THE SKELETON PROJECT:

TRIP / TICK

A document for funders

www.skeletonproject.co.uk : info@skeletonproject.co.uk

Prequel: (The bit we stick on all things)

Who We Are:

The Skeleton Project is a West Yorkshire-based art, theatre and performance group, active since 2005. The

Skeleton Project is all work created by Matthew Allen and Anton Krasauskas who are Graduates of Leeds

Metropolitan University.

What We Do:

We create accessible, watchable, humorous work without compromising the desire to take risks. Our work is

primarily about the way we view the world and takes the audience on a journey, through text, physical

performance, video or sound so externalise the lenses that we see the world through and create a version of

our own world on stage. The work is autobiographical and talks directly to the audience, presenting ideas

rather than telling a story. The duo are cross disciplinary artists working in video, sound art and performance.

The duo are cross disciplinary artists working in video, sound art and performance who specialise in theatre

and performance.

Interested in showcasing new talent, The Skeleton Project created NEWK, a regular platform for developing

work which takes the form of three short previews of work by other artists. It offers them the opportunity to

test material in front of audiences and receive feedback from an established practitioner. Newk is supported

by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The Skeleton Project are associate artists of

Stage@Leeds.

Wrap Around:

Workshops for ages 16 years old and up, pre- and post-performance discussions for both audiences and

professionals, lecture demonstrations for professional artists and academics. Showcase events in gallery

spaces and festivals.

Before every theatrical performance I must summon the blood.

Not sure why Matt is wearing a monocle. Also note the large hat under the table.

Chapter 1:

Thank you.

First off I’d like to say thank you. If you don’t know what I am thanking you for then you

probably should skip to the next section. This book is for those who were kind enough to at

least conceder consider donating a bit of cash to the 52 Trip Tick performance project.

Thank you for supporting us on what will be a yearlong adventure on exploring new

possibilities with our work, making new friends and finding new audiences, performing in

new places, getting new contacts and probably pissing a few people off.

The Show.

Join me exploring how I construct thoughts, what I think about my life, the media and how I

cope with being a creative weirdo.

“Welcome to the catacombs of my psyche. This is a guide to me. Not a step by step

instruction, demonstration or education, this is just me, a fast mumbling unconstructive

deconstruction of my mind.”

TRIP TICK was developed to be versatile to any space, without need for props, set or

costume TRIP TICK is intended to be an individual and different experience each time it is

performed. The piece is led by a scripted text of short monologues, song lyrics, and

nonsense rantings and is driven by audience interaction and improvisation.

Written by Matthew Allen and Anton Krasauskas

Performed by Matthew Allen (and sometimes with Anton)

Concept.

Matt is a performer. He is a talker. TRIP TICK is two performances that overlap each other.

Tick is a show about how the performer’s mind works, how he deconstructs arguments,

what he thinks about the world around him, how he is influenced by media and popular

culture. Trip is a performance about how Matt would like to be, the performer he would like

to be and what type of work he would want to make. Crossed over this piece creates an

amusing, surreal environment that presents ideas rather than telling a story. The

performance is part stand-up and part contemporary theatre. The piece expands, shapes

and responds to its space and audience, and is different every time it is performed.

Production Information. if want it in your venue.

Trip Tick is a solo performance by Matthew Allen. The production has been developed to fit

into any space and has a variety of versions developed from one script. The piece can be

performed between 15 minutes and one hour depending on the setting, location or event it

is performed at. The performance can also perform on a loop for a number of hours,

developing and reacting to the changing audience throughout this time. For an hour long

performance the piece would benefit from a PA system or CD player and a basic wash of

lights however the piece has been developed so that it can operate independently, without

any tech support. The production contains strong language.

Chapter 2: The video plan.

1. Hello, I’m Matt Allen. (Like the store?)

2. And I am one half

3. of Leeds based performance company

4. The Skeleton Project. (website)

5. I have a solo show

6. called TRIP TICK. (poster?)

7. Edit

8. I’m going to use this show to showcase

9. the work that our company does.

10. So I had this idea that I’m going to

11. perform the show

12. 52 times

13. over 52 weeks

14. in 52 places.

15. Edit

16. It will be performed in bars,

17. cafes,

18. theatres,

19. streets,

20. before other peoples plays,

21. at art events

22. in houses

23. and anywhere else that will have me.

24. Edit

25. The idea is that this will get my work out

26. To an new audience

27. To develop my work

28. To test it in different places

29. Its really just a different way of touring

30. So why would you care?

31. Well.

32. It will be performed a lot.

33. 52 times.

34. And hopefully its pretty good.

35. So with a bit of money

36. To get it started

37. Just to cover expenses.

38. You will have 52 chances to see it.

39. And we will make a filmed version.

40. And if donate some cash.

41. A little bit.

42. £20 quid or more.

43. You will a copy of the filmed version.

44. If you can’t afford that a tenner will get you a poster.

45. A fiver will get you a postcard.

46. And a quid will get you in the programme.

47. I’m not asking for much.

48. A few hundred quid.

49. I’m not greedy.

50. Edit

51. So thank you.

52. See you soon.

Done. But with errors on page.

Chapter 3:

Matt looks nervous and begins the monologue with stutters and repetition, the director

stops him and asks him to start again & if he’d like a script. Matt offers to leave and the

direct frowns and lets him try again. Matt explains he usually enters delivering what he has

prepared. The director acknowledges this but when he starts cuts him off and tells him to

slow down.

Matt: (voice over)

There’s times in our life’s we get a feeling that there is something from a grander design. Something

that doesn’t make sense in the normal set of rules. It could be a feeling something bad is going to

happen, and then it does. It could be a feeling that someone’s watching you. A feeling that for some

reason something is different. That moment you see something in the world or in your self that isn’t

quite right and everything changes.

Matt gets excited about a part of the film and gets out a script to perform it.

Matt performs a text created out of quotes that explains how bad his life is.

Chapter 4: Where did all the money go?

Any funding pledged towards this project will be used to support Matt getting to different venues to

perform the production. All venues that he performs at will be listed online and all will be open to

the public and funders. Matt will not be taking any money pledged by funders as payment and most

of it will undoubtedly go on bus fair. The performance has no tech, props or set so is fairly self-

sustaining. Some funding may go towards printing of programmes and posters.

I have summoned the blood.

This book is a document for funders of Trip / Tick by The Skeleton Project.

We would like to thank you for your contribution to this project.

I was thinking… no I won’t tell you actually. I’ll keep it a surprise. You’ll like it though.

A SKELETON PROJECT

www.skeletonproject.co.uk : info@skeletonproject.co.uk