Looking back at…The Scare Slam & Halloween Tales

On 11th Dec 202019th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn 10th Anniversary, Halloween Tales, Scare Slam

Halloween Tales, 30th October – 1st November 2014, The Selkirk Upstairs

‘You think it’s all me and it’s not. It’s not always me.’

It starts as a normal night-shift – and then you start to see double…

Duncan Gates’ chilling short play, Fetch, alongside some spooky fireside stories, formed our first foray into scary short stories. Halloween Tales was almost certainly the spooky seed from which did grow the horror-bloom: Blackshaw’s Annual Scare Slam.

The Whistling Room by William Hope Hodgson, read by M. J. Starling

Wailing Well by M. R. James, read by Duncan Gates

Fetch by Duncan Gates

There’s a bunch of lovely photos, interviews, and behind the scenes joy available to browse.

CAST

ROSIE MARSH Ally (Fetch)
BRYONY TEBUTT Vic (Fetch)
ALEX YAGHMA Col (Fetch)
M. J. STARLING Storyteller
DUNCAN GATES Storyteller

CREATIVES

ELLIE PITKIN Director & Producer
MICHELLE BRISTOW Set & Costume Designer
ANDREW CRANE Sound Design/Tech Operation

Halloween Tales

Scare Slam

The Scare Slam, annually, October 2014-present

From the mind of Blackshaw associate, Helen Stratton, the Scare Slams were born. Over the years (we’ve done 5) the Scare Slam has been performed at The Horse & Stables, The Old Red Lion, and The Pleasance Theatre, as part of the London Horror Festival.

The show has provided a platform for the telling of terrifying short stories and poems. All in the dead of night. To the gentle hiss of a geriatric smoke machine…

Scare Slam 2015

Scare Slam 2016

Scare Slam 2017

Scare Slam 2018

Scare Slam 2019

You can drip some fear into your ear, and listen to the audio of the Scare Slams, whenever you like.

Listen to Scare Slam 2015

Listen to Scare Slam 2016

Listen to Scare Slam 2017

Listen to Scare Slam 2018

Listen to Scare Slam 2019

Looking back at…Staying Alive

On 11th Dec 202015th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn 10th Anniversary, Staying Alive

written by Kat Roberts

15th January 2015, Pleasance Theatre
10-29th November 2015, Pleasance Theatre

“There’s nothing worse than old friends…they always think they know exactly who you are.”

Mary had a son. Now her son is dead. And that is all. But Jen is having a dinner party, just like they used to, a chance to catch up. No pressure. Nothing big. Just old friends. It would be great to see you. If you’re free. If you’re ready.

Staying Alive follows Mary’s efforts to build herself a life, after his death. Is it possible to regain any sense of normalcy? If not, how will her friends support her today, a year from now, 5 years from now?

Winner of the first annual Blackshaw Showcase Award, Staying Alive was developed with support from Blackshaw, culminating in a one night industry performance at the Pleasance Theatre in January 2015. The show returned to The Pleasance for a two week run and the playscript was published by Nick Hern Books. Kat Roberts’ Staying Alive is a real success story and one that Blackshaw is immensely proud of.

Proof that given enough time, talent and perseverance, theatre that really says something about the human condition can be made.
Female Arts

Highly original, nuanced and enlightening…deeply observed social comedy…compelling from start to finish.
Remote Goat

It’s so painfully familiar and human…an elegant exploration of how friendships can break down and change under the weight of tragedy.
Exeunt Magazine

CAST

Mary – Rachel Nott
Jack – Jonny McPherson/Alexander Pankhurst
Jenn – Eleanor Burke
Nathan – Brendan Jones
Portia/Sarah/Social Worker – Emily Rae
Will/Administrator – Stephen Ashmore-Blakely
Tom (voice) – Laura Mortimore

CREATIVES

Director/Producer – Ellie Pitkin
Assistant Director – Marcus Bazley
Set and Costume – Michelle Bristow
Lighting and Sound – Andrew Crane
Producer – Vikki Weston
Photography – Richard Stratton

We have tons of interviews, reviews, photos and more.

More Staying Alive

Looking back at…Alice in Wonderland

On 5th Dec 202011th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn 10th Anniversary, Alice, Alice 2015

adapted by Richard Stratton

3-18th May 2014, The Selkirk Upstairs
2-16th May 2015, Battersea Library
4-5th June 2015, The British Home

There have been many iterations of Alice in Wonderland, but I bet no others have involved a knitted tea pot. Brilliantly reimagined by Blackshaw stalwart Richard Stratton, it was performed three different times, on three different stages, with three different casts – all racing around, causing havoc and delight in equal measure. Every single show was sold out, every single time. What a rush. You didn’t have to be mad to be involved, but it certainly helped.

