Told by an Idiot

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Told By An Idiot
Company typeCharity and company limited by guarantee
FounderHayley Carmichael, Paul Hunter, John Wright
FateOperational
HeadquartersUnicorn Theatre,
London

Told by an Idiot are a British theatre company[1] which specialises in devised and physical theatre.[2] Following their 1995 Edinburgh Fringe Festival debut,[3] the group, also known as The Idiots, continue to create comedies based on bleak source material.[1] Throughout their career, the outfit’s core members Hayley Carmichael, Paul Hunter and John Wright collaborated with The Royal Shakespeare Company,[4] Scottish actor Richard Wilson, and poet laureates Carol Anne Duffy[5] and Simon Armitage.[2]

History[edit]

Paul Hunter and British actress Hayley Carmichael formed the company with their former drama teacher John Wright[1] after graduating from Middlesex Polytechnic in 1993.[6]

The outfit debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a play inspired by Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. Hunter and Carmichael’s debut offering titled, On the Verge of Exploding received a nomination for the Independent Theatre Award. Subsequently, the London International Mime Festival hosted the play at their annual event in London.[5]

In 1995 the outfit created a play inspired by Emir Kusturica’s film, Time of the Gypsies titled, I’m So Big.[7] The adaptation which John Wright described as ‘a brutally comic fable’,[8] aired at the Battersea Arts Centre. I’m so Big told the story of Romani brothers: Maximo and Fredo who kidnap a prostitute to survive. Actor and director, Hayley Carmichael played Lady, the kidnapped prostitute.[8]

Their fourth production, I Weep at My Piano, reinforced the troupe’s favourable position amongst theatre goers.[3] Northern Stage commissioned the show in 1998 for the Lorca Festival in Newcastle upon Tyne. The production, a tribute to the Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca, a contemporary of Salvador Dalí and Luis Bunuel addressed Lorca’s untimely death with theatrical absurdity set to a melancholic soundscape.[3]

The cohort’s version of Argentinian Julio Llinas short story and film, Shoot Me in the Heart played at the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill. Llinas’ fairy tale about Andrea, a nomadic bachelor who falls in love with Carlotta, an adult woman who stopped growing at the age of seven, revealed both physical theatre’s limitations and strengths.[9] Told in the cohort’s esoteric style, the actors played the parts of horses, bells and garden gnomes. The production divided opinion, “This is as much a celebration of theatrical possibility as of prejudice-confounding love. It delights in subverting expectations, in stylising reactions and in overlapping scenes, absurdly.”[10] Art critic Michael Billington pointed out that the plot relies heavily on the passage of time which did not come across in the troupe’s rendering.[9]

Style[edit]

Both Carmichael and Hunter admit that their spontaneous approach often verges on the chaotic.[1] Carmichael cites Jacques Lecoq and his Parisian school of physical theatre as an overarching influence on the outfit’s theatrical style, with one difference; Lecoq favoured style and technique, while The Idiots seek out stories.[1] Additionally, they often eschew psychology for ‘lazoo’ a Commedia dell’arte term for a comic routine.[1]

The actors gravitate towards bleak source material, and tonal tension characterises much of their work.[1] They combine hard thinking with tomfoolery and handle difficult topics with irreverence. For example, they took a romp-style look at Alzheimer's disease and terrorist groups.[1]

Collaborations[edit]

The troupe occasionally collaborates with poets, writers and jazz musicians.[5]

The company’s first collaboration with a writer, Happy Birthday, Mr Deka D by Nigerian Novelist Biyi Bandele proved challenging for the thespians, who previously shunned theatre’s scripted format for devised theatre.[2]

The company struck a partnership with screen actor and theatre director Richard Wilson for their production of the Presnyakov Brothers’ black comedy Playing the Victim. Wilson, known for his sensitive, psychological character-led approach was an unusual pairing for Told By an Idiot, who claim to use scripts rarely, or as Carmichael puts it, "We just jump right in at the deep end and make loads of stuff up."[2] To complicate matters, The Presnyakov Brothers relied upon Sasha Dugdale, a Russian to English translator to communicate in English. On paper, the brother’s play, a comedy about a heroine who stars in reconstructions of lurid crimes seemed like a fertile common ground for the physical theatre cohort and the One Foot In The Grave lead.[2] While Told by an Idiot adapted their approach to the demands of scripted performance, Wilson admitted to not changing his habits to suit his collaborators. Meanwhile, Presnyakov Brothers, operating under the belief that they are not real writers, but just playing at being writers were reportedly unaffected by the difference in creative approaches allowing the director and company to redact large parts of their opus.[2]

