Posted in Uncategorized on 02 : 11 : 2012 by Harry Giles
SAFEWORD was a wee performance interaction I gave at Frock On Frock Off, a queer arts festival in Glasgay! It’s the start of my research for a new theatre project about consent. Two chairs, a table, a box of various toys, and this sign:
This was fairly low stakes for me: I was up front that it was more research than anything else, and so participants would have an interesting 15 minutes but not necessarily a coherent or mind-blowing artistic experience. Though some people did get to use a cat-o-nine-tails for the first time. I ran the experiment to find out what happens when you make participants explicitly consent to interaction in a performance space. Here’s some of what I learned:
The frame immediately put people in a sexualised context, which they either embraced or shied away from as they preferred. Whether or not they would do anything remotely sexualised in the interaction was pretty much set in the first two minutes.
That said, the framing lent every action investment and intensity. Everything was actively chosen, which made it hard to take anything casually. So even the interactions which were just conversations were a little heightened.
In participatory theatre and one-on-ones, overcoming participants’ inhibitions is usually the primary challenge. I usually do this by making a really clear contract with participants (hence the sign) so they know what’s expected of them. For this interaction, because it was so open, I had to overcome my own. I was surprised by my own nervousness, my reluctance to flirt or suggest more risqué interactions. This improved as the afternoon went on and I felt more comfortable in my work.
I am acutely aware of my gender and sexuality presentation and how this codes my flirts and my suggestions in the eyes of the participant. I am not yet entirely sure how to deal with it. I am not sure what is safe and what is not safe and when this matters.
At first I tried to give participants more autonomy and decision-making power than myself, but the interaction was more exciting and more satisfying when I put myself on a more equal footing. That is, it was more interesting when I suggested as many activities as the participant. I had to allow myself to suggest things I thought might push their boundaries. This worked, and took us to trickier, more artistically rich places.
People turn out to be much less au fait with BDSM contexts, terminology and objects than I’d expected.
I continue to be fairly good at settling people in and helping them not feel nervous. I hope I can hold on to that while pushing the interaction into riskier places.
As always, unless the very openness is the topic of artistic exploration, an interaction has to be carefully structured to allow interesting participation. This one was too open, though the box of toys very much helped.
That’s what I got! I like logging this stuff in case other interaction-designers find this useful. Otherwise, keep an eye out for something new SAFEWORDwise.
Posted in Uncategorized on 02 : 09 : 2012 by Harry Giles
As part of the development and reporting process for This is not a riot, I kept a daily log of our experiences at the CrisisArt Festival. Reading them now is a strange experience — it was a particularly intense week, full of thinking about the meaning of art and politics and allsorts. Dig in for a look at how an OST mind works and to get some questions for your own mind:
Posted in Uncategorized on 13 : 06 : 2012 by Harry Giles
In May we began developing our new show, Class Act, as an Ovalhouse Counterculture Commission. We vblogged the whole process, and you can read about it all here:
12.00 – 1.30 Open Discussion: Give Up Art/Activism
FREE
What’s happened here, in Hackney, across the UK, and the world? Why do people riot? What’s going to happen next? And what has art got to do with any of it? A facilitated open discussion exploring questions surround riots and performance.
*
2.30 – 3.30 Lucy Ellinson’s Kaidan
£5
A participatory storytelling game about UK cuts and the resistance to them. Join in to investigate stories from London and further afield about the local impact of the cuts, and to start thinking about the ways we can respond.
*
4.30 – 5.30 Harry Giles: This is not a riot.
£5
Part performance, part workshop, part lecture, part blazing argument, “This is not a riot” is a brand new piece of interactive theatre looking at what violence is, why we do it, and when it might be useful. Includes stuffed animals.
*
5.30 – 7 Riot Mic with Catherine Brogan and Ray Antrobus
£5
Got some words to say about riots, about protest, about violence, about politics, about race, about anything that’s important to you? Poetry, stories, songs, rants? We’re opening the stage to your performances. To get five minutes to share your work with a friendly audience, email opensourcetheatrecompany@googlemail.com, or come prepared.
