Shadow In The City lyrics to the soundfile:
Wondering alone amongst the crowds,
a thousand faces blending to one,
covered with traffic dust, and coffee smog,
am I directed by others or by the,
shadow of the city.
(these words are repeated over the lines of the previous person echoing like a shadow)
Some ideas for site specific piece:
A selection of mirrors, some strategically positioned to give the impession of a direct reflection but instead giving a decoy reflection. A shadow is an identical likeness of it's physical property but in this case the science is broken.
On Friday the skies were clear allowing the sun to give strong dramatic shadows. This cannot be relied upon for a performance. Strong lights and screens can create spectacular shadows and silhouettes.
Mimicking can be extremely funny and is another form of shadowing.
With media in mind, the majority of the population have phones. When walking the streets, someone can be controlled and directed by who they are speaking to on the phone. People can change course for directions or by blackmail, urgency or practical jokes.
In a city full of busling people all busy doing their own thing, I wonder if there is something all round the city that everyone takes for granted but if it wasn't there, it would be missed by everyone.
Considering performance venue sites:
The Basement is a cheaper option for an indoor venue. It provides shelter and close proximity to the audience. As the venue is underground it creates a lot of condensation making the polished floor surface very slippery, this could work against or in favour of a performance. The variety of performance areas can be used for different settings or atmospheres.
http://www.thebasement.uk.com/
Jubilee Square is an outdoor venue situated on a busy street that can attract passers by but would be dependant on weather unless equipment could be provided for shelter. Flooring would have to be considered for extreme physical work for health and safety. It is perfect for disabled access. The area is 19m by 23m and is available 7 days a week and is licensed for activity until 11pm. The Basement manages events for Jubilee Square but has a seperate website.
http://www.jubileesquare.co.uk/
The Duke of York cinema is located at Preston Circus and is a venue for the use of film or presentations. It comfortably seats 283 people.
www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Duke_Of_Yorks
The Royal Pavilion estate consists of The Dome Cocert Hall and The Foyer Bar, The Corn Exchange and The Pavilion Theatre.
The Dome Concert Hall on Church Street was built for the Prince of Wales (George IV). The venue has hosted successful and popular acts including the 1974 Eurovision song contest that saw ABBA win the competition with Waterloo. This is a costly venue that provides for large audiences seating up to 1742.
http://www.brightondome.org/
The Dome foyer Bar can be used as a seperate venue. The theatre can seat 80 or 800 for reception and 48 for cabaret. By day the venue is flooded by daylight from the overhead skylights and by night can be lit by coloured lights. The area is 147sqm and 5.4m in height. This venue provides kitchen facilities, a 60" Plasma screen, Wi-fi and a PA system.
www.brightondomeevents.org/Foyer_Bar.asp
The Corn Exchange inspired by the Paris venue and once a museum is now a theatre similar to the style of Northbrook's theatre and seats 800. The hall is deep and suitable for performances with a near bird's eye view look. Tailored event lighting and staging is available as is Wi-fi.
http://www.brightondome.org/
The Pavilion Theatre is a smaller theatre similar in size and style to Northbrook's theatre, seating 232. There is room for performers to use the space under the bleachers. This allows for more stage exits. Wi-fi and a PA system is available and staging can be provided.
http://www.brightondome.org/
Founders room is also an extra venue as part of the Brighton Dome. It can seat 80 for theatre and has 60" Plasma screen, PA system and Wi-fi.
www.brightondomeevents.org/Founders_Room.asp
Other rooms and spaces are available for hire within and around The Brighton Dome. These spaces are mainly used for banquets and conference hire.
www.brightondomeevents.org/Breakout_Spaces.asp
The Royal Pavilion situated next to the Brighton Dome has various rooms to hire mainly for a stunning setting for banquets and conferences although there is a music room. The pavilion rooms are extremely costly.
The Royal Pavilion Banqueting Room and the Great Kitchen £3,255
Great Kitchen £2,200
Music Room £2,200
Banqueting Room, Great Kitchen & Music Room £4,750
King William IV Room Four hours £980 Day rate (8am-6pm) £1,350
Red Drawing Room Four hours £980 Day rate (8am-6pm) £1,350
Pavilion Gardens (half day) £680
Preston Manor Dinner event £900
Drinks Reception £550
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery Entire museum £2,200 Ground floor only £1,420
Guided tour of the Royal Pavilion (State Rooms) £5.00
The Old Court Room Day rate £1000 Half day/evening lecture £525
These charges apply from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013.
For more details please contact the Royal Pavilion Functions Team on 01273 292815/3 or pavilionfunctions@brighton-hove.gov.uk http://www.brighton-hove-pavilion.org.uk/
The Royal Pavilion Gardens were designed by John Nash for the King. The gardens are open to the public and it plays host to a variety of musical and theatrical acts and is included in The Brighton Festival 2012. http://www.cantfindthewebsiteforthiscananyonefindthebookingvenuewebsiteforthisthankyou.bm/
(Some of this venue info will not be found on the web as it is from personal experience).
Doh! I've included the Pavilion Gardens in the pricing list under Brighton-Hove Pavilion!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's late! zzz
great research on venues. Where would it interest you most to do a show next year?
ReplyDeletealso, can anyone upload the podcast for sharing?
ReplyDeleteWell personally I like a venue that is comfortable for the audience and with a good atmosphere. I put the audience first when thinking about a performance as they come first before the actors.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the type of performance but with the great British weather, an indoor venue is safer.
There is also venue hire costs. If the budgets were never ending I'd choose the The Pavilion music room or the Dome concert hall but coming back down to earth probably somewhere like The Basement as it has scope for variety. Again probably drifting up to the clouds now, I like the idea of the Komedia with the audience sat around tables.
The main thing to think about is what venue would suit the performance and we don't know that yet.
I will be researching other venues to find something quirky! :)