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afroaphrodite- YouTube (2012) Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar [Rock Of Ages] [Online] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL5kcy3Hv-Y [Accessed: 17/11/20]

Alum Media (2020) Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi: The Most Punk Play of All Time [Online] Available from: https://flashbak.com/alfred-jarrys-ubu-roi-the-most-punk-play-of-all-time-372959/ [Accessed: 20/10/20]

Aronson, A (2000) American avant-garde theatre: A History [Online] USA and Canada: Routledge Available from: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qt_GBQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=avant+garde+theatre&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjTmu7J0fXsAhWSYsAKHaXSCqcQ6AEwAHoECAUQAg#v=onepage&q=avant%20garde%20theatre&f=false [Accessed: 09/11/2020]

Artland (2020) What is dadaism [Online] Available from: https://magazine.artland.com/what-is-dadaism/ [Accessed: 13/11/20]

British Safety Council (2020) Risk Assessments: What they are, why they’re important and how to complete them [Online] Available from: https://www.britsafe.org/training-and-learning/find-the-right-course-for-you/informational-resources/risk-assessment/ [Accessed: 13/11/20]

Brotchie, A (2011) A pataphysical life [Online] Available from: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/alfred-jarry [Accessed: 19/10/20]

Ask Media Group, LLC (2020) What is Naturalism in Drama [Online] Available from: https://www.reference.com/world-view/naturalism-drama-7b2a2b22f6f401bb [Accessed: 13/11/20]

Budick, A (2020) Alfred Jarry: Father of surrealist subversion [Online] Available from: https://www.ft.com/content/c6e4513e-57b8-11ea-abe5-8e03987b7b20 [Accessed: 20/10/20]

Cash, J (2020) Erwin Piscator Biography [Online] Available from: https://thedramateacher.com/erwin-piscator-biography/ [Accessed:12/11/20]

Cash, J (2020) Erwin Piscator: Multimedia Pioneer for the Theatre. [Online] Available from: https://thedramateacher.com/erwin-piscator-multimedia-pioneer-for-the-theatre/ [Accessed: 12/11/20]

Club Mob (2020) Who is Club Mob? [Online] Available from:  https://whoisclubmob.co.uk/band [Accessed: 09/11/2020]

Club Mob- YouTube (2020) Masked Dancers Take Over London...They’re back! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vrLrqpGgdo[Accessed: 09/11/20]

Eckert, S.M (2017) What is immersive theater? [Online] Available from: https://contemporaryperformance.com/2017/12/09/immersive-theater/ [Accessed:21/10/20]

Fandom (2013) Sherrie Christian [Online] Available from: https://rock-of-ages.fandom.com/wiki/Sherrie_Christian [Accessed: 13/11/20]

Frieze (2020) Alfred Jarry- A Pataphysical Life [Online] Available from: https://www.frieze.com/article/alfred-jarry-pataphysical-life [Accessed: 19/10/20]

FUTURE- YouTube (2015) Secret Cinema presents Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back [Online] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7bouwv3YME[Accessed:22/10/20]

Gouk, A (2012) Behing the Scenes: Promenade Theatre [Online] Available from: https://www.ayoungertheatre.com/behind-the-scenes-promenade-theatre/ [Accessed: 20/10/20]

Healthy Working Lives (2020) How to carry out a risk assessment [Online] Available from: https://www.healthyworkinglives.scot/workplace-guidance/risk-assessment/how-to/Pages/identify-hazards.aspx [Accessed: 08/11/2020]

Innes, C (ed.) (1993) Avant-Garde Theatre. London: Routledge (p.1)

Key, J (2019) Erwin Piscator [Online] Available from: https://newschoolhistories.org/people/https-perma-cc-4l4h-ek8c/ [Accessed: 12/11/20]

Krulik, S (2019) Where are they now?: The Original Broadway Cast of Rock of Ages [Online] Available from: https://www.playbill.com/article/where-are-they-now-the-original-broadway-cast-of-rock-of-ages [Accessed: 20/10/2020]

