In this latest edition of Buried Treasure, John Maguire of ArtsGroupie CIC explores the creative spark within us all and reflects on how Physical Fest continues to inspire artists and audiences alike.
In this column, I often look at heritage and treasures in the Liverpool City Region from an external perspective. Today, however, I am going to focus on the buried treasure within the individual: the imagination and creativity we all possess.
Theatre and the arts can act like tinder, igniting a whole array of feelings within the spectator and serving as a powerful catalyst for inspiration.
As we head into autumn and the unpredictable weather that comes with it, September sees the return of Physical Fest at the Unity Theatre. Always, when I attend this festival, I come away with so many ideas. It is, for me, a creative M.O.T.
Physical theatre blends movement, dance, mime, and ensemble storytelling. It’s a festival that challenges what theatre usually looks like. Experiencing international masters and diverse movement styles firsthand is a unique opportunity that enhances any artists work.
As a young practitioner, my own early exposure to the world of physical theatre at the Unity pushed me to go on to study at Aberystwyth University. There, I explored all kinds of physical expression through workshops with so many practitioners like, theatre makers from The Berliner Ensemble and Etienne Decroux’s school. Plus, consistent movement work with Mike Pearson, pioneer of Brith Gof, one of the most radical, site-specific theatre companies making raw, industrial work.
This festival brings examples of top-class physical theatre into one venue. Eli Randle, the Founder, shared the origins and evolution of the festival: “Physical Fest started many moons ago, back in 2005, as a small workshop festival. At the time, my co-director Yorgos and I were travelling constantly around Europe, training with different practitioners and discovering new approaches to physical theatre. We thought, ‘Why not bring them to Liverpool?’”
Heavily inspired by Hope Street’s Physical Theatre course, the festival became a way of connecting Liverpool with the wider physical theatre world. Over the years, it has helped build a real physical theatre community and has been a constant source of inspiration for Eli and Tmesis Theatre.
“At a time when new borders and barriers can make international exchange more difficult, it feels increasingly important that we continue to connect with practitioners from around the world, to collaborate, be challenged, share ideas, and discover different ways of making art. Physical theatre has always been my preferred theatrical language. I love its ability to transcend culture and borders, and to communicate through something universal: the body.”
I asked some of the artists to tell me how the festival has affected them.
“Physical Fest is the best! It creates and warmly invites a diverse community of passionate people to celebrate and learn together. It has inspired me so much in my art, thank you.” — Jamie Wood, Artist
“Physical Fest is an amazing opportunity for emerging artists to access training with some of the best performers and practitioners in the world. Being part of Physical Fest and Tmesis Training Company opened up my professional network and allowed me to develop skills that supported me in future auditions and work… It’s an incredible chance to experience innovative work at accessible prices right here at a local theatre, saving you a trip to bigger cities like London.” — Mariana Pires, Performer & Emerging Artist
Physical Fest remains intimate and accessible. Who knows what spark it might trigger within you, or what creativity may emerge from sharing that collective space?
Physical Fest is Liverpool’s international festival of contemporary physical theatre, celebrating some of the world’s most exciting visual and movement-based performance. Produced by Tmesis Theatre, the festival brings bold new work from across the globe to the North for the first time, alongside a vibrant seven-day programme of performances, workshops and events.
Running from Monday 7th — Saturday 12th September, this year, the performance programme at Unity Theatre, features an exciting mix of clowning, physical theatre and circus from Belgium and Italy, captivating Japanese physical performance, and outstanding new work by local and national artists.
Full programme at:tmesistheatre.com/physical-fest.