SYNAPTIC-GAP

Welcome to the online home of Synaptic-Gap.  

BEGINNINGS

In 1997 after completing his P.G.C.E. in art at Brighton University, Chris Paris decided that making art was preferable to teaching art, and as a result charged into a project to develop a puppet theatre in Brighton.


Chris was interested in the developmental physiology aspect of his P.G.C.E and after a workshop with puppet theatre Director Luis Boys Chris experienced a greater sense of integration and heightened sense of well-being.

Chris concluded that something had happened during the workshop which had precipitated a greater emotional integration, and became interested in developing a workshop for adults, to help them learn to play, and re-experience a greater freedom of body movement.

Chris attended workshops with many great practitioners of puppetry and object theatre, and after reading and making lots of notes designed his workshop.


This workshop was first given in Brighton in 1996, and later in Nottingham.

The workshop developed its own momentum and Chris began making small puppet experiments, the first of which was a wire “frog mouthed” being which he called “poor me”. This “poor me” puppet identified and epitomised that voice in Chris’ head where he would habitually feel and start to think in a self contracted self pitying way. The “poor me” archetype allowed Chris to separate out and identify this tendency and through comedy, neutralise its negative effect.

The puppet project grew, became SYNAPTIC-GAP and was showcased at the Komedia Brighton, and later at the Visions Festival Brighton.