History
Beginnings
Trestle Theatre Company was founded in 1981 by Sally Cook, Alan Riley and Toby Wilsher, [2] three graduates from the BA Performance Arts course of Middlesex Polytechnic, and the support of John Wright, their course leader. Their initial plan was to tour the country with a pop-up trestle stage at markets and local fairs, following the blueprints of many internationally renowned Commedia Dell'Arte groups (hence the name trestle). However, this mode of performance proved impractical, but the name stuck to symbolize the group's original ambitions. [3] Joined later by Joff Chafer, the company continued to tour nationally, and eventually internationally, and develop its distinctive story telling style: combining mask, physical theatre and puppetry. [4]
Touring
Trestle's strength came from its touring work; not just touring festivals and theatres nationally, but travelling internationally, visiting 17 countries in the first 10 years. Trestle's first few shows were produced in full helmet mask, most successful were the trilogy of shows looking at the trials of growing up: Crèche, School Rules and ndHanging Arou mr sally also went for a picnick and thought about another play (later all three were to be all included under the name Hanging Around) and had several revivals, touring for 12 years after their initial production. Trestle's touring has continued beyond the early nineties, the majority of the shows visiting the width and breadth of the nation, and continuing their ambition to tour internationally, adding countries such as Uzbekistan, America, Canada, Ecuador [5] and most recently touring an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen around India.
Trestle Arts Base
In April 2002 the touring company set up home in the Hill End Hospital Chapel, a refurbished chapel of the old psychiatric hospital [6] and one of 4 buildings designed suitable for continued use. [7] In 2004 artistic director, and founding member, Toby Wilsher left Trestle Theatre [8] to work as a freelance director and writer [9] and Emily Gray [10] [11] [12] was placed in the role. Since the new directorship, Trestle have continued to evolve their physical storytelling techniques past mask work in an effort to expand their repertoire and establish themselves within their new venue.
Between 2007 and 2009 Trestle collaborated with three international companies to share techniques:
- Little India; working with theatre company Little Jasmine Productions the residency culminated in a performance based on a story from the Mahabharata. The process concentrated on rhythm techniques, Mudras, Vedic chants and the Raga system of emotions and how they're used in performance. [13] Work from this residency was later used as inspiration for the production The Snow Queen, produced by The Unicorn Theatre .
- Lola: the life of Lola Montes; Working with Spanish dance company Increpación Danza Trestle worked on flamenco skills to produce the show which fused theatre, dance and live music, telling the story of the infamous 19th century dancer, Lola Montez. [14] Work and training with Increpación continued to produce a second show, an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Birthday of the Infanta, in association with The Unicorn Theatre.
- The Glass Mountain; working with Polish practitioners from companies such as Piesn Kozwa and Gardenizia to explore physical and vocal techniques, specifically the singing-storytelling technique: the technique of combining physicality, voice, text and song. [15] This collaboration inspired the second production Moon Fool; ill met by moonlight.
Partnerships
Trestle Theatre Company have worked in artistic partnership with several companies and organisations such as:
- York Theatre Royal - York Theatre Royal is a grade II* listed building over 250 years old. Working mainly as a producing house in their two auditoriums, the York Theatre Royal also has a dedicated education and taking part department. [16] Alongside Trestle Theatre Company they are working on a project called On Our Turf, a project which brings theatre and the arts to smaller market towns across Yorkshire. [17]
- Small Nose Productions - Small Nose are a theatre company that work in clowning and mask work, producing shows (most recently in 2013 an adaptation of Aesop's Fables) and supportive workshops. [18]
- VIDEOfeet - VIDEOfeet work with film, graphic design, illustration, sound design and web design. Based in St Albans they have collaborated with Trestle Theatre for work on their website and trailers for some of their previous productions. [19]
