ABOUT GECKO CONTACTS BOX OFFICE BRIEFING INSTITUTE, THE STORY SO FAR KEY SELLING POINTS & TARGET MARKETS PREVIOUS PRESS COVERAGE AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

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2 CONTENTS ABOUT GECKO CONTACTS BOX OFFICE BRIEFING INSTITUTE, THE STORY SO FAR KEY SELLING POINTS & TARGET MARKETS PREVIOUS PRESS COVERAGE AUDIENCE FEEDBACK PRESS & MARKETING IDEAS SAMPLE MEDIA RELEASE SAMPLE DIRECT MAIL

3 ABOUT GECKO Gecko s Mission Gecko creates world-class theatre. It is visual, visceral and ambitious. We inspire, move and entertain our audiences. Founded in 2001, Gecko has become an award winning and internationally acclaimed company, led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav. With an expanding ensemble of international performers and makers, Gecko creates work through collaboration, experimentation and play. Our work is global. We tour nationally and internationally and continue to develop strong partnerships around the world. Working across all age groups, nationalities and forms, Gecko celebrates diversity. Company Background Gecko has taken its five critically acclaimed productions to over 20 countries, and continues to develop strong partnerships around the world. Gecko shows have been seen by over 50,000 spectators, and the company has conducted more than 50 participatory projects involving over 2,500 young people, youth leaders and teachers.

4 INSTITUTE CONTACTS Gecko Producer: Rosalind Wynn Gecko Assistant Director: Rich Rusk Gecko Production Manager: Nathan Johnson Gecko General Manager: Belinda Farrell Gecko Administrator: Pippa Fox

5 BOX OFFICE BRIEFING INSTITUTE Critically acclaimed physical dance-theatre company Gecko return with an intimate, funny and revealing exploration of what it means to care. Creative Team Created by: Amit Lahav Performers: Chris Evans François Testory Ryen Perkins-Gangnes Amit Lahav Set Design: Rhys Jarman and Amit Lahav Lighting Design: Chris Swain and Amit Lahav Original Music: Dave Price Assistant Director: Rich Rusk Sound Designer: Nathan Johnson Associate Lighting Designer: Matt O'Leary Production Manager: Nathan Johnson Technical Manager: Mishi Bekesi/Andres Velasquez Company and Stage Manager: Laura Hammond/Tanya Stephenson Costume Supervisor: Amy Cook Institute is driven by Geckoʼs desire to explore complexities in human nature; our impulse to care and our complete reliance on one another. We are entering a time in which we are potentially more fractured and disconnected than ever before - when the time comes, will anyone really care? Set in a warped world of emotional compartmentalisation and treatment, where memories are filed and relationships scrutinised, patient becomes carer and vice versa. Four people undergo a series of extraordinary physical treatments as they struggle to prepare themselves for the outside world. But a Gecko world is never as it first appears... PERFORMANCE DETAILS Running time of INSTITUTE: 75 mins (without an interval) Any Special FX: Some smoke will be used during the performance. Age guidance: 14+ As strong language is used in this production, we suggest that Front of House display signs with the warning 'Contains some strong language'.

6 INSTITUTE, THE STORY SO FAR During development in early 2013 Gecko invited a select panel of inspirational artists, support workers, patients and carers of various fields into the room to explore a range of themes and relationships relating to care like never before. The rich findings of that extraordinary initial development, and the personal stories which emerged, have fuelled Institute. When the time comes, will anyone really care? This feels to me like the right time to be asking this question. We are entering a time in which we are potentially more fractured and disconnected from one another than ever before. Are we losing our ability to read each other and therefore protect and care for one another? Alongside this, the notion of care has become a political currency, spoken about in the media every day. Institute is driven by Gecko s desire to explore complexities in human nature; our impulse to care and our complete reliance on one another. I will attempt to create a very intimate, funny and revealing experience in Gecko's physical, honest and generous style. A world where everyone relies on someone to catch them! Amit Lahav, Director of Institute and Artistic Director of Gecko Institute is Gecko s sixth creation in 10 years. With each new show Gecko build on our established working methodology of physical exploration and theatrical invention. Institute is a Gecko production. Supported by Arts Council England. Co-commissioned by Derby Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich. In association with DanceEast and Northern Stage.

