FoolishPeople

{{short description|British theatre and production collective}}

{{fanpov|date=June 2013}}

{{EngvarB|date=February 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}

File:FoolishPeople seal.jpg

FoolishPeople is a British theatre and production collective specialising in original site-specific and immersive theatre, as well as independent film and books. The collective was founded in 1989 by John Harrigan, who developed the theatre practice Theatre of Manifestation. Combining ritual, mythology, shamanism, drama therapy, strategic forecasting and open source collaboration in the creation of FoolishPeople's work. Each project takes form by merging text, performance, sound, art, light and the building itself to create dreamlike worlds that living characters inhabit.{{cite web|url=http://pemersonwilliams.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/milestone-v-the-village-pub-thats-the-way-to-do-it/|author=P.Emerson Williams|title= P.Emerson Williams on John Harrigan's and FoolishPeople's Theatre of Manifestation|date=28 June 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYm0zQRzXIU|author=David Metcalfe|title=Entering the Theatre of Manifestation (Appendix 1) - from an Interview with John Harrigan|website=YouTube|date=25 May 2013}} FoolishPeople were one of the early pioneers of immersive theatre in the UK and have utilised transmedia within their work since their inception in 1989.

FoolishPeople consists of a core creative team which is enhanced by different actors and artists in various productions and projects. They have toured internationally, performing in the United States and the Netherlands, and have worked in partnership with the BBC, the Arcola Theatre, The Horse Hospital, the Institute of Contemporary Arts and Conway Hall Ethical Society, which is thought to be the oldest surviving freethought organisation in the world.

FoolishPeople launched their small press publisher Weaponized Imprint in 2010 {{cite web|url=http://www.thehorsehospital.com/past/live-past/weaponized-imprint-launch/|author=The Horse Hospital|title=Weaponized Imprint Launch|date=14 November 2010|author-link=The Horse Hospital}} and released their first feature film Strange Factories in October 2013.

Founder

The founder and artistic director of FoolishPeople is John Harrigan,{{cite web|url=http://www.culturecompass.co.uk/2007/10/10/exclusive-john-harrigan/|title=Culture Compass, Exclusive Interview: John Harrigan "Artistic Director of theatre group FoolishPeople"|author=Loma-Ann Marks|date=10 July 2010|access-date=9 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103215551/http://www.culturecompass.co.uk/2007/10/10/exclusive-john-harrigan/|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=dead}} British film director,{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-06/15/gallery-strange-factories|author=Alice Vincent|title=Wired UK - Interview with John Harrigan "Strange Factories offers up 'subscription of experiences' to fan-funders"|date=15 June 2011|access-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002404/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-06/15/gallery-strange-factories|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}} producer, screenwriter,{{cite web|url=http://awakeningartsnetwork.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/storyteller-on-the-writing-of-strange-factories-by-john-harrigan/|author=awakeningartsnetwork|title=Storyteller: On the writing of 'Strange Factories' John Harrigan|date=7 June 2011}} actor and occultist.{{cite web|url=http://kiamagic.com/wiki/index.php/John_Harrigan|author=KIAwiki|title=Kabal teaching Ischyros not Apples, John Harrigan, HyperDimensional Artist|year=2006}} Harrigan also founded Weaponized Imprint.{{cite web|url=http://pemersonwilliams.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/the-immanence-of-myth-is-published/|author=P.Emerson Williams|title=Weaponized Imprint publishing "The Immanence of Myth"|date=26 August 2011}}

Harrigan's work centres around the creation of film, ritual theatre and immersive events. He founded FoolishPeople in 1989, taking its name from The Fool Major Arcana of the tarot.

In January 2006, Harrigan was the first person to be presented with the "Magi of Trygonia" Award for FoolishPeople's Dark Nights of the Soul, Anthology of plays which were performed during a thirteen-month residency at The Horse Hospital, awarded by the Dionysian Underground.{{cite web|url=http://wikivine.wikispaces.com/Dionysian+Underground |title=Dionysian Underground |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801035414/https://wikivine.wikispaces.com/Dionysian+Underground |archive-date=1 August 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.britevents.com/whats-on/greater-london/london/terra-incognita/15546/|author=Britevents|title=Terra-Incognita - 491 Gallery, mentioning John Harrigan was awarded with the "Magi of Trygonia" Award|date=March 2007}}

