An interview with Timothy Mann, star of "Space"
This interview was conducted by Stephan Turner, Artistic Director of The Gate Theater Group.
Stephan: Hi Tim. We are all thrilled to have you performing at The Gate Theater. “Space” will be The Gate's first production of 2014. This is also the first time we've presented a one man performance. Could you tell our readers how you came up with the idea for “Space”?
Timothy: I first conceived the idea for the show on a Nose2Nose tour of Japan in 2006. I was doing a one-man warm-up act at the time, only 10 minutes, getting a lot of laughs playing two interchangeable characters. I began thinking of ways I could incorporate multiple characters into a solo performance. I started with a theme, 'space', me being fascinated by all things cosmic. It didn't take long before the word 'space' took on dozens of new meanings - the space between people, and inside your mind. Infinite space, and space confined. Just that word seemed to me an endless source of inspiration.
Stephan: That sounds interesting. The word space can can take on so many different meanings. How were you able to incorporate all these different ideas?
Timothy: I made it practical by molding four characters to represent 'space' in a different way. That was my foundation. I love creating characters from scratch, and built each of them starting with a simple body shape and a voice - each totally unique to make it easy for me to switch quickly between them. We traveled to India for a 7-week tour in 2009 where I performed the show at the Kala Academy in Goa, and various international schools. As we took the show to more countries - schools, public spaces and festivals in the UK, Japan, China, Malaysia, Myanmar and Turkey - I started expanding the list of characters, throwing out old ones that had served their purpose and developing those that had potential to be more interesting, deeper, more attached to the core narrative. There is no "script", only a rough character order that I can change depending on the audience I'm performing to.
It was around the time we put on a run at the Ranga Shankara in Bangalore (2011) that 'SPACE' found its footing - characters were improvising with audience, the story was fast-paced and intricate, and I'd found just the right mix between comedy and tragedy. Technically I stripped the piece down to its most basic elements - one man, a stage and an audience. The idea of "pure acting" - creating an entire illusion with just one body and voice - has always entranced me, and become my bedrock. Since then the show has been all over Asia, and after 7 years I am still constantly refining it to make it better, based on audience reaction and feedback.
Stephan: What other arts involvements do you find interesting?
Timothy: As a performer, I've always been involved in theater from a very young age, and ran various amateur dramatic groups through secondary school and college. The theater is my passion, and I have worked very hard with my director Neil Farrelly to build the profile of our company Nose2Nose, conducting workshops alongside our touring shows all over the world. We also create films and publish books - I am currently putting together my own practical theory book for creating and developing characters for the stage, which directly ties into my one-man masterclass. Back in the UK I run my own production company with my father (previously a producer for terrestrial television) as creative director, video editor and designer. I am also a professional drummer, touring the UK with a jazz three-piece. I have four brothers - all involved in the arts, either as actors, videographers or musicians - and often collaborate with them on projects.
Stephan: Thanks Tim. We are looking forward to you performance. I'm sure it will be an amazing experience for all in attendance.
Timothy: I first conceived the idea for the show on a Nose2Nose tour of Japan in 2006. I was doing a one-man warm-up act at the time, only 10 minutes, getting a lot of laughs playing two interchangeable characters. I began thinking of ways I could incorporate multiple characters into a solo performance. I started with a theme, 'space', me being fascinated by all things cosmic. It didn't take long before the word 'space' took on dozens of new meanings - the space between people, and inside your mind. Infinite space, and space confined. Just that word seemed to me an endless source of inspiration.
Stephan: That sounds interesting. The word space can can take on so many different meanings. How were you able to incorporate all these different ideas?
Timothy: I made it practical by molding four characters to represent 'space' in a different way. That was my foundation. I love creating characters from scratch, and built each of them starting with a simple body shape and a voice - each totally unique to make it easy for me to switch quickly between them. We traveled to India for a 7-week tour in 2009 where I performed the show at the Kala Academy in Goa, and various international schools. As we took the show to more countries - schools, public spaces and festivals in the UK, Japan, China, Malaysia, Myanmar and Turkey - I started expanding the list of characters, throwing out old ones that had served their purpose and developing those that had potential to be more interesting, deeper, more attached to the core narrative. There is no "script", only a rough character order that I can change depending on the audience I'm performing to.
It was around the time we put on a run at the Ranga Shankara in Bangalore (2011) that 'SPACE' found its footing - characters were improvising with audience, the story was fast-paced and intricate, and I'd found just the right mix between comedy and tragedy. Technically I stripped the piece down to its most basic elements - one man, a stage and an audience. The idea of "pure acting" - creating an entire illusion with just one body and voice - has always entranced me, and become my bedrock. Since then the show has been all over Asia, and after 7 years I am still constantly refining it to make it better, based on audience reaction and feedback.
Stephan: What other arts involvements do you find interesting?
Timothy: As a performer, I've always been involved in theater from a very young age, and ran various amateur dramatic groups through secondary school and college. The theater is my passion, and I have worked very hard with my director Neil Farrelly to build the profile of our company Nose2Nose, conducting workshops alongside our touring shows all over the world. We also create films and publish books - I am currently putting together my own practical theory book for creating and developing characters for the stage, which directly ties into my one-man masterclass. Back in the UK I run my own production company with my father (previously a producer for terrestrial television) as creative director, video editor and designer. I am also a professional drummer, touring the UK with a jazz three-piece. I have four brothers - all involved in the arts, either as actors, videographers or musicians - and often collaborate with them on projects.
Stephan: Thanks Tim. We are looking forward to you performance. I'm sure it will be an amazing experience for all in attendance.