Active Inquiry

Not For Profit – Aesthetic Responses

4th March, 2012 - Posted by Gavin - Comments Off on Not For Profit – Aesthetic Responses

This week’s workshop was about beginning to define what the group means by “The Cuts” and how we respond and explore this using aesthetic means.

After some interesting warm-ups including Cuckoo Clocks, Motorbikes and Drum Kits we began an exercise to think about what words we would use to describe the cuts. The words chosen by the group were:

Fear, Killing, Excuse, Bollox, Dangerous, Discriminatory, Disastrous, Manipulative.

We then tried out some statements such as “The Cuts are necessary” and asked the group to stand at a certain place in the room dependng on how much they agreed or disagreed with that statement. This was a really useful exercise because it showed us where there were similarities, differences and tensions in the group – all of which are very useful in creating an effective piece of Forum Theatre.

Making Images of The Cuts

We then made groups of images in response to the cuts and added sound, movement, rhythm, instruments and words to these images to create three short performances incorprorating different aesthetic responses. The original Not For Profit play last year contained images, rhythm and song and so it was important to introduce these elements early on in the devising process in order that they can be involved in the final pieces of Forum Theatre.

The Group create their Aesthetic Responses

The evening end with a trip to The Regent (next door to the Abbey Mount Community Centre) to say goodbye to Alan who is leaving us for a job in Singapore. We know he will have a great time but we will all miss him – take care Alan!