Research the theatre company DV8 Make comments and evaluate their performance work, subject material and rehearsal methods. (Minimum 600 words).

DV8 theatre was created in 1986 and has since been led by Lloyd Newson. The company has produced 19 highly acclaimed dance pieces, which have toured internationally, and four award-winning films for television.
DV8 usually create work about current affairs, posing question the audience, stimulating the mind. They cover very sensitive subjects, such as Islam and freedom of speech these are very complex topics and DV8 want you to think and generate your own opinions about these topics through physical theatre. These topics are also quite taboo, not being spoken about this openly by many other production companies, if any. Saying "religions, like any group of ideas are open for debate. Especially where those beliefs oppress others." They try to ease tensions that have arisen between cultures worldwide. All of these questions and complex topics challenge the audience not simply providing an entertaining performance but changing the way you perhaps see the world. I think to try and create this kind of theatre is very courageous, and I believe that this choice payed off,  as it challenged the audience about something that is happening currently. 

The performance, Can we talk about this, has clearly made very bold choices about how realistic it intended to be. Fusing dance and physical theatre, the choreography was extremely expressive. This constantly engaged the audience as there was never a dull moment, neither in physicality or in the mind stimulating dialogue. This almost overwhelming information provided for both the eyes and ears was complimented by the minimalistic set, as a bustling background would have been too much and completely overwhelmed the audience. As an actor to approach this play would take a thorough understanding of the topics, as well as all the physical and vocal work also.

This trend of challenging the audience and giving the audience a certain perspective they may have not experienced is a on going trend with DV8. They either do it quite obviously as they have in can we talk about this, or tell a story and let the audience gain their own interpretation. 

The rehearsal process is very experimental. They explore countless different ideas and take the ones that work into the rehearsal of the actual production. In preparation for Enter Achilles the explored how they could look at experiences of men in our world and how they could reflect that into their work. They would generate a storyline during the workshops and then begin  creating it in rehearsals. 

DV8 is a very controversial theatre company, which is a good thing. DV8 is here to challenge how we feel, think and perceive through extremely impressive and creative physical theatre