Improbable's DEVOTED & DISGRUNTLED 12 to Take Place in Bristol

Improbable's 12th annual unconventional conference for arts people, Devoted & Disgruntled gets under way in January 2017, in partnership with Theatre Bristol. At a time of economic and social uncertainty, it's more important than ever for the UK's theatre and arts community to unite around the issues that really matter, share concerns, and work together to strengthen the creative community. D&D is an opportunity for arts people at every point in their careers, from audiences to artists, CEOs to FOH staff, grassroots groups to seasoned professionals, to come together and focus on the question WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THEATRE AND THE PERFORMING ARTS?

D&D uses Open Space, which means everyone attending sets the agenda as anyone can call a session and bring the issues and topics they want to discuss to the floor.

The biggest ever D&D - For its 12th annual event, Devoted & Disgruntled heads to the magnificent Passenger Shed at Bristol Temple Meads, providing space for more people than ever before to come together and get to grips with the issues that really matter to the UK arts community. Tickets are selling fast but there is still availability, see listings info below for booking information.

Why Bristol? - 2015's event in Birmingham - the first annual D&D outside London - was a sell-out success, with 300 people generating almost 100 reports over the weekend. Bristol, as a creative hub with a thriving theatre community and an embedded Open Space practice, seemed the natural next location for this national event. D&D 12 is being hosted in partnership with Theatre Bristol, the city's unique network of theatre producers and organisations, and is also supported by Tobacco Factory Theatres.

Here's what some key industry players have to say about D&D:

"A room full of creative people. A room full of people who want to make the world a better place."
Katie Keeler, Co-Executive Director, Theatre Bristol

"D&D events are important and vital because they bring together like-minded, and sometimes opposite-minded, passionate people who want to see a change for the better in the arts and the world. They provide a much-needed platform for voices that are so often neglected in wider society, and encourage those who rightly think that we should always be striving to come up with new possibilities."
Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director, Royal Court Theatre

"I am a huge fan of D&D. With them, I have had some of the best discussions, often with people I've never met before, and always come away with more clarity and passion about what I want to do in theatre - and life!"
Emma Rice, Artistic Director, Shakespeare's Globe

"D&D has showed us, with startling immediacy, the power that we can create when we meet, talk and share ideas together."
Emma Stenning, Chief Executive, Bristol Old Vic

"D&D is...a slow but persistent revolution of meaningful dialogue and emergent action for our arts and culture...for whatever you want to make happen - and D&D is the first step."
Phelim McDermott, Co-Artistic Director, Improbable

More about Devoted & Disgruntled: http://www.devotedanddisgruntled.com/about

About Open Space

Open Space Technology (OST) is a form developed by Harrison Own to support groups to self-organise and collaborate around any question of shared concern. It gives all participants the chance to propose a starting point for discussion, take part in any of the conversations or flit between them all. It is particularly effective in dealing with complex issues where diverse and conflicting views are present. Over the last 25 years OST has been used across the world in an incredible range of contexts: to design aeroplane doors, resolve land disputes, address economic, environmental, social, political and artistic issues of every kind. Groups of six and of six hundred have used it with equal success.
For more information visit http://www.improbable.co.uk/open-space/

More Current Improbable Projects

Lost Without Words

Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
4 - 18 March 2017
Tickets £20/£15
Box Office: 020 7452 3000
Online bookings:

http://www.improbable.co.uk/portfolios/lost-without-words/

The Dorfman Partner is Neptune Investment Management.