PETER SEARLES
Contemporary/Stand-up Storytelling
August 10th, 11th, 12th
COST: £475
The art of standing up and telling a simple story in front of a live audience is bare bones theatre at its best
These days actors have to remain innovative to survive. One option is to create your own one-man show based on your own material. The Course focuses on how to choose, develop, shape and effectively tell your own story, in a way that is dramatically engaging, concise, truthful and entertaining. It offers participants: a clear insight into understanding the basic dynamics of drama/storytelling; helps boost their range of performance skills; creates a space that allows them to explore and express their own creativity; and finally, provides them with an opportunity to devise and perform their own work in front of a live audience. The process involves a practical, “out of your seat” approach, where participants are encouraged to work for and with each other in an environment that is creative, supportive, stimulating and fun.
Peter is an actor, writer, director and prolific workshop facilitator. As an actor - he has played a variety of contemporary and classical roles for companies ranging from the National Theatre, English Shakespeare Company and numerous regional repertory theatres to - many of the UK’s more innovative and experimental companies: Impact Theatre, Actors Touring Company (Season at Donmar Warehouse), 7.84 England, Insomniac, Benchtours and The Bush Theatre. TV and Radio appearances include; Eastenders, The Bill, Comedy Nation, The Piglet Files, The Peasant’s Revolt, BBC Shakespeare Series and numerous programmes for BBC Radio 4. He also has numerous writing and directing credits to his name including the multi-award nominated Forest People for BBC2 TV ‘Scene’ Series which he co-wrote with Douglas Hodge.
Over the past ten years he has gained a reputation as one of the country’s foremost stand-up storytellers – touring his internationally acclaimed repertoire of one-man shows all over the world. Sell-out successes in the UK have included the National Theatre, Soho Theatre and numerous prestigious arts, drama and comedy festivals (Including three appearances at the Canterbury Festival) . In December 2004, a specially commissioned adaptation of A Chile Christmas was broadcast as The Afternoon Play on BBC Radio 4 to rave reviews.
'Wonderful.. delivered raconteur-style direct to the audience, Searles has you in the palm of his hand from the moment he opens his mouth... a natural storyteller and talented comedian.' - The Scotsman ****
“Prove Searles credentials as a great stand-up storyteller… it’s a fascinating, scary and funny tale from way beyond our normal confines. Prepare to be transported” Evening Standard
' A bloke stands on a bare stage telling us about a holiday he took in Chile more than 15 years ago… an hour and 20 minutes later you are yearning for more. Quite what makes Peter Searles such a riveting storyteller is hard to put a finger on. Maybe it’s the way he drops in wonderfully surreal details… or the fact that his tales never quite go the way you expect. The Guardian ****
For full and further reviews visit: www.petersearles.com/REVIEW.htm
The total cost of £475 will include entry onto the course, accommodation, breakfast, lunch, refreshments throughout the day and free entry to the Gulbenkian Cinema.
If you are interested in the course and would like to observe rather than participate please email tutors@actorscentre.co.uk to register your interest and we will contact you with more details at a later date.
The beautiful, historical city of Canterbury is just 56 miles from London, 30 minutes from the Channel Tunnel and six miles from the Whitstable beach. The University of Kent and Gulbenkian Theatre are built on 300 acres of parkland only half an hour’s walk from the city centre, which offers restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, galleries, theatres, cinemas and, of course, Canterbury Cathedral.
The course is open to professional actors.
To book place on the course please forward your CV and application form to members@actorscentre.co.uk by Monday 27th July 2009.
Once these have been received we will contact you to confirm your place on the course and take payment.
Places are limited to 12 participants.
Download an Application Form here.
