Pip Simmons Theatre Group
Encyclopedia
The Pip Simmons Theatre Group was formed in 1968. Pip Simmons, the founder, served both as writer and director, but he was open to the ideas of others in the company, much of their work being devised pieces. London based, it was one of the first English experimental theatre
companies.
Pip maintained the momentum of the group by taking a series of 'residencies' in theatre spaces around the UK and Europe, which was not a familiar concept at the time. The group performed at the Mickery Theatre, under the nurturing gaze of Ritsaert ten Cate, along with contemporaries such as Mike Figgis
, and The Wooster Group
. Pip Simmons has said of Ritsaert: 'Ritsaert made it possible for us to experiment. He was learning with us, and he didn't hide it...I did my best work there in Holland, and Ritsaert stimulated it. His stimulation wasn't just for one short period, though. He provided the best stimulation, because he stuck with you through failures as well as successes. He can't be compared with anyone else in Europe.'
The group also worked with Artsadmin
, who 'loved what they were doing' and were interested in increasing the group's profile within the UK, as the more experimental companies such as The Pip Simmons Group, and the People Show
were struggling to be taken seriously.
As with much performance art that relies on fresh ideas and constant change, and with video recording equipment being less accessible during that time, much of The Pip Simmons Group work was undocumented.
Notable works include An die Musik
, a production first created by the group in 1975 and performed at the ICA London, music by Chris Jordan, from an original idea by Rudy Engelander. "The show's centerpiece is a vile cabaret hosted by an SS Officer. A devastatingly raw example of agitprop that, for once, challenges prejudice instead of pandering to it."
The group performed a version of The Tempest
at the Riverside Studios
where, "Customers squat on raised planks in front of a sandpit adorned with bits of old wood and billowing white muslin. Upstage Prospero in a Robinson Crusoe straw hat summons the storm on a moog synthesiser."
The group also produced a work named Superman
, and in their portrail of the comic book hero, Superman becomes a rock and roll idol. The script contained songs which were "plagarised and borrowed unscrupulously", and the lyrics ranged from sentimental pop to comic strip diction: "Splat. Zap. Zonk. Pow./Oufff. Ouch. Aagh.Eyow."
Other acclaimed works include: a version of Alice in Wonderland, ; In The Penal Colony - ICA London, 1985, Adapted from a short story by Franz Kafka; Can't Sit Still - ICA London 1982, music by Chris Jordan; Rien Ne Va Plus - Arts Lab Birmingham, 1980, Music by Chris Jordan; Do It - Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London 1971, Music by Chris Jordan, masks by Paddy O'Hagan.
Experimental theatre
Experimental theatre is a general term for various movements in Western theatre that began in the late 19th century as a retraction against the dominant vent governing the writing and production of dramatical menstrophy, and age in particular. The term has shifted over time as the mainstream...
companies.
Pip maintained the momentum of the group by taking a series of 'residencies' in theatre spaces around the UK and Europe, which was not a familiar concept at the time. The group performed at the Mickery Theatre, under the nurturing gaze of Ritsaert ten Cate, along with contemporaries such as Mike Figgis
Mike Figgis
Michael "Mike" Figgis is an English film director, writer, and composer.-Personal life:Figgis was born in Carlisle, England and grew up in Africa. Figgis for several years had a relationship with the actress Saffron Burrows and cast her in several films...
, and The Wooster Group
The Wooster Group
The Wooster Group is a New York City-based experimental theater company known for creating numerous original dramatic works. It gradually emerged during 1975-1980 from Richard Schechner's The Performance Group and took its name in 1980...
. Pip Simmons has said of Ritsaert: 'Ritsaert made it possible for us to experiment. He was learning with us, and he didn't hide it...I did my best work there in Holland, and Ritsaert stimulated it. His stimulation wasn't just for one short period, though. He provided the best stimulation, because he stuck with you through failures as well as successes. He can't be compared with anyone else in Europe.'
The group also worked with Artsadmin
Artsadmin
Artsadmin is a UK based charity providing project management to a number of contemporary artists , as well as support and resources for artists at any stage of their career working particularly in the fields of new theatre, dance, music, live art and mixed media work...
, who 'loved what they were doing' and were interested in increasing the group's profile within the UK, as the more experimental companies such as The Pip Simmons Group, and the People Show
People Show
The People Show is the longest running English experimental theatre company, based in the East End of London.Founded by Jeff Nuttall and Mark Long in 1966 and performing its first show in the basement of Better Books in London's Charing Cross Road, the People Show was London's first performance art...
were struggling to be taken seriously.
As with much performance art that relies on fresh ideas and constant change, and with video recording equipment being less accessible during that time, much of The Pip Simmons Group work was undocumented.
Notable works include An die Musik
An die Musik
Franz Schubert composed his lied "An die Musik" in March 1817 for solo voice and piano, with text from a poem by his friend Franz von Schober. In the Deutsch catalog of Schubert's works it is number 547, or D547. The original key is D major. It was published in 1827 as Opus 88 No. 4 by Weigl...
, a production first created by the group in 1975 and performed at the ICA London, music by Chris Jordan, from an original idea by Rudy Engelander. "The show's centerpiece is a vile cabaret hosted by an SS Officer. A devastatingly raw example of agitprop that, for once, challenges prejudice instead of pandering to it."
The group performed a version of The Tempest
The Tempest
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610–11, and thought by many critics to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place,...
at the Riverside Studios
Riverside Studios
Riverside Studios is a production studio, theatre and independent cinema on the banks of the River Thames in Hammersmith, London, England. It plays host to contemporary and international dramatic and dance performance, film, visual art exhibitions and television production.-History:In 1933, the...
where, "Customers squat on raised planks in front of a sandpit adorned with bits of old wood and billowing white muslin. Upstage Prospero in a Robinson Crusoe straw hat summons the storm on a moog synthesiser."
The group also produced a work named Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, and in their portrail of the comic book hero, Superman becomes a rock and roll idol. The script contained songs which were "plagarised and borrowed unscrupulously", and the lyrics ranged from sentimental pop to comic strip diction: "Splat. Zap. Zonk. Pow./Oufff. Ouch. Aagh.Eyow."
Other acclaimed works include: a version of Alice in Wonderland, ; In The Penal Colony - ICA London, 1985, Adapted from a short story by Franz Kafka; Can't Sit Still - ICA London 1982, music by Chris Jordan; Rien Ne Va Plus - Arts Lab Birmingham, 1980, Music by Chris Jordan; Do It - Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London 1971, Music by Chris Jordan, masks by Paddy O'Hagan.