At historical sites and in the presence of historical objects, the only dimension which separates us from the the stories and the people connected with them is the 4th Dimension, Time. Live interpretation is arguably the best way of bridging that dimensional distance. We talk about ‘Bringing the Past To Life’ or ‘Going back in Time’. Visitors often cite ‘time travel’ as a motive for visiting. But how do we conceptuaise this and how effectively do we deliver it. This weekend offers a chance for experiencing, discussing and participating in Live Interpretation which seeks to do just this.
Schedule
Friday 13 March
Explore the heritage of London. A tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, then a trip by boat to Greenwich, the Home of Time. To stand on the Greenwich Meridien, see the Time and Longitude Gallery and the Cutty Sark.
Optional: Evening meal in the West End and a chance to see the longest running theatrical production in the world, The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie.
Saturday 14 March
Start with a tour of the Tower of London, led by one of the iconic ‘Beefeaters’. Then step back into 1278 and experience ‘Life of a Medieval King, our new Live interpretation for 2020.
Then come to a series of special talks ‘It’s about Time!’ in the Tower lecture Theatre
- Chris Gidlow, Daily Programme Manager, Tower of London: ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Tower of London.’
- Luke Holmes, Interpretation Manager, on the Medeival Palace.
- Ben Revell,Past Pleaures Ltd: Responding to an Interpretation Creative Brief.
- Thomas Olsen, storyteller, writer and creative consultant: ‘Timeless Storytelling’.
- Lara Muth, author and director,: ‘The challenges of presenting Shakespeare where some of the events in his plays actually happened, the Tower of London.
Performers taking part in ‘The Tower through Time’ familarise themselves with the site. Light Dinner in the Sky Garden at the top of the City of London’s tallest building.
Sunday 15 March
‘The Tower through Time’. Performer members of IMTAL, either with their own costumes or costumes borrowed from Historic Royal Palaces own collection, covering 1066 -1906, put on presentations across the Tower for international and multi-generational visitors. Vistors can encounter them separately or as part of a steam Punk/Sci-Fi framed tour taking them travelling through time, exploring 1000 years of History, or even back to the Roman and prehistoric stories which preceeded the current building.
Special tours of Roman Baths at Billingsgate, the Roman Amphitheatre and Roman Temple of Mithras, now hidden under modern buildings.
For those not taking part in the live interpretation, nearby locations include Tower Bridge with its glass-floored high level walk way and Victorian engine rooms, and HMS Belfast, the only surviving big warship from D Day, now a floating Museum. (not included).
Optional: Dinner at the Medieval Banquet, next to the Tower £50/head
Monday 16 March
Optional: Post-event programme offer: a tour of the the Harry Potter studios (Price £50/head).
Cost
- € 160,- for IMTAL members,
- € 180,- for non-members.
Please note that IMTAL cannot reimburse travel or accommodation expenses.
How to register
If you would like to participate in the training day, and meet the lovely museum theatre colleagues from the Tower of London (one of the few British sites with year-round, professional costumed live interpretation), fill out the attached online registration form before 14th February 2020.
Register
Registration is now open for the 2020 IMTAL European Regional Conference in the Tower of London, UK, March 13-15 2020. The last day to register for the conference will be Feb 14, 2016.
Payment is due no later than February 14, 2020
Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Confirmations and invoices will be sent to the email address you provide using the form above. By clicking register, you are confirming that all of the above information is correct.
Transportation
It is your responsibility to get yourself to the Tower of London for registration