7 KEY SELLING POINTS & TARGET MARKETS STRENGTHS Fast-paced visual theatre spectacle, epic in scale, intimate in emotion. All male cast: explores the idea of modern masculinity - its fragility and strength. Unique: There is no show quite like a Gecko show, they have a unique aesthetic and style that you won t have seen before. LIMF: Gecko comes to your venue fresh from a successful premiere tour earlier this year of Institute. Their previous show Missing closed the London International Mime Festival in Jan 2014 at the Royal Opera House. Gecko were the fastest selling UK based company in LIMF history and one of only three UK companies featured at the festival. Internationally renowned: Gecko has performed at international festivals all over the world and continue to grow their global reach. This is an opportunity to see an internationally respected company on your doorstep. The Company: Gecko s reputation continues to soar, it is now a stamp of quality with a growing and loyal following. Crosses theatre, dance and circus genres. The company have a strong education/masterclass programme. The company are keen to develop links with their audiences pre and post show and would welcome the opportunity to do an informal meet and greet prior to the performance or after in the bar to break down barriers and make themselves more accessible and personable to people who might be familiar with their work and their unique approach to making work. WEAKNESSES Gecko s work and aesthetic is unique, although that is a strength, it can make it hard to describe and communicate to potential audiences. If this is something you are finding difficult we can provide copy written specifically for your target audience. The title and subject matter of care may be seen as off putting to those with issues around care or not wanting to engage with serious topics. We suggest leading with the uplifting aspects and the Gecko experience as a whole rather than the subject matter specifically. Whilst their reputation is widely known internationally, Gecko is still developing their profile and brand nationally. To help communicate their reputation you can draw on Edinburgh/LIMF success and recent glowing reviews, see press quotes on p. 8. Not mainstream, some may perceive their work as inaccessible, high art and abstract. However, once audiences experience it they find it is incredibly accessible and can connect with it emotionally very easily without any knowledge of Gecko s previous work.

8 OPPORTUNITIES Audience development new work for a new audience. Opportunity to engage with care providers in connection with the shows themes. Potential to offer masterclasses to dance professionals and workshops to schools for pupils and students to see, participate and engage with Gecko s work and creative process. Pre and post show sessions for audiences to engage with the company and performers in addition to seeing their live show. Amit is very keen to have that creative dialogue with audiences. Investigate ideas for creative PR activity to exploit the company s highly visual, aesthetic and engaging live performance e.g PR stunts, flashmobs etc. THREATS Competition with more mainstream events and other cultural events in the region. Lack of national media coverage to support the tour (no national reviewers have reviewed the work at this stage). Increasing lack of disposable income for the arts/entertainment may mean audiences choose safer, more mainstream options. TARGET MARKETS Specific to the genre: Contemporary dance enthusiasts Physical theatre enthusiasts Dance and Drama Students Choreographers Previous Gecko audiences Physical Theatre/Circus audiences International students/audiences/groups and networks (French, German and Spanish are spoken in the show) Philosophy/Sociology/Psychology students Theatre risk takers Live art enthusiasts Practitioners/Artists Film buffs (their style is very cinematic) Audiences who like to see epic physically and emotionally rich pieces of visual storytelling Theatre tech/lighting students Specific to the subject matter: Hospital Trusts and hospices Art Therapy or other creative outlet support courses and workshops Health Charities relevant to care issues for example mental health, rehabilitation and injury recovery support services.

9 PAST PRAISE FOR GECKO THEATRE On Institute: "Institute offers up sometimes comic, sometimes beautiful imagery A visceral, physical, intriguing treat." The British Theatre Guide Gecko have demonstrated their unparalleled ability to portray emotion through movement and have created a potent contribution to the debate about how we should care as well as a penetrating provocation into the nature of care itself. In Suffolk Review These primitive sounds and movements connect with audience members on the most basic level, allowing the individual to project their own experiences and interpretations on them in deeply personal ways. A totally compelling 75 minutes Morning Star On Missing: Delivered with such riveting fluidity and emotional acuity I was swept up in the unfolding story, as well as in the dazzling performance style. The whole enterprise transcends its own slickness, rendering Missing a Fringe must-see. The Times Review **** A kind of restless delirium, dense with poetic effect Sanjoy Roy, The Guardian **** Gecko's production is an astounding mixture of dance, puppetry, and incredible stagecraft, Missing is an intense dream-like experience, and an absolute must-see What s On Stage***** for Missing s national tour Originality pulses through every scene, producing an electrifying combination of physicality, visual poetry and technical magic. The result is a gorgeously hypnotic. The List If you can manage to get a seat I would urge you to do so, and FAST... the most amazing evening of theatre. Damian Robson, What s On Stage ***** for Missing at Edinburgh On The Overcoat: Creates a dazzlingly inventive world that combines visual flair and physical swagger.