Harrigan received the Best Director Award for his second feature film Armageddon Gospels at Brighton Rocks Film Festival in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.brightonrocks.org/winners-2017-18.html|title=Armaggedon Gospels, Brighton Rocks Film Festival 2018, Best Director Award - John Harrigan}}

To date, Harrigan is the writer and director of all FoolishPeople projects and productions. His scripts have been commissioned and presented at such venues as the Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Horse Hospital, the Arcola Theatre.{{cite web|url=http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsH/harrigan-john.html|author=Doolee - The Playwrights Database|title=Listing of John Harrigan's plays on The Playwrights Database - Doollee|year=2010|access-date=30 March 2013|archive-date=14 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514003116/http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsH/harrigan-john.html|url-status=dead}}

Productions

= Film =

  • 2021 Lightships - Feature Film - Writer and Director John Harrigan - in co-production with GHRL Ltd {{cite web|url=https://ghrl.io/lightships/|title=Lightships|work=GHRL |date=2019}}
  • 2019 Armageddon Gospels - Feature Film - Writer and Director John Harrigan {{cite journal|url=http://www.lazaruscorporation.co.uk/blogs/artists-notebook/posts/armageddon-gospels|author=Paul Watson|title=Armageddon Gospels|journal=The Artist's Notebook |date=24 June 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://hermeticfilmfestival.com/2019/|title=2019 First Hermetic International Film Festival, Cagliostro Award - Best Storytelling - Armageddon Gospels - written by John Harrigan|work=First Hermetic International Film Festival }}{{cite web|url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/armageddon-gospels|title=Starburst Magazine Review for Armageddon Gospels|date=2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/john-harrigan-armageddon-gospels|title=Starburst Magazine Interview with John Harrigan on Armageddon Gospels|date=2019}}{{cite web|url=http://wearecult.rocks/armageddon-gospels-the-ritual-has-begun|title=Armageddon Gospels - The ritual has begun!|date=31 October 2019}}
  • 2013 Strange Factories – Feature Film - Writer and Director John Harrigan {{cite web|url=http://mizmjm.tumblr.com/post/53238946947/strange-factories-my-thoughts|author=Amanda - Illusioned Whispers|title=Strange Factories, A Review|date=18 June 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195249/http://mizmjm.tumblr.com/post/53238946947/strange-factories-my-thoughts|archivedate=29 October 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://thealtentertainer.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/strange-factories-is-a-strange-triumph/|author=Neil McComb|title=Strange Factories is a strange Triumph|date=30 October 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://londonist.com/2013/10/cinemamuseum.php|author=Sarah Stewart|title=Immersive Theatre And Film At The Cinema Museum|date=29 October 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.terrorattractions.co.uk/page.php?show=strangefactories|author=Jay Jay|title=Review of Strange Factories on 28th October 2013|date=28 October 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebeaveronline.com/743/|author=Camilla Naschert|title=Strange Factories – review|date=6 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20131206144916/http://www.thebeaveronline.com/743/|archivedate=6 December 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://thelatest.co.uk/brighton/2013/11/12/strange-factories/|author=Rachel Simm|title=Strange Factories|date=10 November 2013}}

= Theatre Productions =

2018 The Lying Field - Writer and Director John Harrigan - 24–26 August 2018 Byline Festival,{{cite web |url=https://www.bylinefestival.com/lying/ |title=The Lying Field — Byline Festival |website=www.bylinefestival.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193244/https://www.bylinefestival.com/lying/ |archive-date=2018-08-17}} Pippingford Park, Nutley UK

2017 British Enough? - Writer and Director John Harrigan, in collaboration with artist and filmmaker Kristina Cranfeld,{{Cite web|url=http://www.kristinacranfeld.co.uk/British%20Enough.html|title=Kristina Cranfeld}} exploring the physical and imagined spaces conjured by Brexit in the borderlands of Britain’s future outside of the EU - 6–8 July 2017 BE FESTIVAL, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham UK {{Cite web|url=http://befestival.org/festival/|title = Summer Season 2021}}

2016 Borderland, Sex Angel - anthology of immersive theatre, episodical events at secret locations - Writer and Director John Harrigan

2015 The Woods Trapped at the Edge of Midnight - Writer and Director John Harrigan - 6–9 August 2015 Wilderness Festival, Cornbury Park, UK - Headlining Act - Theatre and Performance.{{cite web |url=http://www.wildernessfestival.com/programme/foolish-people/ |title=FOOLISH PEOPLE - Wilderness |accessdate=2015-09-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030100225/http://www.wildernessfestival.com/programme/foolish-people/ |archivedate=2015-10-30 }}

2014 Strange Factories: Remade - Writer and Director John Harrigan - 13 September 2014 Scalarama at the Curzon Community Cinema, Clevedon UK; 24 September 2014, Making Waves Film Festival at the Kings Theatre, Southsea Portsmouth UK; 17 October 2014, at the Ultimate Picture Palace Oxford UK; 1 November 2014 at the Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn UK.