this ingeniously directed production by Ellie Pitkin showcases all the theatrical tricks one can imagine…this resourceful and clever production
Public Reviews

an imaginative production…highly entertaining and engaging…a fun afternoon adventure
Everything Theatre

tightly directed and precisely performed – and gloriously silly
Cumbria PR

2014 CAST

EMILY RAE – ALICE
NATALIE WINTER – MARCH HARE/DOOR 2
ANGELA FERNS – THE QUEEN OF HEARTS/SHOPKEEPER
DEAN BRAMMALL – MAD HATTER/DOOR 3 /FLOWERS
LIAM FLEMING – TWEEDLE DUM/SOLDIER 2/DOOR 4
ALEXANDER PANKHURST – TWEEDLE DEE/SOLDIER 1/DOOR 1
NATASHA GREEN – CHESHIRE CAT
CLARE HARLOW – WHITE RABBIT/CATERPILLAR

2014 CREATIVES

ELLIE PITKIN – DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
OLIVER GORDON – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
ZAHRA MANSOURI – COSTUME & SET DESIGNER
ANDREW CRANE – SOUND DESIGNER & TECH OPERATOR
CHLOE WALTON – ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
MATTHEW CONNELLY – ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
JONELL ROWE – ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
BRUCE ASHER – PUBLICITY DESIGN
VIKKI WESTON – PROJECT MANAGER/PUBLICITY
STANLEY WALTON – PUBLICITY & MARKETING
ROBERT HUGILL – PUBLICITY & MARKETING
BARNEY BARRON – PUBLICITY & MARKETING
NICK TATCHELL – PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY
ZAK THOMAS – PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY
MICHELLE BRISTOW – COSTUME & SET DESIGN ASSISTANT
SHINO MINAGAWA – COSTUME ASSISTANT
KIRSTY YOUNG – COSTUME ASSISTANT
NARA JEONG – COSTUME ASSISTANT

2015 CAST

EMILY RAE / RACHAEL STRATTON – Alice
ALEXANDER PANKHURST – Tweedle Dee/Caterpillar/Soldier 1/Door 1
NATASHA GREEN – Cheshire Cat
ROSIE MARSH – March Hare/Door 2
RICHARD STRATTON – Tweedle Dum/Soldier 2/Door 4
STEVE WICKENDEN – Librarian/Queen of Hearts
ALEX KHANYAGHMA – White Rabbit/Door 3/Flowers

2015 CREATIVES

ELLIE PITKIN – Director and Producer
MARCUS BAZLEY – Assistant Director
TEGAN CUTTS – Stage Manager
ANDREW CRANE – Sound & Lighting Designer & Operator
ZAHRA MANSOURI – Set & Costume Designer
MICHELLE BRISTOW – Associate Set & Costume Designer
VIKKI WESTON – Front of House Manager
SIMON ANNAND – Production Photography
ELLA OKEORE – Costume & Set Assistant
INEZ COONEN – Costume & Set Assistant
MARIA NOONE – Costume & Set Assistant
DODONA WHITE – Costume & Set Assistant
KATHERINE BURKE – Costume & Set Assistant/ASM

More about Alice 2014

More about Alice 2015

The Blackshaw Arts Hour – Episode 45

On 4th Aug 2016 By blackshawtheatreIn Arts HourLeave a comment

This week on the podcast, Matt brings us his review of Ghostbusters, a re-boot of the 1984 original.

We hear an interview with Stage Manager and friend of Blackshaw Lizzie Cooper. Lizzie talks to Ellie about how she ended up working in the industry, the shows she’s worked on recently and some of the weird and wonderful props she’s had to source.

Matt and Iasha talk about some of the recent theatre they have seen in London, including two shows at The National (The Plough and the Stars and The Deep Blue Sea) and West End Musical, Matilda. Also, back by popular demand, we play Edinburgh Roulette for the second time on The Blackshaw Arts Hour.

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Gormenghast: Titus Groan – readthrough Feb 2016

On 20th Jun 201619th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn GormenghastLeave a comment

We’ve been working really hard on lots of funding applications to reboot our adaptation of ‘Gormenghast: Titus Groan’ – while we wait with our fingers crossed, here’s some lovely photos from the readthrough we had in Feb.

Photos by Nick Tatchell.

Call It Even, Jan 2016 – Photos

On 15th Jun 2016 By elliepitkinIn Showcase AwardLeave a comment

In January 2016, we staged our 2015 showcase award winning show, ‘Call It Even’.

More info, cast list etc, here.

Photos by Ellie Pitkin.

Wild Whitstable: Black Shuck Photo Shoot

On 24th Feb 2016 By elliepitkinIn Black ShuckLeave a comment

Here’s a little backstage glimpse of those who suffered for their art on the shore of the north Kent coast.

Wild and windswept, the actors Alexander Pankhurst and Rachel Nott posed perfectly in character as Art and Martha. We only stopped briefly; to rescue Rachel’s scarf from a dog weeing on it, to shoo away other dogs checking out said wee and to give my arm a rest from my role as a human lighting stand.

