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THE CRITICAL REVIEW

- a look back at Critical Incident May 2006

Thanks to all at The Freeman Centre (Graham, Rosie, Sara, Howie, Maureen Tim, Dave K, Dave F to name but a few), all at the Innovation Centre Café, The Sussex Arts Club, The Phoenix, Anna and The Institute of Unnecessary Research, Charley, John, Hugh, Michaela Bull, Pat Bland and Di Hampson, Jahari, Mark, Al, Chris Stagg, all at Arts & Business. A huge thank you to Augustine Flint-Hartle for the web design and updating. The site was the backbone of the event!

A few critical incidents that have been reported to us, that took place during or soon after the Critical Incident!

- two people redesigned their work spaces

- two people went into business together

- someone decided to really go for it in their own small business

- someone changed their name! (seriously!)

- a new workshop process was designed

- someone rebranded their business

- a theatre show got 5 bookings all over the UK!

TUESDAY 23rd MAY

10am-4pm Theatre Lab “Tools of the Trade” with Casting Director Phil Shaw @ The Hanover Community Centre – not to be missed workshop for working actors @ The Hanover Community Centre, Southover Street

TheatreLab kicked off the Critical Incident. For this Lab we handed the reins over to Augustine Flint-Hartle and Pebbles Productions. I wasn't there myself but feedback has been excellent with a real insight into the "business" on offer. Several actors who attended have re-thought their CVs and started to focus on what they need to develop in themselves to ensure they get the best out of casting opportunities.

10am -12.30pm WORKSHOP “The Four Walls of the Apocalypse” – a practical look at work spaces and working environments inspired by the City Running Project @ The Phoenix Gallery

What a workshop this turned out to be! The White Room of the Phoenix Gallery provided the venue for our starting discussion about the work spaces we use in our lives. What inspires us to be creative in our work in our working environment? Some people like to be the still point at work and need movement around them; others need to be the one on the move and need stillness around them. We explored the gallery and the many multi-media exhibits collected from the urban landscape of Brighton. Taking this inspiration back into our discussion groups we created new thoughts and intentions for redesigning our current work and play spaces.

7.30pm-late CRITICAL Wine and Relaxation – We launch the event at the Earth and Stars Church Street – join us upstairs for a preview of the days ahead. Hosted by CATS3000, the monthly W&R’s have something of a cult status @The Earth and Stars Pub, Church Street - FREE

The usual mix of creative thinkers, innovators, writers, actors, hypno-therapists, chartered accountants and nutcases graced the upstairs benches of the wonderful Earth and Stars Pub and perused the packed Critical Incident Programme which was released, jaws snapping, out of its gilded cage. I particularly enjoyed the guy who showed up selling his comic books which included revelations of how Princess Diana really died. Gerry Thompson from Positive Comedy joined as and the evening buzzed with conversation (as usual). It was also great to see Erin Parks and Guy Picot from the enormously successful “Bonnie and Brighton” there. She received a Best Actress Award this year in the Brighton Festival and I think got Best Actress’s Husband. Our wine and relaxations evenings are always a good hive of conversation and exchange. This Critical Incident-hosted one was no different!

Midnight – 1am – Midnight Online Chat in the Critical Incident Chat Room – “Collusion and Creativity is our theme – join thinkers from all over the world (and also Hove).

We had chatters in from the UK, USA, Australia and Canada discussing the nature of creativity and collusion. Several ideas converged on a theme that came out at our Four Walls workshop, about the importance if creative work spaces influencing the flow of our creativity. Critical Incident will be hosting further, regular chats over the coming year. Let us know if you would like to host a topic discussion. The international mix of folk always adds something extra to a debate and dialogue on creativity, art and innovation.

WEDNESDAY 24th MAY

9am-10am Drop-In Action Learning – Bring a problem or a challenge and walk away with some ideas in this interactive drop-in process with David Knowles @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Action Learning is all about learning from experience. So usually an action learning meeting is one of a series. We decided to break the taboo and just go for one meeting. Each of the three people in the group had a time slot to share a live issue from work or personal life and then reflected on what they had done about it so far. They then opened up to challenge from the others in the “action learning set” on what they might do next, ending their time slot with specific resolutions and actions.

We are experimental by nature we humans. So this process worked very effectively. I sensed a restlessness to go out and “try stuff”. Some of this stuff is what we already know, but a few ideas come from others in the group and represent buzzy new insights and ideas. It reminds me of that weird saying of Ian Postre:

“We realise ourselves through those around us; they speak to us through our questions of them.”

