Sunday, December 25, 2016

Christmas and All the Angels

Happy Christmas from merry ole England!

The week running up to the holiday was very industrious. I had work dates scheduled every day with friends. Work dates with others are fantastic because working together we can keep each other on task whereas, alone we can be prone to distractions on YouTube and Facebook. Meeting up creates a schedule specifically for work.

I did manage to get to the theatre this week. On Friday, I was able to finally see a show in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe. The SWP is a Jacobean style playhouse recreated as close to the original style of the time as possible. Jacobean is the time period in England between 1603 and 1625 that refers to the reign of King James I, Queen Elizabeath's successor. Theatre continued to maintain a strong foothold in the culture of the period but a new fashion in performace spaces moved many plays out of the open air Globe Theatre into a more intimate, indoor option. As with Shakespeare's Globe's main space, they wanted to make the Jacobean space feel authentic. The space is absolutly breathtaking with the elaborately painted ceiling, guilded walls and oh yes, the candle light. That's right, the space is lit entirely by candles. No light board operator needed in this theatre. Don't worry, I'm sure many safety measures are in place to guard against fires.

When I was in residence at the Globe in 2009 on my previous Masters course, the Sam Wanamaker was still in the planning stages and the space still raw and undeveloped. Indeed, we used it as rehearsal and classroom space. This was my first opportunity to see the final product and I was dazzled. I have included photos below from the Globe's website but if you ever get the chance, you must see it in person. Nothing compares to experiencing it in the flesh.

The show I saw was perfect for the space. It was called All the Angels by Nick Drake and chronicled composer George Frederich Handel's journey as he composed his most famous oratorio, Messiah, which is the greater work that contains the ever popular "Hallelujah Chorus". The play is not considered a musical in the Broadway/West End sense of the word, but, naturally, it contained Handel's music, delivered by a chamber orchestra and chamber choir. The choir was brilliantly woven into the scenes and action of the play; as much an acting ensemble as a singing ensemble. The rest of the cast was made up of three actors; one to play Handel, one to play his tormented mezzo-soprano soloist, and one who took on an assortment of roles. The performances were wonderful, the design of the show smart and efficient, and the directing spot on. The musical direction and movement choreography also deserve accolades. All and all, a fabulous night at the theatre.

This coming week involves more reading and writing but, I do hope to escape to another show. I'll keep you posted.
Enjoy the season!


Kelly Price as Susannah Cibber in All the Angels.   Photo Credit: Marc Brenner.


A view of the house from the gallery on the stage of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
  Photo from Shakespeare's Globe's website http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on/sam-wanamaker-playhouse

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Flashbacks

This past week was filled mainly with a focus on the academic work in progress but I did meet my friend Remi for a trip to the cinema. Remi and I have been friends since 2008 when working on our MA at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), now called the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS). We wanted to meet up before he heads to Poland for Christmas.

The film was the new movie starring Tom Hanks called Sully based on the event and the aftermath of a plane that was forced into a water landing on the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. I remember well when the story broke in 2009 because I had just moved from New York to Scotland and the U.S. Airways flight from LaGuardia Airpot in New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina was a flight I took often when visiting my parents. Remi and I were at our intensive at the Globe Theatre here in London in January 2009. An intensive that was part of our MA course. It was interesting to see the film and recount the amazing feat of the pilot Captian Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger who successful landed the plane and saved all the passengers. But also, to remember where Remi and I were at that time in our lives. Christmas was also a topic and we reminisced about my adventures with Remi when I went to Poland with him for Christmas in 2008. Inevitably, the conversation led to a "where are they now" analysis and reflection on our current paths. The talk was timely for this time of year with 2016 close to completion and we look ahead to the new year and new experiences.

This week is more reading and writing. With the Holidays brings a much welcome quiet to my surroundings, allowing me to make headway on this case study due next month.
That's all for now!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Workshop: Part Deux and Ragtime

This week brought the close of the first term of my second year at Central, the conclusion of my dramaturgical workshop and a bit of Ragtime. It seems like I saw Ragtime last year, so much has happened this week, but, it was only this past Wednesday I found myself a patron at the theatre.

Ragtime is an American musical with a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. It is based on the book of the same name by E. L. Doctorow published in 1975. The book inspired an Oscar-winning film directed by Milos Forman that was released in 1981. The musical opened on Broadway in 1998 and took home 4 Tony Awards. I have long been a fan of the of the show but only knew it through cast recordings and scene work in musical theatre performance classes. I have always wanted to see it on stage and this past week I got my chance. And I am so very glad I did.

The story of Ragtime takes place at the turn of the last century and is set in New York. It follows a multitude of characters, some of historical note, tracing the path of the "American Dream" through three groups of people that crossed paths in the Big Apple; immigrants fresh off the boats from Europe, African Americans struggling for justice, and the white entrepreneur business society who have achieved upper-class status and represent the pinnacle of the "American Dream". Each group has their own trials and struggles as they move through a rapidly changing world.

This is a big show but the producing and artistic teams at the Charing Cross Theatre did a phenomenal job managing the scale for a relatively small stage. The entire company was made up of performers that were able to cover a multiple of parts and some even played instruments to accompany the fantastic musical performances. If I listed all the performers and creatives, this blog entry would become a novel but each and every one certainly deserves a shout out. This was a smart, economical, and powerful production of a story whose themes and concerns still resonate with today's current events.

Saturday was epic in a wholly different way. Diana and I concluded our dramaturgical workshop of Diana's script Moon Rocks and Astronauts. These past two Saturday afternoon's workshops have been insightful and illuminating for both writer and producer. We were so lucky to have brilliant actors who came open and ready to play and explore. Diana feels the workshop helped immensely in discovering the potentials of her script. I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing the next draft. What's next for us? Well, we don't know yet. Diana and I will certainly meet this week and debrief. Much will be dictated by the next draft which will hopefully emerge in the next month or so.