Despite the 40mph winds and the various acts canine vandalism, Robin Savage executed a professional photo shoot with excellent results (keep your eyes peeled for the photos on our Twitter, Facebook etc very soon!).

If you’re a fan of schadenfreude, you’ll like this – in my attempt (two days prior to the shoot) to inflate a yellow buoy. My misadventure began when I came home from an evening work event, with the bright idea of inflating the buoy with my bicycle pump. With nothing to eat or drink since lunch, and the extreme effort I had to employ to even slightly inflate it, I promptly passed out, hitting my head on the coffee table on the way down. Not my finest moment, but I would like to think it displays some commitment and dedication to my work for Blackshaw.

By Nick Tatchell (Blackshaw’s Funding & Partnerships Manager)

The Blackshaw Arts Hour – Episode 33

On 31st Jan 2016 By blackshawtheatreIn Arts HourLeave a comment

_{This week on the show Iasha is joined in the studio by Matt and Helen. Matt kicks things off with a review of Creed and then we discuss Oscar nominations. Iasha talks about The Revenant and we discuss the next film review coming up in a fortnight.}

_{As this is the first live show of 2016 for The Blackshaw Arts Hour, Helen takes us through an Arts Thing of the Year. We talk about all the amazing things coming up this year from theatre at The National to exhibitions and cabaret. Keep an eye on the blog for Helen’s wrap up linking you to all these fantastic events.}

_{We heard a new writing night piece written by Kat Roberts called Age UK performed at one of Blackshaw’s New Writing Nights last year.}

_{Up next was Episode 3 of Great Expectations, our co-production with Cyphers Theatre.

If you’ve missed any of the episodes so far, go back and have a listen, they are appearing on the podcast as stand alone episodes every other week. Episode 4 will be airing live on the 14th of February so be sure to tune in to The Blackshaw Arts Hour on Wandsworth Radio.}

_{Also, make sure to keep up to date with all of Cyphers’ upcoming shows here and subscribe to The Blackshaw Arts Hour on iTunes or listen below.}

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Looking back at 2015

On 20th Dec 2015 By elliepitkinIn Fun, NewsLeave a comment

We’ve had a corker of a year, and as we settle down in front of the fire with a mulled wine in hand and snazzy christmas jumper firmly on, we thought we’d take you through the highlights…

The Blackshaw Arts Hour on Wandsworth Radio (fortnightly from Jan 2015)

Subscribe on iTunes.

Available to download or stream here.

10-29th November 2015 – Staying Alive by Kat Roberts, at the Pleasance Islington

Published by Nick Hern Books. Buy your copy here.
“explosive emotion…a strong cast…lively and full of wit…” West End Wilma

“Proof that given enough time, talent and perseverance, theatre that really says something about the human condition can be made.”
Female Arts

“highly original, nuanced and enlightening…deeply observed social comedy…compelling from start to finish”
Remote Goat

“wonderfully human…a really powerful exploration of grief – honest and tender…”
London Theatre 1

Read more here.

25th November 2015 – Blackshaw’s Scare Slam, at the Horse & Stables, Lambeth

Read more here.

4-5th July 2015 – Alice in Wonderland by Richard Stratton, at the British Home as part of the Streatham Festival

Read more here.

Sunday 7th June 2015 – Blackshaw’s 5th Birthday Party!

Read more here.

2-16th May 2015 – Alice in Wonderland by Richard Stratton, at the Battersea Library
A sell-out run, as part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe.
“…creative, imaginative and seemingly effortless style…The whole performance buzzed with energy, fun and joy.”
London Theatre 1

“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

Read more here.

25th March, 17th May, 29th July, 30th September 2015 – New Writing Nights at the Horse & Stables, Lambeth

Read more here.

9-14th March 2015 – Character by Florence Vincent, at the Tristan Bates Theatre
“a delightful theatre production on in Covent Garden. Funny, nostalgic, well acted 2 hander” – London Culture Blog

“a witty play…reminiscent of Ab Fab’s Edina and Saffy” – In & Around Covent Garden magazine SONY DSC

Read more here.

15th Jan 2015 – Staying Alive by Kat Roberts, at the Pleasance Islington
One night only industry showcase – Winner of Blackshaw’s Showcase Award 2014.

Read more here.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

See you in 2016.

Ellie & the Team at Blackshaw

Staying Alive: Production Photos

On 23rd Nov 201511th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn Staying Alive, TheatreLeave a comment

Photos by Richard Stratton

Cast pictured…
Mary – Rachel Nott
Jack- Alexander Pankhurst
Jenn – Eleanor Burke
Nathan – Brendan Jones
Portia/Sarah/Social Worker – Emily Rae
Will/Administrator – Stephen Ashmore-Blakely
Creative Team pictured…
Director – Ellie Pitkin

At the Pleasance til 29th Nov: Buy your tickets now!