PUBLISHED: January 3rd, 2012
Hi Viz – an outdoor arts commission for the opening of the Marlowe Theatre
The concept of an outdoor artists’ “co-operative” had been explored informally, over nearly a year, and more formally at a meeting organised by PANeK on Wednesday 3rd August 2011. Many logistical, administrative and IP issues arose during the course of these discussions amongst artists but the idea of outdoor artists based in Canterbury and Kent working together in some way remains very strong. Receiving an invitation from the organiser of the My Marlowe opening weekend for a PANeK Showcase enabled PANeK, with Canterbury City Council’s support, to create an opportunity to test this artist-led concept.
The plan for the My Marlowe event differed radically from previous PANeK Showcases where separate companies present their own work. Hi Viz brought together performers from four different companies to work together on a new piece of work which did not reflect any of their individual styles but used their collective skills to produce something new and unique.
The commission brief demanded:
- a response to the Marlowe as an organisation
- a very short time-frame to make the work
- no dependence on any technical support from the host venue
- work that could be presented continuously over a 2-hour period (5–7pm, Friday 7th October 2011) in the foyers, café and outside areas of the Marlowe
- work that interacted with the public, but did not demand their whole attention
- work with considerable visual impact and that was humorous and fun
- a piece which was distinguishable from the other street and outdoor work being programmed for the weekend
The process of making the work involved:
- a group of performers selected by PANeK for their experience and skills in working outdoors and for their interest in co-operative working
- the appointment of Gary Barber as “artistic arbiter” – although the work was made democratically the short time-frame meant that a key decision-maker was needed
- one evening meeting to brainstorm ideas followed by two days rehearsing and refining (with performance on the evening of the second day)
- costumes sourced by Gary Barber
The resulting piece consisted of a series of vignettes, using different characters inspired by the idea of “an alternative staff team”. All of the characters relied strongly on audience-participation and the performers were highly skilled in gently inducing people to get involved. There were:
- health and safety “officials” meaninglessly measuring spaces, arranging people in unnecessary queues and tidying up strange pieces of “litter”
- overly zealous security guards
- paparazzi trying to find and photograph famous people
- a Marlowe fan-club
- a pair of charming, upper-class drunks
- two very dodgy ticket touts
- some over-enthusiastic and less-than-enthusiastic cleaners
The Hi Viz performance was promoted to other producers, venue managers, promoters and the wider professional performing arts sector in Kent and the south east through PANeK’s online presence and additional direct mailing.
Specific print was produced and distributed around the Marlowe foyers to explain how the performance had come into being and to promote the work of the individual companies.
In addition, the event was included in all Marlowe marketing for the weekend – including print, press and online.
Feedback from audiences, Marlowe staff and the artists themselves was very positive.
Hi Viz – a commission funded by Canterbury City Council’s TAP into Creativity award succeeded in:
- giving key performing arts organisations based in Canterbury and Kent the opportunity to share their experiences and develop their work in a mutually supportive environment
- creating a pool of performing arts practitioners all experienced in the improvisational and other skills required for outdoor work
- creating a model structure which can be used in the future to deliver high-quality commissioned outdoor work
- promoting work made in Canterbury to regional and national promoters and raising the profile of Kent, especially Canterbury, as a dynamic location for nurturing and producing new work
- effectively engaging the public and Marlowe audiences
- placing the Marlowe at the heart of the development of outdoor work in Canterbury – a potentially important role related to the ongoing MAD project