With feature sets from top performance poets and local poetry organisers Catherine Brogan and Ray Antrobus.
*
This is a day staged by Open Source Theatre, a fluid group of theatre-makers looking at the intersection of performance and politics. We care about audiences, we like inviting them onto the stage, and we like talking about what’s important with them in experimental but accessible ways. Find out more at http://opensourcetheatre.wordpress.com
-
02 / 09 / 11
PROPERTY&THEFT / UpStage The 5th International Festival of Cyberperformance
Open Source Theatre is delighted to be part of 11:11:11, the 5th International Festival of Cyberperformance. UpStage is a place where theatre meets politics meets interactivity meets new technology — so it’s right up our street.
Stay tuned for more information about the performance. In the mean time, you can find out more about the festival (and a beautiful video about how you can particiapte) at the UpStage blog.
-
01 / 7 / 2011
Videos from two microperformances I’ve given over the last month!
What We Owe @ Five Minute Theatre
What We Owe is an extract from PROPERTY&THEFT, an interactive theatre project I directed March-May this year in Edinburgh and Glasgow. It’s an interaction designed for one participant, but for 5MT, the National Theatre of Scotland’s amazing 24 hour celebration of performance, we worked it up into something that worked for both the participant and a wider audience. Olivia, the performer, is rehearsed, but is largely improvising the interaction, while Roz, the participant, had no iea what was going to happen. What We Owe is part of a series of performances which, as part of an installation, make a much broader piece of theatre, but which can also be performed in a range of different contexts. You’ll be seeing more from the PROPERTY&THEFT series later this year.
This is not a riot. was a 10 minute foray into ideas I have for a performance/workshop/lecture about violence and protest. The video shows clips from the performance, which included “A History of Violence Pop Quiz”, which asked the audience to decide whether particular acts were violent or not violent (or to give up choosing), “Riot Survival Storytime Adventure”, which used soft toys to demonstrate protest tactics, and “101 Uses for a Half-Brick”, which asked the audience to list creative ways to use a half-brick. It’s hoped that these elements will grow and be added to to produce a touring solo project f0r me and OST in the Autumn.
14 / 6 / 2011
OST is delighted to be joining the National Theatre of Scotland’s extraordinary celebration 5 Minute Theatre with a microperformance from PROPERTY&THEFT.
“What We Owe” will be a strange visit to our impromptu unqualified debt counselling service. In five minutes, Dr Jennifer Casey will investigate your many overwhelming debts and develop an Emergency Debt Action Plan to help you recover.
Every Five Minute Theatre performancee is totally free, but ticketed: visit The Hub to reserve yours now.
OST is also looking for one very lucky audience member to be our participant for this interactive theatre short. If you’re interested in having your debts diagnosed in a fun and moving way, contact us at opensourcetheatrecompany@googlemail.com
3 / 6 / 2011
19 / 5 / 2011
What Next For OST?
a) This news post is a spaceholder. We’ve got lots of work to do, lots to tell you about, s much energy, and so little time.
b) We had an amazing time with PROPERTY&THEFT over the last few months. We gave great performances, met extraordinary people, did some strange things, and learned a great deal. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting reflections and documentations from the run of performances at the Glue Factory. This may take time. We’re pretty tired.
c) And there’s still more to do with the PROPERTY&THEFT project! We have such ambitions. With two successful beta-tests behind us, we now have an exciting and challenging repertoire of interactions and performance possibilities. We have two main aims: in the short term, we’ll be giving small-scale performances as part of interesting theatre festivals (announcements coming soon), and we’ll be seeking funding for a large-scale and longer-running performance in 2012. Keep your eyes open.
d) But we just don’t stand still. The other thiing to watch out for is an announcement coming soon about our next project (that’s right): THIS IS NOT A RIOT. It’s a project about riots. About violence and protest. It will be different again. Always.
e) We like you. Tell us how you found us. Tell us what you hink. That’s what we’re about. Take care.
