London International Mime Festival is the Capitalâs longest established international theatre season. It was founded by producer, Joseph Seelig, and mime/clown, Nola Rae. Inspired by Cologne's Gaukler Festival and Amsterdamâs Festival of Fools, the first edition took place in 1977 to showcase the work of British visual theatre artists, many better known abroad than in their own country.
The programme spanned the spectrum of wordless performance including live art, physical theatre, new circus, puppetry and object theatre â work which is still at the heart of the Festivalâs annual season. It was presented and funded by leading London fringe venue, the Cockpit Theatre, with support from the Arts Council of Great Britain.
The late 1970âs was a period of resurgence for innovative forms of theatrical expression where words played little or no part, and which now inform mainstream theatre at every level. Before Dance Umbrella (1978) or LIFT (1981), when international theatre work was rarely seen in London, the Festival struck a chord with public and performers alike.
Helen Lannaghan joined the organisation in 1987, bringing new ideas and expertise. The ICA has been a partner since 1980, the Southbank Centre since 1988, and over the years the Festival has collaborated with some twenty-five London venues, from the West End to the Natural History Museum, the Almeida, Roundhouse, Barbican, Laban, Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells, BAC and South London Gallery. Spin-off seasons have been programmed at many UK regional centres, and as far afield as Hongkong.
The Mime Festival is Britainâs annual showcase for the best in contemporary visual theatre, a popular annual event in one of the world's most dynamic and multi-cultural capitals. It has presented many of the most distinguished names in its field: Jacques Lecoq, Bolek Polivka, Philippe Genty, Lindsay Kemp, Annie Fratellini, Jérôme Deschamps, Marcel Marceau and his company, as well as supporting a new generation of important artists like La Ribot, Compagnie 111, Josef Nadj, Licedei, Simon McBurneyâs Complicite, Phelim McDermotâs Improbable Theatre, and many of todayâs leading new circus ensembles. The full list of festival participants, , can be be seen below. In 2008 Joseph Seelig was appointed Chevalier dans lâOrdre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Republic. Helen Lannaghan received the same honour in 2009.

1982 Three Women on the front cover of Time Out

1977 Chris Harris Kemp's Jig

1979 Bob Berky

1979 Moving Picture Mime Show Seven Samurai

1982 David Glass

1982 Jacques Lecoq

1988 Bolek Polivka & Chantal Poullain
The Jester and The Queen

1989 Dereck, Dereck
(Phelim McDermott & Julia Bardsley) The Vinegar Works

1991 Theatre de L'Unite Mozart au Chocolat

1992 Philippe Genty Desirs Parade

1992 Theatre du Mouvement Lettre au Porteur

1994 Ra-Ra-Zoo Cabinet of Curiosities