London International Mime Festival 2011 by mimelondon

m me

london international mime festival 2011

LONDON

15 > 30 january contemporary visual theatre

m me

london international mime festival

LONDON

London International Mime Festival champions contemporary visual theatre. It’s a once-a-year chance to experience the best in cutting edge circus, adult puppetry and animation, physical and object theatre, in a dazzling array of shows designed to provoke, inspire, enlighten and entertain. There’s dark, ecological satire, explorations of the arts of laughter and dying, an aerial show

help with choosing: Shows using puppetry/animation Akhe Engineering Theatre Faulty Optic Josef Nadj & Akosh S Les Antliaclastes Teatro Corsario Family-friendly shows 5+ Compagnia 2+1

which looks at female identity and the clash of cultures, an industrial robot in harmony with acrobats, the mystery of crows revealed, and much, much more. Welcome to sixteen January days and nights with few words or language barriers, packed with premieres and performances by artists from ten different countries, after-show

Family-friendly shows 8+ Atelier Lefeuvre & André Cie 111 / Aurélien Bory Cie MPTA / Mathurin Bolze Circo Aereo Compagnia 2+1

discussions and workshop learning opportunities. We are grateful to all our artists and their technicians, our own fantastic festival team, venue colleagues and funders. Most importantly we gratefully acknowledge the core financial assistance and support of Arts Council England. Read on and book early! Joseph Seelig & Helen Lannaghan Festival Directors

meet the artists after the shows: Mon 17 Jan: Wed 19 Jan: Thu 20 Jan: Fri 21 Jan: Sat 22 Jan: Sun 23 Jan: Mon 24 Jan: Tue 25 Jan: Wed 26 Jan: Thu 27 Jan: Fri 28 Jan: Sat 29 Jan:

Teatro Corsario Akhe Sobelle/Ford Circo Aereo Cie 111/Aurélien Bory Cia 2+1 Les Antliaclastes Joseph Nadj & Akosh S Upswing Jos Houben Cie MPTA/Mathurin Bolze Anagoor Faulty Optic Nani/Ingimarsson Atelier Lefeuvre & André

PLEASE ARRIVE IN GOOD TIME FOR THE SHOWS LATECOMERS MAY NOT BE ADMITTED

12+ /Parental guidance Anagoor Josef Nadj & Akosh S Paolo Nani & Kristjan Ingimarsson Geoff Sobelle & Charlotte Ford Teatro Corsario Shows using circus skills Atelier Lefeuvre & André Cie 111 / Aurélien Bory Cie MPTA / Mathurin Bolze Circo Aereo Compagnia 2+1 Upswing Shows for people with hearing impairment All shows are suitable, except Jos Houben’s performance-demonstration, and Geoff Sobelle & Charlotte Ford which will be BSL interpreted on Fri 28 Jan

Visit our website to see video extracts of this year’s shows: www.mimelondon.com Cover photo: Cie MPTA/Mathurin Bolze This page: Cie 111/Aurelién Bory

‘Original, entertaining, cleverly orchestrated terror’

T EATRO CO R S A R I O

La Vanguardia

SPA I N

S O U T H BANK CENTRE’S PURCELL ROO M S AT 1 5 > WED 1 9 JAN

L A MALDICIÓN D E P O E (THE CURSE OF POE) UK PREMIERE

Based on stories by celebrated horror writer Edgar Allan Poe, this gothic thriller from Spain’s puppetry experts touches emotions from tenderness to white-knuckle fear. Thrust from one terror to another, oh pity poor Edgar - hounded by the law, dogged by misfortune, guilty of loving the beautiful Annabel Lee. Beware the cat with black magic powers and the crazed, knife-wielding ape. From Valladolid in Castilla y León, Teatro Corsario’s award-winning ‘puppets of terror’ have tingled spines across Europe. Not for the faint-hearted! Critics’ Prize: Best Production at 2010 Lerida Puppet Festival, Spain, and Pula International Festival, Croatia

Sat 15 > Wed 19 Jan Sat, Mon-Wed 7.45pm, Sun 4pm Meet the Artists: Mon 17 Jan Runs 60 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £14.50 Tickets: 0844 847 9928

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Suitable for 12 years +

Presented in association with Southbank Centre Coproduction: Circe Producciones Teatrales S.L. and la Fundación Siglo para las Artes en Castilla y León

‘A delicious cocktail of bravura clown skills and technical precision. Absurd, improbable, magnificent’

COMPAGN I A 2 + 1

La Stampa

L A PORTA

SW I TZ ER LA N D

S O U T H BANK CENTRE’S PURCELL ROO M T H U 2 0 > SUN 2 3 JAN

(THE DOOR) UK PREMIERE

Cross the threshold to a world of fantasy, illusion and old-fashioned artistry. Developed from a series of classic entrance and exit routines, La Porta reveals the ins and outs of clown theatre with consummate skill and timing. Kai Leclerc, Bernard Stockli and Andreas Manz came together at the theatre school of legendary Swiss clown Dimitri and subsequently toured as members of his company. Their individual credits include seasons with top European circuses such as Roncalli, Monti and Knie, America’s Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, and appearances at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, and on The Late Show with David Letterman. Director Sergio Bini co-starred with Roberto Benigni in the Academy Award-winning film Life is Beautiful.

