How do we tour when the oil starts to run out?

Convener(s):Adam Bennett

Participants: Ywan Brioc, Josh Darcy, Natalie Querol

Summary of discussion, conclusions and/or recommendations:

After discussing alternatives to diesel ( bio-diesel, vegetable oil, ethanol) the discussion moved to alternative forms of transport.

• Horse and cart
• Horse and barge
• Sailboat or rowboat
• Using public transport
• Using the rail network with your own little push-powered platform that can convert into a stage!
• Bicycles ( which can convert into electricity generators for lighting and sound when you arrive.
• Don’t tour. Make local work.

Whatever the form of transport, if touring is to continue, a new system of making theatre which requires the transportation of large amounts of kit needs to evolve.

Ways in which receiving venues can support this process are:

• Providing a standard very versatile ‘staging set’ which can be adapted to fit the staging demands and the ‘usual’ set pieces that touring productions bring to that venue. The advantage is that there is very little wasted and no skipping of sets once the production has finished.
• Working with companies to acquire the resources (either extra performers locally, extra time to finish rehearsals or teching once arrived sourcing unusual bulky items locally.
• Touring companies will have to tour work that can be put together onsite. Using local resources and support performers. The less they need to bring with them, the more they can tour without burning fossil fuels.