OPEN SPACE

We use Open Space to devise and workshop new shows, run company meetings, and facilitate the London Devised Theatre Intensive (LDTI).

WHOEVER COMES ARE THE RIGHT PEOPLE
We collaborate with actors, dancers, musicians, writers, directors and designers to create interdisciplinary performances. We believe that including artists across culture, gender, class, and race makes better theatre. Open Space creates an anti-hierarchical enviroment that allows everyone to share responsibility for the work.

WHATEVER HAPPENS IS THE ONLY THING THAT COULD HAVE
As Phelim McDermott of Improbable is fond of saying, ‘If you fight with reality, you will only lose about 100% of the time.’ Open Space encourages us to let go of our expectations for ourselves, our work, and each other, and respond to what’s really happening in the moment. This leads to freedom, surprise, and even better ideas.

THE LAW OF PASSION & MOBILITY
This law of Open Space is the reason why ‘whoever comes are the right people’ – because they are the people who care enough to turn up and do the work. We follow our passion to whever it takes us, whether that’s to a session about the story structure or the set design or a movement sequence, or to the coffee shop around the corner. In Open Space, we’re always working with (not against) our instincts and energy, and we’re all responsible for our own experience.

WHENEVER IT STARTS IS THE RIGHT TIME
The Ancient Greeks had two ideas of time: Chronos and Kairos. Chronos is the linear, mechanical clock that tells you you’re late, or you’re wasting time, or you have to leave now. Kairos is the ‘right time’ – the supreme opportune moment to begin work, or keep going, or finish.

WHEREVER IT HAPPENS IS THE RIGHT PLACE
Just like we don’t control the timing of our creativity, we don’t control the place where ideas might come. The next big breakthrough might happen in the studio, or on the bus home, or in our dreams. We just have to be ready and receptive. We can open the space anywhere for our creative work.

WHEN IT’S OVER, IT’S OVER
…and when it’s not over, it’s not over. Only you know when your work is done – the clock doesn’t.

BE PREPARED TO BE SURPRISED

BIG THANKS to Improbable’s Devoted & Disgruntled events for turning us on to Open Space.