Not Just a Small One: Theatre for One

Theatre for One is a very exciting concept currently playing New York’s Times Square. Devised and created by acclaimed Set designer Christine Jones, other work includes ‘Spring Awakening’ at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, the initial idea for this unique travelling theatre space apparently came from seeing some intimate magic at a wedding. The idea is to provide a fantastically intimate experience between one audience member and one performer to allow a more distilled and intense theatrical event.

Of course a Theatre for One is not a new idea really; however this is perhaps the first time it has been treated with such a serious note. Here in the UK for nearly 40 years there has or had been a ‘Theatre for One’ in the ‘Smallest Theatre in The World’ which started out as a joke between actors starting out in the 70s. Names bandied around as those who came up with the concept and joke include Marcel Steiner, Jim Cartwright and Bob Hoskins. Steiner eventually purchased a motorbike with an oversized sidecar which it was suggested should be made into a mini theatre. Being a bodger Steiner duly did his duty to the world of theatre and created… this.

 

Without a doubt this theatre is meant in the spirit of fun and comedy. It is a completely eccentric quite British idea. A very successful one, it is perhaps the only theatre to have ever had constant 100% Audience attendance for every performance. However it is just in many ways a joke and a sideshow attraction, what the New York project has going for it in a different way is that it is in many ways an evolutionary experiment. Having gone through several working prototypes and program developments with various experimental theatre groups in New York this isn’t just a joke for the public to join in on, the people involved in this project are seriously studying the effectiveness of this form of the theatre. The costs and dedication involved have been quite high and I think this is a fascinating project which I wish them all the best with. I have only truly scratched the surface in this article about the project but you can read more on the official website here. I hope that after the Times Square shows that they seriously consider touring it to the UK, highly doubtful I know but still, I think a box theatre in the middle of Leicester Square or even perhaps Covent Garden would be a true theatrical event that few could afford to miss.

Xtofer

Just a Small One: WCTheatre The Theatre of Small Convenience

Small Theatres are like wonderful little oddities, they are a novelty both in the way they are used and the utilisation of space. This tiny theatre which seats only 12, is decorated in the most elaborate and luxurious manner. It is like something from a Victorian fun fair but it is of course a Victorian Gentlemans toilet converted to theatrical use. I recommend you visit the website as it is truly a sight to behold, especially the special panoramic photo tour you can take of the interior.

For more information go here.

Theatre Studies Find: 1st real FIND in my textbook... THEATRON 3D Theatre Architecture Models

It is not everyday that I find a tool for theatre studies that generally blows me away. Now Theatron is one of those tools which is very exciting for its interface and depth of knowledge. This tool basically gives you a history of theatrical spaces, how they work, were developed and how they looked all in a 3D model. Now this software was developed in 2000/2001 and as such it is basic looking compared to 3D modelling that is done today on computers, however looking and studying it is still important due to the wealth of knowledge it provides. I would say that this is an excellent tool for anyone studying GCSE level Drama or History (if studying Roman and Greek architecture) or even Diploma level Theatre Students.

Check it out at http://www.theatron.org/

For more information on theatron go to http://www.theatron.co.uk/

Xtofer

My Study Text 'Theatre Studies' by Kenneth Pickering and Mark Woolgar

It takes a while to understand and really appreciate the subject you learn and to master it is near impossible, once you have your degree where do you go? Do you continue and work towards a Masters Degree? Then what? Move onto your PHD? Or do you go into the real world and leave the academic world behind? Well I chose to leave the University lifestyle and enter day to day life and consequently did what a lot of people my age did and still do, worked in a job sector completely unrelated to my degree. The result of this was that for the past 2 and a half years vital knowledge and information I pored over hungrily at College has begun to ebb away from my conciousness. This leaves me feeling a bit stupid because I did work very hard but I didn't keep it up outside of my Univeristy life and there are people who work in the Theatre Arts sector and not remembering certain things or having any knowledge of other aspects can sometimes be the difference between being taken seriously and seen as a joke. So to combat this LibraryGirl suggested I study at home a Drama Course which could easily be found in the... Library and the book we sourced together was 'Theatre Studies' by Keith Pickering and Mark Woolgar which is a book that covers all the subjects required by undergraduate and diploma courses in Theatre Arts. I have so far found it to be very helpful in its writing and exercises for reminding me how to do certain things and subjects that may have fallen to the wayside in my acting and directing technique. I am enjoying it a lot and its just nice to be learning something once again. I  feel better to be able to back up my own knowledge much like someone backing up their computer files. The biggest boon though has been some of the subjects I don't know about and resources it has thrown up for me to talk about on here. So yes there is a lot going on in 'Theatre From My Head' right now from our 'Just a Small One' series on small theatres in the UK to our 'Curtains!!! Project' so keep your eyes peeled for more updates.

Xtofer