Blackshaw is a theatre production company, championing new writing and adaptations on stage and in audio.
A short audio drama by Jeremy Fletcher
Performed by Josephine Arden and Alexander Pankhurst
Directed by Ellie Pitkin
Sound Design by Andrew Crane
Produced by Blackshaw Theatre Company
Sarah and Jay make preparations, as a tsunami heads for Doncaster.
Originally broadcast on BBC Radio Sheffield on 27th May 2022.
DownStairs, The Pleasance Theatre
6.30pm, 24th October 2021
Listen to the live recording, now!
Compere: Ellie Pitkin
The Woman on the Ceiling by Julie Barnett
666 PROBLEMS by Sarah Tejal Hamilton
Feed the World, written by Rhiannon Owens, performed by Natalie Winter
Gone by Sasha Ravencroft
An Unusual Undertaking by Andrew James Brown
Mr Tumnus by Sam Greenwood
Readings from ‘Strewwelpeter’ by Heinrich Hoffmann, performed by Ellie Pitkin
Photos by Richard Stratton
Writers & Performers
The Woman on the Ceiling by Julie Barnett
Julie Barnett is a writer from Swansea. She has an obsession with drinking tea, eating cake and anything ghostly. She has successfully managed to freak herself out while writing this piece and will most definitely be sleeping with the light on and one eye open from now on.
666 PROBLEMS by Sarah Tejal Hamilton
Sarah Tejal Hamilton is a playwright and narrative artist. A former winner of the London Horror Festival playwriting competition, her poem tonight, 666 Problems is inspired by all the great gothic poets: Shelley, Keats, Rossetti, Donne, and Jay-Z.
Feed the World, written by Rhiannon Owens, performed by Natalie Winter
Rhiannon is a writer for stage and audio. This is her second foray into the horror genre having previously had a digital performance of her work as part of Uncanny Collective’s online horror festival. It’s not a genre that comes easily as she’s a bit of a wimp who finds everything a little bit terrifying. Her writing can also be seen as part of Jam Tart/Lemon Kurd a double bill of monologues showing at the Hope Theatre from 26th October.
The performer, Natalie Winter, is an actor, voice over artist, and director. She produces and directs the Ragged Scratch Podcast, a new writing podcast for short audio plays, and is a regular player on Blackshaw Theatre’s sister podcast, Merely Roleplayers.
Gone by Sasha Ravencroft
Sasha Ravencroft is going to be reading a piece of prose they wrote recently called ‘Gone’ which looks at how hard it can be to let go of something or someone and move on. Sasha’s company, Rude Raven Productions are at the London Horror Festival for the first time – their play ‘A Simple Tale of Love’ is performing here at The Pleasance Theatre on the 29th October.
An Unusual Undertaking by Andrew James Brown
Andrew James Brown is a poet, storyteller and National Treasure. His work has been seen in the flesh across the UK and in international waters, and can be seen in embalmed form in his criminally underated collection Entrees, get it now before Penguin Classics do.
Mr Tumnus by Sam Greenwood
Mr Tumnus is about a child I do not have, in a house I do not own. In this way I hope it will be very relatable to a London audience.
Crew & Creatives
Ellie Pitkin – Compere & Producer
Andrew Crane – Sound Design and Technician
Violaine Brunelin – Marketing Manager
Alexander Pankhurst – Press & Marketing
Special thanks to: Katy Danbury, Matt Boothman, Richard Stratton, Helen Stratton, Vikki Weston.
About Blackshaw
Founded in 2010, our productions include new works; Trouble at Sea: A Miss McSkimming Mystery by Richard Stratton (2021 – The Big Top, Wandsworth)l The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell by Chris Buxey (2018 – Putney Arts Theatre); Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery by Richard Stratton (2017 – Putney Arts Theatre); Black Shuck by Duncan Hands (2016 – Old Red Lion Theatre), Staying Alive by Kat Roberts (2015 – Pleasance Theatre), Fetch by Duncan Gates (2014 – Selkirk Upstairs); Audience with the Ghost Finder by M. J. Starling (2013 – Selkirk Upstairs & Etcetera Theatre), and Character by Florence Vincent (2014 & 2015 – Selkirk Upstairs & Tristan Bates Theatre); as well as adaptations of Gormenghast: Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake (2012 – The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden) and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (2014 & 2015 – Selkirk Upstairs, Battersea Library & The British Home).
