Peter Gunson – Example of Work
I am a theatrical engineer, performer and producer. Trained as an engineer before learning a range of metal, woodwork and facilitation skills I was inspired into Outdoor Arts by the Streets Ahead festivals in Manchester in the early 2000s. I “apprenticed” through key UK companies before founding the highly respected outdoor arts company Pif-Paf and have continually developing its unique output through high quality collaborators and opportunities. I have been at the core of creation and touring of over 20 small and mid scale shows with Pif-Paf whilst maintaining a freelance designer/maker, consultant and facilitator practice. I remain at the heart of UK Outdoor arts – as founder of the For The Love Of It artist led gathering, and a regular speaker at Outdoor Arts UK conferences and webinars, commssioined by Withot Walls and many leadig festivals and touring work to over 50 venues every year.
In these 20 years I have been awarded multiple awards and grants and worked with key UK creators and presenters. My focus is around small to mid scale “total theatre” which can travel to all communities in the UK and beyond. Work has to be of the highest quality in concept, build and presentation and also technically independent and accessible to the widest audiences – often with little or no arts exposure. Mixing quality, democracy and surprise is the heart of my work.
My work includes:
And…Breathe (2025) – I led the build and design on an impressive and in demand touring interactive pagoda of sound and light built from locally sourced Ash – where I became inspired for the body of work in this application. This work took me deeper into control software and challenging network management of unrelated devices.
SEED (2017 to date with over 70 dates) – lead maker, deviser and performer – a solo show where a rockabilly-tree-planting-anarcho-nomad fights to plant the last acorn – a rip roaring rollercoaster from joy to tears and back. (commissioned by Just So Festival )
Facilitator/artist/provocateur at Imagine Bamboo and No Fit State’s founding cohort of exploration into Bamboo led by Orit Azaz and also at NoFitState’s Circuys village in 2024. I have guest lectured at Bartlett School of Arcitecture on giant puppets and received a Puppet Centre Trust Residncy and Bursary.
TOAST – a celebration of diversity – where songs, recipes, dances and stories from communities from around the world settled around our workshop are shared by “the Guild of Toasters” to great acclaim from their mobile kitchen come stage. (commissioned by Without Walls, Salisbury Festival, Wild Rumpus) Project lead, lead maker and performer
Designer and maker of innovative midsclae circus equipment – The Distance Ladder (a 4m wheel mixing circus skills) and for TellTaleHearts/Pif-Paf’s Snow White indoor main house show.
Designer Maker for Ockham’s Razor and Oily Cart’s Joyride project – a dynamic and exciting SEN and carer tricycle experiece and Water and Air effects for Slung Low’s ambitious White Whale – large scale underwater spout effects, man riding crane, rising and sinking mechanism for entire stage.
