MADE IN HEAVEN by the astonishing Mark Bruce Company
18th-20th May at Tobacco Factory Theatre
& SMALL TALK by Probe
3 May 2012
Other Exciting Dance Shows Coming Up
Fans of BEYOND take note - there are a couple of really fantastic dance performances coming up during Mayfest you don't want to miss:
MADE IN HEAVEN by the astonishing Mark Bruce Company
18th-20th May at Tobacco Factory Theatre
& SMALL TALK by Probe
25th-26th May at Tobacco Factory Theatre
MADE IN HEAVEN by the astonishing Mark Bruce Company
18th-20th May at Tobacco Factory Theatre
& SMALL TALK by Probe
1 May 2012
30 April 2012
29 April 2012
28 April 2012
27 April 2012
26 April 2012
More Beyond Reviews
"Shacklock has assembled a truly dynamic cast. They are charming, engaging, funny and devastating. You are always challenged by them and somehow feel very safe in their hands.
Beyond is about imagination and memory. Its genuine beauty, physical punch and superior storytelling make for an evening that will last with you long after the performers leave you."
The Public Reviews
"Beyond is very different. At times it made me laugh; it made me smile; it almost, but not quite, made me cry; it made me curious; it made me admire the sheer raw energy of the performers..."
Guide2Bristol
Beyond is about imagination and memory. Its genuine beauty, physical punch and superior storytelling make for an evening that will last with you long after the performers leave you."
The Public Reviews
"Beyond is very different. At times it made me laugh; it made me smile; it almost, but not quite, made me cry; it made me curious; it made me admire the sheer raw energy of the performers..."
Guide2Bristol
25 April 2012
Beyond Reviews & Audience Response
Beyond is now in full flow and we're already getting some wonderful reviews and feedback from audiences:
"Beyond is a truly extraordinary, powerfully unique theatrical experience."
Bristol Culture
"Beyond offers an exploration of audience-led theatre that anyone with a real interest in theatre will find too exciting to miss."
Local arts blogger Crysse Morrison
"Beyond is a truly extraordinary, powerfully unique theatrical experience."
Bristol Culture
"Beyond offers an exploration of audience-led theatre that anyone with a real interest in theatre will find too exciting to miss."
Local arts blogger Crysse Morrison
24 April 2012
23 April 2012
Beyond Begins
The opening night of Beyond is finally here!
It's fantastically exciting to finally show people what we've been working on for so long and what better way to get started than with a double header of performances - there are two showings tonight, one at 7pm and one at 9pm. Capacity for the show is limited so please remember to book in advance from through Bristol Old Vic.
See you at The Looking Glass!
It's fantastically exciting to finally show people what we've been working on for so long and what better way to get started than with a double header of performances - there are two showings tonight, one at 7pm and one at 9pm. Capacity for the show is limited so please remember to book in advance from through Bristol Old Vic.
See you at The Looking Glass!
20 April 2012
17 April 2012
Would you like to see the Beyond Morning Warm-Ups Continue?
"I cannot recommend highly enough this amazing sharing of process! It's so inspiring and just a perfect example of the way forward I think in this gloomy climate - a sharing of skills, expertise and an opening out of process. I'm totally inspired by it and am thinking of writing something similar into future projects that I run - I think we all should!!
"It has benefited me enormously on a personal & professional level. It's unlocked energy & creativity in me and I now see it as part of my practise for this period of time. I so much hope it can carry (I also am useless at going to the gym or doing anything 'exercise' related, so it's the only way I will resemble anything approaching 'fit'!!!"
Liz
If, like Liz, you'd like to see the Beyond morning warm-ups continue tell us why by emailing:
lbfrank@bristololdvic.org.uk
"It has benefited me enormously on a personal & professional level. It's unlocked energy & creativity in me and I now see it as part of my practise for this period of time. I so much hope it can carry (I also am useless at going to the gym or doing anything 'exercise' related, so it's the only way I will resemble anything approaching 'fit'!!!"
Liz
If, like Liz, you'd like to see the Beyond morning warm-ups continue tell us why by emailing:
lbfrank@bristololdvic.org.uk
12 April 2012
Rehearsal Diary – Week #5
And so it continues... I can't believe we are into week 5! We have all started to feel a twinge of something funny at the very sad realisation that in two and half weeks it will all be over! No!! We want to keep going beyond... I mean... there is always further beyond, and then there is beyond that... and you can even go beyond that. Basically beyond should never end. There is no end when it comes to Beyond.
