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Sensory Labyrinth Theatre (SLT) is an applied immersive, site-specific one-to-one multi-sensory theatre methodology. It was developed by Iwan Brioc, the director of Theatr Cynefin. SLT is inspired by Enrique Vargas' Sensory Poetics and Augusto Boal's ' Theatre of the Oppressed'. The theatre methodology transforms the stage into the mind of the audience member, with actors taking on the role of gatekeepers and scenes becoming sensory portals. SLT combines theatre and mindfulness practices to facilitate personal and social transformation.

Methodology

The distinguishing feature of SLT is its use of sensory portals, which are co-created by and then inhabited by workshop participants. These sensory portals are then arranged in a sequence and connected through pathways along which the audience travels on a solo journey. The method's aim is to achieve 'proprioception' as defined by David Bohm, which is a sudden awakening to our true nature. The invitation of the work is always to take the risk of falling awake to the miracle of being alive.

Underlying philosophy

SLT is a part of a broader methodology called Context Oriented Arts (CoArts), which was also developed by Iwan Brioc. CoArts proposes that arts, and theatre in particular, have the power to change consciousness. The approach of CoArts involves letting go of attempts to control or contain experiences, allowing individuals to perceive their experiences as they are without needing to explain or understand them.

Context-oriented arts

The theoretical framework that has emerged from and provides a basis for SLT is known as Context Oriented Arts (CoArts). CoArts is a model developed by Theatre Director Iwan Brioc that makes strong claims about theatre as not only an intrinsic property of consciousness but a vehicle for its transformation.

CoArts posits that the arts in general and theatre in particular because it most closely mimics ones lived experience, has the power under certain circumstances to radically change consciousness. Consciousness is changing from moment to moment naturally, but the change possible through CoArts is a profound and to varying degrees long-lasting shift in the way one’s reality is perceived and how one relates to it.

CoArts focuses on the context of experience, not the content, and is divided into three facets: approach, practice, and integration.

The main method of performance in CoArts is SLT. In this method, audience members journey alone through a darkened labyrinth, encountering sensory portals along the way. These experiences provoke subconscious sensory memories, causing constructs like time, space, and identity to collapse, leading to a profound transformation of consciousness.

Training and influence

Theatr Cynefin continues to offer training in SLT, and numerous theatres now use SLT and provide their own training. The main method of performance in CoArts, and therefore the primary form of practice, is Sensory Labyrinth Theatre.

See also

• Immersive theatre
• Participatory theatre
• Mindfulness
• Iwan Brioc

References

• Howson-Griffiths, Teri (2019). "Locating sensory labyrinth theatre within immersive theatres' history", Studies in Theatre and Performance. DOI: 10.1080/14682761.2019.1663649
• Iwan S. Brioc (2014). "Context Oriented Theatre: A Theatre-Based Approach to Mindfulness; a Mindfulness-Based Approach to Theatre". School of Psychology, University of Wales, Bangor – via ResearchGate.
• Ionescu, R. (2018). "Sensory Labyrinth Theatre: Applied Immersive Theatre for Community Building." Journal of Context Oriented Arts.
• Banks, J. (2019). "Sensory Labyrinth Theatre in relation to the individual, the audience member and performer, as part of a community." Journal of Context Oriented Arts.