This week brings a few meetings and a lot of reading. It is time now to buckle down on my thesis and start writing. January brings the due date for the first portion. If I get the chance to escape to the theatre again this week, I'll let you know.
In the meantime, enjoy the festivities of the Holiday season!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, December 4, 2016

A Seminar, A Workshop and Aerial Acrobatics

This past week started out with a seminar hosted by one of my favorite organizations, ITC. I have been to many of their sessions and they offer excellent training for those in arts management. This most recent seminar was all about the establishing a company. We covered both the legalities and the structure a budding theatre company needs to consider. It was most informative and fantastic insight into how and why companies are arranged in particular formations. This is good to know for those looking to start their own company or to gain a better understanding of an existing company.

Midweek I was offered the opportunity to catch a show by NoFit State Circus called Bianco. Bianco was presented in a circus tent at Southbank Centre. It was indeed a type of circus. There were no animals or clowns, but the acrobats were the feature presentation. They were absolutely amazing. Contemporary trapeze, tightrope walking, juggling, and contortionists were all part of the show and all impressive. However, the aerialists were the highlight. The way these artists danced with sashes dangling from the crown of the tent defied gravity. Several routines were offered with various types of sashes, ropes, and hoops. The agility, control, and strength combined with grace and timing made for a phenomenal show of what a human body can do. An evening well spent.

Saturday I had my own presentation of sorts. The dramaturgical workshop I have been producing was finally realized this past Saturday. My writer, Diana, and I were able to review her script and find games and exercises that might help us to see certain elements in a new light. The four actors that came together and "played" for our benefit were wonderful. The games and exercises involved a great deal of improvisational skill from our actors and they were fantastic at thinking on their feet and getting creative with the script, story, and characters. Diana and I came away with a deeper understand of the potential for the script and are very excited about the new ideas sparked by the workshop. Diana will work with her script this week and make some new edits and adjustments based on her experience with the workshop. This coming Saturday, we will meet again continue with the workshop process. I look forward to reading the results of the two workshop days in the coming drafts of Diana's script.

This week will bring more meetings about the workshop process and continued work on my case study for my thesis. I may even try to catch another show.

I'll let you know how it all goes.
Until next time...

Take care!
-m

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Murder Ballad

There is a whole lot of thesis going on right now with my first case study due in January but I did manage to escape to the theatre this past week.

On Tuesday, I was finally able to catch Murder Ballad at Arts Theatre. I had heard about Murder Ballad a few years ago. It did well Off-Broadway in New York. Indeed, it is a small cast musical with just four characters set in the Big Apple. The show is a musical completely sung through with all the "dialogue" set to music, much like Les Miserables. The music, however, is not a series of typical show tunes. Murder Ballad has a rock music score written by Juliana Nash, who also penned lyrics. Julia Jordan conceived the show and wrote the book as well as lyrics. The story features a Narrator who leads us through the love triangle of Sara, Tom and Michael. Sara was played by British musical star Kerry Ellis. Tom was delivered by Ramin Karimloo, who is likely best well known for playing the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies. Scottish sensation Norman Bowman took on Michael and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt served very well as the Narrator.

The performances were excellent. The small ensemble of four had fantastic chemistry and each is a brilliant musical actor. The directing by Sam Yates was spot on. I must mention movement director, Michela Meazza and fight director, Owain Gwynn as their contributions provided beautiful and efficient physical flow from the actors, and very exciting, clever fight scenes. The ingenuity of the set, lighting and video design was truly a standout. There were many locations, passages of time and external influences on the scenes. These were handled flawlessly by the combined work of set designer Richard Kent, lighting designer David Plater and video designer Laura Perrett. Their imagination and creativity enhanced the story telling in Murder Ballad and brought the production value to another level.

I am thrilled I was able to see the show as it is due to close this week.
I hope to catch a couple more shows in between my research and my meetings in the coming days.
I'll keep you posted!
Until then...

Take care!
-m

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Miniaturists 60

This week I spent a lot of time buried in books and in meetings about my upcoming workshop. However, I did get the chance to catch a show today and it was a wonderful inspiration for my project.

In East London there is is an Off-West End theatre called Arcola Theatre. They present a fantastic program of work throughout the year and strive to be topical, diverse and supportive of new works and talents. Today they hosted Miniaturists 60 which is a writer/producer curated event featuring new short plays. It is not unlike 8Squared/New Writers' Night which I helped produce last academic year at Central. Arcola has two performance spaces and Miniaturists 60 was presented in their main space, Studio 1.

Studio 1 is a three-quarter thrust set up with stadium-style seating and a mezzanine level that seats just shy of 200 patrons. I loved the space. I have spent a fair amount of time in three-quarter thrust theatres with stadium-style seating and have come to truly appreciate the inclusion and intimacy the audience has with the play and its performers. If you don't know, three-quarter thrust means the audience is arranged on three sides of the stage and stadium-style seating means each row of seats has its own level as the layout steps upward away from the stage. Stadium-style seating is fantastic for short people like me because the person in front is a level down and thus, their head is not an obstruction.

The program itself consisted of six short plays by different writers. The first called Lifeboat by Laura Amy Riseborough was a one man, direct-address piece that was absolutely hilarious. Direct-address means that the actor speaks directly to the audience. In this case, he eventually zeroed in on his target, a young lady. I'm sure the woman must have been warned that he would be focused on her but she was not "in character". The actor took on the role of a man desperately and clumsily navigating the world of romance.