2013 Strange Factories: The Imaginari - Writers John Harrigan and Craig Slee, Director John Harrigan - 26 October - 9 November 2013 at the Cinema Museum (London);{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemamuseum.org.uk/2013/strange-factories-live-cinema-encounter/|author=Cinema Museum (London)|title=Strange Factories: A Live Cinema Encounter|date=26 October – 9 November 2013|author-link=Cinema Museum (London)}} 10 November 2013 at the Duke of York's Picture House, Brighton;{{cite web|url=http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Duke_Of_Yorks/film/Strange_Factories/|author=Duke of York's Picture House, Brighton|title=Strange Factories|date=10 November 2013|author-link=Duke of York's Picture House, Brighton}} 15–16 November 2013 with Sundown Cinema at Cadwell Farm, Hitchin and 18 November 2013 at Pavilion Dance, Bournemouth.{{cite web|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/theatre/10812335.Dare_you_enter_Strange_Factories_and_witness_live_haunted_cinema_like_no_other_/|author=Daily Echo|title=Dare you enter Strange Factories and witness live haunted cinema like no other?|date=18 November 2013}}

2012 Virulent Experience – Writer and Director John Harrigan - in partnership with Conway Hall Ethical Society{{cite web|url=http://conwayhall.org.uk/52/+/74/|author=Conway Hall Ethical Society|title=Virulent Experience|date=August 2012|author-link=Conway Hall Ethical Society}}{{cite web|url=http://londonist.com/2012/08/review-virulent-experience-conway-hall.php|author=Franco Milazzo|title=Review, Londonist: Virulent Experience|date=9 August 2012}}

2010 The Basement - Ward 12 – Co-Writer and Director John Harrigan - in partnership with Secret Cinema

2010 The Providence Experiments – co-produced with Mythos Media

2010 A Red Threatening Sky – Writer and Director John Harrigan {{cite web|url=http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/redthreatening-rev|author=British Theatre Guide, Howard Loxton|title=Review: A Red Threatening Sky|date=February 2010}}

2009 The Abattoir Pages – Writer and Director John Harrigan - presented with Guerilla Zoo

2009 Cirxus – Writer and Director John Harrigan {{cite web|url=http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/cirxus-rev|author=British Theatre Guide, Howard Loxton|title=Review: Cirxus|date=June 2009}}

2008 Terra:Extremitas – Writer and Director John Harrigan {{cite web|url=http://www.realitysandwich.com/meta_end|author=Stephen Hershey|title=Reality Sandwich: Meta-End FoolishPeople Terra:Extremitas|date=17 July 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.alterati.com/blog/2008/07/the-gspot-37-terra-extremitas-supplemental/|author=Joseph Matheny|title=Alterati: The Gspot #37: Terra Extremitas Supplemental|date=23 July 2008|access-date=10 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110141545/http://www.alterati.com/blog/2008/07/the-gspot-37-terra-extremitas-supplemental/|archive-date=10 November 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.modernmythology.net/2009/03/terra-extremitas-light-to-darkness.html?m=1|author=James Curcio|title=Modern Mythology: Terra Extremitas: Light to Darkness Darkness To Light|date=11 March 2009|access-date=10 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406064829/http://www.modernmythology.net/2009/03/terra-extremitas-light-to-darkness.html?m=1|archive-date=6 April 2016|url-status=dead}}

2007 Dead Language – Writer and Director John Harrigan {{cite web|url=http://www.ica.org.uk/Dead%20Language+15043.twl|author=Institute of Contemporary Arts|title=Dead Language|date=October 2007|author-link=Institute of Contemporary Arts|access-date=9 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217235808/http://www.ica.org.uk/Dead%20Language+15043.twl|archive-date=17 December 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.culturecompass.co.uk/2007/10/10/exclusive-john-harrigan/|author=Loma-Ann Marks|title=Exclusive: John Harrigan / Dead Language|date=10 October 2007|access-date=9 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103215551/http://www.culturecompass.co.uk/2007/10/10/exclusive-john-harrigan/|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=5113|author=Warren Ellis|title=Warren Ellis: Dead Language|date=29 September 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.alterati.com/blog/2007/09/art-on-the-inside-blood-on-the-outside/|author=Joseph Matheny|title=Alterati: ART ON THE INSIDE, BLOOD ON THE OUTSIDE, Dead Language|date=21 September 2007|access-date=10 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006154245/http://www.alterati.com/blog/2007/09/art-on-the-inside-blood-on-the-outside/|archive-date=6 October 2013|url-status=dead}}

