Forbidden Theatre Company currently offers
two types of workshops: an "off-the-peg" Physical Theatre Workshop
and a series of tailor-made workshops and residencies.
Workshops can be skills-based or lead to a performance.
Our workshop leaders are professional,
trained actors with teaching experience.
They are members of Forbidden Theatre
Company and are fully acquainted with
the company's ethos and style.
The list below is
only a guide of what we have on offer at present. If there are any other
areas that you feel we might be able to support you with, please do not
hesitate to contact us. To help us deal with your enquiry please tell
us:
-Your school's name
-Workshop/workshop content you are interested in
- Proposed date/s; timeframe
-Number of students and year group/s
- Length of session
We will then let you know our availability and quote you a workshop/residency
price.
For more information on the workshop of your interest, click on the title or scroll down.
AUTUMN TOURING PACKAGE FOR PHYSICAL THEATRE AND DEVISING MODULES
AN INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL COMEDY
PROPS ARE NOT ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION!
An introduction to MIME.
THE SIMPLE CLOWN
"OFF-THE-PEG" PHYSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP
TAILOR MADE DEVISING AND PHYSICAL THEATRE
THE PRACTITIONERS: STANISLAVSKY, BRECHT, LECOQ, ARTAUD
AUTUMN TOURING PACKAGE FOR PHYSICAL THEATRE AND DEVISING MODULES
In October 2006, Forbidden piloted a new way of working in schools. One
of our pieces, developed through the Freestyle Performances, was used
as the centre of an Educational Package, created to complement the work
done in 6th forms on Devising Theatre. After the success of this pilot,
funded by Arts Council England, we aim to make this an annual project,
using a different piece each Autumn. In October 2008, we used this opportunity
to develop the style of "Ishtar" (work in progress title), our
next full production, based on the Grand Guignol Theatre's work.
During our visit, which consists of a workshop, performance and post-show
discussion, students are able to take part in an unusually all-round arts
experience: through the workshop they experience directly physical theatre
techniques; they watch a performance in a highly stylised, physical style;
they can reflect on their experience and ask questions to professionals
during the post-show discussion.
Exposure to this kind of work can ignite an interest in theatre in young
people who are mostly exposed to acting through television. At the time
of writing, we believe this project to be unique - we are unaware of another
company touring non issue-based work created within their Ensemble to
schools. Furthermore, some of the schools we will be visiting lack technical
facilities. By performing in their own space, we can show the students
how much is achievable without special effects by using a theatrical form
that stretches both performers' and audiences' imaginations. By working
directly with our Ensemble members and watching them perform, we aim to
enthuse young people to take a lead role in the creation of new work and
to cherish working collaboratively with their peers.
NEW
AN INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL COMEDY. From
Laurel and Hardy to Itchy and Scratchy what makes physical comedy funny?
A two hour workshop to understand and develop the techniques to create
comical scenes. The workshop delves into exaggeration, acceleration, magically
appearing and disappearing objects, timing and how to interact with an
audience.
NEW
CREATING THROUGH MASK. Whether you want to
look at neutral mask, character mask or even making your own masks, this
workshop can be tailored to your needs. The workshop takes the students
on a journey from the origins of the mask to its use in contemporary theatre
through a series of fun and exciting exercises taking on roles of performer,
director and audience member. Using the skills they have learnt the students
will be able to apply their knowledge to future mask work. This workshop
is also a good complement to work on DEVISING, where students have to
take on the role of performer, director and audience during the creative
process.
NEW PROPS
ARE NOT ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION! An introduction to MIME. This workshop
enables the students to create clear focused mime. Through games and exercises
we discover neutral hand, dealing with weights and resistances, fixed
points and much more. Working without words the students are able to shift
their focus onto the use of the body as a whole as a tool to communicate.
This workshop can finish by looking at configuration mime where the students
play with becoming objects and learn that props are not always the best
option.
NEW THE
SIMPLE CLOWN. Our entry point into this chaotic, anarchic and crazy
world is playing games as the clown exists in us when we 'play'. We will
then look at the clown's relationship with the audience and how the tools
of rhythm and timing are pivotal in the way we create comedy. This lively
workshop will give the students the tools to continue creating their own
comedy masterpieces long after the workshop has finished.
