"Wow… Guess that’s just about all I can say. It was acted out brilliantly and there was always something happening. Polly's life certainly seemed to be exciting as she was travelling between the two worlds and having to save them both and when The Mad were around I couldn’t help but see resemblance from how they are, and how some of my friends are.
The audience where involved with it all the way through, Mary Theresa was talking to the audience and we were handed leaflets inviting us to attend an election. There wasn’t a chance to get bored during this performance!
Having not watched Mary Theresa’s Cupboard I was worried I wouldn’t understand The Miracle Well but it explained all I needed to know. This was interesting as it could make it a separate performance, that doesn’t need Mary Theresa’s Cupboard before it. It was appreciated that all was explained though.
I have only one nitpick… the sound effects and background music were very loud and occasionally you couldn’t hear the conversations on stage. You heard a few words every now and again but nothing more. But other than that it was amazing and I would definitely recommend others go and see it."
- Vicky Edgerton
You still have two more opportunities to catch this great show! We have a few tickets left for tonight and tomorrow. Show starts at 7.30pm and runs until approximately 9pm including an interval. Refreshments available.
It's the first day of your advent calendars... the first day it's acceptable to put up your Christmas decorations... the start of the party season.... and... the opening night for The Miracle Well! Here's a few preview photos, but make sure you come and get your tickets. The weather looks to be holding off for us and we're selling out fast... so don't delay, reserve yours today! Ho ho ho :o)
I've put together this trailer for The Miracle Well which opens next week! Let me know what you think. I've used clips from last years Mary Theresa's Cupboard and also some short extracts from rehearsals from this long awaited sequel. Today, we've been painting the set and making a start on the lighting. It's all getting quite exciting now! Tickets are on sale for just £3 for students and £4 for adults. Don't forget you can get a 50p discount if you 'like' us and book through Facebook.
The show opens next Wednesday 1st December at 7.30pm and runs through to Friday 3rd December. There will be a short interval during the show where we will have a bar serving mulled wine and mince pies, as well as other refreshments. So come along and get yourself in the Christmas spirit... it will be December, after all!
Showing next at our local film club is Four Lions, a story of a group of British jihadists who push their abstract dreams of glory to the breaking point. As the wheels fly off, and their competing ideologies clash, what emerges is an emotionally engaging (and entirely plausible) farce. In a storm of razor-sharp verbal jousting and large-scale set pieces, Four Lions is a comic tour de force; it shows that-while terrorism is about ideology-it can also be about idiots.
"Morris' film is brutally unimpressed with the moral idiocy of suicide bombing and suggests that the only sane response is derisive laughter." The GuardianWednesday, 3rd November at 7.30pm
You know how we love a bit of physical theatre here at Bradon Forest... well, I've just been pointed in the direction of Tangled Feet... a company who have been "devising together since 2003 with a strong belief in the power of ensemble working methods and the many benefits of a shared rehearsal and performance history." Sounds like another day in our theatre already! Check out their trailer and let me know what you think. I know the Big Top 2012 is still quite a time away, but I think they would be perfect!
"Well what a way to start the new year with the Autumn Music Concert! It was kicked off by the Orchestra which set a great tone to a fantastic musical night. The evening was full of singers, pianists, flute players and even guitarists and drummers. It was full of a range of instruments which gave the feel off individuality to all of the students who performed.
As last minute rehearsals went on in the theatre, all the other students waited nervously backstage, warming up their voices to give a sparkling performance. (We were two of these nervous people!)
We had a packed out audience full of friends, family and even teachers. You could see from their faces that they didn’t really know what to expect, however as each person performed they grew gradually more and more impressed with the talent we have in this school.
With a total of about 50 students (making it almost impossible to name them all) taking part there was a lot of talent to show. The concert started with Radetsky March by Strauss which was conducted by our very own Miss Hedges. This was a really lively way to start the concert, getting everyone smiling and moving along to the music. Going on to an amazing piano solo by Emily Fitzpatrick, it was short and sweet and a lovely way to continue the concert.