Mann, J (2016) What is Surrealism? [Online] Available from: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-what-is-surrealism [Accessed: 12/11/20]

Martinden110- YouTube (2011) Alfred Jarry UbuRoi.avi [Online] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWSxTqTjDLE[Accessed: 13/11/20]

MSG (2015) Importance of Ethics [Online] Available from: https://www.managementstudyguide.com/importance-of-ethics.htm [Accessed: 17/11/20]

Net Worth Roll (2020) Erwin Piscator Image [Online] https://networthroll.com/blog3/erwin-piscator-net-worth/ [Accessed: 12/11/20]

NPR (2010) Planning A Flash Mob? Better Keep It Quiet [Online] Available from: https://www.npr.org/2010/12/20/132205587/planning-a-flash-mob-better-keep-it-quiet?t=1604927200860 [Accessed: 09/11/20]

Pipenbring, D (2015) An inglorious slop-pail of a play [Online] Available from: https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/09/08/an-inglorious-slop-pail-of-a-play/ [Accessed: 19/10/20]

Patrick Kennelly- YouTube (2011) Sarah Kane’s “Cleansed”, directed by Patrick Kennelly [Online] Available from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ivqGPyagh4&list=PLipxRatmphTapE2fnN5oJQbTP3yOE1cR3&index=5[Accessed: 09/11/20]

Playbill- YouTube (2014) An Exclusive Tour of Immersive Theatre Experience "Speakeasy Dollhouse: The Bloody Beginning" [Online] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HswuSWWEsWI [Accessed: 09/11/20]

Proscenium at Rockwell (2015) Proscenium at Rockwell [Online] Available from: http://theprosceniumbyrockwell.com/proscenium-theater.html [Accessed: 15/10/20]

Secret Cinema (2020) History [Online] Available from: https://www.secretcinema.org/history [Accessed: 21/10/20]

Rushinstate-Youtube (2013) Curious Campus promenade performance- Stiltskin Theatre Co. [Online] Available from:https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=promenade+theatre+youtube&&view=detail&mid=3730D19428092093E9F13730D19428092093E9F1&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dpromenade%2Btheatre%2Byoutube%26FORM%3DHDRSC4 [Accessed: 17/11/20]

Sierz, A (2010) In-Yer Face Theatre: British Drama Today [Online] London: Faber & Faber Available from: https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=MjcgBQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT6&dq=in+yer+face+theatre&ots=IewqFdyUHs&sig=PkcvUrNzorhgOrQVDcQ1vnZWMPQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=in%20yer%20face%20theatre&f=false  [Accessed: 01/11/20]

Styan, J.L (ed.) (1981) Modern drama in theory and practice 2: Symbolism, Surrealism and the Absurd. United States of America: Cambridge University Press (pg.105)

Tate (2020) Avant-garde [Online] Available from: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/a/avant-garde [Accessed: 18/10/20]

Tate (2020) Dada [Online] Available from: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/d/dada [Accessed: 13/11/20]

Tate (2020) Surrealism [Online] Available from: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/s/surrealism [Accessed: 13/11/20

TeleCharge (2019) Rock of Ages [Online] Available from: https://www.telecharge.com/rockofages [Accessed: 21/10/20]

Theatre & Art (2014) Experimental Theatre or Trying Something New [Online] Available from: https://worldoftheatreandart.com/experimental-theatre-trying-something-new/ [Accessed: 18/10/20]

The Space (2020) What is immersive theatre? [Online] Available from: https://space.org.uk/2014/08/04/what-is-immersive-theatre/[Accessed: 20/10/20]

Theatres Trust (2020) What spaces make up a theatre? [Online] Available from: http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/discover-theatres/theatre-faqs/171-what-spaces-make-up-a-theatre [Accessed: 15/10/20]

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Due to the current circumstances and being in a second Covid-19 lockdown, there is a chance my original plans may not be able to go ahead. Venues are not letting visitors in during this time, so therefore I would not be able to relocate my performance. My contingency plan is to do a presentation, giving examples and showing what my project would have been like if it could take place, in as much detail as possible.

