Frantic

Frantic

• Formed in 1994 and hugely inspired by two companies of the most physical theatre companies working at that time: Dv8 and Volcano.
• Unique physical style which combines movement, design, music and text.
• Pursues storytelling through primarily physical means.
• Rely on physical motion of the performers rather than, or combined with text to convey the story.
• Elements: Music, dance, mime, body contact, props. 

Exercise 1: A had to jump a rhythm and B had to continue the rhythm, jumping one after the other to create a constant rhythm.

Exercise 2: We got a chair and had to create 10 movements that were quite natural – nothing too stylised. We then put a blind fold on and had to perform the same sequence. This made us aware of our surroundings.

Exercise 3: We then got a partner and performed our sequences together, making them link well with timing and proxemics with each other. We then did this with the blindfolds on which meant we had to use sound or touch to signal when to start the sequence and keep in time with each other.

Exercise 4: In our partners we did a sequence together, without chairs, using ‘around’, ‘by’ and ‘through’. After creating a long sequence of movements, we added dialogue which gave our piece a meaning and was easier for an audience to understand.

From this workshop:

·       I really enjoyed this workshop and would like to use this technique when devising

·       I found that we can communicate ideas through the use of our body without any dialogue, but dialogue does still help.