Review: Hairspray

Last night I was fortunate enough to be invited to join the music department for their trip to see Hairspray the musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.

Having never seen the 1988 Rikki Lake screen portrayal or the newer film version with John Travolta playing Edna Turnblad, I didn't know what to expect. I grew up watching Grease, Grease 2, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and other classics. Yes, I am still young enough for them to have been classics even in my childhood! (Except maybe Grease 2, but that one comes highly recommended!)

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the show. The toe-tapping sing-along music perfectly accompanied the shimmy-inducing dance routines and enthusiastic costuming. (I wonder how I can find out where they got Tracy's shoes from in the Mr Pinky scene...) We all left the theatre buzzing from the evening's entertainment and have probably all woken up today with the tunes going round in our heads! I have to admit I have just ordered the Rikki Lake version from Play... well, at £2.99 it's worth having around for an impromptu girly night!

It never ceases to amaze me, the feeling you get from a good night out at the theatre. Spending an evening having people put all that energy into performing, just so that you are entertained, is pretty special.

Diana has been abducted!

Diana has been abducted!
The kidnappers want £1 million for her release.
Come and show your support at the Bradon Forest Theatre:

Weds 11th and Thurs 12th Feb, 7.30pm.

All proceeds to go to the
Release Diana fund.

Guardian Theatre Blog Link: "Curtains for theatre programmes?"

I've just been catching up on the Guardian Theatre Blog and there was an interesting article on theatre programmes and whether or not they have had their day. For me, when I got to go to the theatre when I was growing up, the programme was always a treasured keepsake from the evening, and the Phantom of the Opera was safeguarded with the same prestige as my Take That programmes... OK, maybe not that much prestige! I agree with Michael Billington in that the programme has indeed improved over time with higher quality (and quantity) content, but I am afraid that they are often too expensive to buy. I am no longer of the age where I have to keep tokens from every night out. (Although I do admit that my Foo Fighter's tickets are kept safe!) However, I do like the idea of providing more information about a show;

"Scanning the programme for the recent RSC Hamlet starring David Tennant, I discover a week-by-week rehearsal log which illumines the meticulous preparation that went into Greg Doran's production. And, looking at the programme for the National Theatre's Oedipus, I find not just informative articles by Edith Hall and Sally Vickers, but a helpful family tree of the House of Laius, and an Ingres painting and a Cavafy poem that open up lines of enquiry."

I'm going to explore the idea of creating more of a background, and therefore more of an atmosphere, leading up to a new play. Perhaps something like the marketing behind Cloverfield... but on a much smaller scale! Watch this space...

Abducting Diana

Posters are now finished for the next Bradon Forest Theatre production: Abducting Diana, by Dario Fo.

Thanks for your help Emily!

Tickets now available: 01793 773981.

Happy New Year!

Well, it seems I've been a bit slack compared to our friends over in Germany! We have actually been back a week now, but it takes a while to catch up on things and get back in to the swing of it. So, rather later than it should be, here's a note to point out the galleries from C18th Farce Week; School for Scandal and The Venetian Twins.

The next project we are developing is Abducting Diana by Dario Fo. This will be performed by GCSE students as part of their final assessment, but we will also have two public performances on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February. As usual, the show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £4 for adults and £3 for students. Give me a shout if you want one reserved.

Millionare media boss, Diana Forbes-McKaye, is kidnapped - but this ruthless magnate proves more resourceful than her clumsy abductors. Are things what they seem? Who is in charge? Who masterminded the abduction? Who has the television rights to this premier media event? In this cocktail of chaotic double-dealing, Fo adds a gun-toting priest, a deranged altar boy, a kidnapper hiding in the fridge, pyromania and an explosive climax.

I'll get the publicity up asap, but I'm just waiting for a photo op with the leading lady. Talking of which, I also have a shoot planned with Plastic Fiction, a resident BF band. They, along with the music department, are planning a Bradon CD and I said I'd help out with some of the publicity. I'm hoping that they will go for my suggestion of a Ghostbusters theme to the series... inspired by the New York Library scene.... books.... fiction... get it? Maybe not.

