Archive ESCAPADE: mab IMPROVISATION FESTIVAL 2006 - Report ESCAPADE is defined as an act or incident involving daring, excitement or adventure… to us it’s this and more! In November 2006 movingartsbase staged an improvisation festival… ESCAPADE was the first ever cross-art improvisation festival to take place in London. It spanned four days, four venues, offered 20 classes, over 30 performances, film, face painting, massage, discussion and a jam! Supported by Awards for All, London Metropolitan University and Islington Council, ESCAPADE united communities. Bringing some of the finest teachers and performers in the field of improvisation, the local community and emerging improvisation artists all under one roof. The bill sported the likes of Kirstie Simson, Suprapto Suryadarmo (Indonesia), Andrew Morrish (Australia), Sten Rudstrøm (USA), Guy Dartnell, Gaby Agis and Helen Poynor to name a few. People travelled from all over the UK and Europe to participate in classes and watch performances crossing theatre, dance, voice and martial arts. From toddlers to 60 plus, able bodied and disabled, experience was not necessary – just a whole lot of heart. “Improvisation is not about physical capacity or skill base, it is about being right where you are and using that as your source for creative expression”, said festival co-ordinator Kate Hilder. An ideal context for people to learn and experience new forms, ESCAPADE introduced the local Islington community to what’s possible and also available around the corner! A number of activities were free of charge and Islington residents received a £20 discount on their weekend pass. Not only could the local community take classes but they could also perform at the Grand Finale in a community performance project with Tom Roden from New Art Club. ESCAPADE generated inspiration and focus, securing an audience for dance and theatre improvisation and a home for its artists. An emerging artist programme saw 19 groups perform including Basque singing, tango, theatre, street jazz and contact improvisation. Our deepest gratitude to all those who helped to make ESCAPADE an exciting, playful, inspiring, and moving event! Each and every one of you brought your enthusiasm and support and without you ESCAPADE would not have been possible. We hope that the success of ESCAPADE will inspire future festivals and lead to more exposure for the extraordinary world of improvisation. For class and performance programme click on above right image. For class & performance descriptions click on above left image. Photographs from ESCAPADE by Julia Burstein. View the photos on our flickr space - click here. Back to top