Our podcast, ‘The Blackshaw Arts Hour’ includes the latest arts news and reviews, as well as one-off radio dramas, serials, and live performances.
Sign up to our mailing list to be sure to hear all about shows, casting opportunities, events, and more.
Find out more on our website.
About Merely Roleplayers
In Blackshaw’s sister podcast, we improvise heists, spy missions, monster hunts and many more stories, with one thing in common: we’re always chasing maximum drama. Dice rolls add an element of chance, so no one knows which way the story will go – not even us! Visit our website to follow the show, and choose Act 1 of any production to jump in and join the fun.
TONIGHT! You can see Merely Roleplayers’ debut live show, Lights Out at 8.30pm at the Pleasance. Book tickets on the Pleasance website, or risk a purchase on the door.
No one knows what happened to the Blackout Four – only that none survived.
Merely Roleplayers hope to solve this mystery live.
Part seance, part campfire tale, part roleplaying game, Lights Out sees four brave players place themselves in the shoes of the Blackout Four, and fight against fate to seize a glimmer of hope – before all the lights go out.
You can now stream or download the live recording of Miss McSkimming: Trouble at Sea, wherever you usually get your podcasts (just search for ‘The Blackshaw Arts Hour’), or listen here!
Natalie Winter – Miss McSkimming
Natalie is an actor, voice over and director, also specialised in sword fighting! For Blackshaw, she has previously appeared simultaneously as The March Hare and The Dormouse in Alice in Wonderland, plus several of their new writing nights. Other select theatre credits include Trust Us for Holy Mountain Theatre, The Clue and The Air Raid, both for the Market Theatre, George in Rainbow: Live! for MNJ Productions and the upcoming Chasing Ghosts for JB Theatre.
In voiceover, she can be heard in video games Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, FIFA20, Astrologaster, Etherborn, Du Lac and Fey: Dance of Death and Photographs (plus other exciting titles she can’t talk about yet), as well as audio dramas Dr Who: Power Game (Big Finish), and upcoming campy sci-fi romp Venna’s Planet (B7 Media).
Natalie produces and directs the Ragged Scratch Podcast, a new writing podcast for short audio plays, and is a regular player on Blackshaw Theatre’s sister podcast, Merely Roleplayers.
Chris Starkey – Timothy
Chris is happily reprising his role as Timothy from Blackshaw’s previous Miss McSkimming performance Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery. Chris has played many roles in plays and musicals over years as well as being a regular on the long standing role playing podcast Merely Roleplayers.
Alexander Pankhurst – Various
Alexander studied Drama and Theatre Studies at Royal Holloway University of London, is a long time collaborator with Blackshaw and is thrilled to be taking part in this, his first live audio production with them. He is also a standup comic.
Credits include:
Jack Ricker in The Turing Test, Charles Gresham at Boomtown, Robin in Radio Foreplay, Man in The Consumer, Arthur in Black Shuck, Bear in Imaginary Friends Club, Jack in Staying Alive, Demetrius and Bottom in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Boy in Panther, Gary in Dearly Departed, Christopher Marlowe in Death of Marlowe, Tweedledee in Alice in Wonderland, Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Thomas Carnacki in Audience with the Ghostfinder. Tom in Rabbit. Richard III in The Shakespeare Conspiracy. Jamie in Airport. Dr Alfred Prunesquallor in Gormenghast: Titus Groan.
Josh Yard – Various
This is Josh’s first performance with Blackshaw, having previously worked with the company in a variety of technical and design roles.
Previous acting credits include: Half a Sixpence, The Bridewell Theatre (2019), Spring Awakening, Stockwell Playhouse (2019), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Bridewell Theatre (2019), Our Country’s Good, The Bridewell Theatre (2018) & West Side Story, Putney Arts Centre (2018).
Richard Stratton – Various
Richard studied Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway, University of London.