Thu 20 > Sun 23 Jan Thu-Fri 7.45pm, Sat 6pm, Sun 4pm Meet the Artists: Sun 23 Jan Runs 75 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £14.50 Tickets: 0844 847 9928

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Captivating comedy, magic and music. Suitable for all ages.

Presented in association with Southbank Centre

COMPAGN I E 1 1 1 / AUR ÉLIEN B O RY

‘Once again Aurélien Bory comes up with magic, wit and a ton of ideas. A contemporary take on Chaplin’s Modern Times’ Le Figaro

FR A N C E

S O U T H BANK CENTRE’S QUEEN ELIZAB E T H H A L L F R I 2 1 > SUN 23 JAN

S ANS OBJET UK PREMIERE

In the 1970s it made cars. Now transplanted from assembly line to stage, an industrial robot is the unlikely hero of a remarkable futurist fantasy. Seemingly endowed with human qualities, by turns friendly and frightening, the robot stars with acrobats Olivier Alenda and Olivier Boyer in this spectacular performance piece for men and machine. After sold-out visits to London with previous productions IJK, Plan B, More or Less Infinity and Les Sept Planches de la Ruse, director Aurélien Bory’s Compagnie 111 returns with its latest show.

Production: Cie 111/Aurélien Bory Coproduction: TNT-Théâtre national de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées; Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne E.T.E; Théâtre de la Ville-Paris; La Coursivescène nationale La Rochelle; L’Agora-scène conventionnée Boulazac; Le Parvis-scène nationale Tarbes-Pyrénées. Supported by London International Mime Festival. Cie 111/Aurélien Bory receives the support of Fondation BNP Paribas for the development of its projects This visit to London is supported by Culturesfrance and Institut français

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Fri 21 > Sun 23 Jan Fri & Sat 7.30pm, Sun 6pm Meet the Artists: Sat 22 Jan Runs 70 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £14.50/£16.50/£18.50 Tickets: 0844 847 9928

UPSWING FALLEN

‘Terrific input from aerial experts, Upswing, this is one hell of a ride’

S O U T H BANK CENTRE’S PURCELL ROO M MO N 24 > WED 26 JAN

Guardian (on Upswing’s The Wicked Lady)

LONDON PREMIERE

Weaving dance, aerial, circus, shadows and animation with African spirituality and a contemporary story, Fallen creates a dynamic and poetic portrait of eternal love, overwhelming loss and the resilience of the human spirit. Alone in a foreign land, caught in a place of transition, a woman turns from reality to escape to a place where dreams reunite her with all she has lost in her flight. Fallen questions what it means to be a woman and a mother when caught in the process of change, as one culture meets another. Following events at the National Theatre’s Watch This Space, The Liverpool Culture Company for European City of Culture, BBC London, the Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival in Melbourne, and a collaboration on National Theatre of Scotland’s Peter Pan, artistic director Vicki Amedume has established Upswing at the forefront of aerial, interdisciplinary circus in the UK. This performance features a collaboration with the animated illustrations of Paper Cinema’s Nic Rawling.

Presented in association with Southbank Centre Produced in association with The Albany, La Brèche Cherbourg, Jacksons Lane, London International Mime Festival, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts and Southwark Playhouse

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Mon 24 > Wed 26 Jan 7.45pm Meet the Artists: Tue 25 Jan Runs 50 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £14.50 Tickets: 0844 847 9928

PAOLO NA N I & KRISTJAN I N G I M A R S S O N

‘Great comic theatre about man and his fragility - you might just die laughing’ L’Eco di Bergamo

D EN M A R K

S O U T H BANK CENTRE’S PURCELL ROO M T H U 2 7 > SUN 3 0 JAN

T HE ART OF DY I N G In 80 minutes of wordless comedy packed with gags, rhythm, music and poetry, The Art of Dying explores the big taboo issue we all have to face but want to ignore. Paolo Nani and Kristjan Ingimarsson are two clowns, a long-standing double act at the peak of their career. Suddenly one of them learns he is dying. How does a clown die? Are there instructions? How to die with dignity, without making a mess and does it really have to be in the middle of a successful tour? In the profound mystery of life before death, nothing is straightforward.

