Creative Arts in Crete

'Labyrinth' Greek Drama Project...
London Workshops now running
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Greek Drama Project

'Gods, Monsters, Man, Woman and Myth'

Workshops for 2005 will be announced
by February 2005

with
Gail Sixsmith

A ritual exploration of themes and psychologies inherent in Greek Drama and Mythology.

This project presents a unique opportunity to explore creative ideas in a guided and structured process in, and around, a beautiful and rugged environment. Using all that is at our disposal we will work with the body and voice to discover a holistic and expressive theatre language.

For those with experience of performance and/or those with an active interest in the theatre or arts. Either way, curiosity, an open mind and a creative spirit are a prerequisite!

The project will include a minimum of 20 hours practical work supported by discussion and individual research, and an optimal midnight journey on at least one evening. Additional to the week in Crete here is the possibility of several intensive day workshops to be held in London quarterly, subject to demand.

GAIL SIXSMITH

Gail has been a professional practitioner for 15 years, working as an actress, physical performer, teacher , workshop leader, director and producer. She has devised and produced acclaimed physical theatre in her own company Might & Main, and has collaborated with a variety of innovative writers and directors on new writing and cutting edge theatre. Her performance credits include RSC and Manchester Royal Exchange and here diverse roles have taken her around the globe.

Her varied teaching experience includes work for companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Young Vic (London) and for many Universities specialising in theatre courses.

Gail's experience includes training with a variety of specialist practioners, for example: DV8 Physical Theatre / Peta Lily (Mime/Movement) / Monica Pagneux (Movement from the Gaulier School) / Nick Nuttens (Improv with body and voice) / Enriche Pardo (Choreographic Theatre) / Rob Clare (Shakespeare's Text) / Helen Chadwick (Singing and Voice) / Sue Lefton (Elizabethan and Renaissance Dance) / Capoiera (Brazillian Fighting Dance) / Kerry Ribchester (Bodywork, Body Mind Centering, Laban)

Collaborations include work with: Akira Matsui (Noho Theatre Japan), TNT/Paul Stebbings (Europe), Primitive Science/Young Vic, Ruth Ben-Tovim/LOuder Than Words, Helen Chadwick, Kristina Page Dance Theatre.

Gods, Monsters, Man, Woman and Myth		Where is the action? What are the stories, the moments of drama?
		The Gods intervene, persuade, strike deals, disguise themselves, run amok!...the mortals battle - with each other...and themselves. Brutality and beauty lie as bedfellows in a mythological world that is defined by high emotions and extreme personal crisis. With the rich landscape that is Greek Drama and Mythology, there is a wealth of material to discover, whether poetic, symbolic, choreographic, vocally ensemble or simply character-based, the themes present themselves in dramatic relief.

Energised and physical, the process will reflect an eclectic array of technique and influence gained through 15 years of diverse professional experience. This mixture of labwork, technique, improvisation, and ensemble discipline will have, as the primary structural influence, the landscape: an inescapable visceral dynamic with which to engage and connect. Rarely do we get the chance to return to the fundamental, elemental point of expression. This open-ended project offers a platform for just such an experience.

Some themes:

'The Dance of War' - physical training and choreographic display
Ritual and Sacrifice - 'Symbolic Acts'
Inescapable destiny - two worlds collide (finding the Duet)
The epic struggle - looking for physical metaphors
Conflict - personal desires at odds with social expectation
Thresholds - journeys and discovery (Transformations)

Other influences include Shamanism, Tai Chi, Capoiera & Ritual.
As well as using Greek Play texts we will explore our own poetic language.