TOLD BY AN IDIOT

SIZE OF COMPANY
Varies

SCALE OF VENUE
Small- to middle-scale

PERMANENT STAFF
Co-Artistic Directors
Hayley Carmichael
Paul Hunter

Associate Director
John Wright

Producer
Sebastian Warrack

ARTISTIC POLICY
Told by an Idiot specialises in devised and physical theatre led by key practitioners in the field. Occasionally productions by commissioned writers are part of the company’s repertoire. The company tours original productions to venues regionally, nationally and internationally.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
‘[Hayley Carmichae] presents the Casanova legend afresh, in a play that is simultaneously a vivid fantasy, a discourse on the meaning of love and a gripping quixotic adventure.’ Financial Times (Casanova)

'Theatre about as inventive, imaginative and fantastical as it gets.' The Independent (Don't Laugh It's My Life)

'This is such a fabulous piece of theatre you think you are going to burst.' The Times (On the Verge of Exploding)

CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
Casanova By Carol Ann Duffy and Told by an Idiot in association with West Yorkshire Playhouse and Lyric Hammersmith. Bringing together poet Carol Ann Duffy with the rich theatrical language of Told by an Idiot, Casanova is a scandalously funny and passionate reinvention of the western world's most notorious lover. (120 mins, with an interval, 7 on stage, 11 on the road.)

I'm a Fool to Want You Inspired by the life and writings of jazz critic and novelist Boris Vian, a freewheeling look at the nature of deception and the desire to live in the moment. Includes live jazz musician and young locally-recruited trumpet player. (Approx 70 mins, 4 on stage, 7 or 8 on the road.)

Playing the Victim A co-production with the Royal Court. Written by the Presnyakov Brothers and directed by Richard Wilson, the story of Valya, whose job is to play the victim in murder reconstructions. (90 mins, 6 on stage, 10 on the road.)

A Little Fantasy Told by an Idiot gives its own highly original take on the family, the power struggles, the egos and the bonds that can never be broken. (90 mins, 5 on stage, 9 on the road.)

I Can't Wake Up Based on an original story by Paul Hunter. Told by an Idiot brings its acclaimed mix of wild comedy and touching drama to a tale of memory, redemption and the importance of Lyme Regis. (70 mins, 3 on stage, 6 on the road.)

I Weep At My Piano Inspired by Lorca, Dali and Bunuel – a show as captivating and as charismatic as the men themselves. (80 mins, 3 on stage, 6 on the road.)

Shoot Me in the Heart The story of an unlikely love affair set in a small coastal town in South America in the 1930s. (100 mins, 8 on stage, 12 on the road.)

FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
Distant Voices Still Lives A site-specific theatre piece inspired by Terence Davis' acclaimed film of the same name. Supported by the Unity Theatre and Liverpool Capital of Culture.

The Fahrenheit Twins An adaptation of the short story by Michel Faber, supported by the Unity Theatre. Following a period of R&D in February 2006, the production will be a two-hander performed by the Co-Artistic Directors, Paul Hunter and Hayley Carmichael. It will premiere in Liverpool in 2008 before coming to London.

The Beauty and The Beast A Lyric Hammersmith and Warwick Arts Centre co-production in association with Told by an Idiot. Fusing live music and exuberant physicality, Paul Hunter and co-writer Carl Grose embrace the anarchic and eccentric elements of pantomime to create a vibrantly funny and contemporary piece of theatre for all the family based on this classic tale.

WRAP-AROUND
The company is highly committed to educational work and offers a wide range of workshops in the field of stage movement, acting and theatre making. To this end, its educational interests are largely in secondary, tertiary, higher and further education and we have a special interest in working with actors in training. Performers and directors are available for: talks, workshops and lecture demonstrations by prior arrangement. Additionally, Told by an Idiot can also tailor specific one-off workshops for schools or community groups on request. The company has a strong interest in world theatre and working with practitioners from diverse backgrounds.

RECENT INTERNATIONAL WORK
2004 Venezuela (I’m a Fool to Want You)

TOURING AVAILABILITY
Details on request