As a founding member of Blackshaw Theatre Company, he has been involved with many of their productions. Previous writing credits include: Gormenghast: Titus Groan, The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden (2011); Alice in Wonderland, The Selkirk/Battersea Library/The British Home (2014-5); Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery, Putney Arts Theatre (2017).
Ellie Pitkin – Various
Ellie is Managing & Artistic Director of Blackshaw Theatre Company, which she founded in May 2010. Directing credits include: The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell (Putney Arts Theatre, 2018); Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery (Putney Arts Theatre, 2017); Black Shuck by Duncan Hands (Old Red Lion Theatre, 2016); Staying Alive by Kat Roberts (The Pleasance, 2015); Alice in Wonderland by Richard Stratton (Battersea Library, 2015); Character by Florence Vincent (Tristan Bates Theatre, 2015); Fetch by Duncan Gates (Selkirk Upstairs, 2014); Audience with the Ghost Finder by M. J. Starling (Etcetera Theatre, 2013); Gormenghast: Titus Groan (The Actors’ Church, 2012).
Ellie also comperes Blackshaw’s events, produces/presents the podcast, The Blackshaw Arts Hour, and is a regular performer on the Merely Roleplayers podcast.
Andrew Crane – Foley Director
Andrew is a graduate in Drama and Theatre Studies from Royal Holloway University (2012), and has worked as a sound designer and technician for Blackshaw Theatre since 2012. Sound Design credits include The Final Advernture of Frankie Fightwell by Chris Buxey (2018), Moth Man by Nicole Locke (2018), Cailleach Óg by Gerry Moynihan (2017), Black Shuck by Duncan Hands (2016), Call it Even by Naila Vázquez Tantinyà (2016), Staying Alive by Kat Roberts (2015), Alice in Wonderland by Richard Stratton (2014 & 2015), Character by Florence Vincent (2014), and Fetch by Duncan Gates (2014).
For Blackshaw’s Arts Hour on Wandsworth Radio, Andrew has produced live foley and post-production editing for Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery by Richard Stratton (2017), and designed/edited several radio plays including Audience with the Ghost Finder by M.J. Starling (2015), and a serialised adaptation of Great Expectations by Marcus Bazley.
Betty Smith – Assistant Foley Director
Betty is delighted to return to Blackshaw after performing as a foley intern in The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell (2018).
Betty was an Assistant Stage Manager for Bolingbroke Academy Theatre Company’s Beauty and the Beast (2018), Little Shop of Horrors (2019) and Stuff by Tom Wells (2019) which transferred to the Hammersmith Lyric and National Theatre Dorfman as part of the Connections Festival. Assistant Director credits include Blood Brothers Play Version by Willy Russel (2018) and Free! By David Grant (2019).
Betty is excited to start her BA (Hons) Degree in Theatre Production – Stage Management at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in September.
Richard Stratton – Writer
Ellie Pitkin – Director & Producer
Safa Siddiqi – Foley Team
Rhys Cannon – Foley Team
Thanatchanan Marktavee – Foley Team
Glen Morgan Shaw – Technician
Vikki Weston – Script Supervisor
Oli Simmonds – Assistant Script Supervisor
Violaine Brunelin – Marketing Manager
Special thanks to: The WAF/Big Top Team, David Weston & Max Kinmans, Tom Ainsworth, Matt Boothman, The Stratton Family.
Founded in 2010, our productions include new works; The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell by Chris Buxey (2018 – Putney Arts Theatre); Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery by Richard Stratton (2017 – Putney Arts Theatre); Black Shuck by Duncan Hands (2016 – Old Red Lion Theatre), Staying Alive by Kat Roberts (2015 – Pleasance Theatre), Fetch by Duncan Gates (2014 – Selkirk Upstairs); Audience with the Ghost Finder by M. J. Starling (2013 – Selkirk Upstairs & Etcetera Theatre), and Character by Florence Vincent (2014 & 2015 – Selkirk Upstairs & Tristan Bates Theatre); as well as adaptations of Gormenghast: Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake (2012 – The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden) and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (2014 & 2015 – Selkirk Upstairs, Battersea Library & The British Home).