Next up was The Fool on the Hill by Afsaneh Gray. This short had a message about diversity and fear and how we, as humans, often clump ourselves in our social groups made of similar people and find it difficult to welcome the new and different into our mini-societies.

Three Men and Some Baggage by Nick Myles was next. This told the tale of friends and unexpressed feelings of attraction. The play examined how when a new love interest comes around the threat can prod us into terrible behavior if we haven't been brave enough to express our true feelings to our dear friend and crush.

We finished the first half with Blinkers also by Laura Amy Riseborough. This was another adventure through hilarity from a writer I am now keen to learn more about. A woman arranges a date to a dining-in-the-dark restaurant experience because she can't bear to "face" her boyfriend when she breaks off the relationship. The whole scene was played in darkness and the couple struggled to communicate and to eat in the "messiest" break-up of all time.

After an interval, we came back to Disclaimer again by Laura Amy Riseborough for another spin through the comic genius of this writer's text where a woman with a few body image issues was finally getting frisky with the man she desires. For anyone who has ever looked in the mirror and then worried about getting intimate with someone, this play makes us laugh at our insecurities instead of cry.

We finished the night off with One Day Before I Die by Rosie Kellett which gave us a new explanation as to why someone might "ghost" us. If you don't know, "ghosting" is a term used most often in the dating world for when you are seeing someone and communicating with them on a regular basis and then all of a sudden they stop returning messages, answering the phone and showing up. They disappear, like a ghost.

It was a fantastic evening. Lots of laughs. And so great to see new work especially in the short format, which is very underserved. I will definitely be looking out for more Miniaturists 60 events as I understand they happen several times a year.

In the meantime, it's back to the books!
Until next week....
Take care!
-m

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Master... of the Library

A Masters Degree usually requires some kind of big thesis research project. Mine is no exception. To do this research one usually has to spend some time in the school's library at some point. I spent a good deal of time there last week. And this week, I plan to be there again. At present, I have twelve library books stacked up on my desk at home and three were recently returned. These are just the books I will need to comb through. Videos, articles, interviews, and online resources make up even more of the materials that add to my research. Make no mistake my friend, this is full throttle academia right now.

This past week also brought a lecture with a professional dramaturg and playwright. The session was set up for the first year MA/MFA producers but as this guest was a new addition to the course, I didn't get the chance to hear her speak last year. So, I sat in on the session. She talked about how producers interact with writers and specifically how to give feedback on someone's script submission. This was perfect as I am in the midst of feedback sessions with my writer right now. I'm really lucky that my writer, Diana, is also a friend but knowing the best ways to communicate with a variety of writers was certainly a valuable lesson, no matter the circumstance.

This week I will attend a few more lectures and I have an interview with a playwright to get his perspective on the workshop process. I may try to fit in seeing some shows but, it all depends on how many of these twelve library books I get through.

Now, once more into the fray!
Take care.
-m

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Dashing Through the Shows...

This past week was another big ball of crazy and there is no sign of it letting up anytime soon. Multiple meetings with an assortment of people happened. The main topic at these meetings was the the workshop for the dramaturgical development of a new play that is part of my thesis. I've spent lot's of time with Diana, the writer, discussing her script and the workshop. It is all coming into focus as the days go by.

I also saw three shows this week. Well, really, two and a half (I'll explain)...
On Tuesday I saw The Hotel Cerise by Bonnie Greer at Theatre Royal Stratford East. This is a new play based on, the classic, The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov. The play moves the location from turn of the century Russia to contemporary Michigan where a once affluent African American family is struggling to keep their home and hotel which, in it's glory days hosted famous jazz musicians, civil rights leaders and an assortment of influential people from various sectors. And naturally, the property has a cherry orchard which symbolizes beauty, abundance and a sanctuary from the troubles of life. I have to note, the play had an incredible set with tall white tree shapes that made up the walls of the mansion. The effect was elegant and majestic. The cast was an ensemble of twelve and delivered some lovely moments with the dramatic story.

On Thursday I found myself attending two performances. I had already accepted a complementary ticket to the English National Opera's performance of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers when the producing team Homer Simpson, offer me a ticket to see Hans Teeuwan: Real RancourThe Pearl Fishers was a show I booked this summer for the incoming BA students when I was working at Central. There were extra tickets so staff and I were offered the spares. Prior to Thursday, I had never seen an ENO production, never seen The Pearl Fishers and never seen anything at the London Coliseum where the performance was held. Hans Teeuwan: Real Rancour was also an association of mine from work over the summer. Producer Zoe Simpson, hired me for a few days work on this UK tour. I felt it was important to go in support of the show and to thank Zoe in person. Plus, I wanted to see what I had been working on. The opera started at 7:30 and Hans Teeuwan, a stand up comedian, didn't start until 9:30. So, I went to both. I went to the opera and caught the first act then darted over to Leicester Square to see the comedy.

One day I will find out what happens to the forbidden love that was blooming in the coastal village. My guess, since it is opera, is that it doesn't end well. What I did see was a fabulous spectacle. During the overture, a scrim was down and lighting effects were used to establish an underwater environment. Aerial acrobats "swam" into view from the top of the proscenium. Three of them dove and fluttered via wire rigging and made us feel we were watching an under the sea dance. The aerialists swam off and the scrim gave way to a shanty town coastal village populated with a humongous chorus that sang us into the story. We were introduced to the main characters and set up for what I suspect is the demise of the forbidden lovers. The music was beautiful. Bizet never disappoints me. His most famous work is probably Carmen. This was as far as we got before intermission. I wish I could have seen more but I had to dash.