The latter half of last week and the first half of this week has been a little quieter at morning class. Me thinks that chocolate eating may have been prioritised over super sweaty warm ups. But the Beyond team keep going. Good Friday and Easter Monday were both blessed with the usual Beyond style warm up and we will continue for the next week and a half. So if you haven't been yet... get down there quick! It's not every week that you can do a class, surrounded by delightful folk from all over town, for only a quid! And all of you seasoned warm up people - we look forward to sharing our last week with you. DanceSpace 10:00 - 11:30 every day (ooh except Thursday 19th which is going to be at 9:15am).
Things got a little crazy last Thursday and Friday and, following a request from one of our producers for more absurdity in the work, we really went somewhere else. And there was a lot of giggling. This week the performers have a week off (although that hasn't stopped them coming to morning class and checking in with me every now and then), so that my team of designers can take over the space and do their thing without being disturbed by flailing limbs, loud drumming and silly songs. The building is undergoing a bit of a transformation and I have to say it is all looking pretty darn exciting.
Some memories from the last week... ski float... the laughter waltz... shoes meant for two... pubescent teens... voices breaking... rope man kicks ass... a backflip suspiciously reminiscent of a cartwheel... some seriously uncomfortable lying down... people's private parts get revealed... a lot of talk about high heeled shoes... jobs list... real eye contact... putting the rubbish out... tantrums... tears... fears... growth... wonderful friendships... easter egg hunts... missing eggs... sewing.... sewing... sewing... transformations... lights... lights... lights... ambitious plans... the endeavour to keep going further beyond never falters.
So next week is our final rehearsal week. Eeeek! This means it is only 12 days until the first performance. Eeeek! If you haven't already, you had better get your tickets quick! There are only 50 available for each show and I would like to think this is something you won't want to miss.
Isabelle Cressy - Time has passed me by like the changing of season. At the beginning there was a suggestion of what's to come, in our heads we all knew the daffodils would be out by April. Then almost overnight spring has sprung and everything is awash with sounds, smells and colours more vibrant than I ever remember. Now here we are, four weeks of rehearsal down and I can't quite believe it. How has it been? Hilarious, frustrating, pregnant with potential not quite reached, but ultimately, liberating. Like caterpillars into and out of the chrysalis, we are about to take flight, there's a whole new world out there and it's going to be a sensory delight. The best thing is, anything can happen.
See you at morning class!
Karla x
The latter half of last week and the first half of this week has been a little quieter at morning class. Me thinks that chocolate eating may have been prioritised over super sweaty warm ups. But the Beyond team keep going. Good Friday and Easter Monday were both blessed with the usual Beyond style warm up and we will continue for the next week and a half. So if you haven't been yet... get down there quick! It's not every week that you can do a class, surrounded by delightful folk from all over town, for only a quid! And all of you seasoned warm up people - we look forward to sharing our last week with you. DanceSpace 10:00 - 11:30 every day (ooh except Thursday 19th which is going to be at 9:15am).
Things got a little crazy last Thursday and Friday and, following a request from one of our producers for more absurdity in the work, we really went somewhere else. And there was a lot of giggling. This week the performers have a week off (although that hasn't stopped them coming to morning class and checking in with me every now and then), so that my team of designers can take over the space and do their thing without being disturbed by flailing limbs, loud drumming and silly songs. The building is undergoing a bit of a transformation and I have to say it is all looking pretty darn exciting.
Some memories from the last week... ski float... the laughter waltz... shoes meant for two... pubescent teens... voices breaking... rope man kicks ass... a backflip suspiciously reminiscent of a cartwheel... some seriously uncomfortable lying down... people's private parts get revealed... a lot of talk about high heeled shoes... jobs list... real eye contact... putting the rubbish out... tantrums... tears... fears... growth... wonderful friendships... easter egg hunts... missing eggs... sewing.... sewing... sewing... transformations... lights... lights... lights... ambitious plans... the endeavour to keep going further beyond never falters.
So next week is our final rehearsal week. Eeeek! This means it is only 12 days until the first performance. Eeeek! If you haven't already, you had better get your tickets quick! There are only 50 available for each show and I would like to think this is something you won't want to miss.
Isabelle Cressy - Time has passed me by like the changing of season. At the beginning there was a suggestion of what's to come, in our heads we all knew the daffodils would be out by April. Then almost overnight spring has sprung and everything is awash with sounds, smells and colours more vibrant than I ever remember. Now here we are, four weeks of rehearsal down and I can't quite believe it. How has it been? Hilarious, frustrating, pregnant with potential not quite reached, but ultimately, liberating. Like caterpillars into and out of the chrysalis, we are about to take flight, there's a whole new world out there and it's going to be a sensory delight. The best thing is, anything can happen.
See you at morning class!
