KNOTS
*** Funded by Creative Scotland ***
“KNOTS” is a stage adaptation of R.D Laing’s eponymous psychological essay. Hailing from Govan in Glasgow, his work, although celebrated, has often been described as controversial. “KNOTS” is an exploration of his legacy through a theatrical lens: social behaviours and interactions are dissected to reveal individuals and their true nature. “Knots” is an incredible rich and poetic text offering multiple opportunities to explore the many relationships we encounter in life and the impact that they have on us mentally and physically.
Research and development on "KNOTS" started early 2018, various works in progress (short and long) took place since then: scratch nights at Summerhall and SMHAF, Hidden Door Festival and more recently with YTAS at Emergence Festival at the Traverse in November 2019.
KNOTS was supposed to be opening at Assembly Roxy in Spring 2020 to then tour Scotland and end at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. With the pandemic, rehearsals had to be stopped and performances postponed. In October 2020, we were finally able to pick up things where we left them in the spring and re-develop the piece. It had to be re-imagined, adapted to adhere to the current restrictions. Wearing PPE and social distancing had to be integrated to the devising of this highly physical theatre piece. The re-development was intense both physically and psychologically and a new piece emerged at the end of it. A slightly different one than what was originally conceived, some questions remain unanswered... how do we make physical theatre without physical contact? What is an interactive and participative piece of theatre if audiences have to socially distance themselves from the performers? When will we be able to perform KNOTS and how?
We managed to film a version of KNOTS at the end of that process for archive and marketing purposes as well as captured its essence.
We remain hopeful that 2021 will allow us to share this work with audiences in some ways. Although the situation is critical in the Arts at the moment, we are grateful to have had the opportunity to be back on a stage and create a unique performance while reflecting on the meaning of the piece in the time of Covid-19.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Director : Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir
Lead artist & performer: Marion Geoffray
Performers: Adam Tompa, Tom Rose, Iona Mckinlay Vich
Producer: Christopher Buttigieg
Music Director/Composer: Tom Oakes
Light Design/Tech : Will Moore
Set Design Consultant: Katy Wilson
Directing Consultant: Nicholas Bone
Producing Consultant: Kate
Film: OnRed
Photography: Richard Wood
“KNOTS” is a stage adaptation of R.D Laing’s eponymous psychological essay. Hailing from Govan in Glasgow, his work, although celebrated, has often been described as controversial. “KNOTS” is an exploration of his legacy through a theatrical lens: social behaviours and interactions are dissected to reveal individuals and their true nature. “Knots” is an incredible rich and poetic text offering multiple opportunities to explore the many relationships we encounter in life and the impact that they have on us mentally and physically.
Research and development on "KNOTS" started early 2018, various works in progress (short and long) took place since then: scratch nights at Summerhall and SMHAF, Hidden Door Festival and more recently with YTAS at Emergence Festival at the Traverse in November 2019.
KNOTS was supposed to be opening at Assembly Roxy in Spring 2020 to then tour Scotland and end at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. With the pandemic, rehearsals had to be stopped and performances postponed. In October 2020, we were finally able to pick up things where we left them in the spring and re-develop the piece. It had to be re-imagined, adapted to adhere to the current restrictions. Wearing PPE and social distancing had to be integrated to the devising of this highly physical theatre piece. The re-development was intense both physically and psychologically and a new piece emerged at the end of it. A slightly different one than what was originally conceived, some questions remain unanswered... how do we make physical theatre without physical contact? What is an interactive and participative piece of theatre if audiences have to socially distance themselves from the performers? When will we be able to perform KNOTS and how?
We managed to film a version of KNOTS at the end of that process for archive and marketing purposes as well as captured its essence.
We remain hopeful that 2021 will allow us to share this work with audiences in some ways. Although the situation is critical in the Arts at the moment, we are grateful to have had the opportunity to be back on a stage and create a unique performance while reflecting on the meaning of the piece in the time of Covid-19.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Director : Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir
Lead artist & performer: Marion Geoffray
Performers: Adam Tompa, Tom Rose, Iona Mckinlay Vich
Producer: Christopher Buttigieg
Music Director/Composer: Tom Oakes
Light Design/Tech : Will Moore
Set Design Consultant: Katy Wilson
Directing Consultant: Nicholas Bone
Producing Consultant: Kate
Film: OnRed
Photography: Richard Wood
KNOTS - Assembly Roxy October 2020:
