ACCLAIMED STAGE PRODUCTION IS MADE INTO A FILM
Two leading UK theatre companies have come together to produce a film based on their critically acclaimed stage production.
Yorkshire’s Mind the Gap and Ipswich-based Gecko Theatre created ‘A Little Space’ in 2019; it opened in November and toured to 10 venues before Covid-19 halted theatre throughout the country.
“Streaming has come into its own throughout the pandemic and that’s been hugely beneficial for everyone,” says Co-Creator Charli Ward from Mind the Gap.
“But this is much more than streaming a theatre production into homes and venues – what we have done is made a piece of theatre into a film and the result is wonderful hybrid of both.”
Set in an apartment block, ‘A Little Space’ follows the lives of five people and explores what happens when they connect and disconnect from each other, whether through choice or through isolation.
Drawing on the performers’ own experiences, it is a powerful piece of physical theatre, which uses movement, imagery, sound, and lighting to portray the needs, desires, and fears of the characters.
The two theatre companies worked with award-winning Newcastle-based Meerkat Films to bring the piece to the screen and promise that audiences can expect ‘a mash up of theatre and film’.
“In a theatre the audience’s eyes see everything at the same time it’s up to us to control that with lighting and staging; film gives us the opportunity to get down to the details of the stories, the details of the characters, and to pick out very minute touches,” explains Co-creator Rich Rusk from Gecko Theatre.
“If you see the film and the stage production you will have a very different experience; it’s definitely not like a Hollywood movie on location – it’s all in one place so exists very theatrically but with a cinematic edge.”
The opportunity to create the film came in June 2020 when it was commissioned by The Space, a digital agency that help promote engagement across the arts and cultural sector.
“We’re very grateful to The Space for their support,” Charli concludes. “To blend the two artforms has been a fascinating and new experience and a great opportunity for our artists and creatives alike.”
A Little Space premieres on You Tube and Facebook on Saturday 17th July at 5pm
It is free to watch.