Matilda Leyser, Associate Director of Improbable Theatre on Devoted & Disgruntled, an annual event from Improbable Theatre where challenges in theatre and the arts are discussed. Anyone who is passionate about the arts can attend
How did the idea of D&D begin in 2006?
Phelim McDermott, who is co-artistic director of a theatre company called Improbable started D&D. It really came from frustration and then feeling frustrated with being frustrated (!) and deciding to do something about it and take some responsibility. Be the change you want to see, put your money where your mouth is etc – that’s what we’re doing
Over the 18 years you’ve been holding the event, what are some of your highlights?
The highlights are, in a way, not at the events themselves but the discovery that – five years on – a conversation happened at one of our events and now, as a result, there is a new theatre company, a campaign, a festival- a few marriages too!
What do you enjoy most about D&D?
It’s the people who make the event so special. A group of people who really care about something coming together and trying to make it better. We’re all there on equal terms as well, job titles, levels etc don’t matter. Everyone who attends contributes and the range of people you meet is incredible. You walk away feeling inspired
Tell us more about the Open Space Technology and how that helps shape the event?
It’s such a great way to run an event like this. Big gatherings can be quite intimidating but the format of having no key-note speakers and no agenda help everyone to play a part in shaping the event. We call it the ‘unconventional convention’ which sums it up pretty well I think
Why did you choose this year’s theme ‘what are we going to do about theatre and the performing arts?’
We have been asking the same question for 18 years because it continues to be relevant and has different resonances and answers each year. Theatre and the arts aren’t in a good way, we know this. From lack of funding, redundancies, cost of living, Brexit, cuts to the curriculum…we could go on. It’s difficult some days to know where to start when I think about how to make any sort of difference. I know a lot of people from colleagues to friends feel the same but that’s why events like this are so important. I’m not saying we’ll fix all these issues this weekend, but it’ll certainly be a space where we can share the load and begin to find a way forwards.
What are your hopes for the weekend?
My main hope is always everyone has a great time and comes away feeling inspired. One of the tenets of Open Space is ‘Be Prepared to be Surprised!’ so I also hope to be surprised! Who knows what will emerge this year….?!
Devoted & Disgruntled is at The Warehouse in Holbeck, Leeds from Saturday 16th – Monday 18th March www.devotedanddisgruntled.com
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