Thu 27 > Sun 30 Jan Thu-Sat 7.45pm, Sun 6pm Meet the Artists: Sat 29 Jan Runs 80 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £14.50 Tickets: 0844 847 9928 Presented in association with Southbank Centre Supported by the Royal Danish Embassy, London

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

RUSSIA

I C A T H EATRE S U N 1 6 > THU 2 0 JAN

AKH E E NGINEER I N G T H E AT R E G OBO. DIGITAL G L O S S A RY

UK PREMIERE

A man hauls himself heavenwards by means of a rope attached to his ankle, hearts explode and beer is poured by means of bullets. In seventeen short vignettes, and different genres from cinema to robotics and shadow play, these modern heirs to Russia’s tradition of avant garde theatre create a stream of unforgettable images and bizarre events. Realised with improvised, hand-built technology and stupendous imagination, Gobo. Digital Glossary is an absurdist take on the Everyman story, set in Akhe’s world where everything is simultaneously connected - and separate. Dynamic, mesmerising visual theatre.

ICA

Sun 16 > Thu 20 Jan Sun 6pm, Mon-Thu 8pm Meet the Artists: Wed 19 Jan Runs 60 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £14 (£12 concs) Tickets: 020 7930 3647

‘They owe as much to the visual arts and cinema as to any kind of theatre. Dizzying, dense and immensely satisfying’ Guardian (on White Cabin)

FRAN CE

I C A T H EATRE S AT 2 2 > WED 2 6 JAN

LES ANTLI A C L A S T E S H ILUM

UK PREMIERE

A micro comic-tragedy based on the cycles of the washing machine and set in the basement of a rundown museum of natural history. Orphaned and cut off from the ordered kingdom of curiosities upstairs, the cast of nursery rhyme characters, cartoon images, and mischievous urchins turn playtime into a theatre of cruelty. Whites mix with colours, delicates get hot washed, and a monstrous big toe devours holes in the socks. Conceived and directed by Patrick Sims, formerly creative director of Buchinger’s Boot Marionettes whose Armature of the Absolute was a sold out hit at the Festival in 2009. Hilum - a miniature fantasy-land, distorting and disturbing, is his new company’s debut performance.

This visit to London is supported by Culturesfrance and Institut français

ICA

Sat 22 > Wed 26 Jan Sat & Mon-Wed 8pm, Sun 6pm Meet the Artists: Sun 23 Jan Runs 60 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £14 (£12 concs) Tickets: 020 7930 3647

‘You keep rubbing your eyes because you can’t quite believe what you are seeing. They play with perspective brilliantly and manipulate objects with such assurance that it is hard to know where the human ends and the puppet begins’ Lyn Gardner (Guardian) on Armature of the Absolute 2009

‘Refined, theatrical, intense performances’

ITALY

I C A T H EATRE F R I 2 8 > SUN 30 JAN

Rolling Stone Magazine

ANAGOOR T EMPESTA

UK PREMIERE

Award-winning new theatre from Italy.

‘A masterpiece of astonishing visual knowledge, enigmatic and fascinating’ Hystrio

Showing misty landscapes and the winds of a gathering storm, two suspended video screens appear like modern day altar pieces. A sense of impending tragedy hangs in the air. Tempesta links past and present, exploring the world revealed in enigmatic paintings by Renaissance artist, Giorgione. Outwardly calm and conventional, each one raises doubts in the viewer’s mind, hinting at a more complex web of meanings. Giorgione, teacher of Titian, died at 33 in 1510. From his home town of Castelfranco, near Venice, Anagoor was recognised at Italy’s 2009 Stage Awards for this unsettling, visual and physical collage inspired by the artist’s ambiguous studies of light, landscape, youth and violence. Intriguing and atmospheric. Contains nudity

ICA

Fri 28 > Sun 30 Jan Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm Meet the Artists: Fri 28 Jan Runs 45 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £14 (£12 concs) Tel: 020 7930 3647 Co-production: Anagoor, Centrale FIES, Operaestate Festival Veneto. Supported by Regione Veneto

‘I succumbed to the theatrical magic of it all. Makes you laugh first, wince second and think long afterwards’ The Times

GEOFF SOB E L L E & CHARLOTT E F O R D

‘As a piece of theatre this is clever and spectacular, and brilliantly executed. As social commentary it is even better than that’ The Scotsman

USA

B A R B I CAN, THE PIT WE D 1 9 > SAT 29 JAN

F L E S H AND BLOOD & FISH AND FOW L LONDON PREMIERE

Urban civilisation on the brink of destruction - time to shuffle post-it notes and count the paper clips. Convenience food firm middle manager Jerry pops out of a wheelie bin, dressed for a day at the office with colleague Rhoda, and more pointless routine. But as tropical plants burst out of filing cabinets and wild animals take over the work place, what starts as a parody of office politics and consumerism becomes a dark ecological satire. Mankind has lost the plot and the food chain is about to change. Winner of a Fringe First Award at the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this hugely entertaining, largely wordless show has its roots in generations of silent comedians from Jacques Tati to Mr Bean. You may never eat fast food again.

