Out of Character

We're moving out!

2011-08-26T14:38:00.002+01:00

Out of Character have had a very nice time in this little digital space we've made for ourselves but time has come to find somewhere a bit bigger to tell you about all the projects we've done and are involved in and hope to do so the process will be slow and not always perfect but you can start to find out more about what we're up to here:

www.outofcharactertheatrecompany.wordpress.com

We've a handy link back to this webpage and our other blogs there too.

Go on check us out, you can even sign up with your email to receive regular news updates from us.

Home Spun - a new collaborative performance!

2011-05-11T17:07:00.001+01:00

Home Spun
A Performance devised and written by Out of Character and Converge Theatre Students

Edited and Created by Mark Gowland and Gemma Alldred
Directed by Gemma Alldred

Click: HomeSpun blogsite

Home Spun is a tale. It’s the tale of Liz and Jeff, the children they have and the life they lead together.
It’s the tale of the people who lived here before and maybe of the people who will live here after.
It’s the tale of a man who lives lonely, watching others.
Home Spun is a tale of a house; if walls could talk, if you like.
Told in the traverse intertwining narratives and personal reflections Home Spun tells the yarn we want to tell about Our House, Our Home, Our Imagined Life and Our Reality.
So we invite you to join us, come in, wipe your feet and settle down in a comfy chair to watch and listen what we have crafted.

Wednesday 25th May, 5pm
Theatre Studio One, York St John University

Performed as part of Create ’11 Festival
Tickets are free but places are limited, please book your seat by emailing g.alldred@yorksj.ac.uk or call 01904 876902

Tales from Kafka

2011-02-03T11:15:00.005Z

The documentary film, Tales from Out of Character, now available on our new YouTube Channel

Tales from Out of Character

2010-12-16T11:47:00.004Z

Tales from Out of Character, a short documentary showing our process of collaborating with York Theatre Royal earlier this year is now available online!

2010-10-07T15:05:00.003+01:00

Performance Dates

Saturday 9th October - 4.30pm

Carriageworks, Millenium Square, Leeds

As part of world mental health week

Wednesday 13th October

Quad South Hall, Faculty of Arts

York St. John University, York

As part of world mental health week

Performances are free of charge but tickets are limited please book your place on the day at the event - for advance bookings please contact g.alldred@yorksj.ac.uk

Experiment no. 1

2010-08-23T13:24:00.006+01:00

A fantastic time was had by all last week as One in Four theatre company joined forces with Out of Character in a meeting of minds to create what became known as 'Experiment No. 1'!
It was a fraught few days as everyone worked hard to collaborate on the fragments of material each company had brought to share and resulted in a thoughful performance on the theme of care.

Drinks were shared and conversation flowed on the varied subjects of performance, performance and mental health and who's round it was next!

These pictures show some of the story but the experience and growth gained as individuals, performers and companies is much greater.

Next Performance - A meeting of minds!

2010-08-04T10:21:00.000+01:00

http://issuu.com/Converge_Project/docs/meeting_of_minds_bubble_70_copies?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true

2010-07-16T12:13:00.000+01:00

Director's notes on a sell out show!

2010-07-02T14:37:00.001+01:00

“It is through writing that I keep a hold on life.”
Franz Kafka

Many of us involved in this production would agree with Kafka – maybe not all of us through writing, but certainly through one form of creative expression or another. We channel our anxieties, our hopes and our fears through this creativity in an attempt to make sense of our lives. Artistic expression, far from being an add-on, a form of therapy, is part of who we are: it is one of the earliest and most primal needs we experience as human beings. The need to pour our experiences into art, to form a perspective, to communicate better through it, to share our commonality with others in it, and understand ourselves more fully as a result. This need seems fundamental to the human condition.

I have wanted to make a play drawn from Kafka’s short stories for about ten years now, and am delighted that I finally have the chance to do it – and I cannot think of a better group of people to have created it with. Out of Character is made up of unique, honest and creative individuals who have been a pleasure to work with, as we have devised, discussed, rehearsed, played with and identified with these extraordinary and yet little known stories from one of the 20th Century’s greatest writers.

Juliet Forster

Robin's Reflections

2010-06-28T10:40:00.001+01:00

We worked on tales from kafka, enjoying working on a performance for the Theatre Royal. I have acted in school productions before and done some street theatre.