There was also a sharpness in the set’s thinking which came I think, from a crisp morning; morning time seems to be a good time slot of drop-in action learning. First thing (with coffee!).

9am-6pm The Speak Easy - Projected Photography Exhibition – From Vermont, Jahari Overton’s Speak Easy @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Over two days we and The Freeman Centre were treated to a feast of over 50 images from the photographic work of Jahari Lee Overton. The Speakeasy is the name of Jahari’s rich mix of images from nature. She questions the boundary between internal“nature” and human “nature”. Several of her pictures show the interaction between the human-created and the emergent natural, through form, colour, mood and also landscape. The frozen lake, the northern lights – the cat and the child; each is its own landscape.

We experimented with technology already available in the Freeman Centre and Jahari’s work was shared on a large plasma screen. I feel that worked and drew attention. People “stopped by”, chatted near and about the images on show. But the plasma also reduced and simplified the work. Something is lost in the use of that technology yet also something new is added. It is a place to see and look, to gather around. The work stands together in sequence. Read Jahari’s own write up of the exhibition here. (MS Word virus-checked)

10am-11am – Collusion Busting – Subject a personal or work idea or proposal or project to a collusion and mediocrity check – challenging and real! @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

This turned into a bit of a debate around Collusion rather than a collusion busting session outright! The collusion of mediocrity is an agreement in a group or an organisation (or even in your own head) to steer clear of challenge and honesty in order to maintain a superficial comfort zone). The result is a sense of security and safety, but at a price: mediocrity. We discussed how many organisational structures breed and even reward collusions of mediocrity. To challenge a collusion may lead to you being labeled either a trouble maker or plain nuts. Innovation usually lies in the zone of discomfort, at least in the short term. Why do we collude? People seem more and more instant gratification and have adjusted and even been programmed to adjust their expectations down to see mediocrity as excellence. So now we expect less so we aren’t disappointed. Customer service is an example. Queues have never been longer, companies cut corners all the time and replace quality with technology that simply fails to deliver authentic and helpful customer service. Yet our expectations are that this is the “best there is”.

10am-12.30pm – WORKSHOP “The Spoken Word” – Leading facilitator, Brighton’s own Chris Stagg @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Chris’s workshop received high acclaim. As usual Chris explored the topic in depth without a loss of interaction. An engaging and practical session for all who took part, Chris is a pioneer in the field of dialogue and communication, which he has applied to his creative facilitation work in business and organisations. www.chrisstagg.com

11.30am-11.40am – CRITICAL LEARNING “Tool in Ten Minutes – part 1” – a half day workshop on creative thinking tools crammed into ten minutes. Has to be experienced to be believed. @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

You might have thought it impossible that a half-day workshop could be crammed into ten minutes but it was! Over fifteen people gathered around the coffee tables, flipchart paper and pens and experienced an Involutionary Brainstorm where the least popular ideas are given pride of place at the top of the list and are transformed into the revolutionary ideas we most need and benefit from! Whacky and wonderful.

12.30pm-1.30pm – BROWN BAG CONTROVERSY SEMINAR, with renowned speaker from the Science Policy Research Unit, Paul Nightingale @ The Freeman Centre on the

A packed house and a controversial discussion about science and technology!

1.45pm-2.15pm – THEATRE – World Premiere of the onsite theatre piece “Photocopier” starring Treason Show’s Mark Katz and Pebbles’ Augustine Flint-Hartle and Chris Stagg – performed at a real photocopier! (20 minutes duration) “Fine Satire” The Stage @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Feedback was stupendous from this innovative theatre piece performed at the Freeman Centre’s own photocopier in front of audiences of fifty or more! Actors, Mark Katz, Augustine Flint-Hartle and Chris Stagg performed this twenty minute piece which contains the typical life conversations – both humorous and tragic – that people have when waiting for the photocopier to be available. It was a real buzz to see the intensity in the eyes of some audience members, to hear the silence during some of the more serious moments and to hear and see the sighs and the giggles during the satirical comedy and observational spoofs!

The show is now available for booking via www.rationalmadness.com

2.15pm-3pm
- FILM – The Cheese Films – short films from the world of Rational Madness Theatre Company – also commentary on using film in organisational learning @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus. These films have shown in the UK, Slovenia and Denmark.

