all the best
mark
Showing posts with label theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 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.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Variety Pack - Edinburgh Fundraiser 'The Games' - Friends
Spike recently held a night of Variety to raise funds to support our adventures in Edinburgh, our lovely friends agreed to create and in turn support us with their talent on stage and off. The night was a fantastic success financially, artistically and in addition made a lot of people laugh. I felt incredibly proud to know such talent and have the privilege to call them a friend, a night were I was scared and running on adrenaline (for some reason I decided to sing). I figured that if I was to ask others then I needed to step up and have a go. I sang with Colin, our designer for 'The Games', a beautiful song written by Neil Hannon, "Can you stand upon one leg" and performed a bloody shaving sketch.
The night was best described by one audience member as, "fantastic, it felt anarchic, like anything could go wrong at any moment but it didn't" I echo those words, it may have just been me, but it was one of those nights where there was a synergy in the air, each act stepping on stage laying down a marker for the next and no one failing to deliver. There was a tangible sense of nerves, excitement and support for each other, this evening will live long in my memory as will the brave new work that people tried out.
The night has inspired me to do more such bespoke events, real unique moments in time shared with a group of people for one night only, you miss it, you miss out. This of course will be a side project to our normal touring work, but we have already got some plans underway. The night also reinforced for me everything that Spike is about, friendly, funny and a little bit bonkers and in addition we know how to have a bloody good time.
I think with all the recent events (Not becoming an NPO with ACE and numerous other disappointing news) I had lost clarity of what made us in the first place and I am pleased to say whatever happens in the future this will be our new mission statement and that has to be a good thing. So all in all this night opened my eyes to the future and provided a welcome reminder of the past and if you were there you will know what I am talking about, if you were not then keep an eye out for future events, because the future is what we make it and with friends like this nothing scares me.
Below are some of the pictures taken from the day and night by the very talented John Roberts. A big thank you to all those who came and took part.
To those who donated there talent and time and I can never thank you enough.
Jamie Greer
Liam Tobin
Lee Mcpherson
Keddy Sutton
Graham Geoffrey Hicks
Gillian Hardie
Francis Tucker
Lewis Bray
Ed and Tom Croft - Jollyboat
Colin Eccleston
Alex Woodhall
Lauren Silver
John Roberts
Tomo
Written By:Mark Smith
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, 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)