Creating an ensemble for the Millennium show; the intention and impulse
NMEC Ltd was set up to build the Millennium Dome, to put things in it and to establish a national programme of celebrations for the Millennium. The Central arena in the Dome can accommodate a large audience in the region of 12,000 people. NMEC have recruited a creative team that is design led. Mark Fisher and Peter Gabriel have conceived the show. The Creative team involves Micha Bergese (Artistic Director) Keith Kahn (Costume Designer) Patrick Woodroffe (Lighting Designer).
The performances will be physical theatre based , not text based though they will provide a narrative for the Millennium. We are setting up a performance company who will be performing a minimum of 3 times a day (maximum 5 times a day), 7 days a week.
The Dome is a design exhibition that includes a performance arena. It was decided that a large musical spectacular using aerial and other circus skills would be the most suitable show to compliment the overall experience of a visit to the Dome.
The casting of the show has involved open auditions for 70 ground based dancers and actors. The Circus Space were approached and asked to be the training providers for 90 aerialists. A Certificate in Higher Education for Circus was developed and launched. The NMEC partnership with TCP has proved extremely fruitful and has included the refurbishment of the Combustion Chamber at TCP. We had to question how to create a performing physical artist with multiple skills. We understood the need for rounded training. We are developing a training ethos attached to the show; the show cannot be maintained without the training.
Our health and safety policy has enabled us to develop a programme of creative risk assessment procedures. We have established a technical training summer school here at Three Mills; 50 unemployed people from South East London in the age group 16-30 years old will be attending. Out of this school, 15 people will be chosen for technical traineeships. We have produced a show in the rehearsal studios on Three Mills Island as part of the Greenwich and Docklands festival.
It is intended that a British Millennium circus company will be set up and promoted as a result of the Dome show.
Paul Cockle