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-Plan

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An example of one dance I have taken inspiration from-

afroaphrodite (2012)

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An example of Promenade Theatre

rushinstate (2013)

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Promenade Movie Promenade Song Promenade Dance Move Promenade Dancing U2 Promenade Promenade Park Two-Step Promenade Waltz Promenade Promenade Music Promenade View Interior Foxtrot Promenade Promenade Soundtrack Promenade Music YouTube Tango Promenade Promenade Girl Promenade Runs Promenade Model Home Promenade Waltz Lessons Promenade Park FT Wayne U2 Promenade Lyrics Promenade NYC

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Character costume inspiration-

Fandom (2013)

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My character profile-

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Here is an example of my risk assessment for the theatre, where my performance is taking place. It clearly states on it what the hazards are, how it could harm someone and what I will be doing to prevent it, or if possible stop it from happening. (See Appendix 1 for full risk assessment)

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A clip of Ubu Roi

Martinden110 (2011)

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“The widest definition of in-yer-face theatre is any drama that takes the audience by the scruff of the neck and shakes it until it gets the message” (Sierz, 2014, pg.7) Sierz, A (2014) also states that in-yer-face theatre is supposed to touch a nerve and get controversial reactions. It pushes the boundaries on what should and should not be shown on stage or within a performance. It is supposed to make the audience uncomfortable. “Often such drama employs shock tactics or is shocking because it is new in tone or structure, or because it is bolder or more experimental than what audiences are used too.” (Sierz, 2014, pg.7) I wanted to include this technique in my project as it gives the audience a false sense of security, enabling me to get a bigger reaction and see for myself what really happens in an experimental theatre performance.

In-Yer-Face theatre also links in with Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty. According to Styan J.L (1981 pg.105) Antonin Artaud (1896-1948) was a legendary figure for avant-garde theatre. “He has become a cult figure and has been named as one of the strongest influences on new avant-garde production.” (Styan, 1981) Artaud was the practitioner for the theatre of cruelty. This technique is supposed to be shocking and extremely dramatic. “He called for a drama of savage shock-tactics, one which employed all the ancient arts of theatre magic to expose the audience to its own secret crimes and obsessions and hostilities.” (Styan, 1981, pg.108) He wanted a new experience for audiences, one that was very intense and out of their comfort zones. The idea was to get far away from any forms of traditional theatre and realism, Artaud believed it had been overdone.

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“Immersive theatre is a performance form emphasising the importance and design; curating tangible, sensual environments; and focusing on personal, individual audience experience.” (Eckert, 2017) The Space (2020) say that within immersive theatre the audience are involved in the show and experience. Performers fully involve everyone watching and make them feel as though they are a part of the story. The performance may be taking place around the audience or they might take on a role and become a character themselves.  “The lines between performer and audience, performance and life are blurred.” (The Space, 2020) They also state that performances take place in a different setting to usual. Rather than the show taking place on a stage, it is set in an environment suitable for the story, so the audience feels as though they are there. Immersive theatre began during the 19th century and has continued to develop ever since. “In the centuries that followed, things like murder mystery theatres, and haunted houses also put their intended audience into an environment and allowed them choice in how they viewed the story.” (The Space, 2020)

I originally got my inspiration to do an immersive performance from a company called Secret Cinema.  “Fusing film, music, art, theatre and dance, we create unique spaces for social encounters, adventures and discoveries where films come to life.” (Secret Cinema, 2020) As told by Secret Cinema (2020) Fabien Riggall started the company in 2007. They began in London by doing secret screenings of films in abandoned buildings, whereas now they are doing huge productions around the world. “...we create 360 degrees participatory Secret Worlds where the boundaries between performer and audience, set and reality are constantly shifting.” (Secret Cinema, 2020)  They send out an online invitation after the ticket has been purchased. The invitation includes the date and the secret location. As well as this it tells you the secret information about the story, what your mission is and what character you will be portraying. It is encouraged to dress for the occasion and get into character, but it is not essential. No phones are allowed within the experience, to ensure no information about the performance gets out, and the audience can enjoy it without looking down at their phones.