There were a few piano solos and also a keyboard solo by Lewis Boulton, this was very interesting and definitely made us smile (we think it was different and certainly surprised us). The piano solo by Rei Shimizu shocked us a lot. You see a nervous looking girl walking over to the piano and then you're blown away by the talent. The piece was long and technical, certainly impressive. Katy Sellars’ piano solo was wonderful also. It had depth and was a soothing piece of music. A great choice. From reading this you can see we thought the piano pieces were certainly brilliant. They all seemed comfortable once they started playing and everyone loved listening.
Both orchestras (Key Stage 3 and 4) certainly made us laugh, playing Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - all songs well known by everyone. They were played well and (we think) a lot of people wanted to hum along to the parts that they knew, just as we did.
The concert was ended by the Glee Choir singing Don’t Stop Believin'. As everyone has heard either this version or the original it was a great way to end it. People were singing along (we even caught Miss Moore singing along, so the choir were proud of that!) and it was a big finish. Overall it was an incredible way to start the year."
By Rhianne Groom and Vicky Egerton
The NCA has launched a major, new public campaign: I Value the Arts. This campaign aims to give everyone a chance to voice their views on support for the arts.
Three quarters of the adult population attend or participate in arts activities every year and an even higher proportion of young people. At a time of recession, more and more people are turning to the arts and culture. Reduced opportunities to take part in the arts could have a major impact on the quality of people’s lives and the vibrancy of their communities. As the Government is encouraging us all to get engaged and create a ‘Big Society’, we believe it is important for those people who care about the arts to get involved in the decision-making about what their communities will look like. This campaign gives everyone who cares a chance to have their voice heard and collectively show that the arts provide a valued public service.
PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT
If you value the arts and want to have a say about the arts in your community please register your details on a new website: www.ivaluethearts.org.uk . You will then be kept in touch with plans that could affect the arts nationally and in your area, with practical suggestions on what you can do to strengthen the case for the arts.
Promotion of the campaign is reliant on supporters encouraging others to sign up - so your active support is vital.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN - visit the website www.ivaluethearts.org.uk for a range of resources, images, logos, web buttons and suggestions for action.
Follow the @IValueTheArts on Twitter
The National Campaign for the Arts is leading this campaign whose website and associated technology has been made possible thanks to generous donations of skills, time and resources by industry suppliers.
The NCA is the UK’s only independent campaigning organisation representing all the arts. It provides a voice for the arts world in all its diversity. It seeks to safeguard, promote and develop the arts and win public and political recognition for their importance as a key element in our national culture. The NCA does not receive core funding from the Arts Council or from any governmental or political body. We are funded by our members to carry out our vital lobbying and advocacy work.
"The constant childlike bickering and sarcastic comments much reminded me of my own family. The relationship between the three sisters is strained and this was made apparent by the way they treated each other. Sending each other to the brink of madness and drinking (of course the grief of the loss of their mother didn’t help). Even though it is a performance about a very difficult time for most it kept the audience laughing and on the edge of their seats. It was clear to see how this play had won the 2000 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy.
The characters were played by GCSE students and they certainly lived up to the standards. They got involved in their characters very well and delivered lines just as well. The mother, at first, was quite confusing. It was clear it was separate from the main part of the play (between the three sisters), it did eventually become clear the she was the mother, just at a younger age. But, this wasn’t the actors fault, they were following the script (brilliantly, I might add). The mother was played well as she seemed quite dreamy and rather closed minded and focused. She wasn’t as emotional as the sisters and she preferred to see things her way rather than how her daughters saw things. She certainly made the play memorable as it was a different perspective. The character of Catherine was played very impressively, you could really understand her wistfulness for love and to be cared for. Theresa was a very overpowering character, liking to be in control and for things to go her way and go correctly, this was portrayed superbly in her emotions and actions. Mary was clearly dreaming of a normal family with a husband and children (but her boyfriends wife always seemed to make things difficult), wishing to find her son and have another. The audience could feel for her and wish for her dreams to come true too. Mike, her boyfriend, was also played well as you could see his indecision between Mary and his wife. The last (but by no means least) character was Frank. His dry sense of humour and inappropriate comments and awkwardness was very entertaining.
