I’m a little bit sceptical of original ideas...
Looking forward, looking back: Kneehigh’s influences and legacy
Looking back
Footsbarn were an inspiration for Kneehigh. They were a robust international troupe who were more than a theatre company. They were a whole community, often on the road, they performed in magnificent tents, they had a school bus and a way of life free from convention. Their shows were funny, physical, musical and visual. They are now resident in France.
Keith Johnstone’s book Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre (1979) is an invaluable source of information and inspiration and it’s one that Kneehigh would return to again and again.
Welfare State International is a significant influence on Mike Shepherd and Kneehigh, with some members of WIS also performing with Kneehigh over the years.
Complicité was founded in 1983 and the combination of comedy, tragedy and dark humour can also be seen in Kneehigh’s style. The nuanced combination of light and shade, at one moment focussing on the bleakness of life and the next being a joyful, chaotic dance or physical sequence is integral to Kneehigh’s storytelling style.
Several members of Complicité trained at L’ecole Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq. The Lecoq style utilises mask and places an emphasis on an actor’s physicality, often working without script.
Mike Shepherd also cites Pina Bausch and her dance company Tanztheater Wuppertal as an influence, in particular, the dancers’ awareness of the audience at all times.
Improbable is another theatre company whose work has influenced Kneehigh. They use improvisation as a cornerstone of their work, and perform in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Silent films were a major influence on Kneehigh. In particular, the work of Buster Keaton inspired the company's use of physical storytelling, visual comedy and action. Like Keaton, Kneehigh often trusted movement, rhythm and image to tell the story, allowing audiences to understand and connect through what they saw as much as through what they heard.
Looking forward
For me, there's an interesting feedback loop with Kneehigh. I watched Kneehigh and was influenced by Kneehigh and then wrote my own stuff. Then there's quite possibly my writing influence on Kneehigh. Working with Mike on Dead Dog in a Suitcase, we didn't really discuss the show on a deeper level very often. We spoke more about Breaking Bad, and other things we were watching, reading, stumbling across, everyday inspirations. I’m writing for people I know, we’ve explored stuff together before so there’s a sort of shorthand.
Kneehigh’s influence can be seen across the theatrical landscape. The Emma Rice Company is just one example of a company that has continued the legacy of Kneehigh in its playfulness, choice of story, and theatrical style.
WildWorks is a company founded by Bill Mitchell and Sue Hill. They collaborated with Kneehigh on A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings in 2005 and you can find out more about that production here.
In its 40 years as a company, Kneehigh’s influence and inspiration has spread far and wide, inspiring alumni who have created their own companies and continue to make exciting work.
I just don't think I would have been able to make any of the vaguely interesting work that I've been able to make without what I learned from working with Kneehigh.