The Freeman Centre’s dedicated video-conferencing suite was turned into a cinema with popcorn in ready supply, as Paul Levy from CATS3000 showed a series of short experimental films used in the production work of Rational Madness. Several films make use of mobile phone video technology through short dialogues and visual focus on the gestures and body language of people. “Suicide” is particularly cutting in a well observed but horrific way. Paul also demonstrated the use of screen-capture-to-film software and how a comedy animation was developed called “The Letter”. This filming technique was recently used in a funded production by Rational Madness at the Brighton Centre with partners Martin Searle Solicitors. Innovative and very different stuff.

2.15pm-3.15pm – WORKSHOP – Role Play Taster with Azimuth’s Patrick Bland. Explore a new form of interactive theatre. @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus.

This workshop was a late addition to the programme, yet the session was full to bursting. We were glad to see such a wide mix of people for this engaging session co-facilitated by Patrick Bland and Diane Hampson. Pat and Di are doing interesting things with the “dreaded role play”, drawing more on the comedy tradition than more traditional employers of this theatre technique. The session, a first for the pair, was dynamic, fun and interactive. I have just heard from Pat that Azimuth has several bookings in the pipeline from the session, and are receiving support from Arts and Business. Well done!

3.30pm-4pm - THEATRE – A second chance to see the Onsite theatre piece “Photocopier” starring Treason Show’s Mark Katz and Pebbles’ Augustine Flint-Hartle and Chris Stagg – performed at a real photocopier! (20 minutes duration) “Fine Satire” The Stage @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

The later afternoon performance of Photocopier was also packed and the atmosphere was quieter and more intense. It’s interesting how the two performances were consistent in their delivery, yet brought out different audience moods. The earlier afternoon session was lighter and emphasised the comedy more. The later afternoon slot seemed to underline the show’s more serious themes. For example, the scene where Mark’s character asks Augustine’s to “come home” after along, polite interchange by the photocopier, was full of a sense of loss and hope in the second showing.

4pm-4.10pm – CRITICAL LEARNING “Tool in Ten Minutes – part 2” – a half day workshop on creative thinking tools crammed into ten minutes. Has to be experienced to be believed.

The second tool in ten minutes was almost as nuts and enjoyable as the first. It was also very practical. The technique of Hermetic Problem Solving was presented by Paul Levy and everyone got their hands dirty and tried it out after two minutes! Paul even managed several versions of the same technique cramming (again) half a day’s training into ten minutes! You can find out more about the technique in the Resources section at www.cats3000.net. Also read Douglas Adams’s “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” where a detective uses Hermetic Problem Solving to solve a crime!

4.30pm-6.30pm – DROP IN SESSION for The Institute for Unnecessary Research – an utterly original live exhibition of science and artistry. @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

How can one describe the indescribable? “I wasn’t sure if it was all a clever joke, or deadly serious” said one dazed but impressed participant. From smashing stolen broken crockery, to DNA sampling and scientific artistic Chinese whispered, Anna Dumitriu’s Institute provided interactive exhibits at a kind of “World’s Fair” of the unnecessary but compelling science that points a playful and yet relevant finger at the borderline between science and art. Classic rational madness!

6.30pm-7.15pm – FILM – Premiere of a new film from CENTRIM’s Shaun Gannon @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Shaun Gannon’s twenty minute exploration of “Bill’s”, the sensational business success story of a café/greengrocer/restaurant/gourmet food shop is all about retailing and catering as “theatre”. The fast-paced movie focused on Bill himself and his inspired staff – inspired both by the concept and by Bill himself. Bill sees his business as a daily performance, a work of art. I loved his idea that his prime purpose as a leader is to get people working for him who are better than he is, so he can concentrate on the things he loves to do, rather than has to do as an owner/manager of a small business. Filmed by David Francis of CENTRIM, Shaun’s movie was well received. It’s well worth a look. Contact Shaun at CENTRIM at the Freeman Centre. www.brighton.ac.uk/centrim

7.30pm-9pm – DEBATE – “Unnecessary Research – What’s the Point?” @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

A lively debate about the purpose of research and the boundaries – both positive and negative – of our scientific and creative mindsets, the Freeman Centre came to life with controversial discussion.