BARBICAN

Geoff Sobelle returns to the Festival for the first time since his acclaimed All Wear Bowlers with Trey Lyford at LIMF/bite07. Suitable for 12 years + Wed 19 > Sat 29 Jan 7.45pm (not 23 Jan) Meet the Artists: Thu 20 Jan BSL interpreted perf: Fri 28 Jan Runs 65 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £16 Tickets: 0845 121 6839 Geoff Sobelle & Charlotte Ford workshop Sat 22 Jan 10am - 1pm. See page 36

Conceived and performed by Geoff Sobelle and Charlotte Ford Presented in association with the Barbican Coproduction: Barrow Street Theatre New York, Burnt Umber Productions, Jean Doumanian Productions Flesh and Blood & Fish and Fowl was funded by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative

‘a goldmine of ideas, beautiful, clever, simply superb’ Le Monde

FRAN CE

B A R B I CAN THEATRE W E D 2 6 > SAT 29 JAN

COMPAGN I E M P TA / MATHURIN B O L Z E D U GO UDRON E T D ES PLUMES (TAR AND FEATHERS)

UK PREMIERE

Inspired by Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, this remarkable new circus-theatre production explores friendship, co-operation and trust. Five strangers, perhaps exiles or survivors of a violent storm, are thrown together on a pitching, rolling vessel adrift somewhere between earth and sky. The combination of thrilling acrobatics, bewitching lighting, music, and ingenious set that’s in a state of almost constant motion makes this a performance of both great beauty and heartstopping tension.

BARBICAN

One of today’s most original and brilliant young circus creators, Mathurin Bolze’s work has featured regularly at the Festival in recent years, notably Fénêtres (Laban 2005), Tangentes (bite07) and Ali (ICA 2009). He was awarded France’s prestigious Prix du Cirque in 2009. Suitable for 7 years + Wed 26 > Sat 29 Jan 7.45pm Meet the Artists: Thu 27 Jan Runs 75 mins / no interval £16 - £28 Book online via mimelondon.com Tickets: 0845 121 6839

Presented in association with the Barbican Coproduction: La Brèche, Cherbourg; Les Subsistances, Lyon; L’Agora, Boulazac; Le Parc de la Villette, Paris; La Verrerie d’Alès en Cévennes; le Cratère, Alès; Théâtre des Salins Scène Nationale de Martigues; Théâtre National de Bretagne, Rennes; Scène nationale 61, Alençon; Grand Théâtre de Lorient, Le TridentScène National de Cherbourg-Octeville Compagnie MPTA is supported by Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, Région Rhone Alpes, Ville de Lyon, Culturesfrance and Institut français This visit to London is supported by Culturesfrance and Institut français

‘Creator of magical vignettes’

CIRCO AER E O

‘A treasure chest filled with beautiful sights’

U N CIRQUE PLU S J U S T E

Le Monde

Helsingen Sanomat

UK PREMIERE

FIN LAN D/FR A N C E

R O U N DHOUSE STUDIO THEATRE T H U 2 0 > SAT 22 JAN

Jani Nuutinen’s enchanting one man circus conjures pleasure and magic. In a warm and intimate setting this craftsman of simple marvels creates a dreamy world with shadow play, illusion and skilful object manipulation. From its candle-lit opening moments you will be drawn in and charmed.

ROUNDHOUSE

With bases in both Finland and France, Circo Aereo has been a major force in the recent rise of Finnish contemporary circus to international recognition. Jani Nuutinen graduated from the Centre Nationale du Cirque in Chalons in 2001 and lives in France. The company’s joint artistic director, Maksim Komarov, is based in Finland. Suitable for 7 years +

Thu 20 > Sat 22 Jan Thu & Fri 8pm, Sat 4pm Meet the Artists: Fri 21 Jan Runs 50 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £13.50 Tickets: 0844 482 8008

Production: Circo Aereo Coproduction: Le Sirque-Pôle Cirque de Nexon en Limousin; Agora-La Scène Conventionné de Boulazac; La Fabrique, Saison culturelle de Guéret. This visit to London is supported by Culturesfrance and Institut français

‘So long Sooty. Faulty Optic’s gruesome figures take puppetry to the cutting edge’

R O U N DHOUSE STUDIO THEATRE T H U 2 7 > SAT 29 JAN

The Observer (on Horsehead)

FAULTY OPTIC F LOGGING A DE A D H O R S E WORLD PREMIERE Amongst the ink blots, intercoms, coffee rings and pizza, there’s a little doorway down to the bottom of the deepest ocean, where the seabed sludge has a similar chemistry to that of the human brain. The brain hosts trillions of neurons, each playing an endless game of mental pingpong. Of course no-one really knows any of this as fact, although someone bravely went in search and sent back reports, whilst others scrutinised, postulated and made lists. Faulty Optic are famous for their haunting tales, unusual visual theatre, strange animated figures and dark humour. Gavin Glover’s latest production for the Company engages three amateur scientists to plumb the depths of the Moon, the legend of Salomé and the consequences of overthinking.

