Another interesting question. I would like to think that the answer is no, and that I am not looking for athletes rather than interesting and talented performers. I understand that there will always be a set of physical demands of performing in the productions but instead of saying you must be fit I think the process sets out to get you fitter, whatever your starting point. This might allow you to take on the choreographed workload, but it will also help with the rigours of rehearsing and touring. Neither is easy. Being fitter might make you more able to achieve the ambition of the physicality of the show, but it will also protect you from the extended rigour of rehearsing and touring.

On another level, I think getting fitter is a wonderful by-product of a rehearsal period. You are working out in a fun environment, encouraged by others in the same situation. It is easier than going to the gym. And you are being paid to do it!

Seeing and feeling your body change and get stronger can really energise performers. Happy performers make a happy company. There is a lot of benefit all round to this positivity.

Again, Jonnie Riordan offers an interesting perspective,

‘The job of a Director or Movement Director is to ready actors for performance. Hopefully actors don’t turn up on day one with every piece of dialogue planned out so they know exactly how they’re going to say it, the same should be expected with physicality.

We use our full process to get physically and mentally prepared for a tour of a play. There is a misconception that Frantic Assembly works with athletes on stage, but often what you’re seeing is the product of hard work from the cast and creatives over several weeks. The Frantic Method is fully accessible to those creating the work. Our actors create and respond to a physical task set by the Director and therefore the product will always be material that fits the bodies of those performing. I think the number one quality we are actually looking for in performers is will. To find collaborators and performers who will get stuck in, make mistakes and fight for quality in the process.’