Karla x
11 April 2012
5 April 2012
Rehearsal Diary – Week #4
We roll smoothly into week four with just as much vigor as week one. Actually 'roll' and 'smoothly' are not really apt. What really happened is that we dived head first into the mass abyss of Beyond, at times we floated, at times we soared, at times we plummeted, but always hand-in-hand, just on the edge of being safe, always trusting that we will find our way. And we always do. And it feels so good. So very very good. We crack it and then we lose it and then we crack it all over again, but this time we really crack it, no doubt there will be some more losses, some more blind fumbling before the end, but at the moment we have clear sight surging us forward.
Morning warm ups continue to have been wonderful, with yet more people coming out of the woodwork. Where are you all coming from?! Today was the only day in four weeks that we didn't have anybody 'new' in the room. Seasoned warm up people only today and it meant we could push it even further. We are making some real friends with those that come regularly, and loving meeting those of you that pass by occasionally leaving a big sweaty puddle in your wake. So keep it up Bristol artists, we are running for another two and half weeks, so there's still time to pay your £1 and get super fit with the Beyond-ites!
Here's some things that spring to mind from the last week of the Beyond laboratory: breaking... fixing... power... being masculine... being feminine... laughing like never ever before... tears of joy rolling down many cheeks... sore abs (not from the sit ups but from the laughter)... the milkshake/cocktail... laughing heads on laughing tummies... bonding... trusting... a safe place... audience at the window... cake in the park... more jar revision... the unveiling of exciting design plans... there's going to be a solo... more jar rules... more jar culling... lengthy jar time... missing each other at the weekend... feeling violated... who touched our stuff?... someone nicked our flyer box... adding Izzie to jars... door banging... heart to hearts... check ins... growing up... reliving puberty... voices breaking... it was difficult becomes more difficult... four ticks... our first small audience... anxieties... performing... Fionn's wise words... middle of the night realisations... we must go beyond... we must go beyond... we must go beyond... be self... be in the present... experience... live... a new energy... a new understanding... a new audience... just being... we found something. Now we need to get silly again!
Thank you Beyond team for another incredible week - especially my performers who I continue to be humbled by every single day. You are a very very special group of people and I am so grateful for everything you are.
Jon - Technical notes become thin on the ground at this end of the process. The director sits bolt upright in the middle of the night and says 'we need to go beyond'. This morning as Bristol in all its shapes, moods and colours streams past the window we talk about what "it" is. 'Invent nothing deny nothing', 'invite being seen by seeing'. The best of the esoteric arsenal bubbles out of us as impassioned as the first time it was formulated. Its not just words, its a breathing commitment to uncover and uncover and uncover and then not stop. We do an American football style hands in the middle, everyone looking in the eyes of the others. There's no irony, its us making promises from the bottom of our heart to ourselves and each other, its an invitation to grace. We lunch, digest. Then we do it. The piece sings, it soars, it crashes and then laughs from the pit of its stomach. Its beautiful and dangerous and those few souls who saw it are bubbling with stuff to say fresh from the sea of experience.
Chek - Getting drunk on the experience allowing the work to absorb every part of you. Finding through listening. Trusting you will hear. Knowing there are places you are unwelcome and sacred constellations not to be intruded upon. I encounter boundaries, which confuse me. May be I didn't find the essence in time and I'm out. Searching for the epicentre, to go beyond the safe yet remain within the framework, the structure of the jar. Never free improvised explorations but further exploration of the essence of every jar we open. The more we search the more we find and the further we can go. I fight the fear and force myself to transmute fear to excitement. I grab the courage to go there but go further through the there. I can only share who I am at that moment where we meet. I always desire that encounter and cherish that moment and regret when that moment passes and I missed my chance with you. LET GO and find the next.
See you at morning class everyone!
Karla
Morning warm ups continue to have been wonderful, with yet more people coming out of the woodwork. Where are you all coming from?! Today was the only day in four weeks that we didn't have anybody 'new' in the room. Seasoned warm up people only today and it meant we could push it even further. We are making some real friends with those that come regularly, and loving meeting those of you that pass by occasionally leaving a big sweaty puddle in your wake. So keep it up Bristol artists, we are running for another two and half weeks, so there's still time to pay your £1 and get super fit with the Beyond-ites!
Here's some things that spring to mind from the last week of the Beyond laboratory: breaking... fixing... power... being masculine... being feminine... laughing like never ever before... tears of joy rolling down many cheeks... sore abs (not from the sit ups but from the laughter)... the milkshake/cocktail... laughing heads on laughing tummies... bonding... trusting... a safe place... audience at the window... cake in the park... more jar revision... the unveiling of exciting design plans... there's going to be a solo... more jar rules... more jar culling... lengthy jar time... missing each other at the weekend... feeling violated... who touched our stuff?... someone nicked our flyer box... adding Izzie to jars... door banging... heart to hearts... check ins... growing up... reliving puberty... voices breaking... it was difficult becomes more difficult... four ticks... our first small audience... anxieties... performing... Fionn's wise words... middle of the night realisations... we must go beyond... we must go beyond... we must go beyond... be self... be in the present... experience... live... a new energy... a new understanding... a new audience... just being... we found something. Now we need to get silly again!