-
15 / 04 / 11
VERSION 2.0 VERSION 2.0 VERSION 2.0 VERSION 2.0
Following the tremendous success of our performances at Tollcross Community Centre in Edinburgh this March, PROPERTY & THEFT is returning in a new revised version from May 6th-8th at the Glue Factory, Glasgow!
A deserted supermarket. An unqualified debt counsellor. A tragic street vendor. A suspicious security guard. Property and Theft is a satirical, thoughtful and entertaining performance based around conversations with you, the audience. Exploring life, economics and poetry in a decaying capitalist society, this developing project is coming to Edinburgh following workshops and performances at the Soho Theatre, London, the Forest Fringe, Edinburgh, and on the streets of Essex.
Open Source Theatre is a UK-based theatre collective focussing on participatory theatre and political engagement. We like finding accessible ways to talk with audiences about things that matter. We like throwing the theatre wide open. Previous projects include “Israel/Palestine”, an interactive theatre project which toured UK theatres, social centres and universities in April 2009.
“Property & Theft” is being brought to you in collaboration with This Collection (https://thiscollection.wordpress.com/), a community creativity collective, and the Glasgow Open School (hhttp://glasgowopenschool.com/), a democratic education community.
-
23 / 2 / 11
A deserted supermarket. An unqualified debt counsellor. A tragic street vendor. A suspicious security guard. Property and Theft is a satirical, thoughtful and entertaining performance based around conversations with you, the audience. Exploring life, economics and poetry in a decaying capitalist society, this developing project is coming to Edinburgh following workshops and performances at the Soho Theatre, London, the Forest Fr…inge, Edinburgh, and on the streets of Essex.
Performances and audience discussion
Friday 11th March: 2.30 and 6.30pm
Friday 25th March: 2.30 and 6.30pm
Tollcross Community Centre
entry by donation
spaces at each performance are limited: email opensourcetheatrecompany with name, date and time to secure a spot.
Open Source Theatre is a UK-based theatre collective focussing on participatory theatre and political engagement. We like finding accessible ways to talk with audiences about things that matter. We like throwing the theatre wide open. Previous projects include “Israel/Palestine”, an interactive theatre project which toured UK theatres, social centres and universities in April 2009.
Come to these events at the Tollcross Community Centre to see and participate in a unique and exciting theatre piece, to share your experiences with us, and to have a chance to contribute to a developing project.
Performances and audience discussion
Friday 11th March: 2.30 and 6.30pm
Friday 25th March: 2.30 and 6.30pm
Tollcross Community Centre
entry by donation
spaces at each performance are limited: email opensourcetheatrecompany with name, date and time to secure a spot.
-
16 / 11 / 01
AN INTERACTIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP
AND
CALLOUT FOR COLLABORATORS
Open Source Theatre Company wants to find some new people to
discuss, play, learn, meet, act and think with.
We’re doing a project with This Collection and Tollcross Community Centre (link) called “Property and Theft” this March: it’s an interactive theatre project about daily life in a decaying capitalist society. But we need some more collaborators for it
So we thought we’d run a totally open and totally free workshop in interactive theatre in order to make some new friends. We’ll talk about some of the ideas behind interactive theatre, do some exercises, play some games, run around a bit, and plant the seeds of something new.
Come along if you’re interested in collaborating, or if you’re not sure but it sounds like you might be, or if you just want to explore the ideas of interactive theatre. You won’t be making a commitment: this is a way of meeting people and sharing ideas.
