Total Theatre Magazine

Earth-a-luljah!

Live art musical and eco-lutionary experience The Fabulous Unknown is the latest performance piece by New-York based radical performance collective Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir. Lorna Rees was at the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts in Brighton for Total Theatre Magazine.

"Billy Talen presents initially as a caricature of a Baptist preacher and yet he is truly sincere: this isn’t a comedy preacher act, he is all conviction and there’s nothing disingenuous going on here. The show starts with a singing procession into the auditorium and almost immediately I burst into tears at the sheer vivid joy of the music..."

Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir: The Fabulous Unknown - Total Theatre Live art musical and eco-lutionary experience, The Fabulous Unknown is the latest performance piece by New-York based radical performance collective Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir (some of whom have been assembled here in the UK). Lorna Rees was at the Attenborough Centre for Creative Ar...

The fabulous London International Mime Festival have a documentary coming out in early 2025...

And that's a rap! The very last review from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 – the late-opening Show Pony, reviewed by Ellie Higgins.

Show Pony - Total Theatre Circus-theatre show Raven by Berlin-based Still Hungry was an enormous hit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 and the London International Mime Festival 2020. Now the company are back with Show Pony, again created in collaboration with Bryony Kimmings. Ellie Higgins was there for Total Theatre Ma...

L'Addition: It All Adds Up

The acclaimed contemporary performance duo Bert and Nasi return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a new show, L’Addition, directed by Tim Etchells of Forced Entertainment.

John Dean was there for Total Theatre Magazine.

http://totaltheatre.org.uk/laddition-it-all-adds-up/

The latest post on TT Magazine is a long, detailed and carefully thought through reflection on BATSH*T, as seen at the Traverse Theatre at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

She’s off her trolley. Nuttier than a fruitcake. A couple of kangaroos loose in the top paddock. She’s ‘crazy’.

For years women have been locked up, medicated, pathologized and silenced with the label ‘crazy’. Challenging these preconceptions, acclaimed Australian performer Leah Shelton makes her Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with her solo show BATSH*T, directed by Ursula Martinez. Bianca Mastrominico was there for Total Theatre Magazine.

BATSH*T - Total Theatre or years women have been locked up, medicated, pathologized and silenced with the label ‘crazy’. Challenging these preconceptions, acclaimed Australian performer Leah Shelton makes her Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with her solo show BATSH*T, directed by Ursula Martinez. Bianca Mastrominico wa...

Part social realism, part science fiction, with a healthy dose of dystopia’ – 1927’s new show Please Right Back is not quite what it first seems to be, as Dorothy Max Prior discovers at the Edinburgh International Festival 2024:

Please Right Back - Total Theatre ‘Part social realism, part science fiction, with a healthy dose of dystopia’ – 1927’s new show Please Right Back is not quite what it first seems to be, as Dorothy Max Prior discovers at the Edinburgh International Festival 2024

More Ed Edinburgh Festival Fringe reviews!
It Takes Two: The two-hander is a staple of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, but this can mean very many different things. Dorothy Max Prior reports back on some of the more unusual pairings seen at Fringe 2024, embracing circus, physical and visual theatre, and live art...

Machine du Cirque: Ghost Light: Between Fall and Flight, Circus Hub, 2-24 August 2024

Vyte Garriga/Flabbergast Theatre: Paper Swans, Pleasance Courtyard, 2-25 August 2024

EKBM: Heartbreak Hotel, Summerhall, 2-26 August 2024

Trick of the Light: The Suitcase Show, Summerhall, 1–25 August 2024

bambule.babys: My Home is Not My Home, Zoo Playground, 2-25 August 2024

S**t Theatre: Or What’s Left of Us, Summerhall, 2-25 August 2024

It Takes Two - Total Theatre The two-hander is a staple of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, but this can mean very many different things. Dorothy Max Prior reports back on some of the more unusual pairings seen at Fringe 2024, embracing circus, physical and visual theatre, and live art. Machine du Cirque: Ghost Light: Between Fal...

http://totaltheatre.org.uk/all-together-now/

All Together Now!

Dorothy Max Prior sees three impressive ensemble circus shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 – Circa: Humans 2.0, Cassus: Apricity and Recirquel: Paradisum – all exploring what it means to be human

All Together Now - Total Theatre Dorothy Max Prior sees three impressive ensemble circus shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 – Circa: Humans 2.0, Cassus: Apricity and Recirquel: Paradisum – all exploring what it means to be human

More from Ed Fringe!