Thank you Beyond team for another incredible week - especially my performers who I continue to be humbled by every single day. You are a very very special group of people and I am so grateful for everything you are.
Jon - Technical notes become thin on the ground at this end of the process. The director sits bolt upright in the middle of the night and says 'we need to go beyond'. This morning as Bristol in all its shapes, moods and colours streams past the window we talk about what "it" is. 'Invent nothing deny nothing', 'invite being seen by seeing'. The best of the esoteric arsenal bubbles out of us as impassioned as the first time it was formulated. Its not just words, its a breathing commitment to uncover and uncover and uncover and then not stop. We do an American football style hands in the middle, everyone looking in the eyes of the others. There's no irony, its us making promises from the bottom of our heart to ourselves and each other, its an invitation to grace. We lunch, digest. Then we do it. The piece sings, it soars, it crashes and then laughs from the pit of its stomach. Its beautiful and dangerous and those few souls who saw it are bubbling with stuff to say fresh from the sea of experience.
Chek - Getting drunk on the experience allowing the work to absorb every part of you. Finding through listening. Trusting you will hear. Knowing there are places you are unwelcome and sacred constellations not to be intruded upon. I encounter boundaries, which confuse me. May be I didn't find the essence in time and I'm out. Searching for the epicentre, to go beyond the safe yet remain within the framework, the structure of the jar. Never free improvised explorations but further exploration of the essence of every jar we open. The more we search the more we find and the further we can go. I fight the fear and force myself to transmute fear to excitement. I grab the courage to go there but go further through the there. I can only share who I am at that moment where we meet. I always desire that encounter and cherish that moment and regret when that moment passes and I missed my chance with you. LET GO and find the next.
See you at morning class everyone!
Karla
2 April 2012
29 March 2012
Rehearsal Diary – Week #3
Here we are in week three and we are still a set of happy little bunnies. Going Beyond has now become something we are quite habituated to, an almost daily occurrence (not similar in any way to brushing your teeth, something far beyond that). The discoveries continue, we go deeper, we understand more, we feel more, we connect more, it still feels special.
Morning class has continued to flourish and unbelievably the sweat factor has increased - something to do with the sunshine and something to do with the sheer number of bodies flying around the space. From tomorrow onwards (Thursday 29th March), we are going to have to start to implement a first come first served kind of thing as sadly we just can't fit you all in. I'm afraid we'll have to close the doors after the first 22 of you arrive, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time if you want to be sure of a place. We are thrilled that the classes are so popular and that we hear time and time again that they are just what Bristol artists need. How warming. Conversations are now starting about how they can continue after the project is finished - I'm game if you are!
So last week I revealed a slight anxiety about tempting fate when saying just how brilliantly everything was going, well, that fate was momentarily tempted. On Friday, we had a tiny bit of a bad day. It was only a little bit tricky, but a good reminder all the same, a reminder that going beyond is not that simple, not that easy, and not something to be taken for granted. Last Thursday we climaxed, we peaked, we hit the top and oooh we felt so good. We thought we had cracked it and then, of course, we had to come, floating delicately, back down to the ground on Friday afternoon. That grounding was actually hugely positive and has led us into this week feeling very connected and in control, stepping now with real knowledge and understanding. Meaning that we have really settled over the last couple of days, it feels like we've gone from exciting, chancy, pubescent Beyond, to a more mature and wise Beyond. Very pleasing. But that doesn't mean that the journey still isn't wild and magical, because it is! Here's some memorable stuff:
wanting to hide... walking on water... giggling... Beady's tales... support... fess up symbols... affirmations... a climax... high fives... perfection... jar revision... jar culling... top shelf jars... struggling through jar time... sinking feeling... reality hit... anger... frustration... polish needed... the weekend needed... taking a moment to stop and look... remembering the first kiss... jar kissing... notes... observations... group check in... re-connecting... feeling lighter... jumping... jumping... jumping... suspend... release... suspend... release... intimacy... transcending the skin... in 1982 Chek got married... falling... fears faced... tears... trust... fondness... life lists... revision... sunshine... feels good. We're feeling good.
