SIZE OF COMPANY
4–5 on the road

SCALE OF VENUE
Small-scale

PERMANENT STAFF
Company Members
Matthew Austin
Lucy Gibbs
Tara Walsh
Nina Wyllie
Suzie Zara

Creative Advisor
Sara Jane Bailes

ARTISTIC POLICY
The Special Guests is a contemporary performance company that works collectively devising theatre for a variety of contexts, including theatres, outdoor festivals and galleries. Performances are open-hearted and tone-shifting, often transforming the familiar into something gone awry. Prankster scenarios are savage and tender, undercut by playground naughtiness and the antics of office rivalry. The silences are loud and the loser usually wins. The company makes theatre with a mischievous eye towards everyday detail.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
'Wonderfully manipulated without feeling manipulative… I am convinced by their veracity, impressed by their concentration and impeccable comic timing.' Real Time Arts, Australia (This Much I Know [Part Two])

'Tight, exuberant and damn funny: sample The Special Guests’ strange and wonderful talents.' Venue Magazine, Bristol (This Much I Know [Part One])

'A cool creation… hurtles the audience from belly laughs to a bad taste in the mouth with unsettling speed.' The Stage (This Much I Know [Part One])

CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
Nightfall A new time-specific theatre event, taking place near to sunset, inviting its audience to confront the uncertainty of darkness. When will the light return and when will the birds start singing? (80 mins, 4 on stage, 5 on the road.)

The Telephone Game Using specially doctored telephones by sound artist Tom Bugs, The Special Guests while away the hours making calls to each other, to the audience and to the outside world. (Up to 6 hours durational, 4 on stage, 4 on the road.)

Peace and Quiet/Soundwiches/Witness Protection Three flexible walkabout/non-theatre pieces suitable for music and arts festivals. All three work interactively with audiences and are suitable for families. (Variable lengths up to 4 hours, maximim 4 on stage and on the road.)

WRAP-AROUND
The Special Guests can lead workshops in devised performance and theatre-making. The company will also undertake post-show discussions, residencies, talks and symposia.

TOURING AVAILABILITY
Spring 2008 onwards