Secondary Catalogue

This video provides over 90 minutes of games, strategies and methods used to generate physical action. It looks at the relationship between text and movement, and explores the choreographing and scoring of physical action. This video also provides an inspiring guide to some of the ideas, strategies and methods that can be used in a professional and educational context to add physical dimensions to performance. Includes interviews, rehearsal footage, demonstrations and performance from some of the world's best and most physical practitioners: Stan Won’t Dance (UK), Butoh performers, Sankai Juku (Japan) and Marie-Gabrielle Rotie (UK), Goat Island (US), and Forced Entertainment (UK). Show Less

World famous theatre practitioner Jerzy Grotowski has had an enormous and positive influence on contemporary theatre. This programme explores his life and work and shows how his ideas and approaches can be used by students and teachers to create powerful and successful performances. Through the use of archive performance footage, interviews and examples of Grotowski inspired pieces, this resource enables students to apply Grotowski’s visionary insights to their own devised and scripted work. Show Less

"The study of acting should begin with physical action - a specialised, structured, flexible and adaptable physical action that is enlisted in the direct service of the expression of thought and feeling. I call this integrated physical action an expressive action." -Michael Lugering. A group of actors work through a series of carefully structured exercises and improvisations that unlock the physical, raw materials that make human expression possible. Whether the actor is expressing love, loss, rage or joy, unlocking these universal will provide the building blocks for captivating and dynamic acting. Show Less

From humble beginnings, theatre company Frantic Assembly has emerged as one of the boldest and brightest stars in the international theatrical firmament. Their unique brand of challenging, physical theatre has enthralled audiences all over the world. Building theatre shows from the ground up – devising – is what many point to as being the key to the creation of this riotously distinctive theatre. In this programme, we gain a unique insight into the devising process from ‘first thoughts to first night’. Part celebration, part explanation of Frantic Assembly’s approach to production, it offers in-depth interviews and practical demonstrations that will excite facilitators and inspire students as they begin their own ‘devising’ journey. Show Less

Staging a successful production takes time and energy. This programme demonstrates how to select an appropriate script for your group and then take it from page to stage, in an organised stress-free manner. With tips on promoting your play, planning a rehearsal schedule and keeping calm on performance night, students will be able to use this programme as a guide throughout their production process. Standing ovations guaranteed! Show Less

In this programme presented by Kirsty Reilly, we follow a group of Sydney drama students who show us the importance of certain exercises and how allowing our bodies to freely move by doing these exercises can help us to interpret a part in a play. The videos feature three tutors who have all worked in the performing arts industry. Show Less

This video looks at the various challenges in dealing with bringing Shakespeare's plays to life, from a directing point of view. Taking scenes from 'Hamlet', directors discuss ways of interpreting the texts, and how those choices affect the meaning and performance. The video shows that Shakespeare's texts are as open to interpretations as they are subject to context. The video also discusses the stylistic possibilities and limitations of both stage and film, and how these parameters inform the choices for directors. Show Less

Overcoming inhibitions and creating an environment of intimacy, trust and communication in an educational setting are some of the hardest tasks facing teachers. Filmed over a two day workshop, led by award winning UK drama teacher Stephen Pritchard and internationally acclaimed psychologist Dr Ian Frampton, this excellent program shows a wealth of examples of ideas, games and methods that can be used to engage, build confidence and improve communication among students. This material is backed up by interviews and examples of work from some of the world's leading theatre practitioners, including Goat Island (US), Forced Entertainment (UK), Stan Won't Dance (UK), Sankai Juku (Japan). Show Less

The Great Deviser, filmed with companies from 3 continents, with a feature film's worth of edited interviews, demonstrations, rehearsal footage and performance outcome clips from some of the world's most creative devisers - Goat Island (US), Forced Entertainment (UK), Ushio Amagatsu/Sankai Juku (Japan). The practitioners explain the ideas that influence and inform their work, how they start a piece - including research strategies and sourcing "raw ingredients'; games and other ways of generating movement and text and how they refine and structure their materials. Show Less

Take a comprehensive look at the history of theatre and drama, taking students from the ancient Greeks to the medieval Mystery plays, from the Renaissance to the Restoration, finishing up with Modern Theatre, exploring different play styles, staging and acting. The chapters can be used as a stimulus for devised work, further research projects or for developing a better understanding of historical context. Show Less