Thu 27 > Sat 29 Jan 8pm Meet the Artists: Fri 28 Jan Runs 75 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £13.50 Tel: 0844 482 8008

ROUNDHOUSE

Suspend your disbelief, forget the normal, plunge into a world of surreal adult puppetry.

Gavin Glover workshop Sat 29 Jan 10am - 3pm See page 36

‘The show is almost ephemeral. Its quality is lasting’ L’Humanité (Avignon Festival 2010)

FRAN CE

L I N B U RY STUDIO THEATRE, ROYAL OP E R A H O U S E MO N 24 > TUE 25 JAN

J OSEF NA D J & A K O S H S L ES CORBEAUX

(THE CROWS) UK PREMIERE

Wise birds, harbingers of death, symbols of the divine and diabolical, crows hold powerful sway over the human imagination. In a beautiful duet featuring movement, free-form jazz and a barrel full of lustrous, inky black paint, Josef Nadj and Akosh Szelevényi evoke the spirit, and presence, of this most mysterious of creatures. At its climax, in an extraordinary process of transformation, Nadj becomes simultaneously paintbrush, bird and the essence of blackness itself. Josef Nadj’s work has been a highlight of LIMF programmes since his Woyzeck in 1999, most recently in 2008 with Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo in the LIMF / Barbicanbite co-presentation of Paso Doble, subsequently performed at the Venice Biennale. He is a painter, sculptor, photographer, dancer, and director of France’s National Choreographic Centre in Orléans. Akosh Szelevényi, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, has collaborated on numerous projects with Josef Nadj since 2003. He also composes music for theatre, dance and circus.

Production: Centre Chorégraphique National d’Orléans Coproduction: Théâtre Forum Meyrin - Suisse, with support from la Scène Nationale d’Orléans. A first version of Les Corbeaux was staged at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris, commissioned by the Jazz Nomades Festival – La Voix est Libre This visit to London is supported by Culturesfrance and Institut français, and by the Hungarian Cultural Centre, London, on the occasion of the Hungarian EU Presidency

LINBURY STUDIO THEATRE

Mon 24 > Tue 25 Jan 7.45pm Meet the Artists: Mon 24 Jan Runs 60 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £16, £13, £11, £6.50 (standing) and £8 (students) Tel: 020 7304 4000

‘With the subtlest of glances, or slight turn of the head, Houben has the entire audience in stitches’ The Scotsman

J OS HOUB E N

BELGIUM

L I N B U RY STUDIO THEATRE, ROYAL OP E R A H O U S E WE D 2 6 JAN

T HE ART OF LAU G H T E R One performance only! Complicite original member Jos Houben returns to London with a new version of his brilliant analysis of physical comedy. In this witty, engaging and acclaimed sixty minute performance/lecture he explains and illustrates just what makes people laugh. And you will. In great demand as both a director and actor all over Europe, Jos has been involved with many of the most successful physical comedy creations of recent years, most notably in this country with Spymonkey and The Right Size. Following this special one-off London performance The Art of Laughter will play a month-long season at the renowned Théâtre du Rond Point in Paris.

LINBURY STUDIO THEATRE

Wed 26 Jan 7.45pm followed by Meet the Artist Runs 60 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £16, £13, £11, £6.50 (standing) and £8 (students) Tickets: 020 7304 4000

ATELIER L E F E U V R E & ANDRÉ L E JARDIN

‘Constant delight and amazement and a rarely seen mastery of tempo, so delicate, so

FRAN CE

L I N B U RY STUDIO THEATRE, ROYAL OP E R A H O U S E F R I 2 8 > SUN 30 JAN

perilous, like taming a volcano’ 24 Heures

(THE GARDEN) UK PREMIERE

Covent Garden reverts to its horticultural past when Jean-Paul Lefeuvre and Didier André bring their own garden to the Linbury Studio Theatre stage. True, some misunderstandings are planted and rivalries take root, but here is a place of calm in which to contemplate the human condition without stress or pressure. Relax and refresh yourself in this garden for all seasons, with ninety minutes of great comic invention that takes inspiration from Keaton, Beckett and Jacques Tati.