2007 Desecration – Writer and Director John Harrigan

2007 Weaponised Art 3.0 - Lazy Gramaphone - Writer and Director John Harrigan

2007 Terra-Incognita - Writer and Director John Harrigan - 491 Gallery {{cite web|url=http://technoccult.net/archives/2007/03/12/to-do-in-london-foolish-peoples-terra-incognita/|author=Klint Finley|title=Technoccult: Terra-Incognita|date=12 March 2007}}

2007 Ghost Redux

2006 Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle VI - Carousel - Writer and Director John Harrigan - The Horse Hospital

{{cite web|url=http://www.thehorsehospital.com/past/the-chamber-of-pop-culture-past/foolishpeople-dark-nights-of-the-soul-a-magical-anthology-2/|author=The Horse Hospital|title=Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle VI - Carousel|date=December 2006|author-link=The Horse Hospital}}

2006 Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle V - Home - Writer and Director John Harrigan - The Horse Hospital

2006 Weaponised Art 2.0 - Guerrilla Zoo - Writer and Director John Harrigan - Corisca Studios

2006 Weaponised Art 1.0 - Guerrilla Zoo - Writer and Director John Harrigan - Corisca Studios

2006 Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle IV - Congealed - Writer and Director John Harrigan - The Horse Hospital{{cite web|url=http://www.thehorsehospital.com/past/the-chamber-of-pop-culture-past/dark-nights-of-the-soul-cycle-iv-congealed/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411223624/http://www.thehorsehospital.com/past/the-chamber-of-pop-culture-past/dark-nights-of-the-soul-cycle-iv-congealed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2013|author=The Horse Hospital|title=Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle IV - Congealed|date=June 2006|author-link=The Horse Hospital}}

2006 Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle III - Emergence - Writer and Director John Harrigan - The Horse Hospital{{cite web|url=http://www.thehorsehospital.com/past/the-chamber-of-pop-culture-past/dark-nights-of-the-soul/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411231909/http://www.thehorsehospital.com/past/the-chamber-of-pop-culture-past/dark-nights-of-the-soul/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2013|author=The Horse Hospital|title=Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle III - Emergence|date=April 2006|author-link=The Horse Hospital}}

2006 Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle II - The Fluid Flesh - Writer and Director John Harrigan - The Horse Hospital

2005 Dark Nights of the Soul: Cycle I - The Wyrm Shroud - Writer and Director John Harrigan - The Horse Hospital

2005 Dr. Bleach - Writer and Director John Harrigan - Weird Weekend - Centre for Fortean Zoology

2004 Ruined Steel - Writer and Director John Harrigan - Camden People's Theatre

2004 Escape from RS1

2004 The Flesh List

2003 Past the Line, Between the Land - Writer John Harrigan - Camden People's Theatre

2002 The Singularity - Writer and Director John Harrigan - Camden People's Theatre

1994 Revelations; Fear The Mind - Writer and Director John Harrigan - North Herts College - Letchworth

1991 Enochian; Language of Angels - Writer and Director John Harrigan - North Herts College - Hitchin

= Workshops and Talks =

2016 Art Arcana - Art and talks, episodical events - hosted by Foolish People

2016 Ritual Art workshops - hosted by John Harrigan

= Published books at Weaponized Imprint =

2011 Citizen Y - John Harrigan with James Curcio

2011 The Immanence Of Myth - James Curcio, Stephane Griswold, Tony Thomas, Mr. VI, Rowan Tepper, MA, Yakov Rabinovich, Brian Corra, Stephen Hershey, Catherine Svehla, Ph.D, Bria, George, David Metcalfe, Michael Anthony Ricciardi, Damien Williams, Jason Kephas, Mica Gries, Tons May, David Mack, Rudy Rauben, S Jenx, David Aronson (with writing from Leslie Powell), John Harrigan, Laurie Lipton

