Gary Stevens: Audience

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

Gary Stevens: Audience

An intriguing endeavour to re-define the boundaries of performance art

This programme depicts how an artist-in-residence at Brighton Polytechnic, Gary Stevens, works with an experienced group of student performers in the run-up to a show put on at Brighton's Pavilion Theatre on the 22nd of June 1989. After some brief scenes in a workshop where Gary's ideas are discussed and worked into what will become the actual performance, we hear from the performers themselves about how Gary's methods affect their understanding of the piece. The essence of the piece is to consider the performance as an object - or a sculpture made up collectively from the performers acting as a 'single entity'. We then switch to the Pavilion Theatre in Brighton, where the performance of 'Audience' is about to take place. As the performance gets underway, Gary is heard explaining what the piece intends to convey and cites the 'practice of looking' as well as the psychological undercurrents that apply to both the performers and the audience.

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From the collection

Performing Arts: Theatre

First of the Performing Arts series...

The stage is set... the curtains are raised. This collection is first of a four-part series that looks at the wonders of Performing Arts - theatre, dance, music and performance beyond the mainstream. With theatre being one of the oldest mediums of the performer - spectator dynamic, its evolution across the decades is nothing short of fascinating. Going beyond the ephemeral, this collection allows us to venture further into the world of theatre, granting us on stage and backstage access. Here is a spotlight on the ever relevant and timeless nature of this art form; spaces for creative exchange and play; a tool for bringing awareness to important topics, combining artistry with activism; and engaging a wide range of performers and audiences alike. Who knows what the future holds for such an important, oftentimes radical means of expression? In the meantime, take your seat, get comfortable and, enjoy the show!

21 videos in this collection

Insightful look at the work of the then-young British Theatre of the Deaf and its founder, Pat Keysell.

Theatre of the Deaf

  • 1972
Watch in libraries only

Dog Joins Musical Theatre

  • Tonge
  • 1986
Watch in libraries only

Black Actors

  • 1981
Watch in libraries only

Asian Youth Music and Dance

  • Cardiff/Caerdydd
  • 1980
Watch in libraries only

About AIDS: Teaching to Care - Third Ground

  • Sheffield
  • 1988
Watch in libraries only

D'art

  • 1992
Watch in libraries only

Minack Theatre: Under the Stars

  • Porthcurno
  • 1989
Watch in libraries only

Dario Fo - Modern Jester

  • 1985
Watch in libraries only

Contact in the World

  • Liverpool
  • 2008
Professional touring theatre company reaches out to rural communities

The Orchard Theatre at Beaford Arts Centre

  • Beaford
  • 1969
Watch in libraries only

Cooling Off

  • Leeds
  • 2000
Meet a young Ian McKellen, treading the boards of the legendary Crucible Theatre.

Sheffield Theatre

  • 1972
Watch in libraries only

Drama Academy (Fame)

  • Belfast
  • 1986
Angela Rippon reports on the Women's Institute's pantomime

The Withycombe Raleigh Pantomime

  • Withycombe Raleigh
  • 1970
Watch in libraries only

West Side Story in Belfast

  • Belfast
  • 1986
Watch in libraries only

The Travellers: Still Carrying On

  • Long Buckby Wharf
  • 1984
Sexey's school put on a Shakespearian production.

Sexey's School perform The Tempest

  • Bruton
  • 1960
Watch in libraries only

Falling Out with the Jones'

  • Liverpool
  • 2008
Watch in libraries only

Hoof!

  • Liverpool
  • 2008
Watch in libraries only

Arts Theatre Anniversary

  • Belfast
  • 1986
Watch in libraries only

Gary Stevens: Audience

  • Brighton
  • 1989
View full collection