Quick Questions in Wonderland: Rosie Marsh

We grabbed Rosie Marsh, who’s playing The March Hare/Dormouse in our upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library, and fired some quick questions at her…

 

What do you like best about playing your character in Alice in Wonderland?

I like the fact that my main characters are physically connected, which makes the challenge of creating two completely individual personalities that bit more stretching and exciting! Plus they’re both completely bonkers which is always great fun to play.

 

What’s your favourite scene or character in Alice in Wonderland?
I always loved the mad hatters tea party and feel that this is how all tea parties should be conducted. Apparently I was never a fan of ‘the walrus and the carpenter’ poem; my dad told me that when he read it to me as a child I used to cry when the oysters got eaten!

 

What was the last project you worked on?
I sang in a production called ‘Bunco’, which was a piece of new writing at the proud archivist. I got to sing sixties ballads and wear a blue wig, it was brilliant.

 

What’s the last book you read?
I am currently reading a book called ‘the other twin’ by Dan Vyleta. It’s about a brutal murder which happens in Nazi occupied Austria and a doctor trying to figure out who’s guilty.

 

Besides Alice, what’s your favourite past role (or favourite past project you’ve worked on) and why?
Ooh this is a really tough one, it was probably my first Edinburgh experience where I was in a play I’d co-written with my friends. There were 7 of us sharing a one bedroom flat for a whole month, performing every day, seeing loads of theatre and drinking far too much. It was absolutely magical.

 

What’s the best play/show/concert you’ve ever been to?
I saw an amazing production of Romeo and Juliet at Statford Upon Avon years ago; they started the play by two of the Capulets dragging a Montague onto the stage, tying him to a wooden stake, lighting up a flame torch and almost setting fire to him, which was stopped by the entrance of the prince. It was absolutely terrifying and the only time I’ve really seen a production of the play really grasp the destruction and danger of the rivalry.

 

Not a lot of people know that…

I have a tattoo

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Passing judgements on people’s menu choices on ‘come dine with me’ and shouting things like ‘YOU’VE NEVER BAKED A SOUFFLE BEFORE AND YOU’RE DOING IT NOW?!?ARE YOU QUITE MAD!?!’ at the telly.

 

What really grinds your gears?
People who don’t practice their recipes before going on a dining competition show to win £1000.

 

You can see Rosie perform the role of March Hare/Dormouse (and other assorted characters) in Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library 2-16th May 2015 – more details and buy tickets here.

 

Quick Questions in Wonderland – Michelle Bristow

We grabbed Michelle Bristow,  Associate Designer on our upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library, and fired some quick questions at her…

 

What’s your favourite scene or character in Alice in Wonderland?

The White rabbit! And of course, the Queen of Hearts.
What was the last project you worked on?

Maze and JV2, for the Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company. And before that was Character, by Blackshaw.
What’s the last book you read?

I’m currently reading the Wolf Of Wallstreet.
Besides Alice, what’s your favourite past project and why?

So many to pick from….Alice was brilliant the first time round, but I’m enjoying it even more this time, the site specific element has added so much to the process.
What’s the best play/show/concert you’ve ever been to?

I’m going to see Fleetwood Mac in June, so ask me this again then!

 

You can see Michelle’s work in Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library 2-16th May 2015 – more details and buy tickets here.

Quick Questions in Wonderland: Richard Stratton

We grabbed Richard Stratton, who is playing Tweedle Dum (& other various roles) and also done wrote the play – for our upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library, for some quick questions…

 

What do you like best about playing your character in Alice in Wonderland? 

The best thing about playing my characters in Alice is that they’re all a different kind of crazy. Each of them is mad in their own way and it’s been fun finding those different types of madness and switching between them.

They’re also very active, there’s little time for rest if you’re on stage and I think that’s the same for everyone else too!

 

 

What’s your favourite scene or character in Alice in Wonderland?

I think it would have to be either the Mad Hatter’s tea party or the scene where Alice meets the door that she enters wonderland through. The tea party is such a classic scene from the book and it was a joy to work on. Plus, the characters in it are probably my favourites alongside the mock turtle who sadly didn’t make it in to this version.

While I tried to stay as true to how the tea party is in the original as I could, with the door scene I found I could put my own twist on it and try my hand at creating a new interpretation of the character of the door. It was really fun to create a character that fit comfortably with the other, established character of wonderland.

 

What’s the last book you read?

