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!

Emily Rae small

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…

 

alex_pWhat 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.

 

alex_kWhat 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.

Vacancy: Stage Manager(s)

We are staging ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (adaptation by Richard Stratton) as part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival & Fringe in May (show dates below). It’s being performed at the Battersea Library (Clapham Junction), and we have placements available for a stage manager/assistant stage manager.

Duties will include sourcing, collating and coordinating props, set and tech – for rehearsals and shows. You will be working alongside our top Design team, Director, and producer, who are all experienced in their fields and can offer mentoring and skill development.  

This is a great opportunity to operate as a full crew member, to gain invaluable experience in hands-on production roles, where you are supported and mentored by industry professionals.

You will need to be available for an initial meeting to discuss the project, and then via email to keep abreast of design developments, but the below dates are the only ones we’d need you on site for rehearsal/production.

– Rehearsal, Sunday 12th April (approx 12-6pm)

– Rehearsal, Sunday 26th April (approx 12-6pm)

– Get in/tech/dress rehearsal day, Thurs 30th April, 2-8pm

– Show dates: Sat 2nd May (6 & 7.30pm); Mon 4th May (3 & 4pm); Fri 8th May (7.30pm); Sat 9th May (6 & 7.30pm); Fri 15th May (7.30pm); Sat 16th May (6 & 7.30pm)

The placement is unpaid but we can offer travel expenses up to £50.

Here are a few blogs about how excellent it is to work with us…

10 reasons to work with Blackshaw

Working for Blackshaw – New Writing Night Manager, Nicole

Working for Blackshaw – Radio Producer, Iasha

 

To apply, send a brief outline of why you’re interested in the project, your availability, and a copy of your CV, to info@blackshawonline.com