July 2010
My Mother Told Me
By Chloe Bezer and Faye Draper
Having met at a workshop in 2009, Faye and Chloe found interesting overlaps in each other’s practice. When reconnecting in 2010 it became clear that this wasn’t all they had in common; both were expecting their first child. To celebrate, they embarked on a short devising process – one that fitted around midwife appointments and trips to the loo. Their aim was to create a performance piece that drew on their experience of incubating a baby.
They found there is endless advice that pregnant women are offered and there’s strange equipment they needed to learn how to use. Faye and Chloe shared cubicles, handbooks and a sense of humour as they prepared for the oncoming arrivals.
June 2010
Tea is an Evening Meal
By Faye Draper in collaboration with Third Angel’s Alexander Kelly
As the country anticipated England’s first world cup match, one Sheffield performer was making preparations for her own very Northern brand of patriotism. Tea is an Evening Meal was a new concept of theatre performance borne out of nostalgia for the highs and the lows of family meal times. Faye drew on her own experiences and gathered the memories of generations of northern folk for her one woman show, which she shared with the audience in the traditional northern way – over a cuppa and a rich tea.
In what was an intimate new piece, the small audience of 13 became guests for the 45 minute performance. They were invited to sit around a wooden dining table as Faye shared the laughs and the delights of family meals, from Sunday roasts to tv dinners.
Collaborating with Faye on the performance was Alex Kelly, one of the artistic directors at Sheffield based Third Angel, who are internationally renowned for delivering innovative performances across the UK and Europe.
The show was specially commissioned by Northern Stage as part of their 40th birthday celebrations.
November 2008, December 2009 and January 2010
Extreme Ways of Being Normal
By Faye Draper in collaboration with Poet Matt Black and Film Marker Taryn Edmonds and supported by Arts Council England
Extreme Ways of Being Normal entangled playful movements, engaging film and poignant poetry. This solo piece explored how our ordinary habits and simple hopes make us each who we are. The audience was invited into a world of memories, routines and wishes.
Faye used improvised scores to create playful humour that provided the audience with time to laugh and space to empathise. The film elements gave the solo performer someone or something to duet with, creating a sense of interplay between the real dancer and the pre recorded. The structure of the work acted as a score within which the performer moved, questioned and discussed, using whatever the chosen performance space and audience offered up, resulting in each performance being totally unique.
June 2008
What Kinda Dancer are ya?
By Faye Draper and supported by darts (Doncaster Community Arts)
After a few years of doing lots and lots of work in schools and the community where she was often asked “What kinda of dancer are ya?” Faye created this solo piece of physical theatre. Responding to children’s questions and adults misconceptions this playful work took a light hearted look at preconceptions of dance and dancers.
What Kinda of Dancer are ya? was a lively show that gave a glimpse into Faye’s personal experience of working within the world of dance. She used her unique and playful style to create a movement score of intriguing and mischievous performance.
Faye Draper - Playful Performance 