Jarno - I feel anger, trembling legs, melancholy, pain, joy, I was crying today. I feel silly at times, stupid, very smart or just in the present moment. There's love, sexuality, caring, laughter, relief, excitement, awareness, caution and distortion. At the same time it is confronting, liberating, philosophical and revealing, showing me my boundaries and my weak spots, but where my strength is too. It shows me the places where I like to hide from myself or the outside world and it reveals other, new paths to follow. There's a lot of words to describe Beyond, but if I had to define it in one word, I'd go for: real.
Jon - We sail through day 3 week 3, our ship more weather hardy, patched and colourful. All of us working the decks like trained pirates made mad from the sea water. All of us emerging from the tasks bright eyed. Everyone shining with the particular iridescence of their inner light. 'I don't want to do it' - I think before every exercise, 2 minutes later I'm bouncing like Tigger, 9 years old again, playing ninja in my grandma's garden. Everyday a bit more honesty. 'I don't think that works' - we all agree a 10 minute jar that took a gruelling hour to make gets top shelved, collecting dust, never to be opened again. No regrets because ahead is open water and we know how to catch the wind.
Laura - As more bits of our lives seep into the work, we build more trust and allow ourselves to unravel. We disclose our beings without judgment. She hangs of his neck - open - they exchange a fragile handshake
she balances precariously - desperate to smash that jar. A bead of sweat runs down his curl and drops onto the floor. Hands get covered in dirt. He shakes his tired wrists and leaps on invisible springs. They exchange a smile as their paths cross. They shake in anticipation, save each other from falling and see the world go by. Things get clarified so we can trust what we do not know.
Chek - Beyond MB Training: Word has spread. Fabulous atmosphere. Great to have the chance to practice the challenging Shacklock Consciousness Exercises with the whole class. Our laboratory work is a daily exploratory process of experiencing discoveries, which get jarred. It is very special to share the making of jars as well as to discuss the process afterwards. We all look out for each other and give everything possible and Karla thanks us after every task, which is so special and supportive.
There it is people. Keep checking out our wonderful videos and see you at morning class!
Ooooh and Happy Birthday for tomorrow Jarno (Beyond performer)!
Karla x
Morning class has continued to flourish and unbelievably the sweat factor has increased - something to do with the sunshine and something to do with the sheer number of bodies flying around the space. From tomorrow onwards (Thursday 29th March), we are going to have to start to implement a first come first served kind of thing as sadly we just can't fit you all in. I'm afraid we'll have to close the doors after the first 22 of you arrive, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time if you want to be sure of a place. We are thrilled that the classes are so popular and that we hear time and time again that they are just what Bristol artists need. How warming. Conversations are now starting about how they can continue after the project is finished - I'm game if you are!
So last week I revealed a slight anxiety about tempting fate when saying just how brilliantly everything was going, well, that fate was momentarily tempted. On Friday, we had a tiny bit of a bad day. It was only a little bit tricky, but a good reminder all the same, a reminder that going beyond is not that simple, not that easy, and not something to be taken for granted. Last Thursday we climaxed, we peaked, we hit the top and oooh we felt so good. We thought we had cracked it and then, of course, we had to come, floating delicately, back down to the ground on Friday afternoon. That grounding was actually hugely positive and has led us into this week feeling very connected and in control, stepping now with real knowledge and understanding. Meaning that we have really settled over the last couple of days, it feels like we've gone from exciting, chancy, pubescent Beyond, to a more mature and wise Beyond. Very pleasing. But that doesn't mean that the journey still isn't wild and magical, because it is! Here's some memorable stuff:
wanting to hide... walking on water... giggling... Beady's tales... support... fess up symbols... affirmations... a climax... high fives... perfection... jar revision... jar culling... top shelf jars... struggling through jar time... sinking feeling... reality hit... anger... frustration... polish needed... the weekend needed... taking a moment to stop and look... remembering the first kiss... jar kissing... notes... observations... group check in... re-connecting... feeling lighter... jumping... jumping... jumping... suspend... release... suspend... release... intimacy... transcending the skin... in 1982 Chek got married... falling... fears faced... tears... trust... fondness... life lists... revision... sunshine... feels good. We're feeling good.
Jarno - I feel anger, trembling legs, melancholy, pain, joy, I was crying today. I feel silly at times, stupid, very smart or just in the present moment. There's love, sexuality, caring, laughter, relief, excitement, awareness, caution and distortion. At the same time it is confronting, liberating, philosophical and revealing, showing me my boundaries and my weak spots, but where my strength is too. It shows me the places where I like to hide from myself or the outside world and it reveals other, new paths to follow. There's a lot of words to describe Beyond, but if I had to define it in one word, I'd go for: real.