Leicester Square is only about a five minute walk from the London Coliseum. I arrived to meet my friend Remi. I was offered two tickets so, I invited Remi to come along. We had time for a quick catch up before going into the Leicester Square Theatre for ninety minutes of stand up comedy. Hans Teeuwan is Dutch but as with so many northern Europeans, his English is flawless. We had a good laugh but in retrospect, it was a little odd going from the classical and traditional atmosphere of the opera to the debaucherous topics of Hans' stand up comedy. But variety is the spice of life!

This week I have some lectures at school and more workshop preparation. No shows scheduled thus far, but you never know what last minute plans will manifest.

Until next time...
Take care!
-m




Sunday, October 30, 2016

West End Wednesday

This past week's highlight was a two-show day on London's West End. I was able to obtain tickets for a very decent price on the discount ticket seller app and website called Today's Tix. The shows were under twenty each, so that's a fabulous bargain for a student theatre goer. It is a common practice for theatres to use discount ticket agents, like Today's Tix, if they don't have full houses. After all, selling the seat for a reduced rate is better than taking a total loss.

First up was a matinee of a stage adaptation of George Orwell's novel 1984. The special ticket price offer was £19.84. Clever! 1984 has enjoyed great success in London and all over the UK, having first hit the stage in 2013, but, this week the show closed. I've seen the posters in the tube stations since I arrived in London so I had to make sure I saw it before the chance passed me by. I was glad I did. 

Published in 1949, 1984 is a staple of modern literature and has brought us the famous term "Big Brother". Orwell describe's a futuristic world where the population is under constant surveillance and the thought police can take someone away for torture just for thinking differently than the state prescribed edict. Orwell's concept of how it could be stemmed from the influences of the Cold War. However, it is remarkable how many of these societal predictions have been realized even in the free and capitalist societies of the West.

The design of 1984 was very well done with the first portion of this 100-minute performance taking place in a closed in, institutional setting. Nothing was attractive. Everything looked drab and well used. Lighting and sound helped highlight moments and characters that should have our focus. Cameras, which projected onto a screen, helped reinforce the idea of surveillance while giving the audience an inside look at the contents of a journal and a secret room. When the main character Winston, finally got the unwelcome attention of Big Brother, the set shifted into an atmosphere of bright, stark white light. Here is where nothing could hide and Winston, well, Winston had to face the harsh reality of Big Brother's power.

The performances were well delivered by an ensemble of eight. The dialogue never felt dated. The text was taken from Orwell's novel and adapted for the stage by Robert Icke and Duncan MacMillan. It was an excellent way to spend an afternoon and I am happy I saw it.

After a break, I was off to see another show in the evening. Sunny Afternoon brought audiences the story of British pop band sensation from the 60's, The Kinks. The Kinks are famous for hits like "All Day And All of The Night", "You Really Got Me", "Lola" and the title song "Sunny Afternoon". They were part of the British Invasion along with the Beatles but ran into a bit of trouble over not paying musician union dues and were banned from playing in America for a while.

The show took us on the journey through The Kinks' beginning and on to their success, dip in popularity and a comeback, all while making stops to visit their personal lives and troubles along the way. The show is very much in the vein of Jersey Boys the biographical musical about the band The Four Seasons. Sunny Afternoon started it's life at the Hampstead Theatre before transferring to the West End. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2015 and I was privileged enough to hold this award when I did some work at Hampstead Theatre earlier this year. The West End production is now closing up shop and they are hitting the road on tour.

I didn't really know The Kinks before seeing the show, or at least I thought I didn't. But many of their songs were absolutely familiar to me and I was a little embarrassed that I didn't make the association between the songs and the band earlier. The show had a cast of 13 and the music was played by the performers on stage. The four actor-musicians playing the members of the band maintained their parts all the way through but the rest of the cast rotated through a variety of characters that moved through the lives of The Kinks. It was an energetic show fueled in part by a very excited audience. I could tell I was surrounded by die hard fans of The Kinks. It was obvious when the first few chords of favorite songs were played and at the end, everyone was on their feet dancing and haveing a ball. I think my experience was greatly enhanced because I saw it with people who loved it.

Overall it was a fabulous Wednesday at the theatre. I'm scheduled for another couple of shows next week. I'll let you know how it goes.
In the meantime, what's playing at a live theatre near you?

Take care!
-m


1984


Sunny Afternoon


Sunday, October 23, 2016

And... Action!

This past week I focused on the research thesis project, officially called a sustained independent project or SIP that will make up the bulk of my second year on this MFA course. We are required to conduct two case studies as part of our SIP. The subjects of our case studies are up to us (pending approval) and vary wildly among the members of the class but all root in some area of producing.
I will continue with my interest in new writing for the stage and examine the producer's role in the dramaturgical workshop of a new work. My first case study will focus on a play and the second, a musical.

On Wednesday I met with my friend, Diana, who has just completed the MFA in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media at Central. Her latest stage play will be the focus of our first workshop. Diana is currently doing re-writes on her script in preparation. I am starting the production process with creating schedules, establishing deadlines, programming the workshop, booking space, booking talent, and budgeting. There's much to do and all the while, I must research what other practitioners have done before me.

On Friday we had a seminar to help direct us in how to approach the academic part of this process and the actual writing of the papers themselves. We will use the methodology and structure of an Action Research Case Study. Case studies come in many styles and formats but the Action Research Case Study is the one for us. What does all this mean? Well, at its core, it is what it says on the tin; research through action. This does not mean we don't spend time in the library because we do have to base our analysis on theory and precedent from our field of study. However, we will need to also engage in action. Action can, of course, take many forms, observing is an action. But, whether observing or actually doing, we will have to witness situations on which we can draw to discuss our critical debates and support our conclusions. So, on top of doing the research on the actual workshop process, I will need to familiarize myself with the Action Research Case Study style.

