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

Looking back at…Character

On 4th Dec 202010th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn 10th Anniversary, Character, Character 2015Leave a comment

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

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…The Hunting of the Snark

On 28th Nov 2020 By elliepitkinIn 10th Anniversary, Hunting of the Snark

1st September 2013
The Actors Church Covent Garden
Iris Theatre and the Space Between

Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poem devised by four theatre companies and staged as a piece of promenade theatre in and around the Actors Church in Covent Garden. We delivered the Barrister’s Dream section in the main church and vestry, with humour, puppets and an emotional memorial service for a pig. Standard stuff.

CAST

Ellie Pitkin
Richard Stratton
Francis Woolf
Clare Harlow
Angela Shepherd

SOUND

Andrew Crane

DRAMATURG

George Islay Calderwood

Looking back at…Gormenghast: Titus Groan

On 28th Nov 20204th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn 10th Anniversary, Gormenghast

11th-14th April 2012
The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden

Gormenghast: Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake
Adapted by Vikki Weston, Prudence Chamberlain, Poppy Corbett, Max Olesker, and Richard Stratton, for Blackshaw Theatre Company

Our first production. They say go big or go home, and with this as our debut show we went really, really big. It was a massive undertaking. Developing the script from Mervyn Peake’s original book, working with a cast of twenty, and creating an elaborate set that worked around the venue’s existing features. It was a great challenge, we had an enormous amount of fun and made some great friends in the process, many of whom we went on to work with again.

“Director Ellie Pitkin has undoubtedly achieved a feat of excellence in her homage to Peake’s novel. This was a brave and wonderful new world” – London Festival Fringe

CAST

Barquentine – John Rayment
Lady Cora – Angela Ferns
Lady Clarice – Clare Harlow
Lady Fuchsia Groan – Ceridwen Smith
Flay – Lee Ravitz
Countess Gertrude Groan – Terry Diab
Dr. Alfred Prunesquallor – Alexander Pankhurst
Irma Prunesquallor – Lucy McCabe
Rottcodd – Peter Picton
Lord Sepulchrave Groan – John Harwood
Nannie Slagg – Sarah Shelton
Sourdust – William Seaward
Steerpike – Francis Woolf
Swelter – Liam Fleming
Titus Groan – Esme Tennant
Pellet/Spurter/Soldier – Luke Manning
Book Bearer/Wrattler – Paul G Raymond
Soldier/Springer – Paddy Freeland
Ritual Servant/Twins’ Maid/Chipper – Miranda Marvin
Ritual Servant/Kitchen Boy – Greg Harradine

“Highly recommended…to be seen by all Mervyn Peake Fans.” – Sebastian Peake

CREATIVES

Writers – Prudence Chamberlain, Poppy Corbett, Max Olesker, Richard Stratton
Script Editor – Vikki Weston
Director/Producer – Ellie Pitkin
Set & Costume Design – Zahra Mansouri
Composer – Greg Harradine
Sound Design – David Turnbull
Lighting Designer – Josh Yard
Stage Manager – Lizzie Cooper
Publicity Manager – George Islay Calderwood
Publicity Asst. – Bruce Asher
Asst. Director – James Barry
Marketing Manager – Matt Boothman
Education Coordinator – Charlie Limm
Filmmaker– James Burt
Costume Assistant – Flettie Bertram
Costume Assistant – Andrea Pierides
Lighting Asst. – Tom Woods
Sound Asst. – Andrew Crane
Make-up & Hair – Laura Jones
Photography – Nivine Keating (Morrighan Images)

Production Assistants:
Nick Tatchell
Sophie Talbot
Laura Nixon
Miranda Blazeby
Cole Campbell
Rosie Fullwood
Chloe Courtney
Tom Walters
Helen Johnson
Chris Starkey

Brilliant and resourceful
Remote Goat

Photos by Morrigan Images (Nivine Keating).

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.

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

Character 2015 – Production Photos

On 15th Mar 201510th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn Character 2015, TheatreLeave a comment

Character 2015 – Backstage Photos

On 13th Mar 201510th Dec 2020 By elliepitkinIn Character 2015Leave a comment

Character 2015 – reviews

On 13th Mar 2015 By elliepitkinIn Character 2015Leave a comment

“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

On 1st Mar 2015 By blackshawtheatreIn Arts HourLeave a comment

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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