Overall this play was acted very well and I enjoyed it, a lot. I was very glad that I went and would happily go and see it again. The only nit pick I have is that occasionally a couple of the actors slipped out of character and just seemed to be a bit wooden, awkward and uneasy. This could easily be resolved by a couple more performances as things get easier as they go on. Also that maybe the audience should be aware of the bad language and sexual innuendos in the play so they can prepare any children they wish to bring."
The Chocolate Theatre are auditioning tonight for thir next production, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, which will run from 30th June to 2nd July 2011 at the Arts Centre.
Auditions are tonight at Holy Rood Jnr School in Swindon. It's a great opportunity for a young man who enjoys performing art, though be aware, it is a very large part to learn with approximately 20 songs!
Contact Michaela Kearns on 07962 222190. If you can't make tonight, Michaela will try and squeeze you in before next Friday... but be quick!
Just seen this via Theatreworks on Twitter and thought it worth a repost (Harley, I'm thinking of you here!):
National Youth Theatre is Britain’s biggest youth arts organisation. We have over 50 years’ experience of proving that outstanding ensemble drama gives young people the tools to discover their voices, describe their lives and grasp opportunities for change.
We will be holding workshop-based acting auditions and technical interviews to join NYT in 30 venues across the UK throughout February 2011.
Apply online at www.ideastap.com/nytapply. The application fee is £30 per person and our application process will allow everyone to individually select their own audition date and venue.
I'm aware that the theatre site needs an update with our next show, The Confetti Maker (Wednesday 29 September, 7.30pm)... but there is a problem with iWeb. After the latest iTunes update the program does not want to open. I've tried all suggested solutions and am about the throw the computer out the window. Just kidding, but I'm pretty frustrated. I'm working on it though and will have the new details up ASAP. Bear with me. And if you have any suggestions on how to fix the problem, let me know! Thanks :o)
Exciting news to report! It's just been reported in The Link that the old Mecca Bingo hall in the town centre is to be opened as a new music venue!
"We have a few twists and additions that will make us different to other venues planned on the build, and we will continue to add to the look and feel even when open. The opening is planned for the end of November with dates to be announced shortly." Steve CauserHow exciting! The venue will hold up to 2000 people... can I put in an early request for Mumford and Sons, Biffy and Fenech-Soler?
"Ground-breaking multi-touch screen technology has been developed especially for this performance to allow performer and set to become intrinsically one, where the real and unreal combine in a feast for the mind.
By simply touching the screen with any part of their body or any object, the performers can directly interact with the screen in real-time while on stage. Manipulating images, videos or virtual objects, they create unique digital landscapes and animations enhancing the visual impact of the imagery created.
This is a unique feature that has never been used in performance before making it a huge development for performance arts."
"...Pirovano delivers Fo's characteristically folksy monologues about Francis of Assisi with a verve and informality that closely resemble Fo's own performance style."When else would you get to see the work of one of the worlds greatest playwrites up close and personal in our 100 seat theatre?!
"Pirovano performs with enthusiasm and high energy, accompanying every line with movements, facial expressions or gestures that sometimes approach the manic style of Robin Williams but that, like his stories, are rendered friendly and unthreatening by his obvious pleasure in sharing with us."With ticket prices at only £5 for students and £6 for adults, you can't afford to miss it!
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"A Little Shop Of Horrors is one of the most entertaining musicals ever written & its Broadways longest running musical to date. The musical numbers will have you tapping your feet, the characters will have you begging for more, you will be enthralled by the exquisite costumes & the flamboyant set & you will be SPEECHLESS by our wonderfully HUGE plant!"For more information or tickets please email Michaela or call her on 07962 222190.
You should have heard by now that there's a little festival going on at Lydiard Park on Saturday 10 July called The Big Arts Day. We're supporting the event by loaning out some of our technical equipment for... I think it's three tents now! So if you see Dominic and Dan around, buy them an ice cream :o)
Obviously, for those of you paying attention, you will have noticed that Saturday is our final matinee performance of Sweet Charity followed by the cricket and BBQ on the field. I wouldn't recommend you miss this for anything! So, in the interest of supporting local culture, I'd suggest that you pop on down to the Big Arts Day after the afternoon draws to a close here!