Immersive theatre is used within my performance as the audience are a part of it. The theatre is going to be set out as if everyone in there is a character. Performers are going to involve each individual and they can choose whether they want to participate or just watch.

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According to Gouk, A (2012) Promenade Theatre does not take place within a regular performance setting. Both the performers and audience share the same area, there is no space between them. “With no formal stage and the audience and actors occupying the same space, it allows for experimentations with both new and old plays and explores what the theatrical experience can entail for an audience.”(Gouk, 2012) The same feelings and reactions cannot be achieved within regular theatre, it is a completely different experience. The audience moves with the performance, almost as if they are a part of it. “As a theatrical experience, promenade productions seem to be something audience members thoroughly enjoy.” (Gouk, 2012)

Promenade theatre will be used within my performance, as the audience will be moving with us. They will not be sat stationary watching; everyone will move around with each scene.

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For my experimental theatre project, I will be doing an Immersive performance. The performance will be based on the musical Rock of Ages. I have got together a group of young reliable dancers to take part in my project, as well as other students on my course that are happy to be involved. Each performer will be given a role to undertake. The roles will all be taken from the musical. The aim of the performance is to make the audience feel as if they are in the movie. This project will also include elements of promenade theatre. It will be taking place in the theatre at The Grimsby Institute. However, rather than the audience being sat in the stalls and the performers being on stage, everyone will be together. The audience will move with the performance. The stage will be set up as the back-stage area of the bar that the characters work in, as if the people watching are in the movie. A performer will hand out tickets and backstage passes to the audience as they enter. This will set the scene and give the audience a bit of background about the place and characters. This should allow everyone to feel as though they are a part of the show. Scenes from the film will also be projected behind us as we perform, which is a technique first introduced by Erwin Piscator.

Halfway through my performance, there will start to be technical difficulties. This is something the audience will not expect. The lights and sound will slowly begin to go wrong, and nobody will know this is planned, not even the other performers. Myself and two other students, who will be helping me set it up, are the only people who will understand what is happening. An argument will break out between me and the actor who is supposed to be operating the technical side. It will come to an end by me storming out of the theatre. By doing this, I am going to get a variety of reactions from the audience. The dancers will not be told the plan, as this ensures that nothing will be given away, and their response to the situation will be genuine. As they are all under the age of 18, they will be escorted out of the theatre before the argument gets inappropriate. It will include bad language and behavior that will be shocking, to make everyone watching uncomfortable. This is known as in-yer-face theatre.

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Cash, J (2020) says that Erwin Piscator (1893-1966) was a theatre director from Germany. Piscator began his career in acting during 1914.He became an inspiration for using projections of images and videos within theatre productions. “...may not have been the first person to use projected images or film in stage plays, but he was certainly a pioneer in this area and one of the first to do so successfully.” (Cash, 2020) He used many projected images within his plays, which was something most audiences had not seen before. His ideas were later developed by Bertolt Brecht. Piscator used theatre as a source for change. “Ultimately, Piscator used the theatre as a means for social and political change.” (Cash, 2020) Erwin Piscator was the practitioner for epic theatre techniques. As well as this, he began documentary theatre. “He was also the founder of documentary theatre, a form of theatre that uses factual events as its basis.” (Cash, 2020) He used complicated staging, trying different forms of technology and sets to experiment with. “Piscator was known as a bold innovator, particularly in staging: he incorporated technology such as films, newsreels, flashing lights, sirens and loudspeakers that aided in the optics and acoustics of his works.” (Key, 2019)

Piscators techniques will appear within my work as I will be implementing the use of projections and sounds within my performance.

Net Worth Roll (2020)

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For my performance I have completed both a risk assessment and an ethics form. This is extremely important before doing any kind of performance.