Fri 28 > Sun 30 Jan Fri 7.45pm, Sat & Sun 4pm Meet the Artists: Sat 29 Jan Runs 90 mins / no interval Book online via mimelondon.com £16, £13, £11, £6.50 (standing) and £8 (students) Tickets: 020 7304 4000 Production: Atelier Lefeuvre & André, Par les Chemins with support from Théâtre d’Auxerre. This visit to London is supported by Culturesfrance and Institut français

LINBURY STUDIO THEATRE

Industrial draftsman Didier André and livestock farmer JeanPaul Lefeuvre first teamed up at the French National Circus School in Chalon, from where they were invited to join Pierre Bidon’s now legendary Archaos circus troupe. Individually they have appeared with leading circus groups Que-CirQue and Cirque O, and with the choreographer Philippe Decoufflé. They have worked as a duo since 2001, with La Serre, Le Jardin and Bricolage Erotique.

WORKSHO P S HOW TO BE A STUPID OR THE CLOWN’S INTELLIGENCE ANGELA DE CASTRO

Tue 11 > Fri 21 Jan, 9.30am > 6pm BAC, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TF More details: +44 (0) 20 7739 8363 Email: whynotinstitute@aol.com www.thewhynotinstitute.com This two week course is inspiring and challenging. It provokes beginners and experienced actors into finding their own clown personas through De Castro’s concept of the ‘Land of Why Not’. Working through games, exercises and group and solo improvisations, participants will be encouraged to develop their playfulness, simplicity and complicity. By taking clowning and laughter very seriously, De Castro leads her students on a journey of discovery to find the clown inside each of them. For De Castro clowning is not a technique but a state. Developing your clown intelligence will lead to new ways of playing on the stage and new ways of connecting with and playing with your audience. De Castro has been awarded fellowships with NESTA Dreamtime, the Arts Foundation and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She is well known for having created the Green Clown in Slava’s Snowshow.

THEATRE DE L’ANGE FOU

Sat 15-Sun 16 Jan, 11am > 3pm £90 Bookings: +44 (0) 20 7263 9339 Email: infoschool@angefou.co.uk Unit 207, Belgravia Workshops, 157-163 Marlborough Road, London N19 4NF www.angefou.co.uk Theatre de l’Ange Fou and the International School of Corporeal Mime (formerly known as the Ecole de Mime Corporel Dramatique) were created in Paris in 1984 by Steven Wasson and Corinne Soum, the last assistants of the celebrated ‘father of Modern Mime’, Etienne Decroux, relocating to London in 1995. This two-day course is designed for people wishing to experience

INTRODUCTION TO COMMEDIA AS A PERFORMANCE TOOL BARRY GRANTHAM

Sat 15 Jan, 10am > 3pm Central School of Speech & Drama, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3HY Phone +44 20 7637 5661 or email: workshops2011@mimelondon.com Inspired by the Commedia dell’Arte, but relevant for all non-naturalistic and physical theatre forms. The characters of the Commedia are introduced as examples and their face-masks employed, but the emphasis will be on practical skills, which can be used by the actor, dancer, mime, director or choreographer, and applied to their current projects, training or interests. The session will consider ‘Commedia’ improvisation, on stage partnerships (Zanni pair), direct audience involvement (Pantalone) and the importance of space and timing in the handling of comedy. Barry Grantham has given his unique workshops in many countries - including Italy itself, inspiring performers, students and teachers alike. He is the author of Playing Commedia and Commedia Plays published by Nick Hern Books. Further information: www.worldofcommedia.co.uk

WORKSHOPS

INTRODUCTION TO CORPOREAL MIME

Decroux’s precise and unique style of expression - corporeal mime.

CLOWN THROUGH MASK JONATHAN YOUNG

Mon 24 > Fri 28 Jan, 10am > 5.30pm £260 (£230 concessions) London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8UE Bookings: + 44 (0) 7740 475 879 www.shams.org.uk This intensive course, synthesising Native North American and European clowning traditions, explores how the clown can act as mirror to the audience’s own humanity. Rather than defining the clown as stupid or naïve, we can become beautifully ridiculous by facing and expressing all aspects of the self through each making

Last festival’s Etgar Theatre workshop, run in association with Central School of Speech & Drama and the Puppet Centre Trust

WORKSHO P S six masks. In an introductory week to this transformative method, we will each make, wear, and clown with the first mask; exploring presence, colour, innocence and experience. This visionary training is for professional performers and artists open to working through the body, voice and imagination. The course is led by theatremaker and teacher Jonathan Young, artistic director of Shams, whose work combines visual and site-specific theatre with video and autobiographical performance.

