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Metaphysique create dynamic physical theatre exploring contemporary issues and archetypal themes.

Touring and devising performances, nationally and internationally the company offer workshops and residencies to accompany performance work.

"Faites pas comme moi, faites comme vous"
Jacques Lecoq 1986

"A mime has the mind of an author, the body of an athlete and the heart of a poet"
Etienne Decroux

"Imagination is more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited whereas imagination embraces the entire world"
Albert Einstein

Metaphysique's workshop processes are based on improvisation, collaboration, research and play. The starting point is the individual - their range of movement, creativity and emotion.

 

 

 

Jane was born and brought up in North Wales. After spending her spare time playing sport, riding horses and watching dance companies, she discovered Clwyd Youth Theatre in Spring 1982.

This led her to study a BA Hons in Drama and Theatre Arts combined with Physical Education at Birmingham University 1982-85.

Whilst there she saw 'A Minute too Late' by Theatre de Complicite in the University Dance Studio and was inspired to go and study at Ecole de Theatre Jacques Lecoq, Paris October 1985-87.

The summer of 1987 was spent at The Documenta Art Festival in Kassel, Germany performing with Lecoq formed company 'Das Theater fur Millionen' where Jane began her professional career as a performer.

Jane is passionate about creating new original physical theatre performance and often works in collaboration with other artists and companies.

 

12th June 2008 rehearsals

Photo : Carl Savage

 

Photos: Dominique Wakeling

July 1987

Photo: Clare Heney 1994

Photos: Sim Mistry

February 2007

 

 

 

Drawing by Katy Smallwood

 

Drawing by Mike Sofroniou

 

 

SOUL IN A SUITCASE (Rehearsal) Jane and John Wright
July 2002
Photo: Cathy Roberts

http://www.thewrightschool.co.uk

 

Soul in a Suitcase
Edinburgh Theatre Festival
August 2002
Photos: Paul Seaby

 

Soul in a Suitcase
Edinburgh Theatre Festival
August 2002
Photos: Paul Seaby

"Icicles to Daffodils rehearsal

mac Birmingham January 2006


THE TROLL PRINCESS - GREEN WOMAN
The Glasshouse Theatre / June 2005
Photo: Shaun Parrin

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Lesley Moss

 

 

Cupid's Strongest Bow

Artrix 26th June 2008

 

The Glasshouse Theatre, Stourbridge 25th April 2008

Photos: Shaun Parrin

Teenage Sugar Baby Love

To Tango

 

The Romantic Forest

Heart in the right place

Moving Parts Festival mac 14th February 2008

Photos: Shaun Parrin

 

"Cupid's Strongest Bow" rehearsal January 2008

Photos: Shaun Parrin

International Mask Festival - Glasshouse Theatre, Stourbridge

October 24th 2007

 

JANE as ISABELLA CROTCHET

ICICLES TO DAFFODILS

Photo: Katie Durham March 2006


Photo: Carl Savage June 2008

Make-up: Clare Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn 2008

"Out of the Woods"

Tackles themes from "Hansel and Gretel" by The Brothers Grimm and follows on from performance project "The Pot of Gold" with New Horizon's Theatre Company Kidderminster. Jane is invited back to devise and direct this piece.

The Rainbow Project

Jane started work with pupils from Adderley Centre for the Child from February -May 2007. The project explored creative movement and play with nursery children. This project has been a great success and Jane is invited back to further develop the work from September 2007 -Autumn 2008.

 

August 16th 2008

Photo: Lesley Moss

New Work in 2008

"Cupid's Strongest Bow"

will celebrate 20 years of Jane's work....

http://www.myspace.com/metaphysiquejane for Youtube videos of "Cupid's Strongest Bow"and details of the show.

click here for "Heart in the right place" short movie clip

This show had its premiere as part of "The Moving Parts Festival" at The Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham on Valentine's Day, February 14th 2008.

2008 PERFORMANCE TOUR DATES

14th February 8pm The Moving Parts Festival, Midlands Arts centre, Birmingham

4th April 2pm The Muath Trust Bordesley centre, Birmingham

25th April 3pm & 7.30pm - The Glasshouse Theatre, Stourbridge

30th April 7.30pm - Alcester Performing Arts College Theatre

2nd May 8pm St. Paul's Church, Portland Square Circomedia, Bristol - www.circomedia.com (Performance & Events)

16th May 7.30pm - The Grange Village Theatre, Camphill Steiner Project, Newnham-on-Severn

15th June 7.30pm - Newton Dee's Stage, Phoenix Hall, Camphill Steiner Project, Aberdeen

16th June 11am & 3pm - Murtle Hall, Camphill Steiner Project, Aberdeen

20th June 2pm - The Merlin Theatre, Sheffield

26th June 8pm - Artrix - Bromsgrove www.artrix.co.uk

The Artrix - Bromsgrove 26th June ......

