In the Flesh festival - Bijou X 2

By Jo Irving
BBC Devon

There's nothing quite like it

"Bijou" is how this year's In The Flesh festival is being described by the artistic director of Plymouth's Barbican Theatre.

Mark Laville says: "There'll be some real jewels to look out for performing in some really unusual spaces."

And for the first time the eclectic mix of artists will be showcasing their work in two venues as the theatre teams up with the nearby Arts Centre.

"Audiences can choose what they want to go and see and where."

For three nights the two art spaces join forces to showcase some of the best up-and-coming talent as well as a selection from more seasoned performers.

Jamie Hadley tries not to hurt himself

"It's a chance for some of the artists to test their work out on the audience, while others will have fine tuned their pieces already," says Mark.

Some of the performances have been especially commissioned for the theatre.

"Two years ago Tim Bromage unhooked fish hooks from his skin - last year he put his hand in a beaver trap.

"This year I know he's organised a winch and a bath of tea."

And some of the artists don't even have to travel far for the festival.

Performance poet Hannah Silva from Plymouth is trying, as Mark describes, "to get inside the audiences' heads with her Panoptican".

Inspired by the Bentham brothers, a Panoptican is a type of prison which lets the guards see the inmates, but without being seen themselves.

Hannah wants the audience to watch and be watched and that's when the questions start.

Mark doesn't expect people to enjoy everything they see and admits some of the acts will be controversial.

"As well as things going on in the main theatre, some of which you can dip in and out of, there'll be performance artists doing their stuff in other places too, says Mark.

Hannah Pollard is performing at Plymouth Arts Centre

"Take the bar for example. Alien Kiosk will be encouraging the ultimate audience participation - when you buy a drink you can stop and chat to the woman in the bath.

"Or you can pour either hot or cold water over her!"

There's always space in two of the theatre's offices for performers as well as the theatre's loos.

There will be more traditional performers too from classical guitar player, Michael John Crafter as well as stand up comedy from Plymothian Adam Barker.

The show certainly doesn't stop on the steps of the theatre because just up the road at the Arts Centre there's more to watch and see.

Jamie Hadley will be trying not to hurt himself as he explores his career as a professional wrestler and the injuries he's experienced.

While other artists Claire Burke and Hannah Pollard will be taking their Arts Centre audience on a different journey.

Mark says: "It's an experiment for us to use another venue.

"But we want people to have a lot of fun, so we try to encourage our audiences to try something new.

"Artists love In The Flesh because there's no platform quite like it."

Booking your place is certainly recommended as it's unlikely you'll get in on the night.

Performance details can be found using the links at the top of this page.

In The Flesh
Friday 13 - 15 November 2009
Plymouth's Barbican Theatre and Arts Centre