As part of its Toi Toi Education Programme, the Manoel Theatre recently commissioned Les Enfants Terribles, an international award-winning UK theatre company, to present a workshop for local actors.
The weekend workshop was conducted by James Seager, the company’s main producer and director, and Joe Hufton, another of the company’s directors who specialises in immersive theatre.
The workshop focused on physical storytelling, devised theatre as well as live sound effects and soundscapes, physical theatre techniques and the creative use of props.
The reaction of the participants was hugely encouraging: “Working with and being able to ask questions to the founders of the company lent us a close view at what it means to initiate your own company, how to sustain it for such a long time and the hard work it involves in propelling it forward from day to day. In explaining their humble beginnings Les Enfants Terribles were demystified to us, that is, we became conscious that this Olivier-nominated company started from an ordinary performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. However, it was their passion, ardour and love for their work that was not ordinary.”
Mr Seager said: “I found the participants an absolute joy to work with. They were extremely passionate, dedicated and very willing to throw themselves into any task. They are also clearly driven and focused on their craft and how to make it in the industry. We were also impressed with the high level of ideas and their devising ability and skill; some of the short scenes they created were fantastic.”
Rosetta Debattista, who runs the programme at the Manoel, said: “Apart from introducing the performing arts to new audiences, a significant part of the goal of the Toi Toi programme is to enhance and refine the skills of our next generation of performers, which we accomplish through the Youth Theatre and Youth Opera programmes. Exposing our local artists to internationally successful companies such as Les Enfants Terribles offers the motivation to go that bit further both in terms of developing technique and aspiration.”