I recently finished ‘So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed’ by Jon Ronson. It’s an exploration of the rise of public shaming (primarily online), why it happens and how it affects those who find themselves targets. Really interesting, worth checking out, particularly if you spend a lot of time on Twitter!

 

Besides Alice, what’s your favourite past role (or favourite past project you’ve worked on) and why?

Tricky. My favourite past role was probably Lt. Ralph in Our Country’s Good. A wonderful play and a fantastic character to have the chance to take on.

 

What’s the best play/show/concert you’ve ever been to?

Even trickier! I certainly can’t choose one. Anything by Punch Drunk has to be up there and Mercury Fur by Philip Ridley left me in what I can only describe as a state of shock when I saw it and the Chocolate Factory (certainly not for kids though!). More recently though I’d have to say The Scottsboro Boys; I’ve never seen a musical like it!

 

Not a lot of people know that…

When I was little I had a teddy bear called Mr. Spiv.

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Terrible action movies on Netflix. Every time I think I’ve found the worst, they add another!

 

What really grinds your gears?

Dancing dog acts! Don’t really know why. I love dogs, but not when they’re dancing!

 

You can see Richard’s work in Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library 2-16th May 2015 – more details and buy tickets here.

 

 

Quick Questions in Wonderland – Marcus Bazley

What are you most looking forward about working on Alice in Wonderland?

There are a number of things I’m looking forward to about working on Alice. For a start I’ve never worked with Blackshaw on a full production and having worked on various new writing nights over the last year or so I’m really looking forward to joining the team on a full project. I also love the space we are performing in! Creating an adaptation of Alice for a library space is interesting enough but when it’s for one as characterful as Battersea Library it opens up so many creative opportunities.

 

What’s your favourite scene or character in Alice in Wonderland?

I think it would have to be the White Rabbit. I quite like rabbits anyway so a talking, hyper-energetic, perpetually late rabbit is quite appealing! He’s also effectively the gateway into the magic of the story so he is a pivotal character.

 

What was the last project you worked on?

My last project was directing a French translation of The Diary of a Madman by Gogol at the Reine Blanche theatre in Paris. It’s a truly astonishing text that presents the world through the eyes of a schizophrenic. I think everyone should read it not only as a fascinating exploration of mental illness but also because Gogol’s dark genius makes it incredibly funny throughout.

 

What’s the last book you read?

I recently finished Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. Another fascinating read and a novel that really gripped me. There’s a frantic, desperate energy that drives through the novel that is terrifying but also irresistible – and it really tests your moral compass.
Besides Alice, what’s your favourite past role (or favourite past project you’ve worked on) and why?

Very tough to decide between previous projects! I think if I had to choose, it would be the production of Shakespeare’s Henry V that I directed as the first production with my company, Cyphers. It was very special to bring that group of people together. Building an ensemble and developing ideas of how we work as a company was a fantastic challenge and one that was immensely rewarding. It’s probably my most important project to date, in that it marked a clear shift in the way I wanted to work as a director.

 

What’s the best play/show/concert you’ve ever been to?

Continuing the Russian theme… I recently saw an adaptation of Eugene Onegin by the Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre at the Barbican. Wow. This production completely blew me away. I had never seen anything like it on stage before and it made me reassess my views on theatre as a whole. It was a beautifully choreographed piece of storytelling – truly inspiring.

 

Not a lot of people know that…

In France, stage-left is known as cour and stage-right as jardin. This derives from the one of the first theatres in Paris being situated between the jardin des Tuileries to the right and the cour du Carrousel to the left.

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

The Musketeers on BBC. I watch very little TV but this always brings a smile to my face. It’s hardly high art but it’s just pure romanticised, swash-buckling fun. I’m immensely jealous of all the actors who get to dress up in fantastic seventeenth century costumes and play with swords for at least 15 minutes an episode, all in the most beautiful settings too!

 

What really grinds your gears?

Politics. I just try and avoid the subject now.

 

You can see the product of Marcus’ work as Assistant Director, in Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library 2-16th May 2015 – more details and buy tickets here.

 

The Blackshaw Arts Hour – Episode 15

This week on the show, Ellie and Matt join Iasha in the studio to chat theatre and arts and bring you more information on what is happening at the Wandsworth Arts Festival 

Matt reviews The Falling starring Maisie Williams and we chat a little bit about what our deal breakers are in films.