Much to do! This coming week will prove to be busy, no doubt. I am also hoping to attend a couple of shows. I'll have to see how the work goes. It all depends on the "action" taken. I'll keep you posted.

Until next time...
Take care!
-m

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Light

This past week's highlight was a trip to the Battersea Arts Centre to see a show; Light by a company called Theatre Ad Infinitum. Theatre Ad Infinitum is an international ensemble of theatre-makers who use the body and movement as a primary tool for story-telling. Many of their principal artists are trained in Lecoq technique. Lecoq is a movement and mime school out of Pairs and its practitioners have made a significant contribution to the world of performance.

Light was no exception to the positive impact of movement artists in our field. The 70-minute show is set in a futuristic world where the population and its government are constantly connected through a communication device implanted in the brain. Freedom of thought is a rebel cause and the mainstream is carefully controlled by those in charge. A small ensemble of five performers played out the Orwellian tale using no dialogue. Lighting effects were used in combination with a detailed soundscape and perfectly choreographed movement to illustrate location, time and mood. The "light" mentioned in the title refers, in part, to the red light implanted into the minds of the people or, once "enlightened" to the rebel cause, the green light that replaces the government's implant. 

The production sounds as if it could be technically complicated. In actuality, the show is very self-contained. Many of the lighting effects were created by simple devices and were manipulated by the performers on stage. The LED lights and other devices were used almost like puppets with some on sticks and were whirled around the stage by the performers as part of the choreography. The stage was a black box with black cubes to use for levels and the performers were dressed in black. All of which gave the staging and use of light the ability to focus the audiences' attention to specific moments and many on a small scale. The use of the staging was a kind of reflection of the world represented in the story. 

Light is an excellent reminder of how effective simple elements can be when clever artists get creative. A big West End budget with lots of bells and whistles can be fun and exciting but a little can go a long way if used with ingenuity. The trip to Battersea Arts Centre proved an inspiration and I look forward to future works by Theatre Ad Infinitum.

This coming week I hope to catch some more shows happening around London. And of course, the thesis project is cooking. More on all that to come!

Stay tuned!
Take care!
-m



Sunday, October 9, 2016

Potter Plays on a Wednesday

This past week I was incredibly lucky to get receive tickets to Harry Potter and The Cursed Child parts one and two. Unless you have been living in a cave for the last decade you have probably heard of the Harry Potter book and film series. The books by J.K. Rowling are wildly successful as were the films based on their editions. Now the young wizard has made his way to the West End stage and will soon transfer to the bright lights of Broadway.

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child parts one and two are the next adventure in the series started by the books. Rowling wrote this new section of Harry Potter in script format and intended it for the stage. The book can be purchased but readers will not read a novel, they will read a script. The story seen on stage is not found on screen, it is only available for viewing at the Palace Theatre in London.

This, of course, is brilliant marketing. As a producer, I applaud this new way of exploring a recognizable commodity. Producers tap into the incredible network of Harry Potter fandom, which is in the millions and worldwide, but create an original piece for the stage as opposed to recreating a stage version of a film or book already known. One of the marketing slogans is "Keep The Secrets" and there is a real sense of loyalty from the audience to avoid disclosing the details of what they saw on stage and spoil the plot for audiences to come.

Tickets are incredibly hard to come by and performances are sold out through May 2017 and beyond that, tickets are not available to purchase. However, patrons do have some options. They can keep checking for returns or they can attempt to purchase tickets from "The Friday Forty". "The Friday Forty" are forty tickets the box office holds for release on Friday that are seats for the following week's performances. This gives people a fighting chance to see the show.

The other clever bit of the marketing of the show is that the story comes in two parts and thus, two performances. There is just too much tale to tell to fit into one show. This has been done at the theatre before. Charles Dickens' novel The Life and Time of Nicholas Nickleby was adapted into a two-part stage play by David Edgar and Tom Stoppard's trilogy The Coast of Utopia requires attendance at three performances to view the complete story. The Potter producers were smart to follow the lead of these previous epics. Each part of the story fits neatly into a performance of two hours and change. And of course, this means patrons will want to purchase twice as many tickets so as not to miss anything.

The performance schedule alternates between part one and part two. One of the easiest ways to ingest it all in one trip is to see both on the same day, as I did. Part one was a matinee performance, dinner break and then part two in the evening.

I must thank my friend, Shai, for passing on his tickets to me. He ended up being out of town last week, so I was quite fortunate he offered the seat to me. Thanks Shai!

As for the show, I'm sorry, I can't really talk about it. "Keep the Secrets" and all. I'll just say, the special effects were excellent and Potter fans will be in heaven. If you are not up on all your Potter, don't worry, the story stands on its own and you will be able to follow the plot just fine.

If you do get the chance to see the show, go! Theatre history in the making!

Coming up this week: more thesis research and more trips to the theatre.
I'll keep you posted!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Shows Seen

This week I saw two shows. On Wednesday I went to the historic Theatre Royal Haymarket and saw the-always-pleasing-to-the-eye Dominic Cooper in a new revision of Stephen Jeffreys' The Libertine. And on Saturday I had the pleasure of seeing Rory Kinnear in The Threepenny Opera at the National Theatre.

The Haymarket, as we call it for short, is in the west end theatre district just a few steps from Piccadilly Circus. The theatre opened in 1720 and is a magnificent structure complete with an elaborately embellished ceiling and proscenium arch. This made it the perfect venue to host The Libertine.

