Chaos thoy
‘IT'S A STANDING JOKE THAT MISCHIEF NEVER REHEARSE A SHOW'
Ian Smith, director of Mischief La-Bas, talks to Allan Radcliffe about the joy of bringing Hieronymus Bosch's most famous artwork to life
ome performance projects simply have to be
seen to be believed. This is certainly the case
with Mischief l.a-Bas‘ fascinating slice of live. interactive entertainment. Peeping (11 Busch. the first stage in an attempt to realise the iconic Hieronymus Bosch triptych. which features depictions of Paradise. the Garden of liarthly Delights and Hell.
‘The idea came to me when the Tramway asked if I had anything strange up my sleeve to celebrate their 20th anniversary.‘ says Mischief director Ian Smith. ‘I just went in and unrolled my poster of ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights' and said. "How about tltztt'.”"
Having secured a commission from the 'l‘ramway. Smith then went and unrolled his poster in the offices of the National Theatre of Scotland. who jumped at the chance to co-produce the ambitious project. now operating under the suitably irreverent title of BfSt'lI Busch Busch. The main event. due to be unveiled in 2010. involves the creation of a gigantic. interactive indoor/outdoor event. reminiscent of a theme park.
For this month‘s appetite-whettcr. I’leping ur Bust-Ii. Smith has assembled the leading lights of Scotland‘s experimental arts community to create a spectacular ‘walkthrough’ event. based in 'I‘ramway One. The production will draw on music. performance. live art. animation. painting and sculpture but will feature no narrative and very little language. Audience members will have communal and solitary experiences and. while free to wander some areas. will be constricted in others.
While inkeeping with the Glasgow-based collective‘s basic philosophy of life-affirming chaos.
88 THE LIST 3—1 7 Jul 2008
the piece also seeks to explore the religious belief
systems depicted in Bosch‘s work. which continue to determine world events. Smith is also eager that
people leave with a more rounded impression of
Bosch‘s oeuvre.
‘People think they‘re familiar with Bosch. but most people just know the grotesques from the 'llell' panel in ‘Garden of liarthly Delights‘. which is actually only a small part of the painting. This project is partly an experiment with intimacy. so I want to particularly focus on the contemplation and serenity that‘s there in Bosch‘s work.‘
Under Smith‘s directorship. the company has spent the past l5 years ‘gently warping the underlay of the fabric of society'. As well as large-scale shows such as the Bosch project. the loose collective are often invited to create bespoke 'manifestations' for special events such as openings. launches and festivals. Over the years Smith‘s collaborators have embraced the director‘s maverick working methods.
‘lt‘s a standing joke with me that Mischief never rehearse a show.‘ laughs Smith. ‘When the collaborators are invited. they get a brief. They know it‘s a benevolent dictatorship and that l have the final say. but there’s freedom to do what they do within that. The truth is. it‘s impossible to make what we do work until the audience is there. Interaction is a keystone of Mischief and the audience is 50 percent of the equation.~
Peeping at Bosch, Tramway, Glasgow, Thu 10—Sun 13 Jul.
www.list.co.uk/theatre
UST >l<
THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
* Materials for a Small Wlnter The latest of Angus Balbernie‘s quintet of dance theatre pieces, draws on the chroeographer’s lifelong obsession with writer Malcolm Lowry. as well as film noir footage, text and a live soundscape, to create a dark meditation on the self-abusive artist. See preview, page 90. CCA, Glasgow, Sat 72 Jul.
* Our House Following in the great tradition — inaugurated by Abba. Queen and Rod Stewart -— of stage shows based around the back catalogue of prolific rock & pop artists of our time. comes this touring production of Tim Firth's (Calendar Girls) jukebox musical inspired by the ska/pop ditties of Madness. Original X Factor winner Steve Brookstein takes on the role Created in the West End by Madness frontman Suggs. See preview, page 90. Theatre Royal, Glasgow. until Sat 5 Jul; Playhouse, Edinburgh, Mon 7—Sat 12 Jul.
8 Peeping at Bosch In the first taster of an ambitious theatre/visual art project, part produced by the National Theatre of Scotland, Glasgow- based company Mischief La- Bas colonise Tramway One with their live realisation of Hieronymous Bosch’s famous triptych ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’. See preview, left. Tramway, Glasgow, Thu 10-Sun 73 Jul.
* The Merchant of Venlce The first of this summer‘s Bard in the Botanics al fresco productions updates Shakespeare’s complex tale of love and vengeance to 19303 ltaly. See review, page 90. Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, until Sat 72 Jul.