What are the possibilities of radical, contemporary performance: what forms can it take, where can it be located, what can it do, and who can it be for?  A gathering of international artists, producers and commentators will discuss strategies of performance making and presenting, and new ways of activating audiences.

The two day Symposium sets out to consider different ways of working with the production, presentation, distribution and discussion of contemporary theatre and performance practices, and propose new models for a more sustainable future.

12 April

10.00–13.00

Opening Polemic: Tim Etchells

Session 1
The range of lineages and ideas which inform and shape contemporary radical theatre and performance making. 
Speakers: Cindy Oswin, Adrian Heathfield
Chair: Claire MacDonald

Session 2
The significance and cultural value of experimental theatre and performance practices, their relation to other disciplines and potential to affect cultural change. 
Speakers: Tom Trevor, Leslie Hill
Chair: Claire MacDonald

14.00–17.30

Session 3
The ideas and experiences this kind of work can offer and the kinds of audiences can it offer them to.
Speakers: Hannah Hurtzig, Gregg Whelan, Karena Johnson
Chair: Stella Hall

Session 4
The locations, contexts and discourses these kinds of practices can occupy and activate.
Speakers: Simon Casson, Marisa Carnesky, Judith Knight
Chair: Stella Hall

13 April

10.00–12.30

Opening Polemic: Christine Peters

Session 5
What kind of models exist, or might exist, that can respond to the kind of touring work that changes and evolves as it moves from location to location, context to context, and constituency to constituency.
Speakers: Keith Khan, Tilmann Broshart
Chair:  Angharad Wynne-Jones

Session 6
Creating equitable and reciprocal dialogues, networks and resources amongst artists and producers, and exploring the responsibilities of artists and producers to the contexts they are working within.
Speakers: Rose Fenton, Phelim McDermott
Chair:  Angharad Wynne-Jones

13.45–17.30

Session 7
Talking about it: the development of new contexts, new languages, and new cultural frameworks?
Speakers: Louise Jeffries, Lyn Gardner, Ju Row Farr
Chair:  Lois Weaver

Session 8
Who are tomorrow’s audiences, where will they come from, what do they want, where should they go to find it, and how can artists, producers and venues adapt to working with different audiences?
Speakers: Helen Marriage, Robert Pacitti, Mike Christie/Mike Smith.
Chair:  Lois Weaver

In collaboration with the Live Art Development Agency.

Tickets: £50 (£30), £25 New Work Network members.

For Speakers and detailed biographies please click the cast + creative team link below.

For further information click here.