About A Line Art
Artist Anna Bruder and Poet Arji Manuelpillai first met at a young people’s community production at the Young Vic Theatre in 2010. In 2012 they started an interactive theatre and art company called A Line Art which specialises in immersive theatre performances and art events for children, young people and their families.
“What an amazing idea. At last something exciting and fun!”
Their main aim is to inspire and encourage creative play. A Line Art is known for its strong illustrative aesthetic that Anna has honed since art college. The style takes the audience back to a childlike state of mind by transforming the original interior into an illustrated world. Accessibility is at the centre of Anna’s illustrative style.
“Impeccable. By aiming at naivete, her drawing style functions anti-hierarchically: anyone in the room, adult or child, could have drawn what she’s drawn, and that allows anyone to give it a go”
Since 2013 they have created the ‘Ready Steady Series’ which includes an interactive colouring restaurant called Ready Steady Colour. An interactive driving school called Ready Steady GO! And, most recently they created The OFFIE nominated show Ready Steady Lift Off! the space adventure, where children learn to be astronauts, create and fly their own illustrated cardboard rocket! A Line Art push the boundaries with participation work creating playful interactive projects which tour to weird and wonderful places!
Their work has been supported by Arts Council England and has successfully toured to theatre spaces including The Southbank Centre where Anna was commissioned as part of Imagine Children’s Festival 2018/19/20 to create a Giant Outdoor Game, The Barbican Theatre, Young Vic Theatre, The Oxford Playhouse, The Unicorn Theatre where they premiered their interactive Christmas cafe, Christmas Feast; Story Centres such as Discover Children’s Story Centre and the Story Museum in Oxford; SEND and mainstream schools; outdoor festivals including The Big Draw and Emergency Exit Arts; community spaces, libraries and shopping centres around the UK. We have also toured internationally to Bravo Children’s Festival, Helsinki; Oulu Children’s Festival in Finland; Fabriano Big Draw in Milan and Act 3 International in Singapore. Over the past 4 years A Line Art has entertained over 60000 people and continue to grow producing playful, exciting experiences for children and their families.
“A Line Art has developed a huge following for their unique brand of interactive art and musical theatre shows where children and adults take part together.”
A Line Artists
Anna Bruder
Anna, a Central Saint Martins graduate of 2004, has thrived in the world of theatre. Her expertise extends beyond being a highly skilled prop maker for West End musicals, encompassing the design and construction of breathtaking sets for institutions like The Young Vic, Sadlers Wells, and The Southbank Centre. This has seen her collaborate with some of the best-known directors and designers in the country. Since 2011, she has passionately pursued her design concept, A Line Art, specialising in crafting interactive art events and musical theatre shows for children and families. Touring both nationally and internationally, Anna aims to inspire creative play within families, with a recent focus on her acclaimed Wriggle and Scribble Playgrounds and Family Activity Trails. Explore Anna’s imaginative world at www.alineart.co.uk.
Arji Manuelpillai
Arji is a performer, poet and education artist who has worked both nationally and internationally with young people, children and adults from across the world. His major strength lies in language, which has allowed him to work with several bands as songwriter including Oojami and The Leano. He is currently Jerwood/Arvon Mentee 2019 and has performed with some of London's best poets from Raymond Antrobus to Hollie Mcnish. Alongside his own creative projects he has been running workshops for vulnerable children and young people in various settings. In the last 10 years he has worked for companies including Emergency Exit Arts, The Southbank Centre, The Young Vic Theatre, The Roundhouse, Music in Detention, The Royal Opera House and many more.