TheaterÜbung

Theatre creation as a powerful tool to study human behaviour.

Beyond Words: Sculpting Theatre in Three Dimensions

 

I remember a moment from the ’90s that still makes me smile. I was pitching a new piece to a fringe venue in London, pouring my heart into ideas around trust and betrayal. Suddenly, the artistic director stopped me mid-sentence and asked, “What’s your USP? We only book things that are outrageously funny or in-your-face controversial.” 

That bluntness stuck with me. That question about uniqueness stayed in my mind, as I continued searching for a language to express my ideas.

Years later, I found myself using the word plastisch more and more in my workshops. There isn’t a direct English translation; the closest might be “sculptural” or “three-dimensional”. For me, plastisch means making a scene feel so real, so concrete, that it becomes almost tangible. And that’s when I realized: the true question isn’t about genre or style; it’s about creating something alive — something you can feel in the space.

This idea of plastisch has roots in my childhood in Switzerland. I remember the Rhythmik classes, where we’d jump around, making funny shapes while someone improvised on the piano. I thought it was just a quirky part of Swiss culture. But years later, I discovered that Rhythmik was part of an influential movement, pioneered by Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, a Swiss composer who blended rhythmic training with artistic expression. His method was revolutionary, laying foundations for modern dance and performing arts. Even the iconic band Eurythmics borrowed their name from his work.

Recently, I came across Dalcroze’s Plastische Studien, a series of piano pieces meant for movement studies. Just the title was enough to spark a wave of ideas, as if he had given a name to this unshakable feeling I had about theatre. These pieces have inspired a new project — a movement choir that we’ll be staging by Lake Zürich in 2025 as part of our Swiss festival.

For now, I’m excited to bring the concept of plastisch to my Mime London Workshop 2025 at Shoreditch Town Hall. In this workshop, we’ll dig into our experiences and personal histories, warming up to the idea of a plastische creation. Together, we’ll shape small scenes, learning to truly inhabit our bodies and the space around us. Imagine it as taking a walk through a new landscape, but instead of looking, we’re feeling our way forward, step by step, discovering the joy of being fully present in a three-dimensional, almost sculptural way.

TheaterÜbung at MimeLondon

 

We are excited to bring TheaterÜbung back to MimeLondon! This immersive workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore the profound connections between theatre and music. Participants will engage in exercises designed to expand physical awareness and spatial presence, discovering new ways to express and observe human behaviour.

Whether you’re an actor, director, musician, or simply curious, join us for a transformative experience in theatre creation.

London International MIME Festival

2024 Festival
20. – 21. September – Lachen (SZ)

TheaterÜbung Festival 2024 startet am 20. September mit einem Künstler-Workshop, gefolgt vom Open Day am 21. September, bei dem Besucher spielerisch in Bewegung und Theater eintauchen können.

 

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