“A risk assessment is a systematic method of looking at work activities, considering what could go wrong, and deciding on suitable control measures. These control measures are designed to eliminate, reduce or minimize the risks of loss, damage or injury in the workplace.” (Healthy Working Lives, 2020)

I have carried out a risk assessment for the theatre to ensure that any possible risks are reduced. As told by British Safety Council (2020) it is vital to carry out a risk assessment in any situation where there may be potential hazards.

“A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be carried out prior to a particular activity or task being carried out in order to eliminate, reduce or suitably control any associated risk to the health, safety and wellbeing of persons involved with (or affected by) the task/activity in question.” (British Safety Council, 2020)

According to MSG (2015) ethics forms are important as it ensures what you are doing is seen as fair and morally correct. “Being fair, honest and ethical is one the basic human needs.” (MSG, 2015) It allows you to write down what your intentions are, making sure any difficult topics are approached respectfully. “Ethics tries to create a sense of right and wrong in the organizations...” (MSG, 2015)  See appendix 2 for example.

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An example of Club Mob

Club Mob (2020)

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Masked Dancers Take Over London! They’re Back…

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An example of In-Yer-Face Theatre

Patrick Kennelly (2011)

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Sarah Kane's "Cleansed," directed by Patrick Kennelly

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-An example of Immersive theatre

Playbill (2014)

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An Exclusive Tour of Immersive Theatre Experience "Speakeasy Dollhouse: The Bloody Beginning"

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-An example of Secret Cinemas work

FUTURE (2015)

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Secret Cinema presents Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

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Before deciding on my final project, I initially had multiple different ideas and plans. To begin with I wanted to do a flash mob. “Flash mobs are sudden gatherings of people who briefly perform an unusual act, and then disperse like nothing had happened. They are supposed to seem spontaneous and surprise the public.” (NPR, 2010) I was interested in doing this after I had done some research into different flash mob companies. A company called Club Mob were my inspiration for this initial idea, their performances made me think about doing something similar. “Club Mob is an original surprise company, launched in 2014 by a group of professional dancers and singers who keep it original and unique, every time.” (Club Mob, 2020)

Another idea I had was to teach a dance session and for something to go wrong. This is like what I will include within my final performance. It is also a form of in-yer-face theatre. I wanted an argument to start between myself and another teacher who knew what was happening, to see the reaction of the participants. I developed this and put it together with another idea to devise my performance. After some thought I knew I was going to do an immersive musical theatre performance, but I did not want that to be all that happened. I wanted to have a twist that will shock the audience and make them feel uncomfortable. This is were my final idea began.

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-Where the performance will take place

Houlten.co.uk (2020)

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I will be doing an immersive performance based on the musical Rock of Ages. As told by Krulik, S (2019) Rock of Ages was first performed on Broadway in 2009 before later being made into a movie in 2012. It is set in Los Angeles during the 80s and is known as a jukebox musical. Meaning, the musical is made up of well-known, popular songs, rather than original ones. “...includes classic rock hits from artists of the time, such as Bon Jovi and Journey...” (Krulik, 2019) The story follows a young girl who moves to LA and falls in love. They both share an interest in performing and rock music. They get to know each other whilst working at a local bar.

I have chosen this musical because it includes a variety of music that I know the audience will enjoy and join in with. They are all different tempos and styles of rock music, meaning some can be sung whilst others can be upbeat dance pieces. As well as this, I got a lot of inspiration for choreography from the movie. I have chosen the songs and dance sections for the performance based on my favourite scenes.

Telecharge.com (2019)

