ED MCGREGOR
Volunteering Officer at the
Churches' Conservation Trust on 'THE TEMPEST' 2017
"It has been a pleasure to work with Justin and the crew from Insane Root from start to finish.
Performing the Tempest in a 14th century vaulted crypt could be a risky business but they were highly sensitive and respectful to the restrictions of the space and took great care in the choreography and installation of their production.
I was impressed by the thoroughness of their approach – considering where a foot would be stamped at one point of the performance and on which tombstone it would land. They custom built furniture to suit the space and all was installed with maximum possible care.
Their show welcomed over 1000 new visitors to the church and showed off the crypt in the very best light."
"It has been a pleasure to work with Justin and the crew from Insane Root from start to finish.
Performing the Tempest in a 14th century vaulted crypt could be a risky business but they were highly sensitive and respectful to the restrictions of the space and took great care in the choreography and installation of their production.
I was impressed by the thoroughness of their approach – considering where a foot would be stamped at one point of the performance and on which tombstone it would land. They custom built furniture to suit the space and all was installed with maximum possible care.
Their show welcomed over 1000 new visitors to the church and showed off the crypt in the very best light."
HANNAH LE POIDEVIN
Rehearsal Room Work Experience Placement on 'ROMEO & JULIET' 2018
My work experience with Insane Root was an amazing opportunity that’s hard to find anywhere else. It gave me the chance to explore every aspect of theatre making, from acting to stage managing, and from directing to designing.
It really helped me dig deeper into the industry and learn skills I can use in my current productions. I would definitely love an opportunity to work with them again!
EMMA
GONZALES
Production Work Experience Placement on 'ROMEO & JULIET' 2018
My work experience with Insane Root was amazing; I found it both insightful and enjoyable. The cast and crew were friendly, and helped me to feel apart of the team very quickly.
The stage management team that I shadowed was welcoming and kept me busy - I got to see exactly what the job involves in an applied, “real life” context. I could also take the time to ask any questions I had about their pathways and the industry itself (which was very helpful as theatre can often be quite a mysterious industry), and also received personal advice for the pathway I should take.
I’d like to thank Insane Root once again for the opportunity - and hope to be involved again soon!
LAURA HILTON
Visitor Services Manager at Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust on 'ORPHEUS & EURYDICE' 2017
Orpheus & Eurydice was an immersive theatre production inside two chambers of the Clifton Suspension Bridge abutment. The location is a working part of the listed structure, only accessible by ladder.
When approached by Insane Root, who wished to create a site specific performance, we were enthusiastic about the concept but were unsure whether it would be possible due to the limited amount of space available (restricted to just twelve members of the public at any one time) and the difficulty involved in access. Through a series of site visits and meetings, we were able to work jointly to create a plan for a performance which would match our health and safety requirements – but also provide an entertaining and engaging visitor experience.
Insane Root worked with us to make the experience of visiting the vaults just as much a part of the experience as the performance itself. Ensuring the health and safety of the audience was paramount at all times. A booking system informed audiences of the access requirements as tickets were purchased and ensured they would arrive in time for a pre-show safety briefing whilst a Steampunk concept matched the Brunelian location and allowed the mandatory hard hats to become a part of the wardrobe for both actors and attendees.
Audience members were escorted to the vaults by Persephone, who invited them to descend a ladder to the Underworld. A number of attendees were understandably nervous about accessing the space as well as entering a chamber which had potential to feel claustrophobic but a health and safety team member was present during each performance to help attendees up and down the ladder – or to get them out if they found the space too enclosing. The team also developed a stop-go procedure should any audience member need to leave during the performance: this was used on one occasion and operated successfully.
A cast of four, supporting crew of five and Health and Safety team of three delivered a run of 108 performances, with an intensive intensive schedule of six performances a day between 11am to 7.30pm each show day. Insane Root were able to adapt admirably to a challenging and restrictive space and created an award winning project.
As our first foray into theatre, it was an exciting and rewarding undertaking for us and we were delighted with the sell-out success and the national press coverage that it received.
