WINDOW: Scorched

WINDOW is Brighton Fringe's Arts Industry showcase created to develop and encourage artists ready for the next step in their career. We spoke to Open Sky, whose show Scorched was selected as a WINDOW participant.

WINDOW: Scorched

Could you first introduce yourself to the readers?

My name is Claire Coaché and I am artistic director of a theatre company called 'Open Sky'

Could you describe your act for us?

"Following it's critically acclaimed debut at the Edinburgh Fringe 2016, Open Sky present Scorched. A true story inspired by the writer's (Lisle Turner) grandfather.

With striking theatrical invention and imaginative visual, physical theatre the play tells the tale of a World War 2 veteran and follows his mind sinking into the sands of time."

Why did you want to perform at Brighton Fringe?

Brighton Fringe is such an exciting event. The Rialto Theatre guys loved the show in Edinburgh and when they invited us be part of their 2017 fringe programme we jumped at the chance.

Why did you decide to apply for WINDOW?

Window is a brilliant opportunity for emerging companies, we fitted the criteria so applied and crossed our fingers!

How did you react to being told you'd been selected to be showcased?

We were thrilled. Whilst Open Sky is a relatively new company, Lisle and I are 'mid-career artists' (the polite way of saying middle-aged these days) so it's a great opportunity for us to raise the profile of Open Sky.

How has it helped you so far?

It's offered us some pre-press activity that we may not have had access to otherwise and I think it has raised our industry profile. I'm sure we'll see even more benefits once the festival kicks off.

What is the best part of your job?

I absolutely love the creative process, from the first spark of an idea turning into what Lisle writes. Getting in the rehearsal room with Robin (in this case) and playing around, making all these juicy, beautiful moments and then carefully 'sewing' it all together like a patchwork quilt. I enjoy the rigor of fine-tuning 'how this gets from here to there' (although I think Robin may say otherwise!) and I love painting in all the other dimensions. Working with our collaborators Ben Hughes endless patience with the projection design, Susie Owen's and Emma Lazenby's animations, Andrew Purvin's beautiful set, Juliet Blamey's costume. If I'm performing I get the direct feedback from the audience when I'm onstage but when I'm directing I love watching how the audience reacts and hearing from them afterwards what they felt and thought.

Conversely, what has been the most challenging?

Administration, fund-raising, learning how to cashflow and manage budgets, tour booking… All that said, I've learnt so much over the last few years of having do all this myself. Now we have our fantastic producers Turtle Key Arts onboard, I have a good grasp of how it all functions and enormous appreciation for the fact that they do it much better. Now I'm freed up to concentrate more on the creative process and our future plans.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

As a director I try and get out of the way. I tell Rob and Ella (our brilliant stage manager) 'Merde' and then I sit quietly and send them both some good thoughts. When I'm performing I always meditate for a minute before I go onstage to make sure I'm totally in the moment.

What is the process you go through when looking to create a new show? Are you very disciplined or do you need to be strict with yourself?

I wait for a spark or for Lisle to have a spark. The discipline comes later but in the early stages an idea needs time to grow. I can't force it, I need to feel really inspired. It's a huge amount of work and time to make a piece of theater but if I like the idea it's worth the effort.

What do you think has been the most dramatic change to the industry in the last five years?

Social media as means of networking and promotion. On a separate note I came back to work after parenting leave and I'm so pleased that movements such a 'Parents in the Performing Arts' and 'Mothers Who Make' are taking off. I also feel like there is quite a good sense of camaraderie out there now among artists. There is so much scary stuff happening in the world that we all need to support each other in finding our ways to talk about it and stand up to it.,

If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?

I love doing this and I'm so glad I get the opportunity to do it. But if not this then being a nurse or a doctor (if I was better at science) or a teacher.

Imagine you possess the power to send one message back in time to 16-year-old you. What do you say?

Get on with it, you can do it.

What advice would you give to young people who want to enter the industry?

Work hard, be nice, don't wait for permission – search out your own opportunities. Live in the world and make your own work about what you find out there.

Where can people find you on the internet, and find out more about your show?

www.openskyahead.co.uk Twitter: @openskyahead Facebook: /openskyahead

Photo: Jack Offord

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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