COVID
CONSEQUENCES
June 2022 - An Update
After a 2 year pause we are back
-much to do and much to explain-
but first
watch the “Mimika in 2 Minutes” video
It's all about Mimika - and it lasts 2 minutes.
2022 and 3 big things to do:-
1. Deliver and develop the ARCTIC EXPERIMENT
2. Reinvent the Tent as a Covid safe space
3. R&D on "The SEASONS" show
1. Deliver and develop the ARCTIC EXPERIMENT
2. Reinvent the Tent as a Covid safe space
3. R&D on "The SEASONS" show
1. ARCTIC - an experiment
Two weeks before the first performances of "The Arctic" were due to take place, Covid 19 struck.
Performances in our tent were no longer possible so we locked down and waited.
Performances in our tent were no longer possible so we locked down and waited.
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We knew "normal" wasn't coming back soon.
Finally we agreed to make it an online experience for schools.
Soon a new label - "ARCTIC" will appear in the menu above,
the experiment will begin there.
2. The TENT - a reinvent
For 25 years our beautiful calico covered, dome shaped portable theatre housed our performances and took us around the country, the continent and the world.
The real star of every Mimika performance is the tent, it does more than let us present theatre - it allows us to create worlds.
March 16th 2020 at Square Chapel Arts Centre in Halifax
(Our favourite venue in the UK)
we did our last performance in the tent before Covid struck.
The small, intimate, snug, enclosed special space was no longer safe.
Most of the strengths became weaknesses in the face of an aerosol transmitted infection.
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While the future for the closed tent looks bleak there are ideas and plans for developing a safer "OPEN" version. If the open tent idea works then we can get back to touring. Another item will then appear in the menu: "THE TENT". LATEST NEWS: In June we get to test the new tent idea at Heyhouse School in Lytham Saint. Annes. (Our favourite school) |
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3. R&D for "The SEASONS" - a new show
In 1996 we laid down plans to develop a 3 show sequence of non verbal performances for our portable venue.
Each show would begin at Sunrise and end at Sunset.
Hence:-
Each show would begin at Sunrise and end at Sunset.
Hence:-
The SUNRISE TRILOGY
2000 - "Landscapes" (First tours of Canada and the United States.)
A journey to four contrasting areas of
the natural world in one day.
2010 - "small worlds" (World Premiere in Singapore, European Premiere in Madrid.)
One day in one place featuring the interconnected stories of 6 different characters.
One day in one place featuring the interconnected stories of 6 different characters.
2022 - "Seasons" planned for 2020 but postponed because of "The Arctic" and Covid 19 - proper work begins this year.
One year presented in the form of a single day.
What can we say about the show?
Here are a couple of hints:-
Here are a couple of hints:-
It will feature Micro Animations.
For example - Sunrise in Japan
For example - Sunrise in Japan
It will feature Micro Props.
For example - A Matchstick Deckchair
For example - A Matchstick Deckchair
And the Micro Props will be housed in Micro Sets.
For example - A Lollipop Seaside
For example - A Lollipop Seaside
When an item labelled "Seasons" appears in the menu -
Check it out.
Check it out.
But there is...
ONE MORE THING.
As a self employed couple making stuff up and taking it around the world for over 40 years we have not followed a clear or established formal career structure.
Our informal working status has therefore been: make as much stuff up as we can and let as many people see it as possible.
Following the Covid induced 2 year hiatus and because of an ongoing mobility issue
(yes - just like the Queen)
we are altering our unofficial working status.
We explained the situation to a friend and he said:-
You will be "semi-retired."
We thought about it and we agreed.
What does it mean?
It means we carry on as before but making stuff up will take a bit longer and we will be presenting it to fewer audiences.
How much?
Let's wait and see.
Jenny & Bill