ART14 – theatre of extremes – existed as a concept in Copenhagen in the 1970’s, and in Berlin in the 1980’s and 90’s. Its revival in Totnes, Devon, in 2026 is now the start of a very new constellation. Both edgy and experimental in form, ART14 – theatre of extremes – explores the visions of its participants in a multitude of ways, embracing the absurd, the surreal and the paradoxical in ‘a marriage of the opposites’.
The current company of ART14 players have worked with Josephine Larsen for about two years exploring acting and improvisation with a view to performing their own devised works. MEET THE ART14 TEAM
ABSURD BIRTH 1 – was premiered on 28th March @ The Angel Space. Comic and tragic in extreme, the curtains open and close in fast dream-like succession, revealing ancient and modern visions of humans in absurd situations, captivating the audience in a climate change of the unexpected, the provocative, the beautiful, the despairing, the ambitious, the deceptive, the taboo and the soul’s utter confusion in this day and age. Ushered by unique individuals. Devised by the ART14 players and directed by Josephine Larsen, actor, teacher, director in Europe and the UK, since 1974. Props & Masks by Sarah Strachan. Music by DJ Zombie.
JOSEPHINE LARSEN - actor, director, teacher, founder of ART14
"I started learning the art of acting when she was 11 yrs old. It literally saved my life."
Now, with a formal education (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School 1971-4) and a qualification in teaching the Performing Arts (Cert ED FE 2003), Josephine has over 50yrs practical experience in teaching Acting and Impro skills, in 3 different languages (English, German and Danish). She is also an NLP Master Practitioner (INLPTA - 3 yrs) and has a Certificate in Humanistic Counselling and Clinical Hypnosis.
Parallel to this, she has been blessed with a pioneering career in Theatre, Dance, Film and Stage in England and Europe; working with some of the greatest artistic talents and minds. IMDb - click link for past film productions
"Over the years I have developed a fascination for the human creative spirit and the vital importance of learning to ACT as a path towards greater confidence, authenticity, creative SELF-expression and SELF-actualisation. My teachings have evolved out of my experiences in the professional theatre world, and in life, both good and bad. The methods I use are drawn from a rich background in IMPROVISATION, METHOD, and CLASSICAL ACTING techniques and, above all, are shaped by the development of my teaching system ART14; a unique approach to building confidence through a trust in one's SELF, the authentic expression of one's SELF, and the loving embrace of all of the parts of YOU.
For more about the ART14 system, please read my BLOG titled: THE ART14 SYSTEM (date - 02.09.24)
JADE SHERIDAN - actor, teacher, stage manager
JADE SHERIDAN will be running the ART14 MIXED LEVEL CLASSES in Totnes
as of AUTUMN 2026
"From a young age I found a sacred beauty in the expression and creativity that acting can provide, and I believe that acting can change the trajectory of a person's life. Not just in performance, but in the views we hold for ourself and others, and how we express ourselves in 'real' life. It's about connection - to our inner gut, to each other, to language, history, joy, to our body and voice. I believe that education, in every regard, most especially in the intimacy of acting, should be a place of safety as well as a place of sanctuary."
JADE graduated from Arts University Bournemouth in 2022, where she studied Acting - resulting in a BA(hons) First-class degree. At university she focused on the study of the voice, movement, singing and various acting techniques and practices. Such as Konstantin Stanislavski, Sanford Meisner, Rudolph Laban, and William Shakespeare. Before university, Jade studied Dance, Musical Theatre, Stage Management and Drama & Theatre studies at Sussex Downs College, Eastbourne.
Since graduating, Jade has studied at, and performed with the National Youth Theatre; stewarded at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, acted in various plays and worked primarily on her own creative pursuits, such as playwriting and developing her own creative practice. She has recently moved to Totnes, and is beginning her career in teaching.