NEW
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL THEATRE - the physical
performer. An "off-the-peg" workshop designed to introduce
students to physical theatre techniques they can easily introduce into
their own work. The workshop is suitable for the full secondary age range
as it will be adapted to suit each age group. It is particularly useful
as a complement to units on Devising and Physical Theatre. The recommended
length for this workshop is 2 hours. Cost for up to 20 students: £125.
Cost for groups of up to 35 students: £200 (travel expenses will
be added if out of London). Please email us for more information on this
workshop.
TAILOR-MADE PHYSICAL
THEATRE AND DEVISING THROUGH PHYSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOPS (suitable
for KS3; KS4; GCSE; Post 16) This session introduces the participants
to the method of physical theatre used by Forbidden Theatre Company, where
working closely together is of utmost importance. How to create mood and
atmosphere and take the audience down an unforgettable journey by using
our only essential performance tool: ourselves. This workshop includes
individual as well as group work. The session will include an introduction
to physical theatre methods, a series of exercises using physical theatre
techniques to build characters and stylise work devised by the participants,
guided by members of the company.
BRINGING SHAKESPEARE TO LIFE (suitable
for KS3; KS4; GCSE; Post 16) Behind Shakespeare's beautiful texts, which
sometimes are difficult to access, lie endless possibilities to create
stylised, physical drama led by passionate performances. Through this
workshop, participants will acquire different techniques to access Shakespeare
and embody his language. The session can be centred around a preferred
text or can give an insight into a range of Shakespeare's plays. This
workshop is suitable for both English and Drama departments.
THE PRACTITIONERS: STANISLAVSKY,
BRECHT, LECOQ, ARTAUD (suitable for KS4 and Post 16) These workshops
concentrate on the theories and directing practices of Stanislavsky, Brecht
and Lecoq. The sessions can focus on one or more of the practitioners
and can serve as an introduction to their work, or as revision sessions.
The workshops explore practically the theories developed by the practitioners
by applying them to acting and directing exercises, including the approach
to text. Students are encouraged to experiment with the practitioners'
ideas in order to find their own way of using them in performance, and
to form personal opinions on their relevance to contemporary theatre.
LORCA'S THEATRE (suitable for Post 16) This workshop focuses on discovering Lorca's work through a practical session. They have been designed to help Drama and Theatre Studies students (AS/A2 for all examination boards) understand the language and themes of Lorca's plays. The session can be tailored to cover one or more of Lorca's works. The workshop can be adapted to cover Spanish AS/A2.
AUTUMN TOURING PACKAGE
FOR PHYSICAL THEATRE AND DEVISING MODULES
In October 2006, Forbidden piloted a new way of working in schools. One
of our pieces, developed through the Freestyle Performances, was used
as the centre of an Educational Package, created to complement the work
done in 6th forms on Devising Theatre. After the success of this pilot,
funded by Arts Council England, we aim to make this an annual project,
using a different piece each Autumn. In October 2008, we used this opportunity
to develop the style of "Ishtar" (work in progress title), our
next full production, based on the Grand Guignol Theatre's work.
During our visit, which consists of a workshop, performance and post-show
discussion, students are able to take part in an unusually all-round arts
experience: through the workshop they experience directly physical theatre
techniques; they watch a performance in a highly stylised, physical style;
they can reflect on their experience and ask questions to professionals
during the post-show discussion.
Exposure to this kind of work can ignite an interest in theatre in young
people who are mostly exposed to acting through television. At the time
of writing, we believe this project to be unique - we are unaware of another
company touring non issue-based work created within their Ensemble to
schools. Furthermore, some of the schools we will be visiting lack technical
facilities. By performing in their own space, we can show the students
how much is achievable without special effects by using a theatrical form
that stretches both performers' and audiences' imaginations. By working
directly with our Ensemble members and watching them perform, we aim to
enthuse young people to take a lead role in the creation of new work and
to cherish working collaboratively with their peers.
"The group work with a new level of motivation,
clarity and energy after the workshop and performance."
Drama Teacher, Acland Burghley School, 'Flat One' tour October 2007