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

Written by Mark Smith - Artistic Director - Spike Theatre

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 at Spike have never really had any money - most things are very kind hand me downs, (office furniture, computers et al) we have always had to learn and D.I.Y.

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.

Montage of pictures from 'The Games'

The Games - Spike Theatre - Edinburgh fringe 2011

Spike Theatre Top of the world

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.

casting for Treasure Island

CASTING

Theatre in the Parks - Treasure Island

Spike Theatre would like to cast 3 merseyside-based actors with experience of devising and outdoor theatre.

Should be available for rehearsal period 7^th June 2010 for three weeks and performances in Liverpool parks:

National Wildflower Centre, Knowsley

26^th-30^th June 2010.

Allerton Tower, Liverpool

3^rd & 4^th July and 7^th-11^th July 2010.

Salary £385 p/w for a total of 5 weeks.

Resume, headshot and covering letter detailing relevant skills and experience should be sent to Adrian Turrell-Watts at mail@spiketheatre.com by May 24^th 2010.

Auditions 1^st June 2010 in Liverpool.