The Generating Company
Encyclopedia
The Generating Company is an international touring circus company producing large scale commercially successful shows and events around the world. Most recent shows include 'Voyage de la Vie' at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore
and 'Aqua' the worlds largest water show in Shenzhen southern China. The company produces events and runs training programmes for established artists and young people.The company is based in London and England and Le Buisson-de-Cadouin
, France
. The company premiered to critical success at the Millennium Dome
until moving operations to The Circus Space
in Hoxton
in 2001. The company now works internationally.
for the Millennium Experience, a exhibition hosted at the Millennium Dome to welcome the third millennium. The crew turned to Circus Space
, which offers the only national diploma in circus skills. With little more than a year until opening night, Circus Space formed an accredited program and trained 87 aerial performers for the Dome show.
The Dome show premiered on New Year's Eve, 1999. While the Dome itself was mired in controversy and financial woes, the show opened to critical success. With only a year long contract at the Dome, many of the show's performers considered a return to Circus Space to continue their careers. When the show closed at the end of 2000, about 20 of the performers returned to Circus Space to form The Generation Company, a small traveling company that retained many of the characteristics of the original Dome performance.
and grants from the Arts Council England
to begin a touring company. After a local show, Storm, performed at Circus Space in Hoxton, The Generating Company began pursuing a "fusion of professional training with an extended performance contract linked to future touring opportunities." It opened its first school in 2002, offering summer courses devised for children interested in circus skills. It also hosted programs at Trinity Buoy Wharf
through 2009.
In 2008, The Generating Company decided to move the majority of its professional schooling and develop a creative centre at Le Buisson-de-Cadouin, France. Paul Cockle explained that setting up the company in France offered the chance to develop a residential centre where artists can live and work together. The new centre has been in the company's plans since its very beginnings in the Dome. With work stretching across the globe the company needs space to develop and bring international artists together to create work. The Generating Company still has administration offices in London but its core operation is based in France.
and Theo Paphitis
decided to invest in the company. Together they invested £160,000 into the company and own a 40% stake.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and 'Aqua' the worlds largest water show in Shenzhen southern China. The company produces events and runs training programmes for established artists and young people.The company is based in London and England and Le Buisson-de-Cadouin
Le Buisson-de-Cadouin
Le Buisson-de-Cadouin is a commune in the Dordogne department in southwestern France.It is connected with an ancient Roman road known as the Via Lemovicensis. The commune is situated by the Dordogne.-Population:-History:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The company premiered to critical success at the Millennium Dome
Millennium Dome
The Millennium Dome, colloquially referred to simply as The Dome or even The O2 Arena, is the original name of a large dome-shaped building, originally used to house the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium...
until moving operations to The Circus Space
The Circus Space
The Circus Space in the Hoxton area of London offers the UK's only university degree programme in circus. It supports the professional development of circus performers and circus companies and runs youth and adult evening classes every week...
in Hoxton
Hoxton
Hoxton is an area in the London Borough of Hackney, immediately north of the financial district of the City of London. The area of Hoxton is bordered by Regent's Canal on the north side, Wharf Road and City Road on the west, Old Street on the south, and Kingsland Road on the east.Hoxton is also a...
in 2001. The company now works internationally.
Formation
The Generating Company founder, Paul Cockie, collaborated with Peter Gabriel and Mark Fisher, in 1998 to create a showMillennium Dome Show
The Millennium Dome Show was a multimedia, Cirque du Soleil-esque show created specifically for the year 2000 in the Millennium Dome. The show was directed by Mark Fisher and Peter Gabriel...
for the Millennium Experience, a exhibition hosted at the Millennium Dome to welcome the third millennium. The crew turned to Circus Space
The Circus Space
The Circus Space in the Hoxton area of London offers the UK's only university degree programme in circus. It supports the professional development of circus performers and circus companies and runs youth and adult evening classes every week...
, which offers the only national diploma in circus skills. With little more than a year until opening night, Circus Space formed an accredited program and trained 87 aerial performers for the Dome show.
The Dome show premiered on New Year's Eve, 1999. While the Dome itself was mired in controversy and financial woes, the show opened to critical success. With only a year long contract at the Dome, many of the show's performers considered a return to Circus Space to continue their careers. When the show closed at the end of 2000, about 20 of the performers returned to Circus Space to form The Generation Company, a small traveling company that retained many of the characteristics of the original Dome performance.
Financing and schools
Following their success at the Dome and Circus Space, The Generating Company received a £70,000 grant from the National Endowment for Science Technology and the ArtsNESTA
The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts is an independent endowment in the United Kingdom established by an Act of Parliament in 1998....
and grants from the Arts Council England
Arts Council England
Arts Council England was formed in 1994 when the Arts Council of Great Britain was divided into three separate bodies for England, Scotland and Wales. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport...
to begin a touring company. After a local show, Storm, performed at Circus Space in Hoxton, The Generating Company began pursuing a "fusion of professional training with an extended performance contract linked to future touring opportunities." It opened its first school in 2002, offering summer courses devised for children interested in circus skills. It also hosted programs at Trinity Buoy Wharf
Trinity Buoy Wharf
Trinity Buoy Wharf, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, is the site of London's only lighthouse, by the confluence of the River Thames and Bow Creek, at Leamouth. The lighthouse no longer functions, and is the home of various art projects such as Longplayer...
through 2009.
In 2008, The Generating Company decided to move the majority of its professional schooling and develop a creative centre at Le Buisson-de-Cadouin, France. Paul Cockle explained that setting up the company in France offered the chance to develop a residential centre where artists can live and work together. The new centre has been in the company's plans since its very beginnings in the Dome. With work stretching across the globe the company needs space to develop and bring international artists together to create work. The Generating Company still has administration offices in London but its core operation is based in France.
Shows
- Voyage de la Vie - Resorts World Sentosa, SingaporeSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
Dragons' Den
The Generating Company successfully appeared on the Dragons' Den in December 2005. Represented by Paul Cockle, Peter JonesPeter Jones
Peter Jones or Pete Jones may refer to:*Peter Jones , English actor*Peter Jones , Australian rules footballer for Carlton...
and Theo Paphitis
Theo Paphitis
Theodorus "Theo" Paphitis is a retail magnate and British entrepreneur of Greek Cypriot origin. He made the majority of his fortune in the retail sector, and is best known to the general public for his appearances on the BBC business programme Dragons' Den and as former chairman of Millwall...
decided to invest in the company. Together they invested £160,000 into the company and own a 40% stake.