10 Lyn Gardner, The Guardian Very impressive...a moving and very entertaining evening Dave Cunningham, What s On Stage **** On The Arab and the Jew: Distills the conflict in the Middle East into a sometimes brilliantly vaudevillian twohander with tragic underpinnings dazzlingly unpredictable. Donald Hutera, The Times A sometimes ravishing display of theatrical fireworks striking. Brian Logan, The Guardian **** Exhilaratingly inventive. Timothy Ramsden, Reviews Gate AUDIENCE FEEDBACK FOR EARLY SHARINGS OF INSTITUTE: We came to see Institute and were stunned by the performance. The physical theatre is incredible and engages the audience. Very powerful, very relevant, you connect so quickly with the characters I love how the archives of memories set the context for the stories to happen Just saw Institute, my first experience of Gecko Theatre, astonishingly good, funny, dark and moving, jaw-droppingly good. I was also gobsmacked... I was really moved, I cried! Extraordinary Institute! Can't wait to see moooore!! Saw an amazing piece of theatre today from Gecko. Overwhelmingly emotional and inspiring. Forgot where I My mind has been blown... Institute was just amazing! (9 June) Gecko were absolutely incredible yesterday. If you're off to Ed Fringe in August, they are a must see! GO AND SEE THEM!

11 Jordan Can t sleep, mind's still blown Never had such an uncontrollable reaction to a piece of theatre. #EmotionalWreck. Just Beautiful. Institute was stupidly good, funny (loved the cliched duo talking bit) incredibly moving, just jaw droppingly good Sarah Very clever...bit of a work out for the mind! Exciting to think where they will end up... Hopefully bump into you soon! Claire The #Pulse13 odyssey continues with a sharing new work Institute. Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. #artcrush

12 PRESS & MARKETING IDEAS Below are some examples of things you can do to help promote the show, many of which you are probably already doing. However, there may be some areas you might not have considered that could generate new ideas for your campaign. Print Distribution Dance and drama schools Arts organisations Tourist attractions Dance and Drama Groups Dance /sports clubs Language schools (French, German and Spanish are spoken in the show) Universities, secondary schools and colleges Cafes Bookshops and libraries Waiting rooms Care institutions Anywhere with high footfall for arts audiences and potential exit flyering at relevant ad hoc events in your area. Film Trailer & Production Photography Production shots and a trailer are already available, you will find them in the Dropbox (if you don t have a link to this yet please us at the Gecko Office). If you have any specific formats you require these to be sent to you in, do let us know. More production images are planned in the opening week of the tour and will be shared via dropbox as soon as they are available. Social Media Gecko Theatre s social media profiles are: Facebook: Gecko Theatre are very active on these platforms so please like and follow them so that you can share behind the scenes activity. PEOPLE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW If you get any local press requests, let us know and we will let you know who might be available for interview. Potential interviewees are: Amit Lahav Director of and performer in Institute and Artistic Director of Gecko Theatre Rich Rusk - Gecko Theatre s Assistant Director and rehearsal director for Institute. Rosalind Wynn - Gecko Theatre s Producer Devising performers Chris Evans, Francois Testory, Ryen Perkins-Ganges and Amit Lahav.

13 INTERVIEW / FEATURE IDEAS Established dance company making touring work at mid scale, an unusual combination on the arts landscape. Institute comes to your area fresh from closing the London International Mime Festival in Jan 2015 at Royal Opera House and storming success at Edinburgh Festival 2013 with their show Missing. Gecko were the fastest selling UK based company in LIMF history and one of only 3 UK companies featured at the festival. Exploring the increasingly important issue of care through dance theatre. Profile piece on director Amit Lahav and Gecko s creative practice. Piece about their masterclasses and relationship with education establishments like RADA. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH The Institute company would be happy to provide workshops, pre and post show discussions and other added extras during their time at your venue. For further details about what they can offer or for an informal chat please contact us.