Guest Blogger: Far From Quiet on the Western Front

Dear All, Well...where to even start? I think I'll begin by wishing all of you a massive HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! If your New Year's Eve bash was anywhere near as amazing as mine then we all had a brilliant one. Well, we are now truly deep into the run. We perform seven times a week with Sundays and Mondays off. Matinees on Tuesdays and Fridays. Most of our matt shows are various schools on English trips but it really has been a mixed bag of people.

Our first matt show was to a full house of German soldiers, if I'm being honest I don't think they were very interested in what I had to say but they loved the visual jokes and clapped so hard at the end we ended up doing four curtain calls. So, we've done matt shows like that to matt shows that have been slightly less great to do. Those of you who don't know, I open the play. I'm the first person on set and I have the first line. Walking into the space all ready to go, I breath in about to belt my first line out and a lad in the forth row shouted "GAY!" at me. Not going to lie to you, it did throw me a bit. It also didn't help that his friends sat around him were laughing so hard I had to wait for the laughter to quieten down before the rest of the audience would be able to hear me. His friends were more entertained by that than they ever would be in me for the next two hours and I knew from that point that this show was going to quickly turn into a hard, long slog.

We've also had a matt show of slightly older English students who took an immediate shine to Charlotte ( young romantic playing opposite me ) a few lads in the front row decided to wave at her when ever she came onto the stage. But once again, when the play got going they seemed to enjoy it, laughed hard and once again did more and more curtain calls. Over all the play is a massive success. We're selling out every night. Except the odd one where we may have four or five tickets left. We've had brilliant reviews and people are coming back to see it again and again.

As much as I am loving it out here ( I like to think I'm living the dream ), we did have a show Christmas day. Which I was dreading. We had the four days before Christmas off though. My Elders came out to visit me in December. Had a really nice few days kicking into the Hamburg Christmas markets, Gluewein stalls and Brotwursts stands. Then during our four days off once the Elders had gone home we planned our Christmas dinner. We invited all seven members of the cast over to our flat in Barmbek to have a full Christmas dinner and games on Christmas eve. It was amazing. Everyone turned up with cheese and champagne and we all had a merry old time.

New Years Eve; Epic. We had a show, but we're out the theatre by ten so it's not too bad. We had arranged to go to the theatre bar over the road after the show. It's our local really. It's ran by Fabian and his husband Hanns. Fabian also does a top quality drag act which he did in his bar on New Years Eve to entertain us all. I have no words for what I saw. It's tradition in Germany on new years eve to have a Belinor ( a doughnut ). So at 23:45 all the landlords provide champagne and Belinors to all the customers, then everyone goes into the street at midnight and well...they just go mental. Fireworks are illegal here, except the four days before new years eve. So when I say everyone buys some..I MEAN EVERYONE! It's like the Gaza strip. Kids, adults, everyone in between are just firing these MASSIVE fireworks all over the city. In the street, the pavement, off of rooftops, door steps, out of windows, car windows, MOVING car windows, out of milk bottles, champagne bottles, beer cans, ATTACHED to beer cans, It was nothing short of amazing. I've never experienced anything like it and because people obviously stock up on these things you can see and hear these things going off all over the city for miles around for about an hour! The beer jacket kept me warm and everyone just watches, kisses, hugs, etc, but keeping an eye open for a misguided attack. I did see one or two rockets going sideways instead of up ways - if you catch my drift. So, after the Beirut experience it's back into the pubs. By the time the other people were just getting a drink in, it was 00:55, and five minutes later it was UK NEW YEAR! So all of us in unison screamed "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" we started our own celebrations. It was great, all the German people in the pub came over to us, more hugs, more kisses, wished us and our country a happy new year, the whole thing was a brilliant, brilliant experience. So, Hanns and Fabian kicked us out at 03:00 ish, and still up for it I knew a place that would be open ( not pretty, not nice...but open ). I have been exposed to a few bars here that...well...once again, unless you've been here you have no words for. The closest thing I can describe it as being like is if the people in League of Gentleman had a pub... But, underground. With not many lights on. So into Kult we went. I knew as soon as we walked in one or two cast members had changed their mind so they left ( not a bad decision ), leaving just James and I. Once I'd ordered drinks and made our way to the bar a few scary looking locals ( who I've chatted with a few times before ) made their way over and the night started all over again. by 09:00 James and I had decided that we had better call it a night. We did have a show the next day and I don't think I could take anymore. So, we said our goodbye's to the good people of Kult and after even more New Years Eve kisses from the ladies ( we were told it was a New Years Eve tradition in Germany and we didn't want to offend anyone ) we went home. The walk back to my flat was surreal. 09:00 New years day and the streets were FILLED with fireworks, people walking home still singing and one or two going into another bar! Hard core.