The play’s reviews varied. Critic Michael Billington described it as “a play that feels like Orton's Loot without the concomitant wit”.[11] However, crime writer Ian Rankin, speaking on the BBC’s Newsnight described the production as, “one of the best ensemble pieces I've seen for a long time.”[12]

Former poet laureate Carol Anne Duffy collaborated with the company for their fictional account of Giacomo Casanova’s life.[13] Unlike the original 18th century writer and Italian, Duffy and Told by an Idiot’s protagonist of the same name retained the promiscuity that led historians to revere Casanova. However, they changed Casanova’s sex to female, thus rendering her vulnerable to pregnancy, physical abuse and declining beauty.[14] The comedy’s jokes included the protagonist giving birth on London bridge and giving her child away to George III;[13] and Casanova having sex with a monk in several different positions whilst a seagull looks on.[14]

The Fahrenheit Twins[edit]

The Fahrenheit Twins was an adaptation of Michel Faber’s story of two identical twins living in an arctic exploration station.[15] The siblings’ anthropologist parents, preoccupied with monitoring a local tribe, fail to see that their children have developed survival rituals of their own. The twins believe they can ward off change by blinding an arctic fox every year before the creature witnesses the first snow of the season.[16]

The Firework-Maker’s Daughter[edit]

In 2004, the troupe adapted Sir Philip Pullman’s novella The Firework-Maker’s Daughter. The production explores themes of maturity, happiness and independence through the story of a girl wishing to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a firework maker despite her father’s desire to marry her off. The company’s rendition combined the fairy-tale-like aspects of Pullman’s novella with pantomime humour. The production debuted in Sheffield with Carmichael cast as the lead. Initially, some criticised the show for its slowness, diffusiveness and self-indulgence. However, later performances condensed the production to two hours, including an interval.[17]

My Perfect Mind[edit]

The company’s first two-hander My Perfect Mind based on Edward Petherbridge’s experience of suffering a stroke whilst preparing to play the lead role in William Shakespeare’s King Lear.[18] Despite the stroke leaving Petherbridge partially paralysed, he could remember King Lear's script in its entirety.[19]

Actor Kathryn Hunter directed the ninety-minute performance which relied heavily on slapstick, Anglocentric farcical stylings[18] and a tilted stage.[19] Petherbridge played himself, while Paul Hunter played a series of fall guys such as a German neurologist, Romanian Shakespeare professor and the English actor Laurence Olivier. Based on real-life events, the story recalls the circumstances leading up to Petherbridge’s stroke, his rehabilitation and 2010 west-end comeback.[18] The performance blended autobiographical re-enactments of Petherbridge’s life with recitals from King Lear, theatrical in-jokes and metaphysical posits about old age, and the human mind and body's resilience.[19]

I Am Thomas[edit]

The 2016 production titled I Am Thomas, a collaboration with current poet laureate Simon Armitage, told the story of Scottish Student Thomas Aikenhead and his execution for blasphemy in 1697. The play’s central theme is freedom of speech and its title referenced Je Suis Charlie in a show of solidarity with the murdered Charlie Hebdo cartoonists. While not directly referencing the Charlie Hebdo Shooting, the work depicts Aikenhead as a free-speech martyr. Director Paul Hunter claims that instead of a liberal, atheist attack on religion, the play was primarily concerned with tolerance and acceptance.[20]

Napoleon Disrobed[edit]

In 2018, the company adapted Simon Leys’ Novella Napoleon Disrobed, an alternative history of Napoleon Bonaparte’s last days. Paul Hunter played Napoleon, while Ayesha Antoine played the supporting characters. The 80-minute production speculated about what might have happened had Napoleon escaped exile in St Helena in modern times.[21]

Productions[edit]

