Dante or Die Theatre
| Formation | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Type | Theatre group |
| Location |
|
| Website | www.danteordie.com |
Dante or Die Theatre is a British site-specific theatre company which registered as a company limited by guarantee in 2006. The non-profit organisation specialises in engaging with spectators and create performances in a variety of spaces such as hotels, leisure centres and storage facilities.[1] Inspired by contemporary stories and occurrences, they create unpredictable theatre for their audiences.
Company members include: Daphna Attias (Co-Artistic Director), Terry O'Donovan (Co-Artistic Director) and Lucy Atkinson (Executive Producer).
Background
Terry O’Donovan, from Limerick and Daphna Attias, from Tel Aviv formed Dante or Die after they both attended The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama's MA in Advanced Theatre Practice.[2] The name 'Dante or Die' comes from the site where Terry & Daphna first made a site-specific performance together in the skate park of Kennington Park alongside Clare Parke-Davies and Anthea Neagle. The graffiti that has the words Dante or Die is still there today.
Terry and Daphna are regular guest lecturers at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama whilst also facilitating site-specific creative workshops with a range of higher education courses, professional artists and community groups. They regularly collaborate with creative artists such as Chris Goode (playwright) and designers Jenny Hayton and Amy Jackson. Dancer Anna Woolhouse is also an associate artist.
Production history
- Take On Me (2016), a collaborative production, co-written by Andrew Muir is set in a local leisure centre after hours. This performance explores body image and provides a fly-on-the-wall perspective of an individuals journey to better themselves to a soundtrack of live acoustic renditions of 1980's hits. This production was the winner of Art Partnership Surrey & Farnham Maltings 'Not For The Likes Of Me' commission in 2015.[3]
- Handle With Care (2016), a co-commission between The Lowry, Harlow Playhouse, South Street Arts Center, Reading and The Lighthouse (Poole). Staged in local self storage containers, this production explores how we accumulate objects and how they can create a sense of home throughout our lives. Production written by Chloe Moss and inspired by consultations with a University College London psychologist who specialised in memory.[4]
- Clunk (2014), a production created for younger audiences, performed outdoors with instruments to explore originality of music.
- I Do (2013), a jigsaw production displayed across six hotel rooms depicting the moments before a wedding ceremony, co-written by Chloe Moss. Commissioned by Almeida Theatre and South Street Arts, Reading, this production has been performed in Hilton Hotels and Malmaison hotels.[5]
- La Fille À La Mode (2011), premiered at the National Theatre as part of Watch This Space Festival. An exploration and celebration of the It Girl throughout the ages.
- Side Effects (2011), a unique collaboration with UCL School of Pharmacy to explore our intimate relationships with modern medicine. Inspired by Pharmacopoeia's "Cradle to Grave" exhibition (2005).
- Caliper Boy (2006), performed in a variety of disused buildings and theatres and inspired by graffiti artists in East London who created the character 'Caliper Boy'. This production explores otherness and our personal relationship with our place in society.
See also
References
- ^ Winship, Lindsay. "Immersive theatre: Do experiences have to become ever more extreme to keep surprising us?". Evening Standard. Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ Murphy, Siobhan. "Dante Or Die's I Do offers an unusual slant on weddings". Metro. Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ Wilson, Sarah. "not for the likes of me commission awarded to Dante or Die" (PDF). House Theatre. Art Partnerships Surrey. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ Groves, Nancy. "All the world's a self-storage unit: the show unpacking our cluttered lives". Guardian. Guardian. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ Murphy, Siobhan. "Dante Or Die's I Do offers an unusual slant on weddings". Metro. Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
External links
- Dante or Die Theatre official homepage