Generating Company Couture

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Over the next few weeks, the Generating Company will take residence in Paris' famed department store, Les Galeries Lafayette, where they will perform 5 shows per day inspired by Asian fashion, culture, and music, from the 28^th April to the 17^th May. The first of its kind, this fusion of performance and fashion is sure to excite Galeries' audiences as the catwalk is transformed into a three dimensional stage for Asiatique.

Sure to be the highlight of the month long, Asian themed event is the massive structure being erected in Galeries Lafayette's world famous cupola which will stand 6 meters off the ground and boasts an additional 6 meter tower atop it. The tower will feature 5 platforms which the dancers will populate throughout the 5 shows using bungee and parkour skills to move amongst the different levels.

Abigail Yeates, Artist Director of the Generating Company, will be choreographing along with Aiden Treays. The series of performances, titled Asiatique, will feature a number of skills including parkour, martial arts, contemporary dance, aerial silks, and traditional Chinese fan dancing to project a futuristic themed Asian city.

Working with one of the best known stylists in Paris, Jean-Marc Hervier, performers will be adorned with labels such as Versace, Armani, Marc Jacobs, Chloe and many more as they strut their stuff. Should you find yourself in Paris from the 28^th April - 17^th May, stop by Les Galeries Lafayette, 40, boulevard Haussmann, and witness the future of fashion first hand with The Generating Company.

Whose Liability? John Watts Memorial Lecture 2008

Monday 07 April 2008

Professional indemnity and public liability insurance as it affects the theatre freelancer

John Watts was the Health & Safety Officer at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for many years and, at the time of his premature death in November 2000, was in charge of Health & Safety for the technical team at the Millennium Dome. This annual lecture is a memorial to a man who did a great deal during his life to ensure that performance spaces were safe working environments. This year the lecture will be taking the form of a discussion about the important issue of Professional Indemnity and Public Liability.

Come and join the panel assembled to debate the issue:

Ken Bennett Hunter, Theatre Management Consultant (Chair)
Robert Israel, Israel, Gordon & Co. Ltd. Insurance Brokers
Simon Corder ALD
David Cockayne SBTD
Willy Donaghy BECTU

Representative from EQUITY

Some points to consider:

• Why does the freelance need PI and do they need PL as well?
• What happens in the case of a claim?
• What other insurance does a designer need?
• Is adequate cover available from BECTU and Equity membership and what exactly is covered?
• Equity insurance covers theatre work but what about trade shows and other kinds of activity?
• How do you deal with issues that you think might end up causing a claim?

If you would like to attend this discussion, please contact the ABTT office:

Tel: 020 7242 9200 or email: office@abtt.org.uk

Dragons’ Den Generating Success

Tuesday 18 March 2008

Dragons Peter Jones & Theo Paphitis take time to visit the circus with the Generating Company.

Business gurus Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis of the BBC TV series Dragons' Den visited physical circus producers The Generating Company, one of their many winning investments, on February 27th at their base in east London, Trinity Buoy Wharf.

Series 2 of Dragons' saw Managing Director, Paul Cockle enter the Den and leave with a 160K investment from Jones and Paphitis after impressing them with his vision for the Company.

The Generating Company, who devise and produce contemporary physical circus was established in 2001 as a result of the opening of the Millennium Dome and has quickly risen into the spotlight of UK contemporary circus arts with the Dragons' support.

During their visit, Jones and Paphitis got a taste of the circus life by trying out the aerial apparatus and observing one of the many courses forming part of the Generating Training programme. They also discuss the future activities of the company with Managing Director, Paul Cockle and Artistic Director, Abigail Yeates.

If you fancy having a go on the trapeze like Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis, the Generating Company offers a variety of evening courses for city folk and professional circus artists alike. Gym goers should consider trying one of the many evening courses from aerial classes such as trapeze, acrobatics, Chinese pole, trampoline and silks (as seen on TV); or take the more grounded approach with acro yoga - a fusion of acrobatics and yoga, and contact improvisation dance. It's a great way to get fit, have fun, and express your creative side.

Check out our Courses page here.

New Show in Singapore

Monday 17 March 2008

The Generating Company is producing a new musical acrobatic show for Resorts World at Sentosa with an international creative team led by Mark Fisher, architect of blockbuster shows for the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and U2. The story follows one boy's journey to manhood as he discovers morality, sacrifice, and love; an epic tale told through powerful music, dazzling stage sets, splendid costumes and gripping performances.

The show will be resident within the new Resorts World development on the beautiful island of Sentosa, located just off the coast of Singapore, the resort will become Asia's leading leisure destination and will include Universal Studios Singapore, Marine Life Park, Maritime Xperiential Museum, 6 hotels, a spa and a hotel casino amongst the many other attractions available onsite.

Please visit http://www.rwsentosa.com/ for more information on Resorts World at Sentosa.

The Generating Company will be recruiting technical and production staff to help bring this creation to life. Auditions will also be held world-wide to recruit for the 60 strong cast to generate a truly international production beginning Autumn 2008. Should you wish to be considered, please visit our auditions and vacancies pages for information to where to send your CV and media and future audition dates and cities.