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