a unique and intelligent improvisation process
John Keates works intensely with actors to devise and improvise dynamic and beautifully drawn characters. Through these characters he creates the highest quality of fictions that are surprising
and entertaining but also moving and provocative. The process is challenging and exciting and pushes expectations and boundaries to create works of depth, emotion and verve.
Actors research characters in detail before they are sketched out through improvisation. Stories, plot lines and dialogue are created and explored. Tangents and relationships grow. Stories emerge.
He works in rehearsal studios and various 'real' locations including bars, shopping centres, parks, city streets. Actors improvise in these situations and slowly their characters begin to exist as beautiful,
truthful people interacting in the 'real' world. Clothing, settings, props are decided. All the script generated is edited into well crafted scenes and several drafts of the script will be produced.
This is John's unique method. Created with a freedom and spontaneous energy but controlled with intellectual rigour and methodology. The works created are an exciting and surprising investigation into
how we live today. The quality of his process is exemplary and creates vibrant plays fusing cracking modern stories and great acting.
fecund's audacious and potent mix of media styles tell us that this company is making theatre for the 21st century
