all the best
mark
Showing posts with label spike theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spike theatre. Show all posts
Saturday, 9 July 2011
#EDFRINGE INTERVIEW: Ten Minutes with Spike Theatre - The Games
Below is a lovely preview piece for the games, have a read.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Edinburgh fringe - A gamble worth taking?
Well, it has been months of work but the launch of the fringe will be taking place this Thursday, a key milestone for all those companies, venues, marketeers, press and others who make Edinburgh the most exciting festival in the world. This launch offers a brief respite and chance to reflect on the work already undertaken and the work still to do, but in essence the clock is turned on and its ticking!
We are excited about our adventure to Edinburgh, to say it is a gamble is an understatement - but like any gambler you plan for the odds to be stacked slightly in your favour, hence check everything we have done and are still to do and then check again. We have a cracking team, all of whom i trust with my life, maybe slightly dramatic but it feels like that. We were unsuccessful in our application to become an NPO with Arts council, England although we still have funding till March 2012. We could have pulled our trip to Edinburgh, to sit on our hands and do the sensible thing, but like any theatre company we exist to present work, to add to the world, to make people think and laugh, it is what makes us tick, so was never an option.
Edinburgh is the opportunity to show the world what we do, with a show I and many others love, so the gamble is definitely worth it. We have received massive support from many friends, we have raised a significant amount of money (not huge compared to much larger organisations) but significant in the fact that it has been given by people who care about Spike and its future. So the clocks ticking, as we prepare to line up with thousands of shows waiting for the gun to go bang, and once we are off are fates are in the lap of the gods! (pardon me for the sporting and greek references but I could not help myself)
If you want to support 'The Games' you can still give on our website www.spiketheatre.com or come to see the show
5th - 29th August (no shows on Tuesdays 16th & 23rd)
12:30 - 1:40pm (70 mins)
Tickets: £10 / £8Preview shows: £5(5th & 6th Aug)
Written by Mark Smith - Artistic Director - Spike Theatre
12:30 - 1:40pm (70 mins)
Preview shows: £5
(5th & 6th Aug)
Saturday, 21 May 2011
The Ancient Olympics inspiration for 'The Games'
During the making of 'The Games' I and the team researched an enormous amount of information. I discovered recently Storify a great online application which allows you to capture and share information in the form of a story. This is what I came up with, it is by no means definitive and really only skirts the surface of the research we undertook, but it gives you an insight into the amazing world of the ancient olympics, to date over a 100 people have looked at it. Have a read http://storify.com/spiketheatre/the-ancient-olympics
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
D.I.Y - 'The Games' microsite - The can do attitude!
Warning: What is written below is a bit self-help like, apologies in advance
We need a website for 'The Games' someone said, I replied 'I can do that'. I truly believe that the D.I.Y mentality is the way that small scale theatre continues to innovate and experiment. It means you are constantly learning and applying what you have learnt in unusual ways, this ethos is one that can be a pain at times (feeling out of your depth and taking far longer than a expert would) but the skills gained means I can hold my own in techy conversations and in addition see how things might be applied to our work on stage. It means that nothing frightens me, it means learning and a bit of time and energy, thats the can do attitude. Remember don't be afraid to ask people who know more than you, they can only say no.
Having asked the people of twitter (see asking) 'Weebly' was recommended, having signed up and taught myself a bit of photo shop I spent a couple of weeks creating our website www.thegames-spiketheatre.com have a look around loads of Games stuff from our tour, R and D and other goodies.
Spike will continue to have no money but with D.I.Y and a can do attitude nothing is impossible.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Monday, 26 July 2010
CASTING NOTICE
Spike Theatre would like to cast for the David Wood adaptation of Danny Champion of the World by Roald Dahl. This is a co-production between Spike Theatre and The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal.
· Danny
(Male) playing age 12-16
· Dad (William)
(Male) playing age 35-45
· Mrs Clipstone (The Vicars wife) + Council inspector
(Female) playing age 25-35
· Mr Hazell
(Male) playing age 35-45
An ability to play one or more instruments along with puppetry skills would be ideal. Please highlight your playing standard and experience of using puppets.
You must have a Northwest base as we are unable to pay for accommodation during rehearsal period which will take place in Liverpool (3 weeks)
Salary £385 p/w for a total of 7 weeks.
