Tag: Blackshaw

Looking back at…Staying Alive

On 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

April 2017 Newsletter

On By elliepitkinIn NewsLeave a comment

 

Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery

A live radio play (hilarious sound effects included).

 

What at first seems like a trivial case soon reveals a plot that could shake the very foundations of the British Empire. With her faithful valet by her side, Miss McSkimming must deal with butlers, the police, mysterious men in the shadows and a hippo, to get to the bottom of what could be her biggest case yet.

 

Have a peek at the skillz of our sound man, Andrew Crane – a taste of what you’ve got to look forward to…

 

Date: Saturday 13th May 2017

Venue: Putney Arts Theatre, Ravenna Road, Putney, SW15 6AW

Time: 6pm (running time 1hr)

Tickets: £8-10 bit.ly/SomeTreachery

 

Book Tickets Now! 

 

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Ch-ch-changes…

We’re making a change to our 2017 plans – we won’t be hosting any more New Writing Nights in 2017, BUT we will keep running the Showcase Award, so will have an annual New Writing Night for the shortlisted pieces.

 

PLUS our doors are open to scripts/script extracts, so we can pick up on anything that catches our eye, for full live or radio production. If you’ve got something you’d like us to see, send it to submissions@blackshawonline.com

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Now, why on earth would someone want me to break a leg onstage…?

 

When is a ‘broken leg’ a good thing? Well actually there are a couple of theories as to why we wish this blight on one another before a show. The first, is that old stage curtains used to have little legs at the base of them. If a show was well received they would bounce the curtain repeatedly for extra curtain calls, which would sometimes break the little legs. The other is that theatres used to book lots of individual acts for shows, but not all would get to perform. The leg is also the name for the line between offstage and on. Therefore, if you were needed to perform that night you would cross the line, breaking the leg, and get paid that night. Phew. That’s a weight off my mind…

March 2017 newsletter – extended cut

On By elliepitkinIn NewsLeave a comment

The Plot Thickens…

Ever wondered where old Willy Shakespeare got his line, “All the world is a stage” from…? Read on for the answer!

With Valentine’s Day AND Pancake Day now feeling like a distant memory, you would be forgiven for thinking that things were looking pretty bleak. Well think again. With a swathe of exciting news, Blackshaw is here to dispel your March misery (it’s a thing!). And as the days grow lighter, the stories are growing darker…

Some Treachery: A Miss McSkimming Mystery by Richard Stratton

Saturday 13th May, 6pm
Putney Arts Theatre
£8-10 tickets on sale now! Clicky clicky, booky booky.
A radio play recorded in front of a live audience (hilarious sound effects included).

What at first seems like a trivial case soon reveals a plot that could shake the very foundations of the British Empire. With her faithful valet by her side, Miss McSkimming must deal with butlers, the police, mysterious men in the shadows and a hippo, to get to the bottom of what could be her biggest case yet.

A rollicking comedy with a chic lady investigator and mysteries abounding, this piece promises to delight audiences, young and old!

“Why would I venture out of my cosy armchair by the fire, when I can listen to it on the radio?” I hear you cry! Simple really. Because technical wizard, Andrew Crane is going to be running around making every sound effect necessary, right in front of your very eyes (can’t see that on the radio). Need a cat screech? He’ll do it. Need the gentle trill of a swallow announcing the new day? He’ll do it. Need a bomb explosion? You get the jist. Plus he’s bound to cock it up at least once…

You can see what other fabulous shows and events are happening as part of the Wandsworth Fringe, here.

May New Writing Night

Submissions are now open for Blackshaw’s May New Writing Night, and after the success of the showcase event, with over 100 submissions, you’re going to want to get in quick!

We are not just looking for new plays (though of course we want them too!). We are keen to receive all manner of submissions, from sketches to sitcoms, stories to sonnets, beat poetry to beaut songs. If it has come out of your head and landed on a sheet of paper, we would love to receive it!

More information about the night, along with the submission form, can be found here.

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Naughty Willy in fact nabbed it from the very theatre he called home. The motto of The Globe was ‘Totus mundus agit histrionem” meaning ‘The whole world is a playhouse.” Shakey took it for As You Like It and changed it to ‘All the world is a stage.’ Proof positive that Shakespeare was nothing but a thief and a plagiariser! Well, ish…

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Looking back at 2015

On 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)

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Subscribe on iTunes.

Available to download or stream here.

Read more about it and listen to past episodes.

 

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

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

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

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“wonderfully human…a really powerful exploration of grief – honest and tender…”
four-star-rating-black-hiLondon Theatre 1

Read more here.

 

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

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Read more here.

 

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

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Read more here.

 

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

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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.”
5-starsLondon Theatre 1

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“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

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Read more here.

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

 

 

 

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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

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

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Read more here.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

 

See you in 2016.

 

Ellie & the Team at Blackshaw

 

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The Blackshaw Arts Hour – Episode 29

On By blackshawtheatreIn Arts HourLeave a comment

This week on the show Iasha is joined in the studio by Ellie and Matt who reviews The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 . Helen reviews ACS Random’s new production of The Knight From Nowhere/The Bells. It’s playing at The Park Theatre until the 19th of December.

We also heard an interview with Marcus Bazely, Rupert Sadler and Andrew Crane, some of the people involved in our upcoming production of Great Expectations. The first episode will be aired on the 3rd of January, so make sure you tune in!
To promote our excellent Scare Slam that happened a few weeks ago we heard a spooky story from our MC Duncan Gates. If you tune in to the next instalment of The Blackshaw Arts Hour you can hear the full live recording of the Slam, playing out live on the 20th of December and available to podcast here! 

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Staying Alive: Review from Female Arts

On By elliepitkinIn News, Review, Staying AliveLeave a comment

Another fab review, this time from Female Arts.

5-stars– Female Arts

Nott delivers a nuanced performance as Mary…an impassioned declaration of her raw, aching soul that would move even the most stoic of people.

I suspected Staying Alive would be a good play, but upon watching it I realised how complete it is – the structure, the performances and direction, the emotionally-true characters…Proof that given enough time, talent and perseverance, theatre that really says something about the human condition can be made.

 

Read the review in full, here.

 

Buy your tickets now.

 

 

Staying Alive: Review from Remote Goat

On By elliepitkinIn News, Review, Staying AliveLeave a comment

Remote Goat reviewed Staying Alive, and it’s a corker!

 

5-stars– Remote Goat

 

An unexpectedly funny look at bereavement new play Staying Alive, currently showing at the Pleasance Islington, defies its inescapably grim subject matter.

…highly original, nuanced and enlightening…deeply observed social comedy…

compelling from start to finish

Read the review in full, here.

Book your tickets now.