In the Studio 4 Working with canes

Companies such as Kneehigh and Complicité often use bamboo canes (like those found in garden centres) during rehearsal and Research & Development (R&D) - working in pairs, balancing the two ends of the canes in the palm of hands, between finger tips. There are a lot of variations to working with canes or sticks. They bring a sense of focus and awareness, and a strong sense of working with your fellow performers. Try these exercises to enhance focus, explore movement and levels, and develop spatial awareness.

Each pair has one cane between them. Place the ends of the cane against the palm of one hand each (one person on each end of the cane) and explore the pressure that is needed to keep the cane aloft. Once that has been established, the pair should then start to slowly move around the room, keeping the cane aloft, but moving it in various directions. Care should be taken to maneuver around other pairs who are working in the same space, and this can create interesting interactions as people move under or over others.

As confidence grows, suspend the cane using one fingertip each, rather than the palm of the hand. This requires greater skill and focus.  Challenge participants to sustain eye contact with each other as much as possible as they continue to move around the room, keeping the cane moving and suspended.

Create more opportunities for the pairs to interact with each other. Perhaps they can create a sense of a wave, a shoal of fish, a train - whatever comes to mind!