We were in Woolwich last week making a version of our show Hydromania. For Woolwich it featured Seaming To , Traceworks Dance Theatre, choreographed by Ruth Jones and Clare Fildes with special guests The World Beaters . The usual Avanti team (Pete Finnegan Adam Davies Marc Parry and Adam Povey) worked above and beyond to create something really spectacular. We move to Hanley Town Hall to do it all again on the 29th April.
Back from a facinating three days at the New Victoria Theatre Newcaste-Under-Lyme where we were developing ‘Full Circle’. The New Vic theatre produces work in the round and has a long history of doing so opening in 1986 as the first purpose theatre in the round in Europe. We were there for three days and were warmly welcomed by the staff and had productive meetings and views on the joys and pitfalls of working in the magic circle with Theresa Heskins, Steve O’Brian and Liz Evans. We also had great support from Gemma, Gary and Paul from Appetite and thanks also to the stewards for turning out on a windy Saturday morning for the try out in Hanley.
Its been an unusually busy winter period for us; an installation for Winterlight in Sowerby Bridge with Edward Taylor, Steve Gumbley and Bryan Tweddle then a short 6 Impossible Things tour in Kent. December is more known at Avanti HQ for book keeping. Watching a bit of Christmas telly I saw a program on channel five, Ken Dodd ‘In His Own Words’. As usual there was lots to enjoy, watching Doddy is always a bit of a master class, he is the kind of multitalented clown/grotesque that in a different age would have been a court jester. Watching him interviewed, one notices that he is always torn between cracking a joke (from his huge reportoire) or trying to answer in a straight forward way, this is something many performers feel when in a meeting or more formal situation. I watched a bit more of his stuff on the Youtube and his comedy vent act is well worth a look. He even quoted Camus
Camus
“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… just be my friend”
Doddy
“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… or why don’t you just go away….
6 Impossible Things the show Avanti and Artizani made in 2014-15 is doing three gigs in Kent & Sussex in the tail end of the year. Anyone around that neck of the woods can catch the show at these venues. We are planning some more dates in the new year. Check the diary for more info.
Robertsbridge Village Hall – 28 December 2016
Hunton Village Hall – 29 December 2016
Ivychurch Village Hall – 30 December 2016
I was asked to make a ‘Key Note Speech’ at the symposium at Out There Festival this year and as I have been thinking quite a bit about the companies history I accepted. In a year of archive-making and show-reviving it seemed an appropriate time to reflect, tell some stories and offer some thoughts and observations. I notice it seems to be a year for it, IOU, The World Famous, The Gandinis and even Pink Floyd are all making exhibitions or books. So here are the notes to my modest effort.
Crow 2023