It’s 5.30 – 7.30pm
in Bristo Hall
(upstairs at the Forest, 3 Bristo Place, Edinburgh)
on Tuesday 25th January
e-mail harry.lodestone@gmail.com if you’re planning to come
or if you’re interested in the project but can’t come that day
(e-mail us anyway: we want to hear from you)
Open Source Theatre is a loose collective specialising in interactive political theatre expeiments: we’ve performed at places like the Soho Theatre, London, the streets of Essex, the Byre Theatre, St Andrews, and the Forest, of course. For information about us and our projects, see http://opensourcetheatre.wordpress.com
OST is so progressive, we hibernate in summer instead of winter. Read the latest blog post for a teaser about what we’ve been planning, and when to expect something more substantial from us. Exciting!
-
17 / 08 /2010
Open Source Theatre has been on its summer holidays. Expect more projects to be announced in September. In the mean time, watch the blog, and contact us with enquiries.
-
23 / 5 / 10
It’s taken a lot of assembling, but we’ve finally put together the full documentation on Israel/Palestine. Check out the show’s page, where you can now read a review by Taurie Kinoshita of Cruel Theatre, view a photo gallery of the St Andrews performance, watch the trailer, download the programme notes / script, or, for the fullest overview, download our current performance report, which contains descriptions of the show and our process, vital statistics, and a collection of feedback. Best of all you can now watch videos of the performance here, here, here and here.
–
12/ 5 / 10
The first performance of HAGGLE was a huge success! Read about it at this blog post. As hoped, we’ll be repeating it for the rest of the month, exploring what happens as the duration telescopes and things get crazier. Stay tuned — and join the Facebook group for regular updates.
–
10 / 5 /10
We’ve got a new performance happening. It’s called HAGGLE. It’s an occasional and situational event that involves getting audiences to bargain with me to buy bits of my life and moments of performance. It’s an interactive performance / firesale. First performance this Wednesday. Check the page for more details!
–
2 / 5 / 10
After a spot of delay, the full performance report for STEAL THIS PLAY @ Scratch Interact is up!
We’ve just returned from touring Israel/Palestine: we’re exhausted, delighted, and determined to revisit the project later this year, bigger and better. We gave 5 performances in 4 cities, to packed audiences, and we’ll soon be writing up our experiences in a performance report. (Apologies for delay in the STP report. Demands of touring, &c &c! By this weekend, promise.)
–
13 / 4 / 10
Thanks to everyone who came to our alpha test of STEAL THIS PLAYat Glue’s Scratch Interact at the Soho Theatre last night. We felt it went really successfully, enjoyed ourselves immensely, and learned a great deal about where to take the show! Plus, the whole evening featured an excited showcase of excellent interactive theatre.
You can find out about the show here, and the night here.
12.00 – 1.30 Open Discussion: Give Up Art/Activism
FREE
What’s happened here, in Hackney, across the UK, and the world? Why do people riot? What’s going to happen next? And what has art got to do with any of it? A facilitated open discussion exploring questions surround riots and performance.
*
2.30 – 3.30 Lucy Ellinson’s Kaidan
£5
A participatory storytelling game about UK cuts and the resistance to them. Join in to investigate stories from London and further afield about the local impact of the cuts, and to start thinking about the ways we can respond.
*
4.30 – 5.30 Harry Giles: This is not a riot.
£5
Part performance, part workshop, part lecture, part blazing argument, “This is not a riot” is a brand new piece of interactive theatre looking at what violence is, why we do it, and when it might be useful. Includes stuffed animals.
*
5.30 – 7 Riot Mic with Catherine Brogan and Ray Antrobus
£5
Got some words to say about riots, about protest, about violence, about politics, about race, about anything that’s important to you? Poetry, stories, songs, rants? We’re opening the stage to your performances. To get five minutes to share your work with a friendly audience, email opensourcetheatrecompany@googlemail.com, or come prepared.
With feature sets from top performance poets and local poetry organisers Catherine Brogan and Ray Antrobus.
*
This is a day staged by Open Source Theatre, a fluid group of theatre-makers looking at the intersection of performance and politics. We care about audiences, we like inviting them onto the stage, and we like talking about what’s important with them in experimental but accessible ways. Find out more at http://opensourcetheatre.wordpress.com
