The Quiddity Ensemble was established by John Britton in February 2002. The group consists of younger performers from varying performance backgrounds. The Ensemble aims to develop a Physical Theatre beyond the normal parameters of Australian Physical Theatre practice.

History
The ensemble met regularly through 2002. There were a number of key objectives in the initial training process:

• To develop specific skills areas - especially vocal and concentrational.
• To develop a distinctive warm-up and focusing regime.
• To develop instinctive connectedness and understanding within the ensemble.
• To explore the interaction between improvisation and fixed physical training methods.

The work in 2002 led to two public outcomes - Cyclops Alley at La Mama in July and Tripp as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival in October 2002. Both productions were extremely well received, with particular interest being expressed in the strength of the focus and physicality within The Ensemble. There was a genuine acknowledgement from all quarters that The Quiddity Ensemble had developed a training mechanism that facilitated genuine deepening of inter-performer connectedness.

In November 2002 director John Britton visited the UK to share some of the work he had been developing with The Ensemble with students at several English Universities. The work was enthusiastically received and plans are currently being developed for further visits to the UK to explore this work in more depth.

During 2003 The Quiddity Ensemble explored ensemble improvisation, developing a form of total body and voice improvised narrative performance that transcends all performance genres!