Robin.

Rehearsals for kafka, 18.06.2010

2010-06-23T10:39:00.000+01:00

Rehearsal 10/06

2010-06-12T20:18:00.002+01:00

Today we had the sound engineer in to create strange noises for our play 'Kafka'. It was a particularly good session as we were able to experiment with our voices, sounds of birds singing, insects and a summer breeze.

The sound engineer told us some fascinating information on how all the ghostly noises in the film 'The Sixth Sense' were made by combining human voices rather than musical sound effects. He has worked with David Attenborough and is now going to London to do the sound effects for the play 'The Railway Children'.

On a personal note I have been rehearsing 'Dora' a depressed woman, who doesn't manage to overcome her depression, no matter how hard she tries. I am playing her like a marionette so have been learning slow dance moves to create the image.
We are very lucky to have an experienced director like Juliet Forster who has been working at York Theatre Royal for a number of years.

It has been a very interesting experience and has taught me how much hard goes into making a play.
Less than a month to go, and I am getting nervous now but enjoying every minute.

Ros

Dora & Craig the sound designer 10/6/2010

2010-06-11T13:48:00.003+01:00

Saturday's rehearsal

2010-06-08T19:22:00.001+01:00

A shot from our rehearsal at Walmgate studios after picking our costumes! The date is getting closer!

Rehearsal 03/06

2010-06-08T19:14:00.003+01:00

Felt a bit weak.
We did a warm-up.
Wasn't enthusiastic but once I started acting I got in the zone.
The bouncing balls going ping-pong tested my patience and so did the technical aspect of moving round the stage. Time went quick and I enjoyed the smoke break. Came back with fresh vigour. The old gentleman I was playing was good fun and I enjoyed my use of voice to portray him. Not everyone was involved in this rehearsal and they were just sitting around but the researcher said my stage presence and physicality was good. Time went quickly and I wasn't looking at my watch.
I feel the production for the Theatre Royal could be longer but I feel the quality is good.

Giles

Kafka Reflections

2010-06-02T09:12:00.003+01:00

The warm up to the rehearsal was about connecting together as a cast. The exercises we did were difficult to get into. Particularly when we had to move around the space and feel the energy together in order to stop then carry on moving. The idea was that we all worked as a team to stop moving and no one felt that they had the responsibility on there own. I think the group may have needed a little more patience with engaging in this particular exercise. What I understood from it was that it was not an exercise that is going to have positive results straight away, the group need to settle into it and begin to connect with the exercise and as a group over time.
The counting exercise worked a lot better as we stood in a circle, closed our eyes and counted to ten. If two people went to say the same next number at the same time we had to go back to the beginning. The idea was to get to 20, which we managed to do. We had played this game before as a group, but it seemed to work a lot better in this session as we connected as a team.

We worked on the scene with Bendemann and the ghost.
The way in which we approached the staging was what Juliet normally does with us, we improvised, running the script through and doing whatever feels natural.
This particular way of working is very beneficial as a way of approaching the scene on stage for the first time. The cast are able to take part in presenting ideas to the director as oppose to the direction just being on behalf of Juliet. I can imagine that it is also very useful for Juliet and provides her with more ideas to staging etc.
The thing that was difficult with this particular part to the performance was the fact that the ghost is not technically performed by a one of the cast, as there will be a use of a sort of puppet. As a consequence the setting will be a lot different and the direction of the ghost will be different.

It can be difficult sitting, waiting, watching for your part in the script to arrive but I find it interesting to watch other people work. You can learn so much from watching other people in the process of making, creating, performing and learning. I have noticed that within the company everybody learns differently. Some can learn by being told how something works, other have to see it, whilst there are performers who must experience it in order to understand. What also works in the company is that it is about the whole groups input and suggestions are always welcome.

I feel very lucky to be performing alongside the company, and with a director like Juliet. My learning is expanding in performing, team work, taking direction, connecting to the people around you and understanding the diversity of other peoples learning.

Gina

Reflections of Kafka - 20th May

2010-05-24T09:19:00.003+01:00

Tonight, first of all we went over the introductory scene. Where I, and the majority of the cast. Do three sleeping movements. Which become more restless after time. This was good, as it helps it become instinctual. Which I like for memories sake.