Vikki gave us her Arts Thing of the Week which is the Hay Festival taking place this year from the 21st to the 31st of May and we chatted about the writers we have seen give readings.

We played an interview with Richard Stratton who has adapted Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice in Wonderland. Richard spoke to Helen Johnson about how and why he choose to adapt this particular story and the process he goes through as a writer.

Ellie and Iasha spoke about the WAF launch that took place last Friday night and some of the other pieces of theatre happening as a part of WAF 2015.

This week we spoke a lot about our production of Alice in Wonderland which is running until the 16th of May as a part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival. For more information on Alice visit us here and don’t forget to book tickets! Shows are selling out fast. Also coming up at the end of WAF is Blackshaw’s Big New Writing Night, this month at the Selkirk on the 17th of May. Come and join us for an evening of new writing, tickets here!

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The Blackshaw Arts Hour Episode 13

Join Iasha and Vikki this week for loads of new writing and theatre on The Blackshaw Arts Hour.

Vikki reviews John Wick in place of Matt’s regular movie review.

We heard three pieces of new writing.

1. Slowdown was written and performed by Hannah Puddefoot

2. SMS was performed by Emily Jane Kerr and written by Marianne Powell

3. Have You Seen Spider-Man 2 was written by Joe Banks and performed by Grace Felton and Smith Lowe

Regular Arts Thing Of The Week was back and Vikki gave us info about Kenneth Branagh’s upcoming Theatre Company and the run of plays he will be directing and starring in at the Garrick Theatre in the West End.

We also announced the winner of our Alice in Wonderland competition and had the first listen to our audio trailer for the production.

Enjoy!

 

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Quick Questions in Wonderland – Inez Coonen

We grabbed Inez Coonen, who’s working as a Set/Costume Assistant on our upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library, for some quick questions…

What do you like best about working on Alice in Wonderland?
Being part of the production is so much fun, when you know you have an actual audience to wow with the designs.  I cannot wait to work together on the ideas, because there is so much to explore.

 

What’s your favourite scene or character in ‘Alice in Wonderland’?
Alice’s encounter with the Catapillar.

 

What was the last project you worked on?
“The Snow Queen”

 

What’s the last book you read?
I have not read much lately, but I really like the novels of Amelie Nothomb.

 

Besides Alice, what’s your favourite past role (or favourite past project you’ve worked on) and why?
`’Talk to me like the rain and let me listen…`’ a production performed on the Musica Sacra Festival in the Netherlands.  Everything we wanted to make happen, happened: we let it rain on the stage during the whole play. That was a hard job, but we pulled it off!

 

What’s the best play/show/concert you’ve ever been to?
I was really impressed by ‘Liberation’ at this year’s Vault Festival.

 

Not a lot of people know that…
I have got some really surprising dance moves.

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Listening to Japanese music.

 

What really grinds your gears?
Bad manners

 

You can see Inez’s work on Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library 2-16th May 2015 – more details and buy tickets here.

 

 

Quick Questions in Wonderland – Emily Rae

We grabbed Emily Rae, who’s playing Alice in our upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library, and fired some quick questions at her…

What are you most looking forward to about Alice in Wonderland?
I am most looking forward to moulding a pre-existing show into a new space! Having recently visited the Library, I can tell it’s going to be a lot of fun for the cast, crew and audience alike!

What’s your favourite scene or character in ‘Alice in Wonderland’?
My favourite scene is when Alice goes into Wonderland, it’s magical! My favourite characters are Tweedledee & Tweedledum because they are ridiculously silly!

 

What was the last project you worked on?
The last project I worked on was ‘Staying Alive’, a play written by Kat Roberts who won the Blackshaw New Writing Award. This work was showcased at The Pleasance Theatre in Islington and it was an incredibly rewarding and exciting experience.

 

What’s the last book you read?
A book called ‘The Night Circus’ by Eric Morgenstern. I’m still reading it actually and have been since last November because I get too busy! It’s brilliant though, I might go read it right now!

 

Besides Alice, what’s your favourite past role (or favourite past project you’ve worked on) and why?
All three roles I played in ‘Staying Alive’ are very special to me because they were my first grown up professional roles since graduating from Drama School. I’ve loved every project I’ve done for different reasons, but playing Cecily Cardew in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at University was a great experience because I felt so suited to the role and it probably wasn’t until then that I realised I wanted to pursue a career in acting.