Brian Lobel gives us alternate takes on Nick Cassenbaum’s Revenge: After the Levoyah, a ‘two-hander comedy heist that blows the roof off what it means to be Jewish in the UK. ’

Revenge is Sweet - Total Theatre Brian Lobel gives us alternate takes on Nick Cassenbaum’s Revenge: After the Levoyah, a ‘two-hander comedy heist that blows the roof off what it means to be Jewish in the UK. ’ Here’s our starting point: Twins Lauren and Dan meet ex-gangster Malcolm Spivak at their grandfather’s funeral. M...

OK, we're back in business! Normal service resumed after a website blip!

Here's a round-up of solo shows seen at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024:

Gaby Muñoz: Julieta, Summerhall, 1-11 August 2024

Natalie Bellingham: Look After Your Knees, Pleasance Courtyard, 1-25 August 2024

Duncan Hodgkinson: Dante and the Robot, Zoo Playground, 1-25 August 2024

Sasha Krohn and Flabbergast Theatre: The Weight of Shadow, Assembly Checkpoint, 1-25 August 2024

Ashtar Muallem / Clement Dazin: Cosmos, Summerhall, 1-11 August 2024

ThisEgg: A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here, 1-14 August 2024

Alone Again, Or? - Total Theatre Dorothy Max Prior sees an interesting batch of solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024. Although some turn out to be other than what they first seem to be…

Just to let you know that Total Theatre Magazine is no longer using TwitteX. Reviews from and other writings on www.totaltheatre.org.uk will be flagged up here on Facebook, and on our new Threads account. We urge other arts organisations to follow suit.

Photo of Circa, Humans seen at Circus Hub.

Threads account link. Say no to TwitteX, we have!

Total Theatre Magazine (@totaltheatremag) on Threads Supporting and celebrating contemporary theatre, live art performance, circus and outdoor arts. 237 Followers.

Just so you know: Total Theatre Magazine is no longer using TwitteX. We urge everyone working in the arts to leave the platform. Yes, we know Meta are not perfect, but at least its owners are not openly supportive of fascists.

See you here, or on Instagram or Threads, for Edinburgh Festival Fringe updates and more.

No 10 criticises Elon Musk for ‘civil war is inevitable’ post on England riots PM’s spokesperson says ‘no justification’ for X owner’s comment under video of far-right disorder

And we're off! First of a number of articles from Edinburgh Fests 2024:

Food glorious food – here’s Dorothy Max Prior with an Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 taster menu, featuring Sean Wai Keung with A History of Fortune Cookies, Traverse/Soho Theatre production My English Persian Kitchen, and Ugly Bucket’s Stuffed

Soul Food - Total Theatre Soul Food. Food glorious food – here’s Dorothy Max Prior with an Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 taster menu, featuring Sean Wai Keung with A History of Fortune Cookies, Traverse/Soho Theatre production My English Persian Kitchen, and Ugly Bucket's Stuffed

Latest article on Total Theatre Magazine!

The Show Must Go On...
Bloodthirsty buffoons, a giant snail, a pit of fire-breathing snakes, an invisible orchestra, and a troupe of death-defying showwomen: Out There International Festival of Outdoor Arts and Circus 2024 had something for everyone, as Dorothy Max Prior discovered. Additional reporting by James Foz Foster

The Show Must Go On - Total Theatre The Show Must Go On. Bloodthirsty buffoons, a giant snail, a pit of fire-breathing snakes, an invisible orchestra, and a troupe of death-defying showwomen: Out There International Festival of Outdoor Arts and Circus 2024 had something for everyone, as Dorothy Max Prior discovered. Additional reporti...

Coming to London and Brigjton this month! Total Theatre associate Karavan and Silvia Mercuriali join forces to bring you Human Rights Bingo!

'Come to be part of an extraordinary live game show! It's a cabaret with a conscience led by two of Europe's leading physical theatre performers.

A 75-minute participatory performance in one riotous act that will test your knowledge in a surreal night of bingo with visual treats and dancing beats!