The story is based on actual events in the life of John Wilmont, Earl of Rochester. Rochester was a nobleman in the court of King Charles II and took full advantage of his privileged life. He enjoyed the libations offered at the local water holes, the presentations of the playhouses (which at the time were not the most respectable places to spend time) and the talents of the local working girls. He enjoyed pushing the boundaries and challenging decency. However, he was also a poet and playwright. The play suggests Rochester was a thinker, a skeptic, and was tortured by the hypocrisy in the world and in himself.

Jeffreys' play is text heavy but not difficult to follow. His use of language and character was efficient and effective. Cooper was refreshing and strong in the role of Rochester. He delivered the journey of a complex man with clarity and captured this historic antihero with an ease of craft. The costumes by designed by Tim Shorthall were well balanced between the opulence of the period and the subtlety required to avoid distraction from the performances and text. Shorthall also designed a clever set that was simple enough to morph into the various locations with the use of simple platforms and an ever-changing assortment of background projections.  Overall, it was a lovely way to spend an evening.

Saturday took me bankside to the National. The Royal National Theatre was established in 1963 and is one of the UK's great national institutions for culture. They are a subsidised theatre, meaning they are benefactors of government funding. In 1976 they moved from the Old Vic Theatre to their current home on the south bank of the river Thames. As it was built in the 70's, the National is an example of a modern urban design made of concrete with various levels and shapes. Inside the complex are multiple bars and cafes and a bookshop. Oh and stages, four performance spaces of different shapes and sizes.

I went to see The Threepenny Opera in their largest space, the Olivier. Threepenny is a play with music written by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill and Elisabeth Hauptmann. The show is based on The Beggar's Opera by John Gay. Many people are familiar with the song "Mack the Knife" from Threepenny which was made famous by Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra.

Threepenny opened in Berlin in 1928 and is one of Brecht's most well-known works. Brecht was a German playwright who made significant contributions to theatre and theatre history. He was a Marxist and used theatre to explore political and philosophical ideas, and comment on society and materialism. To symbolize this, the show is most often produced in a bare-bones, ragamuffin fashion.

The National's Threepenny did nod to the simplistic by using raw wood and exposed hardware in the set design by Vicki Mortimer, but there were several components to the set that was shape-shifting constantly during the show. Kinnear took on the role of Mack, a man not so different from the aforementioned Rochester in that he enjoyed a series of women and found himself tangled in violence and legal troubles. Kinnear did a fine job with Mack representing the underbelly of mankind and how power and position can be a person's downfall. Brecht is a very specific style. He quite literally uses signs with words to make his point clear. So, the understated has no place on a Brechtian stage. The show captured the style effectively and the message that there was no message, was received. Well, Brecht does tell you upfront through the use of a prologue, there is no moral to the story. I am glad I saw it. Threepenny is a classic of the theatre literature canon and this was my first visit with Mack the Knife.

It was an excellent week at the theatre and I see in the adverts there are additional excitements coming soon to London stages. I am compiling a list. I'll keep you posted.

Until next time...
Take care!
-m





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Sunday, September 25, 2016

Stockholm Photoshoot

There is so much to see and do in Stockholm the following photos hardly scratch the surface. Stockholm is also one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen and these just do not capture the vibrancy of this amazing city. But here is a peek at some of what I saw during my week in Stockholm.


This is the Stockholm Concert Hall rising above the market stalls in Hötorget square. This was the view I had while enjoying my hotel's breakfast buffet every morning.


At Skansen, the open-air museum, we met a reindeer relaxing on the grass.


This is a sample of an interior from one of the many dwellings and shops at Skansen. Note the stove decorated with porcelain tile against the wall. Stoves were the way to keep interiors warm prior to central heating. 


The members of the world famous pop band ABBA were there to welcome me at the ABBA museum. Well, at least their likeness was there.


The exterior of the beautiful Nordic Museum.


This is one of the many exhibits at the Nordic Museum. Here is their collection showing us the history of formal table settings.


This model of the ship is part of the Vasa Museum. The actual Vasa ship is on display but the lighting is kept very low in that section in order to preserve the ship, thus the photos were not very successful.


Here is another model, this time of a Viking ship on display at the Swedish History Museum.


The building is the Royal Swedish Opera House and a statute of King Gustav III who ruled Sweden from 1771 until his assassination in 1792. The King was shot by members of a political coup while attending a masquerade ball at the Opera House. He didn't die immediately but several days later from an infection in the wound.


Here is the interior of the Chapel at the Royal Palace.


This is the main square of Old Town called Stortorget and is one of the most iconic scenes of Stockholm.


So that is just a bit of what one can see in the capital of Sweden. If you get the chance, definitely go!
Until next week...
Take care!
-m




Sunday, September 18, 2016

Coming Soon...

I had a busy week working on some freelance jobs for professional productions and for Central. Exciting things are cooking for the coming months.

London is coming alive again. August is notoriously sleepy as everyone seems to take vacations or escape to various arts festivals.

I have new neighbors in my accommodations. We said goodbye to our representatives from Italy, Poland and two from the UK and welcome newbies from India, Sri Lanka and York (which is the UK but the accent is really difficult for me to understand).

I am still working through my photos from Stockholm. I am hoping to post those very soon.

That is really all there is to report for now. Short and sweet and I'll see you next week!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Back to the Blog and Stunning Stockholm

Last week there was an interruption in our regular blog postings because I was traveling. I thought I might have time to post but it didn't happen in the end. But this week, we are back!

I returned to London late yesterday and have not had the chance to sort through the bazillion photos. Next week's blog post will include some of those.