Our podcast, ‘The Blackshaw Arts Hour’ includes the latest arts news and reviews, as well as one-off radio dramas, serials, and live performances.
Sign up to our mailing list to be sure to hear all about shows, casting opportunities, events, and more.
Find out more at http://blackshawtheatre.co.uk/
In Blackshaw’s sister podcast, we improvise heists, spy missions, monster hunts and many more stories, with one thing in common: we’re always chasing maximum drama. Dice rolls add an element of chance, so no one knows which way the story will go – not even us! Visit http://www.merelyroleplayers.com to follow the show, and choose Act 1 of any production to jump in and join the fun.
Rehearsals are underway, and we’re thrilled to announce our cast for Trouble at Sea: A Miss McSkimming Mystery.
Following our award-winning production of The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell by Chris Buxey (Stage Door New Writing Award 2018), we return to the Wandsworth Arts Fringe with a radio play recorded in front of a live audience (hilarious sound effects included).
Miss McSkimming takes to the high seas in her second adventure, presented by Blackshaw Theatre. Expecting a pleasant transatlantic cruise, Miss McSkimming must instead deal with a missing companion and a series of mysterious thefts, all whilst trying to avoid panic amongst her fellow passengers.
A rollicking comedy with mysteries abounding, this piece promises to delight audiences, young and old!
You can listen to ‘Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery‘, her first adventure, on our podcast.
The show will run alongside a series of educational outreach events – a radio playwriting and producing workshop, a Q&A with the show creators, and 1-3 internships for Wandsworth residents and students wanting to gain experience in producing theatre and radio.
About the writer, Richard Stratton
Richard Stratton has written several plays for Blackshaw Theatre Company, including Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery and new adaptations of Alice in Wonderland and Gormenghast: Titus Groan.
Venue:
WAF Big Top
King George’s Park
Lower Field
Mapleton Road
SW18 4GA
Date: Saturday 3rd July, 1pm
Supported by Wandsworth Arts Fringe.
FREE Writing Workshop for Wandsworth residents aged 16+ on Monday 28th June, 6.30-8pm, WAF Big Top, King George’s Park, Lower Field, Mapleton Road, SW18 4GA.
The workshop will cover the discipline of writing, creating narrative, writing for radio, and can offer support for starting writing, or works in progress.
Please complete the application form by 18th June.
Theatre/Radio Internship with Blackshaw Theatre Company
An introduction to working in professional theatre/radio, offering the chance to shadow and assist our sound designer/engineer, director, actors and stage manager on a professional production.
You will shadow/assist in one or more of the following areas:
– foley
– sound
– directing
– theatre/radio production
You will also have a place reserved for you on our new writing workshop (Mon 28th June, 6pm, The Big Top, King George’s Park, Wandsworth).
Our interns will be fully supported throughout their time with us, and on successful completion of the internship will receive a credit in the programme, and a reference for future job applications.
Foley –
This is the creation and performance of sound effects on stage. It’s super fun, and will be coordinated by our sound designer, Andrew Crane. To get a taste of what we’ve done before, listen to Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery and The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell. The role could involve working with Andy to try out different ways to produce sound effects, assisting during rehearsals, and/or performing these on the day during the show.
Sound –
We need to carefully balance the recording of foley and live voices of the actors during the performances, so you could work with our sound engineer to see how this works in practice, and assist during the get in, technical rehearsal and performance.
Directing –
You could work with our Director, Ellie, during rehearsals and on show day; working with the writer to tweak the script, coordinating foley and sound with Andy, and getting the best possible performances from our actors.
Theatre/radio production –
There needs to be a clear overview of the performance – coordination of venue, creatives, sales, marketing. If you want to see what it’s like to hold all the strings, come and assist our company director, Ellie, in the production of the whole show!
Eligibility
Open to Wandsworth residents and students aged 16-25.
No previous experience required.
