Thinking Outside of the Black Box: Physical Fest 2014

On 23 May, three men will hatch out of a gigantic egg, provocatively situated in the middle of Church Street. Posing as Neanderthals, the men will explore their contemporary surroundings, examine unsuspecting pedestrians and gradually piece together the dynamics of a world that has evolved as much as they have regressed. In reality, these sparsely dressed, guttural cavemen are inviting the general public into their world: the world of physical theatre. Welcome to Physical Fest 2014.

Physical Fest is the only festival of its kind in Europe that specialises solely in physical theatre, attracting participants and artists locally, nationally and internationally. This year marks the tenth anniversary of its conception, to be celebrated with a palatable concoction of workshops, networking events, Q&As and, perhaps most importantly, innovative performance.

But how many of us have experienced the radical nature of a physical theatre production? “Many people have a preconceived idea of physical theatre,” admits Elinor Randle, artistic director of both Physical Fest and Tmesis Theatre Company. “They assume they will not enjoy it – that it is difficult to understand and thus inaccessible.”

A genre that relies heavily upon movement and is known for its experimental opposition to the conventional narrative, “preconception” is the continued and unnecessary cross that physical theatre must bear. “It is a problem that I have struggled with personally,” confesses Randle. “[Tmesis] have toured extensively, both nationally and internationally, but it has become much more difficult to do so. Theatres are taking less risks. Suddenly a show that would have sold well before, despite being experimental, is difficult to produce.”

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“Many people have a preconceived idea of physical theatre. They assume they will not enjoy it – that it is difficult to understand and thus inaccessible” – Elinor Randle

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It is perhaps this very problem that has prompted the programming of Physical Fest’s first ever Creative Conversation, hosted by performing arts network PANDA. Much in the style of Devoted & Disgruntled, Creative Conversations invites theatre lovers to participate in an informal debate surrounding an increasingly pressing question: How can we push the boundaries of artistic practice in an increasingly risk-averse climate?

“Companies are reluctant to create experimental work,” says Randle. “All too often I am frustrated when I see things at Edinburgh [the Fringe] that everybody seems to rave about and I think are just really safe – people don’t want to be pushed anymore. Edinburgh used to be really exciting. There was a moment during my last piece in which I felt tired and decided to do something more sellable… only to change my mind at the last minute. I do not want to be governed by that. How much do experimental companies have to compromise?”

Despite her laments, Randle is optimistic and has plausible reason to be so: Physical Fest faces its tenth year of production and is attracting a myriad of attention. “Physical Fest is really growing each year and becoming well known internationally. I feel incredibly proud that Liverpool is a host city for this kind of work.”

Supported by the Unity Theatre, Liverpool City Council, Arts Council and the Bluecoat, physical theatre is clearly a revered art. “Physical Theatre is not one particular thing but a host of sympathetic and conflicting influences: mime, circus, imagery, clowning, silence, sound, light, acrobatics, storytelling, music hall, variety, puppetry, dance, the voice, the body,” explains Unity Theatre’s artistic director Graeme Phillips. “It can be narrative driven or entirely abstract. It can create whole and diverse worlds. At its best it can be jaw-dropping. Physical Fest allows audiences and artists to see and participate in a whole load of varied work from around the world, over an intense period of time.”

With a programme encompassing both established and fresh work, appearing on stage, street and screen, Physical Fest epitomises the ‘something for everyone’ mantra. There is only one requirement: see something, experience the power of physical theatre first-hand. You will not be disappointed.