home in the world of circus creating aerial theatre work as co-founder of StageFright Productions. She and acro partner Richard Durnford, then went to study acrobalance at the French National Circus School, and went on to form the highly successful and acclaimed double act Bongo Bolero, who perform at cabarets, street festivals and corporate events the world over. Nikki is a British Gymnastics qualified coach and led the acrobatic program at Circomedia for 5 years.

MOMENTUM WORKSHOP

19th May 2007

Momentum will introduce a series of movement training and exercises for body awareness, movement techniques, partner work and theatre improvisation. This workshop will be focusing on physical devising methods and how improvisation can be used to create theatre material. We will research and explore into a strong expressive body language which combined with acting can create an accessible powerful style of movement theatre. Momentum’s training technique is enriched by their recent collaborations with Complicite and Derevo. It aims to promote the confidence of the performer/ student / participant as well as introducing and improving new physical capabilities and researching into new areas of movement and body awareness which can be applied to their own work and life.

BIOGRAPHY

Momentum aims to bring together some of the best directors/practitioners from the international physical theatre world in order to produce innovative, visually stunning, thought provoking, physical theatre work which is communicative, highly accessible and represents the cultural diversity and the experience of life.

Momentum have produced two physical theatre pieces, Tmesis and Memento Mori (a collaboration with Tanya Khabarova- DEREVO) Both pieces have toured nationally and internationally to festivals such as, London International Mime Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival and festivals in Greece, Germany, France and Italy. Momentum will be working on a third production in 2007. The company formed in 2003 after completing Hope Street's Physical Theatre Programme and is based in Liverpool.

CONTACT IMPROVISATION - ANDREA BUCKLEY

22nd May 2007

Andrea Buckley approaches teaching in a relaxed and supportive way to allow the dancing to spontaneously and effortlessly arise. Participants can fully engage in the process of improvisation and contact work using the tools of listening, watching, exploring and expressing the body into the physical form of dancing fully. From solo to group work the landscape of anatomical imagery will aim to increase creative potential, self awareness, survival mode in the body and energy flow through the heightened observation of our senses.

BIOGRAPHY

Andrea Buckley, based in Wirral, is an independent dance artist. Improvisation and contact work has been the main source of inspiration for the last 17 years. After graduating the Laban Centre, London she went on to work with independent choreographers and companies on a project basis, touring both nationally and internationally. Recently, Andrea has worked with Nancy Stark smith and Kirstie Simson as well as being involved in presenting projects with CH4PTER and Liverpool Improvisation Collective. Currently Andrea is researching a new solo performance piece with video artist Danny Williams and is a visiting lecturer at Hope University, Liverpool.

TANYA KHABAROVA - DEREVO (Workshop)

21st May 2007

Tanya’s method focuses on the use of space, rhythm, the truth of the body and the metaphysical point of the artistic expression. The workshop is divided in 3 parts: soul, body, and mind. Tanya works with the energy of the group and the sensibility of each person and their individual capacities/ dreams. The workshop will explore; metronome, music, atmosphere, co-ordination of the body, diaphragmatic breathing, improvisation, stretching and relaxation.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Russia Tanya Khabarova first studied music, specialising in violin at the music college of Vyborg but soon realised that being a teacher of music wasn’t her calling. In 1987 she went to college in St Petersburg and studied in the artistic experimental class of Anton Adassinsky. In 1988 Tanya became a member of DEREVO Physical Theatre led by Adassinsky. As a member of Derevo, Tanya has travelled extensively around the world.Tanya Khabarova plays in all DEREVO performances and has received numerous awards such as an Edinburgh Fringe Fest, Total Theatre awards and Tap Water award for “Reflection".

DEREVO PERFORMANCE - Physical Fest Exclusive

REFLECTION - UNITY THEATRE, LIVERPOOL, MAY 22ND, 8pm

A founder-member of DEREVO and one of Russia’s most original dancers, Tanya Khabarova brings her experimental and extraordinarily honest work to the stage.

Somewhere between light and darkness there is a secret space known only to the Creator, where the first stirrings of life develop the passion to prolong and to immortalize, to surpass all levels of human existence... Where there is no escape from the emptiness of frailty and the inner bird of dreams does not take flight... But where the aspirations of all humanity lead towards one song and one song only - the mysterious song of Love.

“Khabarova has a compelling stage presence. It will seep into your consciousness long after you’ve left the theatre.”
The Scotsman

“Khabarova assumes countless shapes and forms, twisting and turning her limbs like magical wands and laying her whole body and soul on the altar of her art.”
The Stage