So, where was I? I spent a full week in Stockholm, Sweden. There is so much to do in Stockholm, I know I only scratched the surface. It is a beautiful city with excellent public transportation and very tourist friendly. The fact that I do not speak Swedish was not a problem at all. Every Swedish person I encountered at shops, restaurants and attractions spoke English. Their fluency in English was truly exceptional and I, again, am a bit ashamed I don't have mastery of at least one other language. That's a common feeling for me here in Europe where a great portion of the people I encounter speak at least two languages if not three or four. A goal for the future I think.

I took a bus tour to start. The bus tours are fantastic because they help one get a sense of the layout of the city while hitting all the popular spots and detailing some history.

Several museums were on my agenda. The first was an open-air, living history museum and zoological center called Skansen. At Skansen, I walked around the expansive property and viewed buildings and town center recreations from several centuries spanning from the 16th century through the early part of the 20th century. Museum employees dress in the period appropriate attire and perform tasks and skills from the various eras. Glassblowers, bakers, potters, and metalsmiths were all hard at work on their crafts. Shopkeepers and domestic workers tended to their duties. In the animal section, I saw various barnyard animals including cows and chickens kept as they would have been in 18th and 19th centuries. In another portion, I viewed reindeer, European bison, wolves and seals; just to name a few.

After Skansen, I walked across the street to finish off my day at the ABBA museum where I got the full story on Sweden's biggest musical export, as well as some information on other Swedish singers and musicians.

I also visited the Vasa Museum where one can view the famous Vasa ship from the 17th century that was salvaged and restored beginning in 1961. It is 98% original and was incredibly well preserved in the waters where it sank almost immediately after setting sail from Stockholm.

Another museum visited was the Nordic Museum. Film and theatre designers should definitely visit the Nordic Museum. It contains exhibits on furniture through the centuries, clothing through the centuries and formal table settings through the centuries.

The Swedish History Museum walked me through prehistoric civilizations in the region to the Vikings on through the years to today.

The Royal Palace has several sections to visit including the chapel, the royal apartments, the armory and the treasury; where the crown jewels are kept.

A walk through Old Town on cobblestone streets is a walk through history with buildings dating back hundreds of years.

The Nobel Prize Museum was also on my list where I learned about the history of the prize and some of the recipients of the award.

Two churches also got my attention. The German Church in Old Town is a gorgeous building that dates back to the 1580s.  The Riddarholm Church is also in Old Town and is where visitors can pay their respects to many of the past kings of Sweden and their families.

If you like more modern elements, Stockholm has plenty for those interested in the cutting edge of design and fashion. I myself didn't spend too much time in the clothing stores but the world's leading designers are to be found in the heart of Stockholm. Architecture, interior, and furniture design are also well represented in Stockholm.

If history and fashion are not of interest, those with sea legs will find a multitude of opportunities to board a boat. I was not able to emerge from the central part of Stockholm in the time I was there but for those looking to commune with nature in the great outdoors, an excursion to nearby island and country estates is certainly possible. And if one doesn't have time to travel far, central Stockholm is filled with lush parks and green spaces.

In short, there is something for everyone in Stockholm. If you get a chance to go, you most certainly should! And order dessert! You won't be disappointed!

Next week I will post some photos. Until then, start planning your trip to Stockholm!

Take care!
-m












Sunday, August 28, 2016

Stratford

This past week I explored Stratford. Back in May, the producing class went to see a show in Stratford called, The Government Inspector at Theatre Royal Stratford East. Ever since that visit, I have wanted to go back and explore. So, this week I took the opportunity.

Stratford is a neighborhood on the east side of London. This should not be confused with Stratford-upon-Avon which is in the midlands of England and is the birthplace of Shakespeare. The London neighborhood of Stratford is most famous for being the location for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Prior to the Olympics, Stratford was not the most desirable neighborhood, in part because transport links and amenities were lacking. With the announcement of the development of the Olympic Park, all that changed. These days, several train lines can quickly move commuters to central London or the financial district, which is very nearby. But for those spending time in Stratford, the choices for entertainment, shopping, and dining are better than ever.

As mentioned, Stratford offers theatre but one of the big draws has got to be the shopping. Around the train station, one can venture into a shopping center that offers many bargains and local color. Or, if one prefers an upscale experience one can head to the mall. Westfields offers major department stores, designers shops and all the high street retail one could ever need. The restaurants are too numerous to count and of course, there is a cinema and even a branch of All Star Lanes bowling ally. The department store John Lewis offers an observation deck where I spent some time viewing the Olympic complex and all that surrounds it.

The main stadium is now the home of the West Ham United Football Club and has played host to scores of events since the Olympics. The aquatics center is now used for community swimming programs. Even the broadcasters and press complex has been repurposed for commercial tenants to use the complex as a digital tech hub and studios.

Stratford has really blossomed in the past five years and it is still considered one of the more affordable areas in which to live but if you are in the market for a flat, you better move quick because demand is high and the prices are rising fast.

Next week I'll report on new adventures. In the meantime, check out the photos below.

Take care!
-m


The observation deck had a very handy map and descriptions of what I was viewing.


The view of the stadium and on the side the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower. Built for the Olympics, it is possible for visitors to ascend to the observation deck in this grand sculpture.


This is one of the London Olympics' mascots called, Wenlock. He is there to greet visitors on the John Lewis observation deck. 




Sunday, August 21, 2016

The Importance of Storytelling

As I oscillate between my work and relaxation during these summer months, I find myself considering the value storytelling. As a theatre-maker, that is what I do through the medium of live performance. I tell stories. In my downtime, I find myself the consumer of stories; whether that is watching a television series, listening to music or just catching up with my flatmates over a cup of tea in the kitchen. Since the dawn of time people have been telling and listening to stories. The hunters of the tribe would re-enact the great kill and the others would watch in excitement while being warmed by the fire. Parents tell their babies stories from the very beginning of their life and even incorporate silly voices and sound effects to engage the child. Co-workers gather around the water cooler to review the happenings of their weekend. We tell stories. The format may be an epic novel or a 140 character Tweet. It may be delivered live or packaged to experience later. It may be an image or a musical phrase. No matter how we craft it, we have something to share. There is something to communicate.