Production Based on/adapted from Produced by Directed by Venue/toured Year
The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel’s early careers Told by an Idiot & Theatre Royal Plymouth with Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Unity Theatre Paul Hunter Wilton’s Music Hall as London International Mime Festival, Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg & UK Tour 2019-2020
All You Need Is LSD All You Need Is LSD by Leo Butler Told by an Idiot & Birmingham Repertory Theatre Paul Hunter and Stephen Harper UK Tour 2018
Let Me Play The Lion Too N/A Told by an Idiot & Barbican Centre Paul Hunter Barbican Centre 2018
Kill Will Willian Shakespeare Told by an Idiot Paul Hunter Barbican Centre 2018
Napoleon Disrobed The Death of Napoleon by Simon Leys [17] Told by an Idiot, Theatre Royal Plymouth & Arcola Theatre Kathryn Hunter UK Tour 2018
Get Happy N/A Told by an Idiot & Barbican Centre Paul Hunter Barbican Centre, Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Comedy Theatre Beijing, Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2013-2020
Heads Will Roll N/A Told by an Idiot & Theatre Royal Plymouth Paul Hunter UK Tour 2016
Cabaret of Blood N/A Told by an Idiot & Hijinx Theatre Stephen Harper Wales Millennium Centre 2016
I Am Thomas The story of Thomas Aikenhead, the last person to be executed for Blasphemy in Great Britain. Told by an Idiot, National Theatre Scotland & Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, in association with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Paul Hunter UK Tour 2016[20]
My Perfect Mind King Lear by William Shakespeare Told by an Idiot, The Young Vic & Theatre Royal Plymouth Kathryn Hunter Young Vic London, New York, USA, Teatre Barcelona, Spain & UK Tour 2013-2015
The Ghost Train The Ghost Train by Arnold Ridly Told by an Idiot in association with the Royal Exchange, Manchester Paul Hunter Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester 2015
Never Try This At Home N/A Told by an Idiot & Birmingham Repertory Theatre in association with Soho Theatre Paul Hunter UK Tour 2014
Too Clever by Half Too Clever By Half by Alexandr Ostrovsky Told by an Idiot in association with the Royal Exchange, Manchester Paul Hunter Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester 2013
A Midsummer Night’s Dream A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare Told by an Idiot and Svenska Theatre Paul Hunter Svenska Theatre, Finland 2012
You Can’t Take It with You You Can’t Take It With You by George S. Kaufman and Moss Heart Told by an Idiot in association with the Royal Exchange, Manchester Paul Hunter Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester 2011
And the Horse You Rode In On N/A Told by an Idiot & Theatre Royal Plymouth Commissioned by the Barbican and Brighton Festival Paul Hunter UK Tour 2011
The Dark Philosophers The Dark Philosophers by Gwyn Thomas Told by an Idiot & National Theatre Wales Paul Hunter Edinburgh Festival & UK Tour 2010 - 2011
The Comedy of Errors The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare Told by an Idiot & Royal Shakespeare Company Paul Hunter RSC, Stratford Upon Avon and New York, USA 2010-2011
The Fahrenheit Twins The Fahrenheit Twins by Michel Faber Told by an Idiot & Theatre Royal Plymouth Matthew Dunster UK Tour 2009[16]
Beauty and the Beast Beauty and The Beast Told by an Idiot, Warwick Arts Centre & Lyric Hammersmith Paul Hunter Lyric Hammersmith and Warwick Arts Centre 2007/2008 and 2008/2009
Casanova By Carol Ann Duffy Told by an Idiot, West Yorkshire Playhouse & Lyric Hammersmith Paul Hunter UK Tour 2007[13]
The Evocation of Papa Mas N/A Told by an Idiot, Nitro and Theatre Royal Plymouth John Wright Brighton Festival & UK Tour 2006
I’m A Fool to Want You Based on the life and work of French novelist Boris Vian Told by an Idiot, Commissioned by BAC Paul Hunter Edinburgh Festival, Battersea Arts Centre as part of London International Mime Festival, International Theater Festival Venezuela & UK Tour 2005
Playing the Victim Playing the Victim by the Presnyakov Brothers Told by an Idiot and Royal Court Theatre Richard Wilson Edinburgh International Festival & UK Tour 2003[12]
The Firework-Maker's Daughter The Firework-Maker's Daughter By Philip Pullman Told by an Idiot and Lyric Hammersmith Paul Hunter & Hayley Carmichael UK Tour 2003-2005[17]
A Little Fantasy short stories by Flannery O’Connor Told by an Idiot & London International Mime Festival Paul Hunter Soho Theatre as part of London International Mime Festival & UK Tour 2001-2002
I Can’t Wake Up N/A Told by an Idiot & Unity Theatre John Wright UK Tour 2001
Aladdin Aladdin Told by an Idiot & Lyric Theatre Hammersmith John Wright Lyric Hammersmith 2001-2002
Shoot Me in The Heart De eso no se habla by Julio Llinas Told by an Idiot & Gate Theatre, London Paul Hunter & Hayley Carmichael Gate Theatre, London, RSC Stratford Upon Avon & UK Tour 2000
Happy Birthday Mr Deka D Happy Birthday Mr Deka D by Biyi Bandele Told by an Idiot & Unity Theatre John Wright Lyric Hammersmith, Berlin Theatre Festival & UK Tour 1999
I Weep at My Piano The relationship between Salvador Dalí, Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Bunuel Told by an Idiot, Northern Stage & London International Mime Festival Paul Hunter Battersea Arts Centre as part of London International Mime Festival & UK Tour 1998-1999
Don’t Laugh It’s My Life Moliere's Tartuffe Told by an Idiot John Wright Battersea Arts Centre & UK Tour 1997-1998
You Haven’t Embraced Me Yet N/A Told by an Idiot, Commissioned by the Unity Theatre, Liverpool, Supported by Middlesex University John Wright Battersea Arts Centre, London & UK Tour 1996-1997
I’m So Big Emir Kusturica's film, Time of the Gypsies Unity Theatre John Wright Battersea Arts Centre, London & UK Tour 1995-1996
On the Verge of Exploding One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez Middlesex University John Wright Edinburgh Festival and Battersea Arts Centre 1993