Check out the website, and if you have really good eyesite, you'll be able to see the line-up. If you can, catch The Recs - they're a new up & coming band featuring some of our Year 8 talent! But as a final top tip from me, don't miss The Shudders. They're playing on the Sugarhill stage at some point and aside from being the perfect music to enjoy on a sunny Saturday afternoon, they have to be the best looking local band going. Wouldn't you agree?
{[NB. Photo pinched from The Shudders site, courtesy of Puttyfoot.]
"Well, that's a lovely way to spend a Tuesday evening!"Mr Vizor, our Head of Science, commented;
"If you want something uplifting, make sure you see Sweet Charity. Makes you think, 'our students are bloody brilliant!'"There are still a few tickets left for the remaining shows tonight, Thursday and Friday evenings and also a few for the Saturday matinee at 12pm. Don't forget to bring some spending money as the refreshment bar is going down well! From tomorrow night onwards, the bar will be licensed too!
Hello,
Just a little note to let you know that we’re playing our very own show at The Victoria in Swindon on the 9th of July. That’s the Friday after this one fact fans, giving you more than enough time to start polishing up your dancing shoes in preparation. Support comes from those fine, upstanding chaps in Bodyglass, so things are already shaping up nicely for an evening of prime cut rock & roll action. And if you’re thinking to yourself that you’d really like to let your hair down on the 9th of July but the emergency budget is taking a wee all over your fireworks, then panic no more, because this little shindig is free entry. We tried to get the money saving expert in on this but our schedules clashed. Thanks anyways Martin, keep up the good work.
Due to the fun we’ve had embracing our inner acoustic troubadours over the last few months we’ve lined up another show at Café Tarifa in Oxford on the 13th of July. Pete once got into a bit of trouble for embracing an acoustic troubadour in an inappropriate manner, but that’s really a story for another time.
I think that’s it for now, see you on the 9th,
Phil
- Phil's obviously been having a bit of a Fry & Laurie moment! The 9th is obviously the last evening performance of Sweet Charity, but as it finishes at 10pm, you may be able to catch the end. Best bet though if you want to catch both, is to come and see Sweet Charity on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or the Saturday matinee!
Welcome to Beaumont - a town of strong family values but where dance is considered the work of the devil. Newcomer Ren soon finds himself at odds with the powerful local minister, Reverend Moore but not his beautiful daughter Ariel.
With classic tracks and foot tapping numbers like the title track, “Lets hear it for the boy” and “Holding out for a hero” you will love this feel-good show.Tuesday 15 June - Thursday 17 June. See the website for full details.
Woohoo! Great news! We've just received notification that our third application for the Artsmark Gold Award has been successful!
"We are pleased to inform you that your Artsmark application has been successful and Arts Council England is delighted to award you Artsmark Gold in recognition of your commitment to the arts.
Obtaining Artsmark Gold for the 3rd time is an outstanding achievement and we congratulate you on your continuing success."
Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England
Just seen this on the Theatre Bristol site. For those of you wondering what to do with your summer, read on!
We are developing an internship programme, and are keen to hear from anyone interested in spending a structured 3 month period of unpaid work with the organisation. The opportunity will involve time spent with our producing, marketing, education, and fundraising and administration teams. There will be two posts available, on a rolling three month basis. The programme will commence in September 2010, and candidates will be selected via interview.For further information visit http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/jobs.html
I've just seen this in the Theatre Bristol newsletter and thought it was worth a repost:
Read This and Avoid Going to Prison for 5 Years
If you, your company (or anyone else you know) ever has cause to work with blank firing prop guns, you will want to read this especially as firearms offences tend to carry mandatory minimum prison sentences. A type of revolver that fires blanks and which has been used widely by theatres and film production companies has been made illegal.
This week saw the final product of many, many, many weeks hard work by two different casts of the Key Stage 3 Drama Club. 