7.30pm (doors)-8.30pm – THEATRE – World Premiere of Rational Madness’ “Empowering the Cheese” @ the Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton starring Alastair Kerr (Crouching Ferret Hidden Beaver), Treason Show’s Mark Katz, Augustine Flint-Hartle and Melanie Page - Download the Programme here (MS Word, virus checked)

“One of the best shows I have seen in the Festival” said David Lavender, Artistic Director of award-winning Theatre Space, The Komedia. A one hour mix of serious and satirical pieces, combined with film, this show takes organisational theatre in new directions. Highlights included Augustine Flint-Hartle and Melanie Page in “Colluding with Coffee”, a wonderfully horrifying and superbly delivered sketch about the end of a long-term friendship. Audi and Mel made it all so believable. Alastair Kerr and Mark Katz (both stars of the famous Treason Show, and regulars on BBC Radio 4) also made us laugh and squirm in “Sales Target”, a piece all about screwiness and success at work. Full details at www.rationalmadness.com

9.15pm (doors) – THEATRE – World Premiere of Pebbles Production’s “Four Corners but Forever Circling” @ the Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton

I loved this piece. Though in its early development stage, Michaela Bull’s portrayal through Dance, Movement and Theatre, of Lilith was a tour de force. You can read a fuller review via producers Pebbles Productions web site and also here

THURSDAY 25th MAY

8.30am-9am – Breakfast Play Reading – round table fun and croissants with acclaimed scripts from the work of Rational Madness @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

The Innovation Centre’s fine café played host to croissants, muffins, coffee, juice and a group of 7 early risers as we sat around and read some sketches from the work of Rational Madness. One particular scene raised a few eyebrows and generated a lot of discussion. “Cemetery” is all about missing the signs of change and paying the price. It was great to see people who do no regular acting enjoying the scripts and also reflecting together on their content. We all enjoyed the session and didn’t regret the early start to the day! Thanks to Rational Madness for laying on breakfast! There is a creative energy before 9am and often a lovely smell of hot coffee and baking croissants!

9am-6pm - The Speak Easy - Projected Photography Exhibition – From Vermont, Jahari Lee Overton's Speakeasy continues @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Over the two days, we were treated to a very broad view of the work of photographer Jahari Lee Overton. “The Speakeasy” showcased work from her Natural Photography as well as Portrait and Themed pieces. Presented on a large Plasma screen, the exhibition caused more than a few people in the building to pause and look. Some of Jahari’s work will be gracing the Freeman Centre’s walls over the coming years!

9am-10am - Drop-In Action Learning – Bring a problem or a challenge and walk away with some ideas in this interactive drop-in process with David Knowles @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

George was off to Cyprus but dropped by for a much needed session exploring how to engage clients in getting enthusiastic about a programme of work. A lot of useful challenge and feedback from the five set members. Of course, more time would have helped but everyone got their own time slot.

10am-11am - The Speak Easy "Speakeasy" - TALK and DISCUSSION on Jahari Lee Overton's Speakeasy. An opportunity to discuss this breathtaking work with the creator herself. Prints available. @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Jahari shared her intentions behind her photographic work and I was particularly struck by Jahari’s ability to be in just the right place at the right time! Capturing elusive nature seems to be one of her many skills.

10.30am-11.45am – "Using Crazy Golf to Solve a Problem” – Tim Brady leads you through the design and playing of a first-floor crazy golf course as well as exploring innovation and change! Far out! @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Tim Brady, we all thought you were a nutcase! This turned out to be one of the most successful sessions of the Critical Incident. We were invited to create crazy golf holes in the Freeman Centre that metaphorically represented the process of innovation and change in relation to a question or challenge in life or business we were posing ourselves! At least one person’s life changed on the spot! Tim had always wanted to use the plug points in the floor (they are round) as a gold course in his work place. Here, his dream came true and he invented an excellent and genuinely useful tool for innovation in the process!

1pm-4pm – WORKSHOP “Creating through Reflection – Relation, Rituals and Results” – From Denmark, we welcome Creative movers and shakers Finn Kollerup and Charlotte Rosenberg; a one-off, not to be missed - @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

They flew in from Denmark! Charlotte Rosenberg and Finn Kollerup (www.alt4kreativ.dk) explored innovation drawing on Finn’s new book on innovation and creativity (sadly only currently available in Danish). We exploring different aspects of innovation through a model that looked at symbols for innovation which we went off to collect! Eventually we enriched the model and tried to make it work as a kind of “innovation machine”. Each machine created by groups in the session had different metaphorical and symbolic aspects, throwing light on how to innovative and create new products, processes and ideas.