Jon - We sail through day 3 week 3, our ship more weather hardy, patched and colourful. All of us working the decks like trained pirates made mad from the sea water. All of us emerging from the tasks bright eyed. Everyone shining with the particular iridescence of their inner light. 'I don't want to do it' - I think before every exercise, 2 minutes later I'm bouncing like Tigger, 9 years old again, playing ninja in my grandma's garden. Everyday a bit more honesty. 'I don't think that works' - we all agree a 10 minute jar that took a gruelling hour to make gets top shelved, collecting dust, never to be opened again. No regrets because ahead is open water and we know how to catch the wind.
Laura - As more bits of our lives seep into the work, we build more trust and allow ourselves to unravel. We disclose our beings without judgment. She hangs of his neck - open - they exchange a fragile handshake
she balances precariously - desperate to smash that jar. A bead of sweat runs down his curl and drops onto the floor. Hands get covered in dirt. He shakes his tired wrists and leaps on invisible springs. They exchange a smile as their paths cross. They shake in anticipation, save each other from falling and see the world go by. Things get clarified so we can trust what we do not know.
Chek - Beyond MB Training: Word has spread. Fabulous atmosphere. Great to have the chance to practice the challenging Shacklock Consciousness Exercises with the whole class. Our laboratory work is a daily exploratory process of experiencing discoveries, which get jarred. It is very special to share the making of jars as well as to discuss the process afterwards. We all look out for each other and give everything possible and Karla thanks us after every task, which is so special and supportive.
There it is people. Keep checking out our wonderful videos and see you at morning class!
Ooooh and Happy Birthday for tomorrow Jarno (Beyond performer)!
Karla x
25 March 2012
Rehearsal Video
Another fascinating video by Chris Lewis-Smith who's been present at all the Beyond rehearsals.
22 March 2012
Rehearsal Diary – Week #2
Wow, we are halfway through week 2 and I find it thrilling and unbelievable to say that every day so far has been nothing short of magical. I hope I'm not tempting fate here, but we truly are going beyond every single day and, frankly, it feels incredible... special... humbling... touching... right.
It seems that the word is really starting to spread about our super sweaty morning classes as yesterday and today there were no less twenty of us all indulging in a bit of well needed rubbing, running, rolling, stretching and play. On Tuesday the dance floor was one big puddle, which all of us took great pleasure in creating! It truly is wonderful to be meeting all of these different people each morning, to share their energy and take a little bit of it into our Beyond laboratory for the rest of the day. It seems the classes are attracting all age groups and lovely people from all sorts of disciplines. The Beyond performers have said that they have never felt so much a part of the Bristol scene. I love it! It's a morning sharing that I hope keeps going long after the Beyond project is over, as it seems it is what we are all after in Bristol. Yum. Oh and did we mention... it only costs £1!
I can't even imagine where to begin in attempting to share the world of the Beyond laboratory with you, so do check out the performers diaries which gives you a great insight from their perspective (note that some of these performers actually asked if it was necessary to have a weekend or whether we could just keep going!). But for me, well, I feel so spoilt. Maybe more spoilt than I have ever felt. Each day I am witnessing five very special people, open themselves and create experiences which I then spend all night dreaming about. The building has become the world of Beyond and today we laughed when we remembered that here we are, in the middle of a city centre, surrounded by Tesco Metro, Bikram Yoga and a bustling market, surrounded by people walking their dogs, rushing to their offices, seeking a place for a swift half, and here we are in the midst of it making something that seems very special. We become completely immersed. Beyond becomes our world. And, it feels great.
Some treats from the latter half of last week and the first half of this week: 6 years... run of pride... secrets... we got heaters... jar revision... understanding beyond... going beyond... the laughter cupboard... singing out of your bum... the bandage baby... 8 moves at the bar... endurance band... mirrors... drumming... seeing self... consciousness commentary... conducting... it was difficult... happy jars... jar time... endurance... more endurance... sweat... laughter... laughter... laughter... first kiss... giving birth... floating... happiness... floating... invincible... the anatomy of movement... lunch in the sunshine... affirmations... endurance objects... laughter... joy... exhaustion... beyond...
There you are people, more to follow next week and also be sure to check out our videos by the wonderful Chris Lewis-Smith who is so beautifully existing in our world and capturing it all at the same time.
Laura Dannequin - We have wanted to cry as we have tried to laugh in cupboards. We have learned to trust each other, there has been banter and there has been pain, there has been real laughter that has carried on until breakfast the next morning as images from our work have emerged in my mind. There has been shouting and silliness, blushing, remembering things past - there has been some real eye contact. It's been cold and it's been sweaty, we've been supportive and we've taken the time to notice and say beautiful things about each other. I've felt part of a group. I have tried my hardest just to just be, and to let others just be too
Chek - To perform or not to perform. That is the question... We are asked to simply be ourselves. And it is that simple. No need to over-complicate what just is: that we are who we are. But it got me thinking... performance is existing in the space... who am I anyway... working with a YES is performing... doing anything is performing... The struggle to be "me" during Jar Time is contradictory because I am interacting with four other performers and an audience. I do what comes. Yet there is a sense of not doing it "properly". I know I panic. I know I freeze in a statuesque form of "performance presence" in an attempt to cover up transitions and misunderstandings during Jartime. Thanks to the open frankness of the others I can work on these things that this process exposes.