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As stated by Brotchie, A (2011) Alfred Jarry (1873-1907) was a French writer. At the age of 34 he passed away after he became legendary in Paris. As told by Budick, A (2020) Alfred Jarry had always been very original. He would dress and act completely different to everyone else. “Jarry cultivated a look that would be edgy even today, swathing himself in tattered black outfits held together with safety pins and shoelaces.” (Budick, 2020) He spent most of his life under the influence of alcohol or other substances.  Jarry is well known for being the author of Ubu Roi. ‘The play was a profound attack on the eras complacency.’ (Pipenbring, 2015) According to Pipenbring, D (2015) Ubu Roi was an extremely controversial parody of Shakespeare's Macbeth. All the performers wore masks, and the background was plain. The performance first started in 1896, at this time the audience did not approve. “It was not long into opening night that, then, the crowd began to bray.” (Pipenbring, 2015) Everyone watching became uncomfortable and started to rebel against the performance. ‘...A riot broke out after the curtain went down.” (Pipenbring, 2015) Everyone at the time was shocked and had never seen anything like it. Alum Media (2020) states that Ubu Roi was first performed in a theatre in Paris, they put a stop to it after two performances. “Ubu Roi, however, was an innovative, avant-garde satire on power, greed and malfeasance.” (Alum Media, 2020) It was vulgar and completely inappropriate, especially for its time. Jarry became an inspiration for Surrealists and Dadaists.

“Surrealism’s goal was to liberate thought, language, and human experience from the oppressive boundaries of rationalism.” (Mann, 2016) As told by Tate (2020) surrealism is taken from the vision of an individual whilst unconscious or dreaming. Surrealists create art from their dazed thoughts, whilst in a dreamlike state. “Dada was an art movement formed during the first World War in Zurich in negative reaction to the horrors and folly of the war.” (Tate, 2020) According to Artland (2020) Dadaism was a clever way of educating people on serious and political issues of that time, whilst keeping them entertained.

Frieze (2020)
Portrait of Alfred Jarry (1896)

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According to Theatre & Art (2014) during the late 19th century, practitioners began seeing performers as artists. Meaning they were given chance to show their creativity and interpret performances in their own way, this was the start of experimental theatre. Experimental theatre is trying something new and doing something that the audience has not seen before. This type of theatre usually does not take place in traditional theatre spaces. It also involves audience participation. “Audience participation can range from asking volunteers to go onstage to having actors scream in audience members faces, the performer invites the audience to feel a certain way.” (Theatre & Art, 2014) It may also be known as avant-garde theatre. “As applied to art, avant-garde means art that is innovatory, introducing or exploring new forms or subject matter.” (Tate, 2020)

“Avant Garde has become a ubiquitous label, eclectically applied to any type of art that is anti-traditional in form.” (Innes, 1993, p.1) Innes, C (1993) states that avant-garde theatre creates a difference in opinions as well as sparks an interest amongst people in theatre. It may be influential and discuss issues that would not usually be addressed. “However, beneath the diversity there is a clearly identifiable unity of purpose and interest (at least in theatre) which has all the characteristics of a coherent trend...” (Innes, 1993 p.1) As told by Aronson, A (2000) originally avant-garde was intended to change society, make people think about the issues going on around them and maybe even change their way of thinking. “In fact, a true avant-garde theatre must seek an essential change in audience perceptions that, in turn, will have a profound impact on the relationship of the spectator to the world.” (Aronson, 2000)

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Proscenium at Rockwell (2015)

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“Traditionally, there is a hierarchical method of creating theatre- a writer writes a script, a director interprets it for the stage, and the performers perform.” (Theatre & Art, 2014)

As told by Theatres Trust (2020) a traditional space for theatre has a proscenium arch. This is the frame that surrounds the stage, which splits the backstage area from the auditorium. This traditional theatre venue originates from Victorian times. “A proscenium arch theatre is what many people think of as a traditional theatre space which developed from the Victorian trend of wanting to view a production through an ornate picture-frame.” (Theatres Trust, 2020) They also state that traditionally the backstage area of theatres have space for the technical aspects and performance preparation. These are located either side of the stage, above and below it. Any light or sound control generally takes place behind the audience in a control room, ensuring it is not in the way of anyone watching the performance. There is often an orchestra pit in front of the stage.

As stated by Theatre & Art (2014) traditionally in theatre there was a very fine line between what was acceptable and what was not. Originally, naturalism was the most popular technique used. “Naturalism in drama refers to the belief that a play should try to represent reality as closely as possible.” (Ask Media Group, 2020) At this time, practitioners played it very safe and did not push any boundaries when it came to being controversial.