Looking back at…Character

Character by Florence Vincent

1-17th May 2014 at the Selkirk Upstairs
9-14th March 2015 at the Tristan Bates Theatre

Michelle is about to turn thirty and is not coping well. Desperate to do one good thing and finish her first novel before the big 3-0 arrives, she retreats to a countryside cottage with a typewriter, a lot of wine and her oldest friend Freya – who is harbouring problems of her own.

Character is the searingly funny and achingly dark story of two women trying to navigate their way through the modern world, and – in the process – keep their friendship afloat.

an odd-couple comedy…plenty of laughs

What’s Peen Seen

played with great energy and conviction…a fantastic chemistry on stage…laugh-out-loud funny…a stark reminder of what is so fun and exciting about fringe theatre

Remote Goat

a funny and moving story

Loose Lips

CAST
ANGELA FERNS – MICHELLE
CLARE HARLOW – FREYA

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, ZAK THOMAS, RICHARD STRATTON – PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY

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There are a bundle of Character blog posts from the archive – dive in!

2014: photos and behind the scenes fun

2015: photos and behind the scenes fun

Looking back at 2015

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.

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

“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

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

 

 

Character 2015 – Production Photos

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Character 2015 – Backstage Photos

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Character 2015 – reviews

“See Character, a delightful theatre production on in Covent Garden. Funny, nostalgic, well acted 2 hander” – London Culture Blog

“Blackshaw put on an amazing & very funny play at Tristan Bates this evening. Well done director Ellie Pitkin!” – Thursday’s audience

“another brilliant show from Blackshaw, well worth a watch!“…”1 hour of dynamic duo Clare Harlow & Angela Ferns – so much fun” – Wednesday’s audience

“It was so enjoyable…really, really funny and then we had this this really sharp transition into quite poignant, thoughtful moments, which I thought was lovely…that laughter…I know it was acting, but it looked so truthful…it was an excellent play” – Tom from KCL Radio

Hear the full review/interview here.

“very enjoyable, funny & touching“…”Some great performances & fantastic writing” – Monday’s audience

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

“A funny & warming look at friendship.”… “funny, tightly written & oh so relevant“…”Top notch! Poignant and hilarious” – Tuesday’s audience

The Blackshaw Arts Hour – Episode 7

This week on the show we had a full house in the studio with regulars Iasha, Ellie, and Matt, and welcoming a new voice, Alexander Pankhurst.

Matt gave us his much anticipated 50 Shades of Grey review, and we heard poetry from Daisy Thurston-Gent.

Vikki told us about an upcoming exhibition by Mr Elbank at Somerset House in our regular Arts Thing of the Week segment. We spoke about free Arts in London and what new piece of art will be appearing on the Fourth Plinth this week.

In anticipation of our radio play Audience with the Ghostfinder, Matt, the writer, and Alexander, who plays lead character Carnacki, gave us background on the piece from its early stages, and also told us about the radio play recording process.

Next is our Character trailer and details of the ticket giveaway we are running. If you have a nickname with a funny backstory tweet us! @BlackshawUpdate!

Enjoy the show!

 

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The Blackshaw Arts Hour – Episode 5

Matt Boothman is in the studio once again, this week reviewing ‘Jupiter Ascending’ and we reviewed Cyphers’ production of Great Expectations at the Proud Archivist.

The actresses performing in Blackshaw’s upcoming run of Character at the Tristan Bates (9-14th March) spoke to us about the show and we also played a selection of poetry form Owen Collins and Daisy Thurston-Gent.

Happy listening!

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Blackshaw Arts Hour – Episode 4

Join us for the fourth instalment of the Blackshaw Arts Hour!

This week Matt Boothman our resident movie reviewer is co-hosting and delivers his review of “Selma”. We hear from Marcus Bazley and Rupert Sandler from Cyphers theatre talking to us about their new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Great Expectations (The Proud Archivist 10-11, 13-14 February at 7:30pm, and on 15 February at 3pm).

Vikki is back this week with her ‘Arts thing of the week’, focusing on theatre in schools and more poetry from Owen Collins.  Bringing us to the end of the show this week we played a new writing piece adapted for radio. “Have you seen Spider-Man 2?” was written by Joseph Banks and stars Smith Lowe and Grace Felton.

Listen below and enjoy!

 

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Blackshaw Arts Hour – Episode 3

Check out the third instalment of our radio show, Blackshaw’s Arts Hour.

Our film critic Matt Boothman is with us live in the studio once again taking us through the new film ‘Whiplash’, Owen Collins treats us to a selection of his eclectic poetry and we hear an essay by Corey Hulls detailing why, in his opinion, Spider-Man is the worst superhero of all time.

Blackshaw’s Vikki Weston joins us for her co-presenting debut and talks to us about an innovative “artistic” ball pit project for grown-ups and Blackshaw Arts Hour regular voice, Ellie gives us her review of the play, ‘Taken at Midnight’ (Theatre Royal, Haymarket, running until the 14th of March)

Enjoy!

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NEWS: ‘Character’ at the Tristan Bates, 9-14th March

If you haven’t already heard, we’re doing a run of hilarious comedy play ‘Character’, by Florence Vincent, at the Tristan Bates Theatre (Covent Garden), 9-14th March 2015.

Michelle is about to turn thirty and not coping well. Desperate to finish her first novel before the big 3-0 arrives, she retreats to the countryside with a typewriter, a crate of wine, and her oldest friend Freya – who is harbouring problems of her own.

More info about the show on our ‘What’s On’ page, AND here on this very blog, from when we did the show at the Wandsworth Arts Festival and Fringe 2014.

Tickets are on sale now, at the very reasonably priced £12 full, £10 concessions.

There are only 6 shows, so click and book to avoid disappointment.

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