Prototype - Experiments in Theatre

On November 15th 2009, we presented an extract from The Tempest at the Tobacco Factory as part of Prototype – Experiments in Theatre. For more information about Prototype, please visit http://www.theatrebristol.net/

Prototype is an opportunity for people to show ideas to an audience about work in progress, to ask the audience questions and get feedback about the work. Prototype is held about four times a year and gives different groups or individuals the chance to test out their ideas before they develop a completed piece of work.

On 15th November, we were made very welcome and we had some useful and helpful feedback from the audience. We enjoyed seeing other people’s work too. Previously, we had been to about three other Prototypes as audience members before we did this one. They are great events and a good way to meet people, share ideas and get positive feedback.

The scene we did from The Tempest was the death of Sycorax and we asked the audience members three questions about the extract. We had the following feedback, care of Katie Keeler at Theatre Bristol. Katie said,

Lots of people told me how interested they are in your work and how much they had enjoyed the extract. The consensus was that it is fantastic and very unusual to see a large cast of interesting people and that there is a certain presence about the work – moving and atmospheric. Here are the notes from the evening.

What did you think of the puppet representing a young Caliban, did it work?

Completely understood it. Delivered very well.
Would have liked a little bit more movement.
Simplicity was good – but a little static.
Yes – a little bit more movement. Perhaps hands and arms - would heighten personality.
Voice on the other side would be better.
Why are you using a puppet if you don’t want to use it! Why not use a puppet?

I think the stillness of the figure is really lovely. It doesn’t matter to me that he doesn’t move. Presence in the space is nice.

What did you think of our use of poetry in this scene?

The poetry was very well delivered. It was very moving.
I liked the sense of it being read rather than being learnt. It was like a book illustration combination with the static figure. How about moving the background?

Do you think the cardboard tubes worked?

It was very symbolic. The loneliness of being surrounded but being completely alone. The music and the concentration was very moving.
I felt that something needed to happen with the tubes before they go off again.