Then Mark and Ros worked on the Grandfather scene.

Then we all choose a persons strut. I choose someone’s strut, who is in protection. Which I do in a M shape across the stage.

And the final piece of the script we learned. Was highly significant to me. I particularly enjoyed reciting the script. I’d been learning it all week. I remembered most of it. But I felt a total transition, in my performance, after Juliet’s coaching. It felt great. We went over quite a lot of painstaking detail. And added a kind of make believe, happy ending pose, with me and Ros. Tonight I learnt a lot about expressing myself. About passion. A lot about eye contact. I felt the reward of getting out of what you put in. An I put a lot in! I felt a leap. In the direction of improving my acting. Which is what I fundamentally want. To improve my acting.

In response to the question, what does it mean to me to be performing at the theatre royal. It means the world. If someone had told me along time ago, I’d be performing at the theatre royal. I’d have said. “ What? Me an actor!” I would have laughed.

In terms of how it effects the company, it’s one hundred percent magic. It started off as something to do. But now, it’s like a white lights shining down, an I may even take on a part time degree in Theatre at St Johns. I hope we will achieve, a great deal of growth as actors. And for me personally a lot of growth regarding my illness. Confidence boost!
I also hope Out of Characters reputation will strengthen because of the theatre royal performance.

We have also done an will be doing a lot of physical theatre. I have never fine tuned such subtle skills before. All in all, a brilliant two an a half hours!

Tom

Kafka Rehearsals

2010-05-18T08:51:00.000+01:00

Script work continued this week with the company trying to get to grips with the staging of the opening two scenes. There's alot of physical movement involved and we're trying to be loosely synchronised with each other. Which isn't easy when you have your eyes closed for part of it. Hopefully it will look great.

Also we're having to keep in mind how much space we will actually have, especially once we have some form of set. Juliet's ideas for it and how it will be used should look really exciting. I've had some interesting discussions with her about the set, and while I would like to design something epic - there's just the small problem of space...materials...my lack of knowledge...space...and of course money.

Although we've been developing work for a few weeks and even have a script, it still feels a bit unreal that we're set to perform at York Theatre Royal. Then last week I saw the large promo poster outside the theatre. I guess there's no denying they really are expecting a show. Best get learning those lines!

Mark

Kafka Update - Scripts and Posters!

2010-05-11T12:47:00.003+01:00

Last Thursday's rehearsal was an exciting one indeed - scripts! If that weren't enough leaflets are now available and our name is literally in lights (or a lightbox at least) outside the theatre royal!

The shape of the show is taking form and the cast had their first read through, finding out for the first time which parts they would be playing and what aspects of our divised work have made it through into the text.

Juliet has worked really hard to create a script which weaves Kafka's text with our interpretations of his work to develop something which has a real Out of Character flavour!

I am really excited about the physicality of the piece and the space for sequences and movement as a cast.

Watch this space for weekly updates and reflections from members of the cast as we progress to performance.

Gemma

Performance Date for your diary!

2010-04-28T09:26:00.000+01:00

Out of Character will be performing 'Episodes' at 6pm on Saturday 8th May at York St John University, York.
For more details, directions and to reserve a seat please email g.alldred@yorksj.ac.uk

Applause from Lancaster

2010-04-01T14:31:00.006+01:00

A selection of feedback from our fantastic Lancaster audience who came to see us at the Mental Health in Higher Education Conference

‘This was a profoundly moving and disturbing experience – an emotional rollercoaster. I liked the honesty of this and I appreciated the skill.’

‘For me the performance provoked contradictory emotions of discomfort, humour, compassion and guilt.’

‘Your performance took me through a whole range of emotions: sadness, joy, despair, frustration etc (from a mental health professional and survivor of the oppressive mental health system)’

‘Great stuff: lovely dry humour....subverting the role of audience and who is subject/object’

‘Powerful, funny, moving, unnerving, thought provoking: a rollercoaster ride’

‘Excellent issue-based high quality theatre’

‘A talented group with lived experience, truth and art, important messages – pushing the boundaries to get to the truth.’