No two shows are alike as you are invited to spin the tombola and chose randomly a number corresponding to one of our 30 Human Rights, in order to see that rights performed before your very eyes, through different acts/activities/videos and/or games. You are all equal… until one of you wins!'

Brighton Spiegeltent Thurs 16 May:
https://tickets.brightonspiegeltent.com/events/3d1f4e16-7920-4e52-b065-cbb1867a995e/booking

Chat's Palace London Fri 17 May:

https://chatspalace.com/

This Is the story of a band you may or may not remember. This Is Memorial Device!

Coming to Riverside Studios London this week (23 April to 11 May).

'OK. Why am I doing this? I’m doing it because of Memorial Device. I’m doing this to stand up for Airdrie…I’m doing it because for a moment, when everything seemed impossible, everyone was doing everything – reading, listening, writing, creating, sticking up posters, passing out, throwing up, rehearsing rehearsing rehearsing in dark windowless rooms, like the future was just up ahead… and now already it’s the rotten past, isn’t it?’

This is Memorial Device is not your regular kind of theatrical adaptation of a novel. It’s a piece of collaboratively made total theatre that merges first-person storytelling, ritual, quirky choreography, striking visual imagery, and video and photo projection; with a musical score developed in tandem with the other elements.

Based on the novel by David Kernan
Adapted/directed by Graham Eatough
Music by Stephen Pastel & Gavin Thomson

Read all about it here:

This Is Memorial Device: A Portal Into Our Collective Musical Memories - Total Theatre ‘What is a memorial device? Is it like a pocket watch that you’ve inherited? Is it like a gravestone? Or is it more like a dictaphone – a dictaphone where you can record your memories? Is it like a marker in the sand? What is a memorial device?’ This is Ross Raymond speaking. He’s invited ...

If you are a friend or associate of the late great doyenne of puppetry, Penny Francis, and would like to come to her 'Parting Party' / memorial event at BAC, do please book a place via Eventbrite.

It is free but ticketed as we have to cap numbers.

See you there! ❤🎶🌹🍸💋

Penny's Parting Party. For the Love of Puppetry.

Date: Fri, Apr 12 • 19:00 BST

Location: Lavender Hill, London, SW11 5TN

Penny's Parting Party. For the Love of Puppetry. Come and celebrate Penny Francis's life with us.

For those of you who knew our dear Penny Francis: there will be a memorial event on Friday 12 April at BAC – times tbc. Volunteers needed! See linked post from Puppet Centre Trust

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/yWyowCfaapn1tXM3/

Penny Francis Memorial Event 12th April at BAC

For all of those who remember Penny Francis, co-founder and driving force of the Puppet Centre, writer, academic, enthusiast and advocate for puppetry, and all those who love puppetry.

We are working with Penny's granddaughter, Kati Tārā Francis, to celebrate Penny's extraordinary life and achievements.

And we need VOLUNTEERS PLEASE! To help us put together an unforgettable party open to everyone in the puppetry community and beyond.

Please come along, and please help us spread the word - The party will take place on Friday 12th April in the BAC bar - time to be confirmed.

If you can help/contribute with any of the following please let us know:

* Any stories or photos or footage of great Penny moments so we can create a slideshow and film.
* If you'd like to say a few words about Penny
* Performances - if you have a sketch or short piece you could easily perform
* Technical support - would be most welcome
* Live streaming support - can you help us make this event accessible to those who aren't able to come in person?
* Decorating - could you come early and help decorate?

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS POST and contact us with how you can help at:
[email protected] with 'Penny's Party' in the subject line.

http://totaltheatre.org.uk/do-come-with-the-chablis-soon/

An appreciation of Penny Francis, MBE who died in June 2023. Dorothy Max Prior and a host of other friends, former students, and colleagues from the world of puppetry and visual theatre tell us what the incorrigible Doyenne of Puppetry meant to them.

Do Come with the Chablis Soon - Total Theatre An appreciation of Penny Francis, MBE who died in July 2023. Dorothy Max Prior and a host of other friends, former students, and colleagues from the world of puppetry and visual theatre tell us what the incorrigible Doyenne of Puppetry meant to them.

News!

MimeLondon is a new curatorial project created by Helen Lannaghan and Joseph Seelig, the directors of London International Mime Festival (LIMF) which ended in 2023 after five decades of award-winning success.