14 SAMPLE MEDIA RELEASE DATE xxx For immediate release Gecko presents INSTITUTE Multi-award winning physical theatre company Gecko head out on the road again with Institute, an intimate, funny and moving exploration of what it means to care. When the time comes, will anyone really care? Set in a warped world of emotional compartmentalisation and treatment - where memories are filed, relationships scrutinised and patient becomes carer and vice versa - four people undergo a series of extraordinary physical treatments as they struggle to prepare themselves for the outside world. But a Gecko world is never as it first appears Expect ingenious set design, featuring giant filing cabinets from which fully formed memories, whole relationships and secrets are pulled out and filed away; visceral movement and intricate group choreography from the all male cast; and moments of stunning tenderness and beauty that shine out from shadows so brightly, they leave you reeling. Amit Lahav, director of Institute and Artistic Director at Gecko says, "Institute will pull you in and take you on a voyage - your relationship with the word care will ultimately determine how that journey feels for you. The idea that society is becoming more fragmented, individualistic and desensitised is terrifying to me. I m fascinated about what the implications may be if we don t ask questions about the way we care for each other. Institute is Gecko s sixth creation in 10 years. With each new show they build on their established working methodology of physical exploration and theatrical invention. Institute is a Gecko production. Supported by Arts Council England.

15 Co-commissioned by Derby Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich. In association with DanceEast, and Northern Stage. PAST PRAISE FOR GECKO: "Institute offers up sometimes comic, sometimes beautiful imagery A visceral, physical, intriguing treat." The British Theatre Guide (Institute 2014) A kind of restless delirium, dense with poetic effect Sanjoy Roy, The Guardian **** (Missing 2013) If you can manage to get a seat I would urge you to do so, and FAST... the most amazing evening of theatre. Damian Robson, What s On Stage ***** (Missing 2013) For further information, images and interviews please contact: Rosalind Wynn, Producer Rosalind@geckotheatre.com ENDS- NOTE TO EDITORS Creative Team Created by: Amit Lahav Performers: Chris Evans François Testory Ryen Perkins-Gangnes Amit Lahav Set Design: Rhys Jarman and Amit Lahav Lighting Design: Chris Swain and Amit Lahav Original Music: Dave Price Assistant Director: Rich Rusk Sound Designer: Nathan Johnson Associate Lighting Designer: Matt O'Leary Production Manager: Chris Swain Technical Manager: Mishi Bekesi Company and Stage Manager: Laura Hammond Costume Supervisor: Amy Cook

16 About Gecko Founded in 2001, Gecko has become an award-winning and internationally acclaimed company, led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav. Gecko has taken its five critically acclaimed productions to over 20 countries, and continues to develop strong partnerships around the world. The shows have been seen by over 50,000 spectators, and company members have conducted more than 50 participatory projects involving over 2,500 young people, youth leaders and teachers.

17 SAMPLE DIRECT MAIL LETTER Dear XXXXXXX, Gecko invites you to enter the Institute. A shadowy, Orwellian establishment where employees' attempt to create order from the chaos of life, carers become patients, memories fracture and relationships collide. Within this warped world of emotional compartmentalisation four people undergo a series of extraordinary treatments as they struggle to prepare themselves for the outside world. But a Gecko world is never as it first appears Fresh from closing the London International Mime Festival with their show Missing, and an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, internationally acclaimed physical dance theatre company Gecko Theatre return with an intimate, funny and moving exploration of what it means to care. Expect ingenious set design, featuring giant filing cabinets from which fully formed memories, whole relationships and secrets are pulled out and filed away; visceral movement and intricate group choreography from the all male cast; and moments of stunning tenderness and beauty that shine out from shadows so brightly, they leave you reeling. "Institute offers up sometimes comic, sometimes beautiful imagery A visceral, physical, intriguing treat." The British Theatre Guide (Institute 2014) A kind of restless delirium, dense with poetic effect Sanjoy Roy, The Guardian **** (Missing 2013) Just saw Institute, my first experience of Gecko Theatre, astonishingly good, funny, dark and moving, jaw-droppingly good. Audience feedback Can t sleep, mind's still blown Never had such an uncontrollable reaction to a piece of theatre. #EmotionalWreck. Just Beautiful. BOOKING INFORMATION [VENUE DETAILS] Institute is a Gecko production. Supported by Arts Council England. Co-commissioned by Derby Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich. In association with DanceEast, and Northern Stage.