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Trueman, Matt (2013-12-06). "Onstage anarchy with British theatre company Told By An Idiot". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2019-09-29. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Logan, Brian (2003-08-13). "I don't believe it". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2015-12-28. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  3. ^ a b c Macwhirter, Lain (1999-01-16). "Carole Woddis I Weep at My Piano, BAC (part of the London Mime Festival)". The Herald (Glasgow). Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  4. ^ "Documentary : The comedy of errors / Digital Theatre in association with Royal Shakespeare Company and Told by an Idiot". Australian Government. Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  5. ^ a b c Love, Katherine (2016-03-04). "Told by an Idiot: 'We're serious about our comedy'". The Stage. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  6. ^ Logan, Brian (2011-09-02). "Words of wisdom by the leading Idiot". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  7. ^ Logan, Brian (2011-09-22). "Words of Wisdom by the Leading Idiot". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  8. ^ a b Stapleton, Brendon (2021-02-10). "Told by an Idiot, I'm So Big". Total Theatre. Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  9. ^ a b Billington, Michael (2000-09-26). "Shoot Me in the Heart". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  10. ^ Logan, Brian (2000-09-30). "More than just Mrs Wilde at heart". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  11. ^ Billington, Michael (2003-08-11). "Playing the Victim". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2020-08-07. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  12. ^ a b "Playing the Victim". BBC News. 2003-08-27. Archived from the original on 2003-08-27. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  13. ^ a b c Hickling, Alan (2007-09-14). "Cassanova". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2014-10-05. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  14. ^ a b Hutchinson, Charles (2007-09-17). "Review: Casanova, Told By An Idiot, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, until September 29". The Press (York). Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  15. ^ a b Taylor, Paul (2009-10-25). "The Fahrenheit Twins, Pit, Barbican, London". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  16. ^ a b Gardener, Lyn (2004-12-04). "The Firework-Maker's Daughter". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2014-09-17. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  17. ^ a b c Brantly, Ben (2015-06-17). "'My Perfect Mind' Softens Fear of the Fallible With the Stuff of Slapstick". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  18. ^ a b c Gardener, Lyn (2013-04-07). "My Perfect Mind – review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  19. ^ a b Ross, Peter (2016-02-17). "Gallows humour – Simon Armitage on his comedy about the last man hanged for blasphemy". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
  20. ^ Mountford, Fiona (2018-02-20). "Napoleon Disrobed review: The prattle of Waterloo makes for playful but inconsequential larks". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
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