MimeLondon will support occasional seasons of contemporary visual theatre, in collaboration with venue partners in London. Their first takes place in Jan/Feb 2024 with 8 productions new to London – four international, and four co-commissions by UK-based companies.

Watch out for announcements next week.

The Streets are Alive… with the Sound of Music! Dorothy Max Prior previews the Out There Festival 2023, which brings a wealth of physical, visual and aural delights to the streets, parks and beaches of Great Yarmouth this September.

The Streets are Alive… - Total Theatre  … with the Sound of Music! Dorothy Max Prior previews the Out There Festival 2023, which brings a wealth of physical, visual and aural delights to the streets, parks and beaches of Great Yarmouth It’s almost time for Out There International Festival of Outdoor Arts and Circus, which takes plac...

Sharing this from Ade Berry of Jacksons Lane:

Long post. But here’s a summary. We are casting for 4 performers with circus/physical/devising skills (not all circus artists so actors read on) for JL’s Christmas production of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Well above Equity rates. London base needed. 7 week contract. Details follow:

The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Audition
We are looking for 4 ensemble performers for this year’s in-house production of The Three Billy Goats Gruff at Jacksons Lane. Rehearsals begin on the 20th of November and the show runs from 14th December until 7 January. There will also be 2 days R & D in October (dates TBC). Each performer will be paid an inclusive fee of £4900 . The production will be produced by Jacksons Lane and will be written and directed by Kaveh Rahnama.

What’s it about?
The show will look at the troll under the bridge through new eyes. Using circus, ensemble work, and puppetry, the show will tell the story of The Goats and bullying Crownies. The Goats prepare for winter and are mocked by The Crownies from across the river. When the goats aren’t looking, the Crownies plunder all of The Goats’ belongings and their winter preparations are ruined, leaving them vulnerable to the elements. A fairly unwilling Crownie, Herbert, is installed under the bridge to prevent the goats from getting their possessions back. Will The Goats succeed in regaining what is rightfully theirs? And what price are they willing to pay?

The show will be using a combination of ensemble work, physicality, and puppetry work to tell the story – along with a smattering of text. It will be aimed at 3-7 year olds and their families.

Previous Jacksons Lane/ Kaveh Rahnama children’s collaborations have included The Party, Pinocchio, A Christmas Circus Fairytale, and last years Jack and the Beanstalk. Kaveh’s use of circus and storytelling make the shows engaging for young people and adults alike and the stage is used as a place to playfully (but very seriously) re-examine roles of gender, race, and class in the stories we are told, thus creating new narratives which far better reflect the world we want our children to inherit.


Who we’re looking for…
We are open to performers from a variety of skill sets. Experience working with devised theatre is essential and a strong level of physical work is desirable. The show will be devised and written around the finalised cast.

If any – or all! - of the following apply to you please get in touch!
Circus, dance, physical theatre background
Ensemble work
Work with young people/ families
Experience in devised work
Puppetry work
Good level of acrobatics/ gymnastics
Better representation of the world we live in is important to us, so we particularly welcome applications from artists and performers from Global Majority backgrounds, or from backgrounds which are not seen or heard enough on stage and screen.
Auditions will be workshop in style and will be held between the 13th-15th September at Jacksons Lane Theatre, Highgate. Deadline for applications is the 6th September. Performers should be London-based as there is no accommodation provided. (Circus artists there will be talking! In character!!)

Please send a CV and email explaining why you’d like to apply to [email protected]

http://totaltheatre.org.uk/nuggets-edinburgh-festival-fringe-round-up-2023/

Curated programmes, trusted venues, familiar artists and producers – Dorothy Max Prior plays it safe at the Edinburgh Festivals 2023

Nuggets – Edinburgh Festival & Fringe Round-Up 2023 - Total Theatre Curated programmes, trusted venues, familiar artists and producers – Dorothy Max Prior plays it safe at the Edinburgh Festivals 2023 Edinburgh, August 2023. I’m standing in a queue (inevitably) waiting to go into the Main Hall at Summerhall to see a sold-out show – Laura Murphy’s Making a Sp...

Three body positive shows seen at Summerhall – High Steaks, A Spectacle of Herself, and Weathervanes:

Our Bodies, Our Selves – Ed Fringe 2023 - Total Theatre Three body positive shows seen at Summerhall – High Steaks, A Spectacle of Herself, and Weathervanes