STUCK WITH YOU

GEOFF SOBELLE & CHARLOTTE FORD

Sat 22 Jan, 10am > 1pm £40 Central School of Speech & Drama, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3HY Phone +44 20 7637 5661 or email: workshops2011@mimelondon.com “You have two people, you have the world” Athol Fugard

CREATING THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE THOMAS PRATTKI AND TEAM

Sat 29 > Sun 30 Jan, 10am > 4pm London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA) The Old Lab, 3 Mills Studios, Three Mill Lane, London, E3 3DU £100 for the two days Bookings: 020 8215 3390 Further information: welcome@lispa.co.uk www.lispa.co.uk A new generation of performing artists is changing the landscape of modern theatre. What began a few decades ago as an avant-garde movement has changed the vision of mainstream theatre as well. The idea of the performer as a creator of her/his own work is no longer a fringe phenomenon, but reflects the broad desire of an entire generation of performers to develop their very own artistic voice and to take creative responsibility in shaping their vision of life. This two-day physical and improvisational workshop will give an insight into the teachings of LISPA and its vision of a pedagogy for the devising artist. It addresses all performers, dancers, actors, directors and teachers in the field of the performing arts who have an interest in the idea of creating original work.

WORKSHOPS

Charlotte Ford and Geoff Sobelle (Flesh and Blood & Fish and Fowl) will lead a workshop in creating highly physical comedic “clown” duos. Hilarious duos are born of an oppositional magnetic force to create a singular dynamic; an inevitable chemistry; a unique DNA that is as particular as its two counterparts. This workshop leads participants to create characters that provoke, prod and spur their creative partners to develop the “functional dysfunctional relationship.” The class is aimed at professional theatre artists and higher education students who are interested in clown / physical comedy.

move in space and how it can apparently live, breathe and think, walk, run and maybe fall over. Suitable for all performers, artists and teachers. Puppets will be provided.

PUPPET AS PERFORMER GAVIN GLOVER

Sat 29 Jan, 10am > 3pm £45 Central School of Speech & Drama, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3HY Phone +44 20 7637 5661 or email: workshops2011@mimelondon.com Using our own bodies and the way we move as the initial inspiration, this workshop will explore the ways in which a puppet can Puppet as Performer - Gavin Glover workshop

BOO KING TRAVELLING TO SHOWS

Barbican Theatre & Pit, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS

Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall

Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) The Mall SW1Y 5AH

For events on pages 20-23

Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall

For events on pages 14-19

Online: barbican.org.uk (reduced booking fee)

For events on pages 4-13

In Person: At the Advance Box Office, Silk Street entrance, ground floor (Level G). Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun and Bank Holidays 12 noon-9pm. Students: Are entitled to half price tickets in advance, for all Wed eves. Proof of eligibility required. Conditions apply. Access: Please contact Box Office or email access@ barbican.org.uk By Phone: 0845 121 6839 Mon-Sat 10am-8pm Sun 11am-8pm. A booking fee applies to each transaction. Tickets sent by 1st class post, time permitting.

Limited concessions are available for each performance. Visit southbankcentre.co.uk for more information. In Person: Royal Festival Hall 10am-8pm daily No transaction fee By Phone: 0844 847 9928   9am-8pm (transaction fee applies) By Fax: 0207 921 0607 (transaction fee applies)

Families: Up to three under 16s at half price with each full paying adult. Conditions apply. FreeB: Free tickets for 16-25’s www.barbican.org.uk/freeb

Online: roh.org.uk In Person: Mon-Sat 10am8pm. The Box Office is in the Link, connecting Bow Street to Covent Garden Piazza. By Phone: 020 7304 4000 Most major credit and debit cards are accepted By Post: PO Box 6, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7QA. Cheques payable to ‘Royal Opera House’

For events on pages 24-27

THANK YOU

Online: roundhouse.org.uk

The 2011 London International Mime Festival gratefully acknowledges co-operation/ financial support from: Arts Council England; Barbican; European Commission representation in the UK; Hungarian Cultural Centre, London; Institut français du Royaume-Uni and CULTURESFRANCE; La Junta de Castilla y Léon (Fundación Siglo) and Ministeria de la Cultura de Espana; Royal Danish Embassy, London; Southbank Centre (reg’d charity)

By Phone: 020 7930 3647 Wed – Sat: noon – 9pm Sun: noon – 8pm

In Person: In Person: MonSat 11am-6pm. Later on performance days.

By Post: ICA Box Office, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH. Cheques to ‘ICA Ltd’ Please include s.a.e

By Phone: 0844 482 8008 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Tube/Train: Charing Cross, Embankment, Piccadilly

Tube/Train: Chalk Farm Access: See website for details

Access: See website for details

FOR THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL

Access Information: 0844 847 9910 access@southbankcentre.co.uk What’s this square? This is a QR code. You can scan it with many new moblie phones to get straight to the venue’s website travel page.

