Why do artists risk their lives to make pictures?
"He was lying on his back all twisted in the mud. I poured and he drank, and as he drank the water it poured straight out of the hole where his neck should have been."
A play about an artist who sees things she shouldn’t.
who:
Vanessa’s previous plays include: You Are Here, 77 Sunset Strip, Agamemnon - The Curse of Thyestes, The Chimney Sweep’s Apprentice, A Woman Called Magdalena, Anaglypta Daydreaming, and Dog in a Suitcase.
Mark is Principal Lecturer in Theatre at Coventry University. He trained at the École Jacques Lecoq in Paris and specialises in physical theatre and movement training. He is currently writing a book on Jacques Copeau for Routledge.
why:
The dome space at the Ellen Terry building is a ready-made theatre-in-the-round. The exposed architectural structure is provocative in its honest record of the passing of time. This setting perfectly complements The Last Things, a play written to be performed in the round, which is similarly candid and unreserved in its presentation.
where:
Hidden away at the top of The Ellen Terry building (formerly the Odeon), is a magnificent 85ft wooden dome structure which spanned the original cinema hall supporting a giant chandelier.
This dome is now the striking central feature of a multi-purpose performance space within Coventry University School of Art and Design.
when:
Five evening performances at 7.30pm
Performance duration 75 minutes
Audience Capacity 150
Age recommendation 16+
Venue Access Audit (carried out by the artist/producer).
This is intended as a guide for other artists and producers considering staging an event in the venue. However please note that the guidance given here is a subjective assessment of the venue as of May 2004.
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For key to symbols, see Access page
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General note
The space needs careful and sensitive renovation to make the space safe whilst retaining its unique character.
Is there a suitable get-in to the venue/site for equipment etc?
There is van access and parking at the back of the Ellen Terry building. A goods lift provides access to the third floor. The Dome space is only accessible via a further wide flight of stairs, and a single door.
Is the venue accessible to wheelchair users? and if not, what would it take to make it accessible?
Access for people who use wheelchairs is currently limited to floors one, two and three. Additional building work would be needed to extend lift access to the Dome space.
Are there toilets, including a wheelchair accessible toilet?
Male and female toilets, plus unisex toilets for people who use wheelchairs, are available on the ground, first and second floors. Space may be available for additional toilet facilities on the fourth floor.
Is there an electricity supply?
There are currently no mains electricity sockets in the space. Limited mains supply is available from an adjacent room.
Are there fire exits?
There are no designated fire exits. The space has two doors.
Is there space for bar/hospitality?
No suitable adjacent space is available for bar and hospitality facilities (but there is elsewhere in the building)
Is there space for box office/curator/front of house?
Box office space is available on the ground floor. There is no electronic ticketing system available at present.
Is the venue/site family or child friendly?
The space is not family/child friendly. There are no baby-changing facilities and the venue is not currently marketed towards a family audience.
How easy is it to find the venue?
The venue is located in the City Centre, on a main road, with clear signage on the building frontage but a lack of signposting.
How easy is it to get to the venue on foot? would you want to make this journey after dark?
The venue is easily accessible on foot from the city centre, the Pool Meadow bus station and the railway station. The surrounding streets and the main entrance to the building are well-lit.
Is there car parking nearby?
There are Pay and Display and on-street parking facilities available nearby.
What might be a good interpretation solution for your show? signer?audio description? another? can it be fully integrated into the concept?
For any sign-language interpretation to be successful in theatre-in-the-round it would need to be fully integrated into the performance. Any audio-description/narration provided should be delivered or recorded by cast members.
links: Coventry University Performing Arts
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