GAMES INTO PERFORMANCE

As a theatre company of Sanctuary, one of our aims is to provide a platform for expression that will be accessible to all. With this in mind, as part of our Together Workshops, we keep inventing and adapting theatre/Clowning games so that people from all ages and abilities can take part, whether they speak English or not. With 'Hang Out To Dry'  we turned our games into a staged performance.

'Hang Out To Dry' was our first experience of turning games into a full length show. It was devised over 10 days involving over 20 participants. 12 of them currently seeking asylum in the UK.  Some people attended the whole creation period, some others were only able to join in for a couple of afternoons but all were on stage! Games  into Performance format allows this flexibility.  We had over 10 nationalities in the room, age range from 6 to 70+ and... a dog!

This project was supported by Arts Council England, The Cockpit, The Park Theatre, The Southwark Playhouse and the Young Vic.

We plan to tour this concept to adapt it to other communities and places.

A "one week buzzing creative workshop - connecting time" for people to come together and express themselves leading to a show that will give the floor to an even larger community with audience members taking part. Get in touch if interested! 

Games are wonderful to bond a group and generate playfulness in the room. It is also a great way to jump on stage with stake, rhythm, energy and a sense of ensemble work. It doesn't require any acting skills and erases all stage fright.

Playfulness is contagious and we found out that audience members are very keen to join the games as long as the stage feels like a friendly & fun place to go on to. Our clowning / comedy approach that breaks the 4th wall helps a lot!

Thanks to the Young Vic's support we had 100 free tickets to give away to people who would take part in the games, that was a great incentive as well!