NEED LARGER TEXT? PHONE US ON 020 7637 5661 BOOK ONLINE VIA WWW.MIMELONDON.COM Online booking links, slideshows, ebook and pdf of this brochure, largetext page, free mailing list, links to Company websites with videos and much more!

In Person: Wed-Sat noon-9pm (most busy 6-9pm) Sunday noon-8pm

Tube: Covent Garden

Tube: Charing Cross, Embankment, Waterloo

Tube/train: Barbican, Moorgate Groups: Buy 10 or more tickets and save 20%. 020 7382 7211. Conditions apply.

For events on pages 28-33

Online: ica.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7637 5661 Email: direction@mimelondon.com 35 Little Russell Street, London WC1A 2HH Directors: Joseph Seelig & Helen Lannaghan Artists’ Manager: Silvia Maroino Group Hosts: Annette Telesford, Dudley Hinton Discussions Facilitator: Dick McCaw Marketing Consultants: Mobius Industries (020 7269 9921) Press Representatives: Arthur Leone PR (020 7637 2994) Production Manager: Bill Deverson Festival Archivist: Diana Damian Brochure/Web Design: Iain Lanyon at keanlanyon.com Printed by: Axis axisonline.co.uk PHOTOS: Akhe: V. Telegin • A t e l i e r L e f e u v re & A n d r é : Matthieu Hagene • Cie 111: A g l a é B o r y • C i e M P TA : Christophe Raynaud de Lag e • C i rc o A e re o : P h i l i p p e Laurençon • Josef Nadj: Ré m i A n g e l i / Ta d e u s z P a c z u l a • Nani/Ingimarsson: Ole Hans e n • S o b e l l e & F o rd : J a c q u e s Jean Tiziou • Teatro Corsar i o : M a r t a V i d a n e s • U p s w i n g : Hilary Shedel • Etgar Theatre w o r k s h o p : E m m a L e i s h m a n

BOOKING

By Post: Box Office, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. Cheques payable to ‘Barbican Centre’ or your credit card details. Please include an SAE or add 50p for postage.

Online: southbankcentre.co.uk (transaction fee applies)

Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD

Roundhouse Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH

Please allow extra travel time at weekends due to planned engineering work on tubes and trains - details and route planners at www.tfl.gov.uk or use the QR codes on this page to access the venues’ travel details on their websites.

L O N D O N I N T E R N A T I O N A L M I M E F E S T I V A L 2 0 11 DATE

SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S PURCELL ROOM

SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL

BARBICAN PIT

ICA

ROUNDHOUSE STUDIO

Sat 15

Teatro Corsario 7.45pm

Sun 16

Teatro Corsario 4pm

Mon 17

Akhe 6pm

Teatro Corsario 7.45pm*

Akhe 8pm

Tue 18

Teatro Corsario 7.45pm

Akhe 8pm

Wed 19

Teatro Corsario 7.45pm

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm

Akhe 8pm*

Thu 20

Compagnia 2+1 7.45pm

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm*

Akhe 8pm

Circo Aereo 8pm

Fri 21

Compagnia 2+1 7.45pm

Cie 111/Bory 7.30pm

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm

Circo Aereo 8pm*

Sat 22

Compagnia 2+1 6pm

Cie 111/Bory 7.30pm*

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm

Antliaclastes 8pm

Circo Aereo 4pm

Sun 23

Compagnia 2+1 4pm*

Cie 111/Bory 6pm

Antliaclastes 6pm*

Mon 24 Upswing 7.45pm

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm

Antliaclastes 8pm

Joseph Nadj & Akosh S 7.45pm*

Tue 25

Upswing 7.45pm*

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm

Antliaclastes 8pm

Joseph Nadj & Akosh S 7.45pm

Wed 26

Upswing 7.45pm

MPTA/Bolze 7.45pm

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm

Antliaclastes 8pm

Jos Houben 7.45pm*

Thu 27

Nani+Ingimarsson 7.45pm

MPTA/Bolze 7.45pm*

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm

Faulty Optic 8pm

Fri 28

Nani+Ingimarsson 7.45pm

MPTA/Bolze 7.45pm

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm#

Anagoor 8pm*

Faulty Optic 8pm*

Lefeuvre & André 7.45pm

Sat 29

Nani+Ingimarsson 7.45pm*

MPTA/Bolze 7.45pm

Sobelle & Ford 7.45pm

Anagoor 8pm

Faulty Optic 8pm

Lefeuvre & André 4pm*

Sun 30

Nani+Ingimarsson 6pm

Anagoor 5pm

Lefeuvre & André 4pm

* MEET THE ArTISTS AFTEr THE SHOW

# BSL INTErPrETED PErFOrMANCE

LINBURY STUDIO THEATRE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

BOOKING

BARBICAN THEATRE