The space

The Space

When finding a space located within a school its challenging enough as it is due to its limitations. Limitations include fire escapes, hazards and disruptions. When choosing a space we wanted to work in we had to consider options such as availability, weather, safety risks and more. To help us make a decision on an interesting space we decided to learn about the history of the school. 

The BRIT School was a hospital in the war time, therefore it was a place of loneliness, pain and death. Rooms were used as operating rooms, morgues and resting rooms. Our group wanted to keep in mind the feeling of escapism as this was a natural feeling bought from the war to a soldiers home. Therefore our initial chosen space was outside a fire exit. The main area of the place of hospitality was in what is now known as the theatre rooms, therefore our chosen fire exit was underneath those rooms. 

Problems arose in the space we had chosen. Understandably it was underneath a main fire escape therefore we were already aware that any props we wished to use were unable to be flammable, this already had caused many limitations. The props already in the space were interesting as it included abandoned wheelbarrows, bricks, soil bags, plant pots and an old-unused fridge. When analysing the space we noticed it was enclosed and there was graffiti on the walls as well as an uneven floor. Themes arose such as affairs, drug shooting galleries and shanti homes. However due to the amount of limitations we had to change spaces. 

What to do when analysing the space:

A good exercise to use when choosing themes that arise in the space is to analyse it in detail. I see, i notice, i wonder. The idea is to see something in the space for example: A light. The following step is to notice something about what you have just seen, for example: The light faces towards the ceiling. The final task is to wonder something about what we saw and noticed, for example: I wonder how the light manages to brighten the entire room if it only faces the ceiling. This task is useful as we were able to zoom into specific parts of the space and narrow down specifics which may contribute to creating the themes of a site specific performance. 

The new found space:

We were given the opportunity to explore more areas of the school due to the unfortunate circumstances in finding an initial space. Luckily we found a space similar to the chosen one which actually offered more for a performance. The space is slightly larger and the floor is covered with even concrete however a thin layer of mould/moss which creates a grotty theme. There is a brick wall that blocks the space from the neighbouring area which is a primary school, therefore this evoked themes such as secrecy and a sense of adult themes happening behind the wall. Interesting props within the space are a set of stairs in front of a double door which again gives a sense of blocking and discomfort. There was areas of the bricks walls which had been graffiti'd however had dimmed in colour. Moreover there was an old wooden ladder which was painted white however the paint was chipping in the weather conditions, the ladder also had graffiti which presented a space where people go to express something. 

Themes produced in the space:

• Passion
• Secrecy
• Discomfort
• Expression
• Enclosure
• Unhygienic
• Unclean 
• Adulthood 

The chosen space

The situation of the space:

The chosen space is in the area called 'Yard' located in-between the boiler room and changing rooms.