Background Research for Frantic Assembly

Referring to our Inspired Practitioners

Who are Frantic Assembly and when were they established?

Frantic Assembly are a collaboration of group performers we have been looking into throughout our
performance pathway, they are highly recognised for their physical theatre in the industry.
The group were founded in 1994 by Scott Graham, Steven Hoggett and Vicki Middleton. This trio of
specialists were some ex-students from Swansea University who were inspired to produce their own
company.  The group's name has ignited the performance zone for some time now and their fearless
attitudes have inspired us throughout the project. This group are recognised worldwide for their reimagined
ideas that have been brought together onstage.

How does this company work?

They begin the process with a basic string of steps for a stimulus or piece of given material, These simple
building blocks develop into a set of movements. Their choreography is slick and carefully constructed,
when performed, the body language shapes out the feelings we receive as an audience. Fluidity in is
additionally prominent for relaxing the performances. There is actually no intended theme that runs
through their performances because we as an audience are expected to envision that ourselves.
Frantic Assembly is all about imagination and a wide range of transitions are used to bring in new styles and
new movements. Each specialist delivers their story throughout a series of strategies in rehearsal.

TECHNIQUES ON FOLLOWING PAGE

 Frantic Assembly Techniques
All these methods will be incorporated into our final performance

Round-By-Through
Three individual movements that are all flow naturally into one another
to envision a storyline that can be interpreted or envisioned. These steps
are brought round the audience, where a partner transitions around their
peer for a different perspective. Both partners stand by one another for
added impact. And passing through, in which a partner travels by lifting
the arm of their peer and passing through. The order can be anything.

Push Hands & Resistance

This is a common method used in physical movement. It is a way of
adding a barrier or obstacle in a performance. Partners will build
resistance by literally pushing their peers’ hands. If a partner wants to
move their hands to a specific direction, their peer can prevent them
from doing so to stop them. This strategy usually interprets competition,
struggle or motivation in a performance.

Stereotypes in Theatre
Stereotypes in the arts are a clever method of depicting a character
through the way society sees them. Actors can embody the role onstage
by exaggerating their character more within a choreography piece, it then
becomes a powerful method where actors can humiliate and or over
dramatize their role without a sense of judgement.

More Methods are Explained on the Following Page

Mirrored Variation
This is one of the most intuited and powerful methods up to date used by these
dance practitioners. Mirrored variation is a symbolism of reconciliation and means
to mirror or replicate your partners set movements. Duo’s can identify themselves
as person A or person B. One partner will start a sequence of movements and their
opposing partner will reflect the exact same sequence at the exact same timing.
For further impact, adding a delay or reversing the sequence is another strategy.

Chair Duets
This is another form of communication between a set of partners in
which movements are conducted by the upper body specifically. The idea
of chair duets is to create a brief storyline that the audience can build
upon and connect with consistently throughout. Chairs can depict
balance or stability. There is an element of support in this method.

Squeeze Duets
Another duet we incorporate is the task of every movement needing to
go by the purpose of squeezing our partner in some way, shape or
form. Perhaps this grip is a grip of authority or reassurance. There are
many interpretations that come with these type of performances but it
reflects the reconciliation and pacification of a partnership involved.
Whether that’s platonic or romantic behind the scenes.

Lifts and Stunts

Possibly the most dangerous and advanced of all methods involved within
these practitioners’ lists. Lifts are an element of dance in which one or
more individuals are elevated into the air which differentiates the levels
between those onstage. These can be done in any way but should be
rehearsed more than any other method first due to its risk. These are
stunts that strive to empower or surprise the audience.