Our First Work in Progress
- estelleprop
- May 4, 2017
- 2 min read
Last week, we performed our first Work in Progress of Inside, with Looping the Loop in Ramsgate. LTL is bi-annual performance festival, produced in association with Battersea Arts Centre as part of their Collaborative Touring Network. Huge thanks to them for their support in the development of the show.
After transforming a Church Hall into a Campsite – complete with multiple tents, night lights and wellington boots – we shared our work three times, with three wonderful (and packed!) audiences. Sharing new work for the first time is always a little nerve-wracking, but happily it was very well received. The audience quickly transformed our nerves into excitement with their enthusiasm. We tested the beginnings of Inside with different age groups throughout the day; starting with babies, followed by toddlers, and then finishing up with children up to 4 year olds. It was fascinating to see how differently the groups experienced the show.
"Both my 10 month old and 3 year old loved the experience, the different senses. Very nice for the adults there too" Yvonne Klein
The babies, for example, were drawn in by the lights and the sound-making (water bottles filled with grains and shook) and general cosy atmosphere:
"I was surprised as to how well he responded to the shadow and music. Movements involved was great for babies who like to explore. The tent was perfectly cosy and I loved how going in and out had some continuity." Sushmita Target, mum of a 12 month old.
Whilst the older children were fascinated by the shadow puppetry, the looping sounds and testing the candy-floss clouds:
"My son was engaged, excited, interested and curious in everything. Lovely atmosphere in the tent, places and spaces to explore. Looping the sound added to the fun and interest, brilliant idea!" mum of a 4 year old.
We collected both verbal and written feedback from the audience, which will inform the development of the show before our next Work in Progress at The Gulbenkian in Canterbury. Our performances at Looping the Loop was a shot of adrenalin: we can’t wait to get back in the rehearsal room!
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