Drastic Productions

Our major new project starts in March!

The Compendium of Super Heroes and Alter Egos launches soon.
It’s a biggee… Spanning three seasons we will be holding performance workshops, sessions with top writers, performers and illustrators in the UK. The culmination of the work will be a published Graphic Novel written by the participants and starring their very own ‘Dare Devil Divas’

We are looking for people to particpate in this all female FREE project…

All the info you should need can be downloaded here…Compendium info

The deadline for applications is the 24th Feb and places are already filling up fast. You can find the application form here… AppForm
Or email info@drasticproductions.co.uk for one.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Here at DP we are fighting off that general January feeling in a pretty unique way!

We have an amazing year lined up and are starting it off with a 10 week journey into Clown-O-Therapy with the wonderful and internationally acclaimed teacher Holly Stoppit.
Back in 2012 (remember then?!) Liz answered a call out on Theatre Bristol calling for a group to work on a ground breaking project exploring the links between clowning and therapy. Naturally we tripped over our oversized shoes in excitement to meet with Holly and make plans…

Here’s what Holly says:

‘My style of clown uses mindfulness as a foundation, encouraging group members to tune in to their bodies, minds and hearts, working with whatever they find there. This tends to have a grounding impact on group members, allowing them to enter into the joyful and sometimes chaotic world of clown in a safe way. My working methods will build upon the current thinking behind using mindfulness in Mental Health.’

So over the next 10 weeks eight members of Drastic Productions will be in Clown- O -Therapy!

Learning, growing through performance processes and never staying static here is at the heart of what DP is all about, so we are really looking forward to this experience. Here’s a little taste of what we will be doing in the course:

Clown-o-therapy will take place in an atmosphere of safety, permission and care, offering ways of:
• Cultivating playfulness, lightness, curiosity and optimism
• Exploring presence
• Playfully exploring connection with the self and others
• Exploring truthfulness and cultivating the courage to share your truth
• Celebrating everything that makes you you

We hope to blog our experiences of the course over the 10 weeks, so do check out the Diva Diaries section of the website.

Find out more about Holly Stoppit at hollystoppit.com

Huge apologies for the radio silence from Drastic Productions. Since our last major project we have been focussing on the organisational development of the company to help us achieve our ambitious goals for the future! We have been working behind the scenes on strenghtening our board and getting all our policies up to scratch. We won’t bore you with the thrilling details, but do check out our page all about our fabulous board members for an insight into just how we roll!

More exciting news to come in the next few weeks…

We’ve got an exciting year mapped out at Drastic Productions! To kick the year off in style we have got together with the gorgeous Colour Inn for a mini exhibition and of course; a bit of soiree. The ‘Dare Devil Divas Gallery of Super Heroes & Alter Ego’ (to give it it’s full title!) depicts some of the amazing characters which evolved during a performance process over the last year. Join us on Wednesday 11th January, from 7.30. The Colour Inn, Clifton Down, Whiteladies Road, Bristol to view a selection of the work, watch our film and see projections of the full exhibition. There’ll be performances from the likes of Opinya Legges, Bustertenderloin and the formidible Ivana Van Der Fluff.
The exhibiton runs until 5th Feb. The event is free.

'A Vision of Opinnya'

Here is some further information about each of the workshops & events. Early booking is advised as they are filling up fast! Email us at info@drasticproductions or call 07521835429

Tuesday 12th July. 7-9pm
PERFORMANCE PADDLING POOL
A devising workshop with Liz Clarke.
Do you have an idea for a short performance/cabaret show or character but not quite sure where to take it? Using devising techniques, performance tasks and groupwork we will float the ideas & give them (water) wings! Why not show the results at the ‘Experimental Sailing Club’ later in the week?!
Liz is DP’s founder member and has been called a ‘performance alchemist’ by workshop participants.

Wed 13th July. 7-9pm
STRUTT&SHOUT
Confidence, self expression & positivity through Body & Voice work with a healthy dose of DIVA. Led by Michaela Dunne & Alice Forrest. Michaela is a theatre practitioner with many years experience; she directs with DP and also runs Pink Kitten Dance School. Alice is a professional singer & actor & dedicated dare devil diva!

Thursday 14th July. 7-9pm
THE LADY LILLY NOVA’S EXPERIMENTAL SAILING CLUB
Part salon, part performance scratch, part knot tying demo; Lilly Nova will navigate us through an evening of relaxed camaraderie. A chance to show works in progress, share ideas & meet friends. Sign up to show work at: info@drasticproductions.co.uk

Fri 15th July. 1-3pm
ARTSHINE with Artshine lead artist Dr. Joel
Professional musician, performer, composer and poet, Dr Joel’s unique blend of storymaking, music and creative writing promise to make this workshop a non stop feast of creative treats for your inner Diva!
Artshine is the NHS arts on referral project for innercity Bristol promoting well-being, positive mental health and social inclusion. Project Manager Louisa Newman will be here from 1:30pm for an informal chat about arts on referral in Bristol.

Sat 16th July. 1-3pm
DIY DIVAS with Opinya Legges
Come and get cozy with the infamous Opinya. She’ll pass on her crafty skills in this informal bitch & stitch style session. Bring ongoing work or start anew! You’ll get to keep your creations and she might even teach you some of her fabled dirty ditties….

PHOTOBOOTH (from midday)
Ever wanted to don some heels & fly to the moon? Our favourite photographers Tanya Moulson & Carl Newland will be here to make your diva dreams a low budget reality in our DIY photobooth (think more polaroid than paparazzi)

CLOSING PARTY
Come & celebrate the project at one of our unique DDD parties. There will be discussions, talks, performance & more. Expect a Performance Lecture by Ivana Van Der Fluff (Our ‘woman on the edge’; Bristol’s answer to Annie Sprinkle; but ‘cheaper’), film showing and the strangest auction prizes you can imagine…

ALL EVENTS FREE OR PAY WHAT YOU CAN.

The ‘Dare Devil Divas Gallery of Super Heroes & Alter Egos’ is back for one week only this July. We have comandeered the Parlour, Park Street; and will be cramming this cozy space full of workshops, talks, social events & of course a party! Here is the full programme to download. Dare Devil Divas (3) We hope to see you there!

We are booking tour dates for the exhibition later in the year; so watch this space for details!