A very different session, it was refreshing to see a new approach to innovation taken.

3.30pm-4.30pm – TALK and FILM- “Tribal Earth- Pegasus - A flight into real value for your organisation” – an inspiring hour with groundbreakers of rhythm and community building, Simon McCarty and Chris Tero @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

The room was silent and there were a few tears (some born from smiles) as we watched Simon’s inspirational (and with music!) presentation of his work in Nepal with the Pegasus’s Project, an initiative born of music, and focused on building an orphanage and inspiring children to empower themselves through music. Chris Tero joined Simon in exploring with us how such projects can also benefit our own values and missions here closer to home. Do join Simon and Chris on a retreat at their wonderful camp Tribal Earth in the UK. www.tribalearth.co.uk

4pm-8pm – WORKSHOP – “The Pier Review” – A radical and engaging journey through your project or real question with Martin Leith (took places partly on Brighton Pier!) at CATS3000, 11 Jew Street Brighton. (Booking was essential!)

This was a workshop you had to apply to attend! Mover and Shaker, Martin Leith took a group of people onto Brighton Pier and used different aspects of the Pier to represent different parts of turning visions and ideas into realised practice. The rides! The boundaries and the features, the concept of the playfulness of the pier and what it represents to us, became a playground for innovative thinking and deep reflection of those taking part. Pier Review became a genuinely useful Peer Review, and people went away with a restlessness to put some of the ideas generated into action.

4.30pm-5.30pm – LITERATURE – “Books that changed my world” – Creative and innovation authors share the books that have most inspired them; you are invited to come and do the same! In the Pavitt Library @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

What a lively sessions this turned out to be! The Pavitt Library played host to a panel of published authors who shared the books that had rocked their personal and professional worlds. The audience we then invited to share their own “desert island” choices. Thanks to Maureen Winder for hosting and to Dave Francis, Tom Bourner, Finn Kollerup and Howard Rush for getting “naked” in literary terms!

5.45pm-7pm – LIVE POETRY - “Poetry for a Change” – Live poetry performance from Kirk O’Connor and Jenny Knight. Also time for poems from the floor. Poetry inspired by working life ! Online performance too! ! In the Pavitt Library @ The Freeman Centre on the University of Sussex Campus

Jenny Knight and Kirk O’Connor (to name but a few) made us laugh and cry with incisive and insightful poetry. Jenny is definitely a “corporate poet” and her satire on Kotter is legendary. Poetry can educate, inspire and also poke fun at the business world. Kirk’s own poetry ranges a wide spectrum. His binary poem was off-the-wall and very funny. The end to a long day, we hope for more poetry sessions in the near future.

7.30pm (doors)-8.30pm – THEATRE – World Premiere of Rational Madness’ “Empowering the Cheese” starring Alastair Kerr (Crouching Ferret Hidden Beaver), Treason Show’s Mark Katz, Augustine Flint-Hartle and Melanie Page @ the Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton. Download the Programme here (MS Word, virus checked)

see earlier

9.15pm (doors) – THEATRE – World Premiere of Pebbles Production’s “Four Corners but Forever Circling” @ the Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton

see earlier

ALSO ON

FRIDAY 26th MAY

6pm (doors)-7.15pm – THEATRE – World Premiere of Rational Madness’ “Empowering the Cheese” starring Alastair Kerr (Crouching Ferret Hidden Beaver), Treason Show’s Mark Katz, Augustine Flint-Hartle and Melanie Page @ the Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton

see earlier

9.30pm – COMEDY – Azimuth presents the premiere of “Don’t Give Up Your Day Job” – stand-up and comedy sketch show @ the Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton

A bold attempt at mixing stand-up and sketch comedy and using the business world as the source for the material! A couple sitting in bed planning their diaries together was particularly funny as Pat Bland and Di Hampson clever portrayed the way the we are strategising and “managing” every aspect of our lives. Some of the comedians worked better than others in a venue that lends itself more to theatre. But the evening contained so many clever and sharp observations, it is a format worth persevering with!

SATURDAY 27th MAY

see earlier

9.15pm (doors) – THEATRE – World Premiere of Pebbles Production’s “Four Corners but Forever Circling” @ the Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton

see earlier

And that was it! All in all a terrific week. We look forward to the next Critical Incidents!