So, that was my Christmas and New Years Eve in Hamburg. I did leave out one or two details, but I'm sure you get the jist of what kind of time I'm having here. AN AMAZING ONE!!! But, now Christmas is over. Christmas markets are over ( and yes Felix, I miss those potato puff things with apple sauce as well. Have you ever had a better next morning food?? ) New years is over and we're back into the run. But...It is Charlotte's birthday in a few weeks so we're planning our next Hamburg Epic night out!

I wish you all the very best for 2009 and until my next ranting update, Peace out.

Your Treading the Boards Buddy.

Dominic

Reading Calling...

Aye aye.

Apologies that I'm writing this now. Very annoyingly, I got back last week and managed to coincide my arrival with a spectacular failure of our computer to produce any useful internet-related services.

So, hopefully with a bit of festive sympathy, you'll allow me to wish you all the best for 2009 and say that I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and you can read on without feeling too begrudged. That and the satisfaction that this is the last post.

Yes last week I waved goodbye to glorious dawns on the Rhine, misty riverbanks, decent television, sausage bread and of course those weird hash brown things that they eat with apple sauce. I was sad to leave Germany, it had treated me so well and given me so many fantastic memories over the three months, that it was with a slightly heavy heart that I left the theatre for the last time, walked along the Rhine, packed, said goodbyes and left the house one final time. Luckily I was not given time to dwell on it, and I certainly wasn't sad to see all my family and friends again.

In the last couple of weeks I did so much so quickly that it's hard to pick specifics out. There are so many brilliant theatrical memories that I have from Germany. I met a world-renowned mime artist - Nemo, who gave me a fascinating workshop in mime, which showed me really how really really everyday things can be made absolutely hilarious with the right form of expression. We also saw a clown show, which although it was far too short, showed me some lovely examples of this. I watched 'Emil und die Detektive' one last time. It put such a smile on my face every time I saw it, that I just had to see it on one final occasion. I went to see a play called 'Don Karlos' as a normal audience member. It's about the so named Prince of Spain back in the 16th century when Spain was one of the most powerful nations on Earth. Some of it was spectacularly acted, although it was quite a heavy play, so for me sometimes it was difficult to concentrate in German. The emotional balance between the Prince and his mentor and friend the Marquis was played off brilliant between the two corresponding actors. It was a romantic tragedy with a frightening amount of incest involved. BASICALLY, the Prince loves the Queen who unsecurely loves him back, the Princess unrequitedly loves the Prince and the King, while hating the Prince, lusts after the Princess.

I also attended the Christening of a new addition to the extended family of my host family, and actually did a short reading in the Church as part of the ceremony. I have to say, quite honestly, that having to do that in German was just as nerve-wracking as any piece of acting I've ever had to produce. However, it was a wonderful experience and it was brilliant to meet so many members of the family.

I had a wonderful time in Germany and having worked with lovely people at the theatre and been supported a lovely host family, I really believe I got everything out of this trip that I could have hoped for. I saw first and foremost exactly how a professional theatre works and did (hopefully) genuinely improve my German a lot.

