Exploring the interface between theatre and live art, The Special Guests have been devising generous and playful live performance for theatres, galleries and beyond since 2002.

Despite being rooted within an urban grid we nod to pastures greener and raise our eyes to the skies. We ignore the basic formulas and usual run-arounds. Our work is laced with defiance, deviance and charisma – there’s always a fly in the ointment, after all.

Drawn to the themes of love, urban displacement, family ties and failure we test the limits of theatrical trickery and emotional authenticity. Work is made through discussion, research, improvisation and play. Working collaboratively and democratically, we aim to entertain and unsettle widereaching audiences with dark hearted humour. The company champions truth, flirts with disaster, carries comedy in its heart but tragedy in its wiring.

Nevertheless The Special Guests remain hopeful that audiences will take the bait.

Current work includes: Something Got a Hold of Me

Previous work includes: Are You Behaving Yourself Suzette?, Fuck The Special Guests, Underneath All the Noise Somebody was Singing, This Much I Know (Part One) and The Telephone Game: This Much I Know (Part Two), Peace and Quiet, Soundwiches, Witness Protection and Nightfall.

Alongside this, we curate The Flaw Set, an alternative cabaret event which takes place in social clubs and nightclubs and features music, performance and comedy.

We are Arnolfini Associate Artists and members of Residence. www.residence.org.uk