Karla
It seems that the word is really starting to spread about our super sweaty morning classes as yesterday and today there were no less twenty of us all indulging in a bit of well needed rubbing, running, rolling, stretching and play. On Tuesday the dance floor was one big puddle, which all of us took great pleasure in creating! It truly is wonderful to be meeting all of these different people each morning, to share their energy and take a little bit of it into our Beyond laboratory for the rest of the day. It seems the classes are attracting all age groups and lovely people from all sorts of disciplines. The Beyond performers have said that they have never felt so much a part of the Bristol scene. I love it! It's a morning sharing that I hope keeps going long after the Beyond project is over, as it seems it is what we are all after in Bristol. Yum. Oh and did we mention... it only costs £1!
I can't even imagine where to begin in attempting to share the world of the Beyond laboratory with you, so do check out the performers diaries which gives you a great insight from their perspective (note that some of these performers actually asked if it was necessary to have a weekend or whether we could just keep going!). But for me, well, I feel so spoilt. Maybe more spoilt than I have ever felt. Each day I am witnessing five very special people, open themselves and create experiences which I then spend all night dreaming about. The building has become the world of Beyond and today we laughed when we remembered that here we are, in the middle of a city centre, surrounded by Tesco Metro, Bikram Yoga and a bustling market, surrounded by people walking their dogs, rushing to their offices, seeking a place for a swift half, and here we are in the midst of it making something that seems very special. We become completely immersed. Beyond becomes our world. And, it feels great.
Some treats from the latter half of last week and the first half of this week: 6 years... run of pride... secrets... we got heaters... jar revision... understanding beyond... going beyond... the laughter cupboard... singing out of your bum... the bandage baby... 8 moves at the bar... endurance band... mirrors... drumming... seeing self... consciousness commentary... conducting... it was difficult... happy jars... jar time... endurance... more endurance... sweat... laughter... laughter... laughter... first kiss... giving birth... floating... happiness... floating... invincible... the anatomy of movement... lunch in the sunshine... affirmations... endurance objects... laughter... joy... exhaustion... beyond...
There you are people, more to follow next week and also be sure to check out our videos by the wonderful Chris Lewis-Smith who is so beautifully existing in our world and capturing it all at the same time.
Laura Dannequin - We have wanted to cry as we have tried to laugh in cupboards. We have learned to trust each other, there has been banter and there has been pain, there has been real laughter that has carried on until breakfast the next morning as images from our work have emerged in my mind. There has been shouting and silliness, blushing, remembering things past - there has been some real eye contact. It's been cold and it's been sweaty, we've been supportive and we've taken the time to notice and say beautiful things about each other. I've felt part of a group. I have tried my hardest just to just be, and to let others just be too
Chek - To perform or not to perform. That is the question... We are asked to simply be ourselves. And it is that simple. No need to over-complicate what just is: that we are who we are. But it got me thinking... performance is existing in the space... who am I anyway... working with a YES is performing... doing anything is performing... The struggle to be "me" during Jar Time is contradictory because I am interacting with four other performers and an audience. I do what comes. Yet there is a sense of not doing it "properly". I know I panic. I know I freeze in a statuesque form of "performance presence" in an attempt to cover up transitions and misunderstandings during Jartime. Thanks to the open frankness of the others I can work on these things that this process exposes.
Karla
19 March 2012
Reaching into Places inside Everyone
'Some pictures from while I am working among everyone. There is performance emerging here that is just amazing, sad, painful, beautiful, and reaches into places that are surely inside everyone but not so often visited'.
Chris
17 March 2012
Blindfold Beyond
During week 1 of Beyond rehearsals, Karla Shacklock's first task was for all the performers to experience The Looking Glass (the venue for the performance) without being able to see it. Here's a photo gallery of their experiences:
Chek - Our first encounter with our performance space, The Looking Glass, was blindfolded. To be given so much time to touch, smell, hear and explore the space meant for me that my sight became three-dimensionally richer. The memory of seeing the space through the other senses added layers or texture I would not have discovered had I just explored the space with my eyes. We repeated the exploration without the blindfold and the experience of seeing that which I had felt and smelt was revelatory. For me, there was an appreciation of the space I would not have had otherwise.
