Visual Language with Ramesh Meyyappan | Workshop

Wednesday 22nd — Thursday 23rd April

10am – 4pm 

This is a two day workshop

An insight into the many possibilities of visual theatrical vocabulary will be explored through a brief lecture and discussion on what visual theatrical vocabulary is, its place within theatre and how it is supports accessibility.

Visual Language workshop is an introduction to and brief exploration of how a visual theatrical language can work. Using visual texts as a basis for exploration, participants will have an opportunity to play with visual ideas and consider a myriad of visual possibilities within ‘storytelling’ to create a short visual narrative using a range of physical and visual theatre techniques, including; choreographed movement and sign mime*.

Participants will be encouraged and inspired to explore themes from different texts / series of images as a stimulus into a visual narrative. Through the themes they will find their own characters and narrative ideas as a way to adapt and develop their own interpretation or version of the text given.

Participants will have opportunities throughout the workshop to explore a visual theatrical vocabulary combining visual elements to support their storytelling and characterisation in a unique visual way without the use of sign language or spoken dialogue.

A short presentation from students will be presented at the end of session.

* Sign Mime is a technique whereby the performer remains stationery using their bodies and hands to visually represent objects, events or actions. It is a technique, which adds visual and physical special effects to a narrative.)

The workshop will focus on:

· An opportunity to talk briefly about style / visual element that best suits the story / discuss how we interpret / adapt text based into a visual narrative.

· Visual aspects of characterization

· Exploring various characters through mimed props and character transitions

· Nuances of characterization in performance

· Develop skill of adapting texts/images as a stimulus into a visual narrative using the chosen visual element(s) that suits the style of storytelling.

· Devise and develop a short visual narrative

ABOUT RAMESH MEYYAPPAN

Ramesh Meyyappan is a theatre maker who develops performances using an eclectic mix of visual and physical theatre styles. Ramesh continually seeks to develop and extend his theatrical visual vocabulary, for example incorporating; circus techniques, bouffon, puppetry and illusion within his work. He enjoys the challenge of creating strong narrative visual work.

Over the years, his solo performances and collaborations have toured nationally and internationally to much critical acclaim. His work has been nominated five times for Best Actor at the Life! Theatre Awards (Singapore) and awarded the accolade twice. In Scotland, he won the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Leading Light Award in 2024 for his recent show Love Beyond,and has received multiple CATS (Critics Award Theatre Scotland) nominations.

He was commissioned by Singapore International Festival Arts to write and perform a new play, LEAR inspired by Shakespeare’s King Lear performed in Singapore and Scotland recently.

 

“Ramesh Meyyappan is one of the most distinctive and acclaimed theatre makers working in Scotland today.”

Sunday National

 

Hosted in partnership with DaDa, Disability and Deaf Arts and Unity Theatre as part of their In Motion programme, supported by PH Holt Foundation