SIZE OF COMPANY 4–8 on the road
PERMANENT STAFF Artistic Directors Jon Beedell Richie Smith
Creative Producer Richard Headon
Musical Director Shirley Pegna
Administrator Ursula Wills-Jones
ARTISTIC POLICY Desperate Men creates accessible, original, provocative and comic street theatre and large-scale collaborations with other artists. The company aims to challenge perceptions: amicably disrupt and entertain. It promises never to juggle, ride unicycles or eat fire. Jon Beedell and Richie Smith are currently artistic directors of the River Severn Project, a series of interlinked performances along the River Severn.
REVIEW EXTRACTS ‘Zen and the Art of Street Theatre no less… works wonderfully well.’ Total Theatre Magazine (Rick, Dick and Vic – Extreme!)
‘Exquisite comic timing, tremendous energy and vivacious performance.’ Total Theatre Magazine (The Miracle Show)
‘You are all completely bonkers and sublimely talented. Good luck with the milking.’ Audience member, Abergavenny Food Festival
CURRENT PRODUCTIONS Miracle Show A family of migrants tell their stories and present a plethora of mini miracles, including the madonna who spurts vodka. (40 mins, 5 performers, static outdoor show including yurt and truck.)
The Film Crew With a big star, the crew involves the audience, creating hilarious interactions. (45 mins, usually 3 times in a day, 3–5 performers.)
Pirates! Authentically horrible historical misfits – loveable musical rogues. (3 x 45 mins, 4 performers.)
Rubbish Heads Smartly suited men discard and collect artistic refuse. (3 x 45 mins, 4 performers.)
Eco-Pirates These scurvy rogues arrive by boat to bury treasure on the beach – but is it just rubbish? (2 hour blocks, 4 performers.)
Karoake Taxi Welsh Latvian taxi driver tours the town, inviting the public to take turns singing karaoke classics through the taxi’s sound system. (3 x 45 mins, 1–2 performers.)
Dancing Bear Cheese 103% organic! Fabulous spoof food product. Taste the bear’s cheese, find out how former dancing bears receive anti-dancing therapy. (2 hour blocks, 4 performers.)
WRAP-AROUND Workshops/projects/talks linked with each element of the company’s work.
RECENT INTERNATIONAL WORK 2007 Italy (Pipe People/Rubbish Heads), Lebanon (Rubbish Heads) 2006 Croatia, Italy (team building projects)
TOURING AVAILABILITY Details on request
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