Rehearsals – 15th November – 7th December (Liverpool)
Run – 8th December – 31st December 2010 (Not including the 25th December) (Kendal)
Resume, headshot and covering letter detailing relevant skills and experience should be sent to Adrian Turrell-Watts at mail@spiketheatre.com by July 28th 2010.
Auditions 2nd August 2010 in Liverpool.
· Danny
(Male) playing age 12-16
· Dad (William)
(Male) playing age 35-45
· Mrs Clipstone (The Vicars wife) + Council inspector
(Female) playing age 25-35
· Mr Hazell
(Male) playing age 35-45
An ability to play one or more instruments along with puppetry skills would be ideal. Please highlight your playing standard and experience of using puppets.
You must have a Northwest base as we are unable to pay for accommodation during rehearsal period which will take place in Liverpool (3 weeks)
Salary £385 p/w for a total of 7 weeks.
Rehearsals – 15th November – 7th December (Liverpool)
Run – 8th December – 31st December 2010 (Not including the 25th December) (Kendal)
Resume, headshot and covering letter detailing relevant skills and experience should be sent to Adrian Turrell-Watts at mail@spiketheatre.com by July 28th 2010.
Auditions 2nd August 2010 in Liverpool.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Top of the world on tour
Hi
Since our last post we have been travelling the length and breadth of the country. We have had really great feedback from venues and audience alike, (Havant, Darlington, Kendal, Liverpool) along the way we have had illness, tiredness and had to dig the van out of the snow, so all in all an eventful week.
The show has really got into it's stride and the guys are doing a great job, my particular highlight was watching how the audience in Kendal were so comfortable at being involved in the show (one guy mid-show explained in detail how to read closed circuit oxygen apparatus) it was truly a moment of brilliance as it was so unexpected but completely right at the same time. We have managed to get audiences to sing, laugh, and play along with us which is more than we could ask for. Whilst making the show we wanted everyone to feel part of the Everest team and from the reaction we have succeeded which makes us all very happy.
Anyway next week i am sure there will be more adventures a plenty.
all the best
mark
Since our last post we have been travelling the length and breadth of the country. We have had really great feedback from venues and audience alike, (Havant, Darlington, Kendal, Liverpool) along the way we have had illness, tiredness and had to dig the van out of the snow, so all in all an eventful week.
The show has really got into it's stride and the guys are doing a great job, my particular highlight was watching how the audience in Kendal were so comfortable at being involved in the show (one guy mid-show explained in detail how to read closed circuit oxygen apparatus) it was truly a moment of brilliance as it was so unexpected but completely right at the same time. We have managed to get audiences to sing, laugh, and play along with us which is more than we could ask for. Whilst making the show we wanted everyone to feel part of the Everest team and from the reaction we have succeeded which makes us all very happy.
Anyway next week i am sure there will be more adventures a plenty.
all the best
mark
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Top of the world opens and now on tour
Hi,
Since the last post Top of the world has opened strongly in Bury, we have had some great feedback from the venues and audience alike, getting to this point though has been really hard going. On Monday starting our tech the lighting board (very expensive) decided to die on us which messed our whole day up and we were then playing catch up till our opening night, to put it mildly my nerves were on edge. To add into the mix one of actors in Hoof! rang to say they were ill the night before our show in Keswick. This meant that on the Tuesday i had to drive to Bury to do the get in and then drive up to Keswick to perform in Hoof! and then be in Bury next day without having tech ed or dressed the show a nightmare to say the least!
The tech team and i had plotted the show in advance so on Wednesday it was head's down and get it done. The show opened brilliantly and there was a fantastic buzz in the venue and this is testament to the great the team who were worked there sock's off.
The team left on tour on Friday, and i went to the Everyman to work with the Hoof! team for Friday and Saturday's show so as you can see a busy week all round. Hoof! shows were some of the best we have ever done a real shame it is the last ever in Liverpool but 6 years is a long time and it is time to make something new.
Anyway i am enjoying having some time off (Sunday at least) before back to it, one of the actors will be posting tour updates so stay tuned for weekly updates.
all the best
Mark
Since the last post Top of the world has opened strongly in Bury, we have had some great feedback from the venues and audience alike, getting to this point though has been really hard going. On Monday starting our tech the lighting board (very expensive) decided to die on us which messed our whole day up and we were then playing catch up till our opening night, to put it mildly my nerves were on edge. To add into the mix one of actors in Hoof! rang to say they were ill the night before our show in Keswick. This meant that on the Tuesday i had to drive to Bury to do the get in and then drive up to Keswick to perform in Hoof! and then be in Bury next day without having tech ed or dressed the show a nightmare to say the least!
