An Arts Council funded R+D exploring:
‘Absent Fathers: the gaps they leave and who or what fills those gaps.’

Absent Fathers(R+D)

A man and a woman in a room with a wooden floor, the man in front pointing with his right hand, the woman behind him looking at him, with chairs and papers on tables visible in the background.
Two individuals engaged in a dance maneuver in a dark setting, illuminated by blue lighting, with one person lifting the other on their back

the production

OffPiste received Arts Council funding in June 2023 to begin forming the foundations of a show that explores the theme of ‘Absent Fathers’.

The R+D took place in Bristol, Bridport and Poole with 3 groups of different actors, all with lived experience or a connection to the topic.

Our research during the project opened up the idea that the universe of ‘absence’ is a universal topic and incredibly visual. When fathers exit, they leave gaps behind, this project explored who, or what, fills those gaps.

Taking place in 3 locations, the R+D culminated in a filmed showcase at Poole Lighthouse.

The project is currently in development for a future life in 2024.

Dancer in black shirt and pants with hands near head, in red lighting, on dark stage with a second performer in the background.
Two men engaged in a dance or theatrical performance, with one supporting the other in a dip, on a dark stage with minimal lighting.
Group of people standing close together, hugging on a stage with dark background, brightly lit overhead.
A group of people performing a dance on stage in a dark theater with stage lighting, posing with expressive gestures and movements.
Group of people dancing together in a dark room illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A young man with long, curly hair sitting on stage, holding a drink, smiling, with a black background. Two other people are partially visible in the background, one standing with a microphone and the other bent over.
Black and white sketches of various objects and designs, including a figure labeled 'Future Notary,' a pie chart, a clock, and a dice, spread out on a table.
Black and white photo of people dancing and enjoying music on a stage with DJ equipment, seen through a framed opening.
A woman with brown hair tied back in a ponytail, dressed in a white shirt, is performing a plank on a wooden floor, with her right hand on the ground and holding a mobile phone in her left hand. There are sheets of paper on the floor near her. In the background, another person dressed in black and beige gloves is standing near red theatre or auditorium seats.
A woman holding eyeglasses on the left side of the image and a person with short, curly hair and dark clothing gesturing with raised hands on the right side, in a room with chairs and people seated at tables in the background.

  • CREATIVE TEAM

    Director - Archie Rowell
    Producer - Olivia Tetlow
    Movement Director- Sean Hollands
    Casting Director - Sydney Aldridge
    Dramaturg - Alistair Wilkinson
    Wellbeing Support - Kate Hunter
    Cinematographer - Elliot Millson

  • CAST

    BRISTOL
    Frankie Lipman, Paul Mohan, Christopher Jenner-Cole, Morgan Val-Baker, Linda Slade, Rob Holman, Tyler Shier

    BRIDPORT
    Charlotte Fernandes, Royce Cronin, Angela Laverick, Tatiana Penfold, Dan Gaisford

  • CAST

    POOLE
    Clive Duncan, Angela Laverick, Zoë Mai, Dan Gaisford, Freddy Bridgman, Alice Elliot

    With thanks to:
    Arts Council England
    Loco Klub
    Bridport Arts Centre
    Poole Lighthouse
    National Youth Theatre

ABSENT FATHERS R+D, 2023.