Thank you to Jenni for allowing me to do this. I've found this has really helped to organise my thoughts about what I've seen and done, as however interesting something is, when it becomes just a routine, sometimes memories get lost in the regularity of it. It's been quite an experience for me. So all that's left for me to do is to wish you all the very best in your future theatrical adventures and hopefully I'll see some of you in the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed new year. As always feel free to ask any questions.

As always, all the pictures are up on photobucket.

All the best, break many, many legs and all importantly,
Keep Smiling
Felix

Over and out.

C18th Farce Week

School for Scandal has had a very successful two night run and you can now see photos from the performance online in the theatre gallery. Alison McCallum, the director, writes;

"The iconic 1960’s photo of Christine Keeler, posed naked on a chair gave me the inspiration as to when to set Sheridan’s eighteenth century satire about scandal and damaged reputations.

Keeler was a good-time girl, having fun in a decade that saw massive changes. However her affair with a government minister, and a soviet diplomat at the height of the cold war led to the Tory government being brought down.

I decided to take Sheridan’s play and set it in one of the most scandalous times most of us have heard about if not lived through.

The play we presented was not the full length version. Due to unforeseen circumstances some major cutting and re-writing had to take place at the last minute which resulted with a new script being produced the week before. I think the cast did remarkably well to adapt to the new script at very short notice."

With that in mind, the students did an excellent job at keeping the show together. There were a couple of scenes where Alison had to cut a lot of conversation, but she replaced this with low lighting and 60's music while the characters seemed to be involved in deep conversation. As the music faded out we then heard a quick summary of the discussed plotting and so the audience were brought straight back into the story. The highlight of the show for me was Gavin's Sir Peter arguing with his wife on the telephone, where the year 11 student executed comic timing perfectly. Well done to all involved!

The second half of the C18th Farce Week starts tonight with Carlo Goldoni's Venetian Twins. The show starts at 7.30 and tickets are £4 for adults and £3 for students. The piece, dirceted by David Calder and performed by GCSE students, will run for the rest of the week.

Caught in the Net - Program

Always conscious of our need to be kept up to date with things, Dominic has kindly posted through the program for Caught in the Net.

We get a mention! Good one Dominic! Now, here's a few pictures to whet your appetite, but I'm sure 'Gavin' will be able to oblige with a poster or.... an autographed glossy photo? ;o)

Guest Blogger: Schmoozing!

Wow - Our premiere - amazing. Was initially touched by all the Emails, cards, texts and phone calls I received wishing me luck and all the best for our official opening night and run of the show and from the vibe I got when I got into the theatre I think all the other cast members had their fair share of best wishes as well!

Our premiere of Caught in the Net sold out, and had a large section of invited audience such as Friends of the theatre, local council, Arts people, Sponsors and that kind of thing.

So...on with the show. We did a good run, but found the audience a little bit of a tough cookie to begin with, but once the play got into it's full farce swing they soon warmed up and were clapping, laughing and cheering with the best of them! As we entered the stage for the walk down the whole cast were greeted with bunches of flowers and people congratulating us on such a great performance. Which kind of threw our walk down routine but I think we were forgiven! Was really touched that so many people thought so highly of our play. After they eventually stopped clapping we went to change and on to the theatre bar for schmoozing! We were greeted as soon as we entered with all sorts of people wanting to speak to us. I've never experienced anything like that before. One lady even asked me to sign her programme!

Throughout the evening we had all sorts of feedback, thankfully all positive with some very kind comments such as "One of the best things I've seen at the English Theatre of Hamburg." And Baring in mind the Theatre has been running for over 30 years I find that very flattering. Another being "Funniest show I've ever seen." - Well, what can I say?...we try our best. After a few, then a few more G&T's and a piece of Sushi or two the crowds started to fade and left the cast of Caught in the Net to basque in our own magnificence of a job well done. - I could get used to this.

So...Rehearsals are done. Previews have finished and the Premiere was a sell-out success. Only thing left now is the run of the show. 9 weeks of Caught In The Net and nine weeks of Gavin Smith. Bring it on....

PS - Good luck to the cast and crew for School for Scandal and The Venetian Twins!