Chek - Our first encounter with our performance space, The Looking Glass, was blindfolded. To be given so much time to touch, smell, hear and explore the space meant for me that my sight became three-dimensionally richer. The memory of seeing the space through the other senses added layers or texture I would not have discovered had I just explored the space with my eyes. We repeated the exploration without the blindfold and the experience of seeing that which I had felt and smelt was revelatory. For me, there was an appreciation of the space I would not have had otherwise.
15 March 2012
Rehearsal Diary – Week #1
It took nine months of preparation to get here. That's a full term pregnancy. And finally, on Monday, I began to birth the beyond baby. And what a baby it is.
Who would have thought that we would go beyond in the first few days, I didn't know it was possible. But today, sitting in a cold, musty old building, surrounded by hundreds of objects, five fabulous performers, my costume designer and film maker, I saw my first glimpse of Beyond. Pretty blinking exciting. It's only day three, but we are already right into something pretty big and very special. It makes my feel full to the brim and quiver at what is to come.
We're really loving being joined for our warm up each morning (DanceSpace at 10:00am) by a range of performance artists (dancers, actors, live artists, circus people and everyone in between). People come and drop in, pay a quid, and join the team for an hour and a half of reckoning. It's pretty full on and sweaty, but ends with a great long stretch and today we also included a vocal warm up. The more people the merrier really. It's a great way for everyone to start the day and we all get to share everyone's energy, and we take that with us into the Beyond laboratory.
We've been in that laboratory for 6 hours each day and I've already put the team through some pretty serious beyond-esque tasks. It's been incredible and very humbling to witness 5 people opening themselves, going beyond themselves, being themselves and in doing so they have already created 30 odd jars of experiences. These jars will become Beyond. They are Beyond. Sweat, laughter, face line, my name is, move/return, piano, double bass, a small ballerina, rules, video camera, a broken rabbit ear, hiding, rope man, mirror me, flower poetry, truth, transformation, WHACK, cling film, tiny shoes, breath, blindfolds, searching, seeking, wanting, higher order thoughts, raw experiences, seeing, looking, glass, sounds from the cellar, let it resonate, let it resonate, let it resonate... a glimpse.
And here are a few reflections from the Beyond performers...
Laura - Blindfolded we discover the space. We begin to unfold ourselves and minutes turn into hours. The first note on our piano, words turn into mud, here we are safe to lose ourselves. A feather falls out of my clothes as I get home and I have no idea how it got there.
Jon - Pulling at a thread and getting an orchestra. End of day ears ringing, people staring in the supermarket at this ball of humming humanity.
Jarno - Intense, exciting, physical, confronting, funny, revealing, demanding, out there, a touch of infinity
Karla
Who would have thought that we would go beyond in the first few days, I didn't know it was possible. But today, sitting in a cold, musty old building, surrounded by hundreds of objects, five fabulous performers, my costume designer and film maker, I saw my first glimpse of Beyond. Pretty blinking exciting. It's only day three, but we are already right into something pretty big and very special. It makes my feel full to the brim and quiver at what is to come.
We're really loving being joined for our warm up each morning (DanceSpace at 10:00am) by a range of performance artists (dancers, actors, live artists, circus people and everyone in between). People come and drop in, pay a quid, and join the team for an hour and a half of reckoning. It's pretty full on and sweaty, but ends with a great long stretch and today we also included a vocal warm up. The more people the merrier really. It's a great way for everyone to start the day and we all get to share everyone's energy, and we take that with us into the Beyond laboratory.
We've been in that laboratory for 6 hours each day and I've already put the team through some pretty serious beyond-esque tasks. It's been incredible and very humbling to witness 5 people opening themselves, going beyond themselves, being themselves and in doing so they have already created 30 odd jars of experiences. These jars will become Beyond. They are Beyond. Sweat, laughter, face line, my name is, move/return, piano, double bass, a small ballerina, rules, video camera, a broken rabbit ear, hiding, rope man, mirror me, flower poetry, truth, transformation, WHACK, cling film, tiny shoes, breath, blindfolds, searching, seeking, wanting, higher order thoughts, raw experiences, seeing, looking, glass, sounds from the cellar, let it resonate, let it resonate, let it resonate... a glimpse.
And here are a few reflections from the Beyond performers...
Laura - Blindfolded we discover the space. We begin to unfold ourselves and minutes turn into hours. The first note on our piano, words turn into mud, here we are safe to lose ourselves. A feather falls out of my clothes as I get home and I have no idea how it got there.
Jon - Pulling at a thread and getting an orchestra. End of day ears ringing, people staring in the supermarket at this ball of humming humanity.
Jarno - Intense, exciting, physical, confronting, funny, revealing, demanding, out there, a touch of infinity
Karla
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