"Overwhelmed ... Laughter, Tears, Love...."
"Really enjoyed the show. Had me gripped for the hour. Lighting and sound was excellent"
"Can we have a CD of the soundtrack?"
"Beautiful performance! Made me smile, frown...many special moments. Keep up your amazing skill and work. Magnificent x"
"Thank-you for sharing Luna's journey with us. Where does she end and you begin?
" A wonderful last performance Jane - I loved the teenage part it reminded me of my sister in year 9"
"It was a really clever and innovative performance - Well done!"
"I was captivated from start to finish... such warmth. The best evening I've ever spent in Bromsgrove!"
"The play was really great...loved the teenage part, I could relate to that"
"As a venue technician it is a pleasure to work on such a novel and innovative show"
"A fantastic new experience for me it provoked many emotions. A very clever performance. Thank-you!"
"Thank-you for such a thought-provoking presentation. I can't choose which part of the performance I enjoyed the most - it was all a delight, from the earliest scenes to the final moments. I hope you come again to the Artrix"
" There is so much in it, it is so rich that it is difficult to take it all in in one go... I need to see it again... a visually beautiful show""
"Another wonderful performance... I loved the way you put this one to bed"

Valentine's Day 2008......

"a triumph

a gem... absolutely brilliant...
Really, really enjoyed the show..you were fab….
Great, just great…. Congratulations!
We want to see it again in Birmingham and soon!!!
I was very close to tears...
Even now I have a tear in my eye remembering last night...
Many congratulations on your wonderful performance tonight!
Just want to say a big WELL DONE!! again for the show last night. You must be really proud.. A very fine Clown and actress...

This should be a smash!!


Thank-you very much indeed for the lovely performance last night. I found it touching, moving, comedic and entertaining in equal measures and I left in a very definite reflective mood with a gentle smile on my face. It was terrific to see such a big audience and one which really engaged with your work. Your performance was a veritable tour-de-force - I've not really seen your aerial work before - and the changing of tempi within the piece was very well judged.
With every good wish for the success of the rest of your tour...

Magnifique!
Brava!
Well done, Jane.
We really enjoyed it, and had a long chat afterwards about our favourite moments from the show. There were many!

I thoroughly enjoyed the performance which was enchanting, touching and very well received by your audience.

What an achievement! Congratulations!"

March 2008 ..... Jane will be filming short excerpts from the show along with other quirky characters (Pierrette, eccentric french mime and sultry mermaid, Miranda) for Leicester based Metro-Boulot-Dodo's international touring show "NIGHT SCENE".

31st/12/07

I would like to dedicate "Cupid's Strongest Bow" to my friend Margaret Young 14th January 1963- 16th June 2006

17th/12/07

We are delighted to acknowledge Arts Council of England funding for this new project.

"Cupid's Strongest Bow"

follows on from "Soul in a Suitcase".

It is a story of hearts and about not trying too hard. It is a play about the resilience of the human spirit. This kernel of humanity that seems to help us get along…which is beautiful, charming, stupid, naïve, child-like, grumpy and ultimately in this case - optimistic…

A play about the journey through life and love from the heart embracing pleasure and pain, the profound and the profane, the ethereal and the mundane - ( and the downright silly!)

A piece of visual comedy that is audacious, poetic and painfully funny combining Clown play, aerial work, and music.

Jane has developed the show and its physical comedy with Director John Wright author of "Why is That so Funny?" Director of aerial work is Mike Wright of "Above and Beyond". Sound design is by Pete Williams.


"I swear to thee by Cupid's strongest bow;
By his best arrow with golden head:
By the simplicity of Venus' doves
By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves...

Midsummer Night's Dream

"For in the dew of little things
the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."

The Prophet Kahlil Gibran

"The Clown is very honest. There's timeless wisdom in the Clown, infinite play. She has the audience squirming one moment and laughing the next.... in the tradition of the Fool in Shakespeare." BIRMINGHAM POST

"...Creates a poem with her movement...." THE STAGE

"Is mesmerising throughout, assured, funny and subtle" BIRMINGHAM POST

Jane has devised a one-woman show for mac

The Metro News February 12th 2008

"Clown and the Art of Romantic Comedy"

Jane will also be running workshops in "Clown and the Art of Romantic Comedy" to accompany performances of "Cupid's Strongest Bow".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

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