Gecko was founded in 2002 by, it seems, a series of fortuitous accidents. Following its foundation by Amit Lahav and Al Nedjari, so appeared a group of highly trained and expert individuals, each sharing a desire to give vent to their creativity and each with a skill somehow essential to the vision of the company and its work.
These artists have worked with, amongst others, The David Glass Ensemble, De La Guarda, Lindsay Kemp and Steven Berkoff. Their coming together was fuelled by a shared response to theatre, which for years had left them feeling somewhat dulled and uninspired. Instead, they wanted to arrest their audience’s imagination, awaken their senses and fill them with energy and vitality.
From their very first conversations about making theatre, there seemed little doubt that they wanted to explore work that was physical. By that, they mean the exploration of movement that involves great athleticism, physical contact, endurance and syncopation.
Artists Gecko have worked with include: Inakis Allorbe, Natalie Ayton, Helen Bagett, Rachel Bowen, Joe Coello, Laura Cubbitt, Ben Duke, Ruth Finn, James Flynn, Delphine Gaborit, Will Gaines, Mishka Henna, James Hesford, Kristina Hjelm, Stuart Heyes, Liam Jarvis, Sachi Kimura, Douglas Kuhrt, Elisa Laghi, Marc Leyton-Bennett, Katharine Markee, Jules Maxwell, Alfia Nakipbekova, Jamie Ogilvie, Ellan Parry, Corinne Pierre, David Price, Torben Schact, Ian Scott, Rae Smith, Matt Spencer, Joseph Traynor, Kim Voisey-Youldon, Teo-Wa Vuong, Joseph White.
Gecko update, March 2008: We'd like to wish Al Nedjari, who is stepping down as co-artistic director of Gecko, all the best in his new solo adventures. Following an incredible five years with the company, Al will be leaving to pursue his solo career. Al will continue to play a key role as an Associate Director of the company, and will continue to tour The Arab & The Jew and work in Gecko's education work. Future plans for Gecko in 2008 include making their first mid scale show, directing the Lyric Hammersmith's Young Company this August in the Lyric's Main House and developing a new touring piece for schools.
To download a company information pack click here.