The tech team and i had plotted the show in advance so on Wednesday it was head's down and get it done. The show opened brilliantly and there was a fantastic buzz in the venue and this is testament to the great the team who were worked there sock's off.
The team left on tour on Friday, and i went to the Everyman to work with the Hoof! team for Friday and Saturday's show so as you can see a busy week all round. Hoof! shows were some of the best we have ever done a real shame it is the last ever in Liverpool but 6 years is a long time and it is time to make something new.
Anyway i am enjoying having some time off (Sunday at least) before back to it, one of the actors will be posting tour updates so stay tuned for weekly updates.
all the best
Mark
Sunday, 14 February 2010
End of week 4 Top of the World
Hi
Since the last post we have a show! (Hurrah) . After a hard week of blocking and re-adjusting scenes it made me realise we have a fine show on our hands and something that has genuinely been a collaborative endeavour. The show open's on Wednesday in Bury and we are very excited to hear what people think. We still have a busy few days to put all the lighting, sound and film into the show, but the team are all in good form and i am confident we will be firing on all cylinders come wednesday evening.
Adrian and I went over to The Met in Bury on Saturday to see 'The conquest of Everest' the film that inspired the show, it was great to see so many people there. I spoke about the show and at the end loads of people stayed to chat and booked tickets to see T.O.T.W which was great.
It has been a busy week but one which end with some sad news, we found out that Alf Gregory one of the Everest Team passed away, our thoughts are with his family and friends. We have decided that this tour will be dedicated to the memory of Alf.
Anyway still lots of work to do this week, but the summit is within sight and then we can celebrate and have a nice drink. Enjoy valentines day.
all the best
mark
Since the last post we have a show! (Hurrah) . After a hard week of blocking and re-adjusting scenes it made me realise we have a fine show on our hands and something that has genuinely been a collaborative endeavour. The show open's on Wednesday in Bury and we are very excited to hear what people think. We still have a busy few days to put all the lighting, sound and film into the show, but the team are all in good form and i am confident we will be firing on all cylinders come wednesday evening.
Adrian and I went over to The Met in Bury on Saturday to see 'The conquest of Everest' the film that inspired the show, it was great to see so many people there. I spoke about the show and at the end loads of people stayed to chat and booked tickets to see T.O.T.W which was great.
It has been a busy week but one which end with some sad news, we found out that Alf Gregory one of the Everest Team passed away, our thoughts are with his family and friends. We have decided that this tour will be dedicated to the memory of Alf.
Anyway still lots of work to do this week, but the summit is within sight and then we can celebrate and have a nice drink. Enjoy valentines day.
all the best
mark
Saturday, 6 February 2010
End of week 3 Top of the World
Hi,
Since the last post the show has moved on massively, we have nearly finished generating all the material which leaves a week and half to rehearse and tech before we open. The team are in good spirits as am i, as we know we have a good show on our hands but still with plenty of work to go.
Particular highlights this week were the use and exploration of what the ladders can do (you would not believed what we have tried) the use of ropes, puppets and my particular favourite elastic. All have made it into the show in one form or another. The production team have been cracking on finishing off music, film, costumes, tents and a whole host of other things.
We received an email from Mary Lowe wife of George Lowe (Everest expedition 1953) saying that she will be coming to see the show and that she has sent it to other surviving members of the Everest team, i was blown away by the news but also very scared as we are staging there
lives.
Book your tickets soon.
all the best
Mark
Since the last post the show has moved on massively, we have nearly finished generating all the material which leaves a week and half to rehearse and tech before we open. The team are in good spirits as am i, as we know we have a good show on our hands but still with plenty of work to go.
Particular highlights this week were the use and exploration of what the ladders can do (you would not believed what we have tried) the use of ropes, puppets and my particular favourite elastic. All have made it into the show in one form or another. The production team have been cracking on finishing off music, film, costumes, tents and a whole host of other things.
We received an email from Mary Lowe wife of George Lowe (Everest expedition 1953) saying that she will be coming to see the show and that she has sent it to other surviving members of the Everest team, i was blown away by the news but also very scared as we are staging there
lives.
Book your tickets soon.
all the best
Mark
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