 

What’s the best play/show/concert you’ve ever been to?
Why, when you’re asked that, do you feel like you’ve NEVER seen a thing in your life?! *thinks really hard* Birdland, Warhorse, The Nether, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time (the list goes on!) Once, Spring Awakening, ‘OVO’ – the show that was on when the O2 was the Millennium Dome (Did anyone else see that?! I was awe struck!) I went to see The Eels at The Royal Albert Hall with Andrew, Blackshaw’s resident all round good egg tech guy (yes that’s his official title) and it was pretty magic.

 

Not a lot of people know that…
I’ll get back to you on that one, I think I’m one of those annoying people who’ll tell you far more than you will ever need to know about a person (as demonstrated in previous answers!)

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?
High School Musical. There, I said it.

 

What really grinds your gears?
Finishing a packet of Malteasers before you have mentally prepared yourself for the last one and the moment of devastation when you realise they are all gone.

 

You can see Emily perform the role of ‘Alice’ in Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library 2-16th May 2015 – more details and buy tickets here.

Quick Questions in Wonderland: Alexander Pankhurst

We grabbed Alexander Pankhurst, who’s playing the Caterpillar/Tweedle Dee in our upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library, and fired some quick questions at him…

 

What are you most looking forward about working on Alice in Wonderland?

I’m really looking forward to getting to perform the piece again but this time with all the new actors and in a new space! Cannot wait for rehearsals!

 

What’s your favourite scene or character in ‘Alice in Wonderland’?

One of my favorites would have to be the Tweedles entrance never ceases to amuse me. (Yes I know I’m in it)

 

What was the last project you worked on?

The last project that I worked on was a short piece organized by the Royal Court New Writers programme. I played a spambot called Mal.

 

What’s the last book you read?

Last book I read was Enron by Lucy Prebble. (I know it’s a play does that count?) It was really good would loved to have seen it! Currently reading The Comedians by Trevor Griffiths I’ll let you know what I think!

 

Besides Alice, what’s your favourite past role (or favourite past project you’ve worked on) and why?

Best thing I ever worked on…that’s a tough one. Working with Blackshaw is always amazing. But my favourite role so far was Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. It was so much fun!

 

What’s the best play/show/concert you’ve ever been to?

Best thing I’ve ever been to… Richard the Third at the Globe was awesome. Musically that would have to be the Police at the Madison Square Gardens. That was ace!

 

Not a lot of people know that…

When I was a 6 I kept a piece of fox poo in some Tupperware. It may still be in my parents’ shed…

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Pitta bread and hummous. Could eat that forever.

 

What really grinds your gears?

Slow walkers; a constant source of annoyance in and around the tube (sounds a bit like a self help guide or pamphlet).

 

You can see Alexander perform the roles of ‘Tweedle Dee/Caterpillar/Soldier’ in Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library 2-16th May 2015 – more details and buy tickets here.

Quick Questions in Wonderland: Alex Khanyaghma

We grabbed Alex Khanyaghma, who’s playing the White Rabbit/Mad Hatter in our upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library, and fired some quick questions at him.

 

What are you most looking forward about Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library?

The tea party scene. It always has me laughing when I read it and I love how Alice is trying to be logical.

What’s your favourite scene or character in ‘Alice in Wonderland’?

My Favourite character in Alice is definitely the Queen Of Hearts, she’s impulsive and ruthless, what a great way to lead.
What was the last project you worked on?

The last project I worked on was at The Vault festival in a new writing piece called ‘Little Write Lies’. ‘LWL’ comprised of 3 short plays all dealing with different aspects of lying and explored characters interacting with deception.
What’s the last book you read?

The book I am currently reading is ‘Labyrinth’ by Kate Mosse, not the super model, but author of the same name.
Besides Alice, what’s your favourite past role (or favourite past project you’ve worked on) and why?

Besides Alice, my favourite past show was the panto ‘Tinderella’ a modern take on Cinderella, where I played Prince Charming and Buttons, it was genuinely laugh out loud funny.
Not a lot of people know that…

I only change my bed once a month
What’s your guilty pleasure?

Listening to One Direction

 

What really grinds your gears?

When I am wearing freshly washed clothes and I drop food on them before I’ve even left the house.

 

You can see Alex perform the roles of ‘White Rabbit/Mad Hatter’ in Alice in Wonderland at the Battersea Library 2-16th May 2015 – more details and buy tickets here.