Dates/Hours
Please note you will definitely need to be available for the rehearsals, get in/technical rehearsal, and performances, as follows:
Sunday 6th June, 11-6pm (Tooting, venue TBC)
Sunday 13th June, 11-6pm (Tooting, venue TBC)
Sunday 27th June, 11-6pm (Tooting, venue TBC)
Saturday 3rd July, 9am-5pm (The Big Top, King George’s Park, Wandsworth, SW18 2GJ)
About the show
Following their award-winning production of The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell by Chris Buxey (Stage Door New Writing Award 2018), Blackshaw Theatre Company returns to the Wandsworth Arts Fringe with a radio play recorded in front of a live audience (hilarious sound effects included).
Miss McSkimming takes to the high seas in her second adventure, presented by Blackshaw Theatre. Expecting a pleasant transatlantic cruise, Miss McSkimming must instead deal with a missing companion and a series of mysterious thefts, all whilst trying to avoid panic amongst her fellow passengers.
A rollicking comedy with mysteries abounding, this piece promises to delight audiences, young and old!
The show will run alongside a series of educational outreach events – a radio playwriting and producing workshop at the Putney Arts Theatre, a Q&A with the show creators, and 1-3 internships for Wandsworth residents and students wanting to gain experience in producing theatre and radio.
Supported by Wandsworth Arts Fringe.
Saturday 3rd July, 1pm
The Big Top, King George’s Park, Wandsworth, SW18 2GJ
About writer, Richard Stratton
Richard Stratton has written several plays for Blackshaw Theatre Company, including Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery and new adaptations of Alice in Wonderland and Gormenghast: Titus Groan.
About Blackshaw Theatre Company
Blackshaw is a theatre production company, championing new writing and adaptations on stage and in audio.
We’re proud to work with an extensive network of artists and professionals in our South London homeland and beyond. Blackshaw and our whole network believe in embracing a wide range of disciplines, sharing knowledge, and supporting fellow theatre practitioners to create great work.
Founded in 2010, our productions include new works; The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell by Chris Buxey (2018 – Putney Arts Theatre); Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery by Richard Stratton (2017 – Putney Arts Theatre); Black Shuck by Duncan Hands (2016 – Old Red Lion Theatre), Staying Alive by Kat Roberts (2015 – Pleasance Theatre), Fetch by Duncan Gates (2014 – Selkirk Upstairs); Audience with the Ghost Finder by M. J. Starling (2013 – Selkirk Upstairs & Etcetera Theatre), and Character by Florence Vincent (2014 & 2015 – Selkirk Upstairs & Tristan Bates Theatre); as well as adaptations of Gormenghast: Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake (2012 – The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden) and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (2014 & 2015 – Selkirk Upstairs, Battersea Library & The British Home).
Our podcast, ‘The Blackshaw Arts Hour’ includes the latest arts news and reviews, as well as one-off radio dramas, serials, and live performances.
Reviews for Blackshaw
Scare Slam, 2019
“All the performances were amazing…a fantastic production” – The Strand Magazine
The Final Adventure of Frankie Fightwell, 2018
“a real treat…great fun” * * * * – Pocket Size Theatre
“The ace up the sleeve of the show though is the brave move of having the Foley (sound effects) recorded live…plenty of laughs” – A Younger Theatre
Alice in Wonderland, 2014/15
“…creative, imaginative and seemingly effortless style…The whole performance buzzed with energy, fun and joy.” * * * * * – London Theatre 1
“this production provides something for everyone…The fun-filled show brims with chaos, madness and high jinks…the wild but classic tale of Alice in her fantastically retold Wonderland.” – A Younger Theatre
“an imaginative production…highly entertaining and engaging…a fun afternoon adventure” – Everything Theatre
Testimony from volunteers we’ve worked with before –
“Blackshaw Theatre are an inspiring theatre company and I had a great time working with them over the last year and a half. They are a very welcoming and talented group of people who really made me feel part of the company from day one. This was my first ever job in the Arts, it really gave me an insight into the Theatre Industry.”
– Emma, Press and External Communications Officer
This is a voluntary, unpaid post, but travel and food expenses will be covered.
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policy, available on request.
Application Deadline: 5pm, Thursday 27th May 2021
Blackshaw Theatre 