International Mime Festival
Link: London International Mime Festival
Please add the information about International Mime Festival hereDescription:
London International Mime Festival
Directors: Joseph Seelig and Helen Lannaghan
35 Little Russell Street,
London WC1A 2HH
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7637 5661
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7323 1151
e-mail: mimefest@easynet.co.uk
The original impetus came from British mime/clown, Nola Rae. Inspired by Cologne's Gaukler Festival and Amsterdam's Festival of Fools, the first version of the London International Mime Festival took place in 1977 to showcase the work of British visual theatre artists, many much better known abroad than in their own country. It was organised by Joseph Seelig, presented and funded by The Cockpit Theatre with the support of the Arts Council of Great Britain. That first season (twelve companies, one venue, tickets £1 and 75p concs) was so successful that plans were immediately laid for a second festival, this time to include artists and companies from overseas.
The late 1970's was a period of resurgence for exciting, innovative forms of theatrical expression in which words played little or no part and which now inform mainstream theatre at every level. Before Dance Umbrella (1978) or LIFT (1981), with international theatre work rarely seen in London, the festival struck a chord with public and performers alike.
An early Mime Festival enthusiast, Helen Lannaghan, joined the organisation in 1987, bringing new energy and expertise. The ICA has been a partner since 1980, the Southbank Centre since 1988, and over the years the Festival has collaborated with some twenty-five London venues, from the West End to the Roundhouse, the Almeida, Barbican, Laban, Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells, BAC, the Natural History Museum and South London Gallery. Spin-off seasons have been programmed at many UK regional centres, and as far afield as Hongkong.
LIMF has become London's guide to the best in contemporary, international visual theatre, a popular annual event in the world's most dynamic cultural capital. It has presented some of the most distinguished names in its field: Jacques Lecoq, Bolek Polivka, Philippe Genty, Lindsay Kemp, Annie Fratellini, Jérôme Deschamps, Marcel Marceau and his company, as well as a new generation of performers like La Ribot, Compagnie 111, Josef Nadj, Licedei, Complicite, Phelim McDermot and Improbable Theatre. The full list of festival participants, 1977-2007, can be seen on the history page
LIMF is proud to have supported the work of some of the most relevant and innovative artists of the past three decades, and of its success in promoting internationally accessible forms of live performance which appeal so widely across the broad spectrum of cosmopolitan London, and beyond.
The 30th London International Mime Festival, which closed on 27 January 2008 has been the most successful in this event's long history, enjoyed by record audience numbers.
Don't miss next year's season of innovative contemporary visual theatre from around the world - LIMF09 will run from 10-25 January!
Please join our free mailing list to receive full details.
We look forward to seeing you.
Joseph Seelig and Helen Lannaghan, Directors
The London International Mime Festival was founded in 1977 and has become one of the world's most influential visual theatre festivals. More >
For all press/media enquiries
and press tickets
contact Arthur Leone PR
Ground Floor, 3 Charlotte Mews,
London W1T 4DZ
phone: 44 (0) 20 7637 2994
fax: 44 (0) 7637 2984
e-mail: becca@arthurleone.com
WANT TO PERFORM IN THE FESTIVAL?
The Mime Festival presents innovative visual theatre. Participation is by invitation only. To let us know about your work, ideally send us a DVD, CD, video (PAL or NTSC) to: LIMF, 35 Little Russell Street, London WC1A 2HH. If we think your material looks suitable for the festival, we will try to come and see it live somewhere. We regret we are unable to return material without a pre-paid reply envelope. Submissions should reach us by 31 May.
We programme professional, non text-based work, which can include animation theatre, circus skills, mask, mime, clown and visual theatre. Ideally, the work should not have been performed in London before. Please note that we do not programme dance and there are no street performances.
Funding
The 2008 London International Mime Festival gratefully acknowledges co-operation/financial support from: Arts Council England; Commissariat Général aux Relations Internationales; EU Japan Fest; ICIC (Institut Català de les Indústries Culturals); Institut français du Royaume-Uni and CULTURESFRANCE; Korea Foundation; Ministeria de Cultura de España y la Junta de Castilla y León: Southbank Centre (registered charity).