‘You have conveyed the essence of the experience in an accessible, authentic and interesting way’

‘Lovely balance of humour, truth and uncomfortable feelings’

A big thank you to all those who supported our performance at the conference, for more details please don't hesitate to contact us - g.alldred@yorksj.ac.uk

Episodes - in rehearsal

'Paranoia'

'Dipixel Shuffle'

Collaboration with York Theatre Royal

2010-03-24T10:30:00.004Z

Details of our work with York Theatre Royal are now online, as are the tickets!

01 - 03 July 2010
Tales from Kafka
Directed by Juliet Forster

“I think you cope quite sensibly with the difficulty of living…We tremble in the balance, we don’t fall, we flutter even though we may be uglier than bats.”

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Franz Kafka. Drawing on a rich vein of early writing and less well-known short stories, this entirely new play presents a layering and interweaving of eerie dreamscapes. It is shot through with Kafka’s hallmark foreboding and alienation, absurdist humour and struggling humanity.

Episodes for Lancaster Conference

2010-03-24T10:04:00.008Z

On the 31st March, Out of Character will be performing their new work for the first time, "Episodes" at the mhhe conference in Lancaster

This work has culminated from the recognition and development of our educational based work and is in reponse to a need to develop a performance which tells our experiences and challenges audiences whilst retaining a sense of theatre and sophistication.

As artistic director for the company I am very excited about the piece. Our work in progress show at the C4C Celebration event held at York St. John University gave us some useful feedback and I am relishing in the difficulty and uncertainty people had watching our performance. We've now looked in more detail and depth at the material and I hope we can expand on this and provide no easy answers for our new audiences, after all dark humour is now very much an Out of Character trademark.

A nod of appreication to Brecht, Forced Entertainment and the performers of Out of Character.

Out of Character: a brief history

2010-03-24T09:47:00.006Z

January 2009: Hidden Histories, York

Reality and Other Nightmares

A short performance for a Hidden Histories seminar event held at York St. John University. This Performance focused on things we wanted to remember and things we’d prefer to forget.

May 2009: Create 09 Festival, York

Enchantment

'Enchantment' was developed over 12 weeks with the then newly formed theatre company, 'Out of Character'. The motivation for the development of the piece came from two key themes, a desire to 'do' Shakespeare and themes around identity, which are especially relevant as the company starts the journey of developing its own theatrical identity.
Shakespeare's, A Midsummer Nights Dream, lends itself to examining confusion of identity and allowed us to further develop ideas around identity, and identification in workshops which have formed the basis for the other scenes.

“I feel this is a timely piece, not only for the group, but for you the audience member. Now is the time to question what you know, what you thought you knew about your identity and your right to it. In a time where identity is confused in meaning, shifting in ideals and not always considered a personal right, who will you be and where will you belong?”

September 2009: Arts and Health Conference, Northampton

The Unusual Suspects

A collection of sketches some from our existing repertoire and others developed specifically for the conference, continuing the exploration of themes of identity.

2010: Ongoing and Upcoming Projects

Education

Out of Character use their shared experiences and their skills as theatre makers to create work which aids the education of students and raises awareness of issues relating to Mental Health. These performances are tailored to meet the requirements of the audience and typically also include an opportunity for Q&A or a facilitated workshop.

Our audiences for these performances include Occupational Therapy Students, Mental Health Professionals and others interested in the links between art and health.

In recognition of the development of this aspect of our work, Out of Character will prepare and devise new work which will culminate in a performance at a Conference in Lancaster. This new work will then be made available to audiences who have an interest in developing their understanding in this area.

Collaboration

York Theatre Royal

Juliet Forster will take on the task of directing Out of Character in a performance focusing on Kafka’s short stories and themes. This work will be performed 1st, 2nd & 3rd July at York Theatre Royal.

Summer School

This year we will again host a theatre summer school. Out of Character, along with 1 in 4 (a theatre company based in Leeds) will have the opportunity to perform aspects of their current work as part of this event.

Development of New Work

Out of Character’s members are committed to the writing and development of new work, we hope to be able to develop these ideas into an original piece of theatre later in 2010.

Finally.....a web presence for Out of Character

2010-03-24T09:43:00.004Z

We have so much work coming up over the next few months and as we're still in discussions to get our website into development, it seemed only fair to give our new fans something to hold onto.

So here it is, a place to congregate and find out more about Out of Character....