TIGHTROPE R&D BRISTOL

If we are to live up to our proud boast that we want to create ground breaking ‘event’ theatre that connects with the culture of the young then research and development are at the heart of Tightrope. So April was about working with free runners and street artists.

Many of you probably know that the Bristol Graff scene is where Banksy hails from so we could be in no better place. We toured around the back streets of the St Pauls area in Bristol seeing some of the most amazing street art guided by our resident expert Paul Boswell see http://www.myspace.com/boswellart.

We also met three young free runners who explained all the forms that free running and ‘parkour’ take, one being about the art form the other about competition, both equally dangerous and exciting. It had to be noted that some of the BTEC Circomedia students, those with whom we will be working in June and September, are already pretty effective free runners.

It was great to meet the BTEC students at last, what a talented and committed bunch. We explained that the project was as much about their development as circus theatre performers, something the UK is very short of, as well as the development of Anna Reynolds adaptation of Gillian Cross’ novel.

So we will be working with the students and a new choreographer in June testing and developing their acting and movement skills as well as some of Anna's initial ideas.  I will keep you up to date on the progress of this unique and challenging project, which in cooking terms is developing a rich and sophisticated recipe...