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ensemble [ensemble]- group noun. [C]
a company of actors and artists who work together for significant periods of time to create performances uniquely characteristic of that ensemble. This deeper and longer engagement with artists can allow "access to a deep voodoo, as opposed to a shallow magic"*
the shysters have worked together since 1997, developing ways of making theatre that reflect our unique characteristics, which we call shysterness and which has its roots in learning disability. We create our deep voodoo through challenging ourselves with a wide range of physical performance techniques to draw out our experiences and perceptions and transform them into the stuff of theatre.**
We are keen to collaborate with others, discover new ways of making theatre, and involve as many people as possible in our work. We are committed to understanding our ways of working and sharing these with others.
shystershadows [shyster shadows]- noun. [c]
a group of young people with learning disabilities established by the shysters in 2002 to train in performing arts, skills and shysterness
Click here for downloadable info on ShysterShadows (PDF format)***
the shysters were set up by open theatre company (in partnership with the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry) in 1997. the shysters were incorporated into the work of open theatre company in 2001.
open theatre company open [open]- adjective.
available; not limited, ready to be used or ready to provide a service willing to consider ideas and opinions that are new or different to your own
Click here for further information about open theatre company
* taken from notes of Ensemble Theatre Conference organised by Equity and the Directors' Guild of Great Britain, November 2004.
** The words 'shyster' and 'shysterness' are a creative response to the lacklustre and potentially offensive label 'learning disability', and seek to define the work in a positive and provocative way.
*** Please note: you will need Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files. A download link is available on the Links page.