Why Colin’s world tour is so different

Over the years, I have done a lot of touring in a van, and I am embarrassed to admit that I hardly remember any of the hundreds of venues I visited, because we arrived, set up, performed, maybe hit the pub, then went to our digs, to then set off to the next venue after breakfast.

I don’t fancy that any more.

I would like to come to your village hall/community centre and offer a workshop or two, a performance or two, I would like to stay there the night before, so I can walk around a bit, meet a few folk. I don’t want to set off at the crack of dawn, I want to smell the flowers.

The space itself doesn’t need to be a purpose-built theatre. Based on my time working at Shakespeare’s Globe, and with my Factory friends, and teaching and directing drama students, I think it is worth embracing the reality that we are in the same space together, breathing the same air. We don’t need to be separated by putting you in the dark and me in bright light, we don’t need to be separated by giving me a mic and amplified sound. Nothing wrong with all that. It’s just not what this piece is.

I want to meet you. Then I want you to meet the show. I want us to play together, gently play.

I don’t want to embarrass you, or manipulate you, or make fun of you… I want to talk with you, using some of Shakespeare’s words. And together, gently, hand in hand, we can listen to some of Shakespeare’s thoughts, ideas, insights.

But first and foremost it has to be fun. Yep, I’ve said it again, the “f” word: fun.

Would you like a show to happen near you?

This is all you need to know...

Any questions… Just drop us a message

If you are considering inviting me to your venue, here are my technical requirements...

Lighting:

No extra lights. One lighting state (neutral, whatever the venue has as their default).

No lighting cues during the performance.

Sound:

No sound operator required. Sound effects operated by the actor as part of the action, using an iphone and a small portable speaker.

Venue to provide:

One table (approx. 50cm x 70cm, height approx. 70cm)

1 bench (length approx. 120cm, height approx. 50cm), or 2 wooden blocks, or 2 stools or chairs (see photo)

1 chair at the back of the space to rest script and spectacles on.

I will provide:

Wooden signage, see attached photo, can be attached to back wall, or can rest against back wall (see photo)

Cardboard cutout figures, to be placed around the space, including in any vacant seats (see photo)

All other props, which fit into my wooden box.

No fire risks, no flames.

No physical risk, no height work.

Audience interaction is gentle, respectful, involves no physical contact, and no audience members are invited into the playing space.

Age guidance 15+

Verbal violence (Lear curses his daughter with infertility)

Death (symbolic, a mask murders a scarf)

Partial nudity (Lear half-moons the audience, that is, exposes upper buttocks for a brief moment).

Depiction of mental health issues (poor anger management, dementia-type confusion)

Performance area:

4 meters wide x 3 meters deep

I can easily adapt to (and enjoy) larger spaces

Audience size:

Minimum 40

Maximum 350 (but can be flexible)

Seating arrangement:

Ideally, I would like a thrust setup, minimum 6-10 seats on each side, with the majority seated front-on, but if side seating is not possible, I can easily adapt.

Get-in time:

3 hours

I can set up the space myself, if the previously mentioned furniture is supplied. This takes an hour, and then I run through the piece, feeling out the space.

Marketing:

I can supply templates for flyers and posters. Pre-designed posters and flyers available.

I have a detailed program / programme that will be for sale on the night.

I publish details of every performance on my Instagram account (and therefore FaceBook), and on my Website: learsshadow.co.uk

Happy to pursue any other avenues suggested by the Venue (I can provide a pack of assets (images, reviews, audience responses, my biog, a brief description of/introduction to the piece). Happy to do interviews.

I can also provide workshops on performance, drawing on my experience of playing at Shakespeare’s Globe, playing with The Factory Theatre Company (stripped back, experimental pop-up Shakespeare, in unconventional spaces), and teaching Classical Acting at LAMDA .

My workshops can include any of the following:

Playing The Space You’re In
Making Friends With The Verse,
Circles of Concentration
A Mobile Style of Acting
Actioning Starter Pack
Walking The Angles

I can also provide a touch tour, and/or brief pre-show audio description intro for the blind.