2011 The End Of The Word As We Know It - Wes Unruh

2011 Forum - Richard Webb

2011 The Sparky Show - Xanadu Xero

2010 Dead Language - John Harrigan {{cite web|url=http://www.modernmythology.net/2011/01/dead-language-introduction.html|author=James Curcio|title=Dead Language Introduction by James Curcio|year=2010|access-date=30 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628164021/http://www.modernmythology.net/2011/01/dead-language-introduction.html|archive-date=28 June 2012|url-status=dead}}

2010 Cirxus - John Harrigan

Awards

2018 Brighton Rocks Film Festival, Best Director - John Harrigan for Armageddon Gospels {{cite web|url=http://www.brightonrocks.org/winners-2018.html|title=2018 Brighton Rocks Film Festival, Best Director Award - John Harrigan for Armageddon Gospels|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703133753/http://www.brightonrocks.org/winners-2018.html|url-status=dead}}

2019 First Hermetic International Film Festival, Cagliostro Award - Best Storytelling - Armageddon Gospels - written by John Harrigan

Interviews

2019 STARBURST Magazine Interview with John Harrigan on Armageddon Gospels

2016 Technoccult Interview with FoolishPeople Founder - John Harrigan {{cite web|url=http://technoccult.net/archives/2016/05/04/an-interview-with-foolishpeoples-john-harrigan/|author=Damien Patrick Williams|title=An Interview With FoolishPeople's John Harrigan|date=4 May 2016}}

2013 Filmmaker Magazine: Out Of The Ashes - Strange Factories - by Nick Dawson {{cite web|url=http://filmmakermagazine.com/tag/strange-factories/#.UqHsoeL9W3M|author=Nick Dawson|title=Filmmaker Magazine: Out Of The Ashes - Strange Factories|date=21 October 2013}}

2013 Disinformation: Entering the Theatre of Manifestation – The Art of Possession - Interview with the core members of FoolishPeople by David Metcalfe {{cite web|url=http://disinfo.com/2013/06/entering-the-theatre-of-manifestation-the-art-of-possession/|author=David Metcalfe|title=Entering the Theatre of Manifestation – The Art of Possession|date=17 June 2013}}

2013 The Eyeless Owl: Entering the Theatre of Manifestation – Unveiling the FoolishPeople - Interview with the core members of FoolishPeople by David Metcalfe {{cite web|url=http://theeyelessowl.net/2013/05/03/entering-the-theatre-of-manifestation/|author=David Metcalfe|title=Entering the Theatre of Manifestation – Unveiling the FoolishPeople|date=3 May 2013}}

2013 New Intelligentsia Online Cinemas: Interview with John Harrigan by Cynthia DuVal "John Harrigan on Art, Strange Factories and Personal Transformation" {{cite web|url=http://newintelligentsia.com/john-harrigan-on-art-strange-factories-and-personal-transformation/|author=Cynthia DuVal|title=New Intelligentsia Online Cinemas: Interview with John Harrigan|date=29 April 2013|access-date=16 May 2013|archive-date=11 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211115124/http://newintelligentsia.com/john-harrigan-on-art-strange-factories-and-personal-transformation/|url-status=dead}}

2011 Wired UK: Interview with John Harrigan "Strange Factories offers up 'subscription of experiences' to fan-funders" by Alice Vincent

2011 Blogtalkradio: Interview with John Harrigan, Founder of FoolishPeople by Nancy Wait {{cite web|url=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/art_and_ascension/2011/07/19/john-harrigan-founder-of-foolishpeople|author=Nancy Wait|title=Blogtalkradio: Interview John Harrigan, Founder of FoolishPeople|year=2011}}

2008 Technoccult: Interview with John Harrigan of Foolish People by Klint Finley {{cite web|url=http://technoccult.net/archives/2008/03/02/interview-with-john-harrigan-of-foolish-people/|author=Klint Finley|title=Technoccult: Interview with John Harrigan of Foolish People|date=2 March 2008}}

2007 Culture Compass: Exclusive : John Harrigan Interview by Loma-Ann Marks {{cite web|url=http://www.culturecompass.co.uk/2007/10/10/exclusive-john-harrigan/|author=Loma-Ann Marks|title=Culture Compass, Exclusive Interview: John Harrigan|date=10 October 2007|access-date=9 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103215551/http://www.culturecompass.co.uk/2007/10/10/exclusive-john-harrigan/|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=dead}}

References

{{reflist}}