October 2016 will see Tage Larsen, long-standing member of world-renowned Odin Teatret/Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium, and Mia Theil Have (former Odin actor and pupil of Tage Larsen) lead an intensive week of training at Rose Bruford College. Actor-directors Larsen and Theil Have will work closely with BA (Hons) European Theatre Arts students to explore Odin Teatret’s ‘apprenticeship’ model of theatre training, exploring the relationship between Master and Pupil in actor-training. Larsen will also deliver a master lecture-performance titled Manifestation of Heroism in Shakespeare’s Drama on Monday 3rd October.

Principal Michael Earley said,

“Rose Bruford College is delighted to welcome Odin Teatret. Their extensive and pioneering investigation of theatre training methods provide an inspirational and invaluable experience for any actor, old and young. Odin Teatret’s extensive and innovative work has continually embraced cultural diversity and exchange, something that is a vital part of an actor’s work in the 21st century, and a vital part of Rose Bruford College’s work.”

Larsen and Theil Have will demonstrate the apprenticeship model in action. They will then lead students, including those from the College’s unique BA (Hons) European Theatre Arts degree, in intensive workshops exploring this methodology. Odin Teatret’s work embraces physical and vocal training, the composition of action and their relationship to text.

Founded, and led, by Eugenio Barba, Odin Teatret/Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium are one of world’s most significant theatre companies and organisations. Since 1964 they have explored, shaped and defined approaches to theatre-training and theatre-making. Leading proponents of theatre anthropology, Odin Teatret have published extensively, as well as, so far, creating 76 performances and performed in 64 countries.

Tage Larsen has worked and acted extensively with Odin Teatret since 1971. He has also taught at Nordisk Teater Skole in Arhus. Alongside this he regularly performs and directs outside of the company. This has included work in Denmark, Italy, Malaysia and the UK.

This visit to the UK of Odin Teatret is facilitated by Riotous Company, a UK charity and associate company of Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium founded by Artistic Director Mia Theil Have. Theil Have has worked extensively as performer and director in theatre and opera in the UK and internationally since leaving Odin Teatret in 2007. Riotous Company present their latest show Scherzo for Piano and Stick, directed by Tage Larsen, at London’s Print Room from 17th-20th October. Click here for details and tickets.

BA (Hons) European Theatre Arts is a three-year, vocational degree. This unique course seeks to train performers and theatre artists to work professionally across Europe, in their own and other countries, in a variety of contexts, particularly in performance that crosses boundaries of practice and culture. Notable graduates include Dr. Jorge Lopes Ramos (founder ZU-UK), Duncan Jamieson (Grotoswki Institute, Poland), and companies Sleepwalk Collective (Spain) and Smoking Apples (UK) amongst many others.

Pictures kindly supplied by Odin Teatret and CTLS Archives.
Apprenticeship, Mia Theil Have and Tage Larsen
Tage Larsen (photo by Tony D'urso)