Why? Why is this constant and ancient practice so important to us as humans? Why do we share our stories? And why do we listen to them? Communication, instruction, tradition, history. These words all make sense as to why we tell stories. But why do we consume them? What makes us go to the movies or read a book cover to cover? What makes us listen to albums and binge watch television series? What is happening to us when we can't turn it off or close the book?

We all have our favorite shows, characters and songs. There are those paintings or photographs that draw us in. Even fashion, architecture and landscape design can hook us. So, what is it we get from engaging with these stories? There is something about certain characters and their situations that feed into us something we need to experience. Maybe it is just laughter. Or the release of some intense emotion that is unlocked by dramatic plots. We are often educated by the stories that intrigue us. We can learn about past events or watch people navigate through problems similar to ones we face. Art very often holds up a mirror and we may need to take a look at the reflection. Good storytelling can lead us to epiphanies about our own thinking and inspire us to problem solve and explore. Stories have the power to transport us and release us. They are a prime vehicle in our evolution.

As I ponder the power of stories, I am reminded that the work we do in theatre is important.  If we do our jobs well, we have the potential to change lives. It may not always seem as revolutionary as other fields like medicine, science, politics and humanitarian aid. But with our storytelling, we can inspire those that operate in those spheres and we can speak to the individual spirit. And that individual spirit absolutely paramount.

I'll continue to philosophize on all this. In the meantime, enjoy these final days of summer and tune in next week for more musings!

Take care!
-m


Sunday, August 14, 2016

Hiatus

This week, I am going to take a brief break from my regularly scheduled blog entry. But I'll be back next week to update you on the progress of projects and life in London.

Take care!
-m

Sunday, August 7, 2016

American Food in London

This past week I went on a little adventure to Notting Hill to seek out a store that is dedicated to American groceries. The thing about living abroad is one can't always get the foods and groceries to which one may be accustomed in their native lands. Normally this doesn't trouble me too much and I do think that it is important to explore the local options. But my flatmates and I have decided we want to bake peanut butter cookies tomorrow and when it comes to cookies, my mother is the expert. I have obtained her recipe and tomorrow we are going to try to replicate the cookies I grew up enjoying.

One thing they don't have in British grocery stores is Crisco. Crisco is a vegetable shorting used in many American recipes but is not a common ingredient to be found here in the UK. With a little research, I was able to find a store here in London that imports American food products and they have vats of Crisco in all sizes.

The American Food Store is a magical place with all the familiar products if home. They have a vast selection of American breakfast cereals, candy, beverages and baking goods. I was even able to pick up a box of grits. That was the jackpot for this southern girl. The one thing American shoppers should consider before entering the store is the effect of nostalgia on their purchasing choices. I found myself gravitating to many things I didn't often buy in America simply because of the memories and familiarity attached to the product. I found my Crisco and did depart with a box of Fruity Pebbles and Hershey Kisses just because. Thank goodness I have flatmates who can help me consume the products of the motherland. However, I don't think I'll be able to convince them to eat grits. Unless one grew up in America's southern region, they usually don't appeal. But we'll see. Maybe they will surprise me.

I'll let you know how the cookies turn out.
This week, I plan to see some theatre so tune in next time for a review of the performance.

In the meantime, enjoy the summer! It's nearly gone!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Mary Stuart

The highlight of the past week was a trip to the theatre. Two of my flatmates, who are also Central students, and I journeyed over to our school to see Mary Stuart by Friedrich Schiller, adapted by Ben Naylor. This production featured the actors from the MA Acting - Classical course. I know many of them from their participation in 8Squared and it was wonderful to see them in a full performance tailored for their particular practice.

Friedrich Schiller was a German poet and playwright who lived and worked in the latter half of the 18th century. He was a contemporary, friend and collaborator with Johann Wolfgang Goethe. Many of his works became popular source material for composers of his day. Beethoven wrote Ode to Joy based on a poem of Schiller's by the same name. Rossini wrote William Tell famous for the William Tell Overture based on Schiller's play also by the same name. Other notable works include: The Robbers, Don Carlos, Wallenstein Trilogy.

The play we saw was an adaptation of Schiller's original script of Mary Stuart adapted by the MA Classical Actors' director and course leader Ben Naylor. The play featured exquisite period appropriate costumes by Chantelle Gerrard, a sparse but smart set by Max Dorey, clever lighting designed by Joshua Gadsby (a Central alum) and intriguing sound designed by David Hermann.

The play focused on the last days of Mary Stuart, a critical part of British history. Mary Stuart was Queen of Scotland and Catholic. She was a cousin of Queen Elizabeth I and a some time rival for Elizabeth's throne. Elizabeth's father Henry VIII started a huge conflict by splitting from the Catholic Church and initiating the Protestant Church of England in order to divorce his Catholic first wife, Catherine and marry Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, in the hopes of producing a male heir. This split still has repercussions to this day but at the time it made for a very unstable environment for young Elizabeth. As the Catholics and the Protestant battled over the "true" religion and who was the legitimate heir to the throne, Mary Stuart was often the favorite candidate for the Catholics and sometimes she was even in agreement with her supporters, that she should indeed have England's throne.

In Scotland, Mary Stuart found herself in a scandal over the death of her second husband who was thought to have been murdered by Mary's third husband who also happened to be Protestant. Mary's Scottish subjects turned on her and she fled to England to seek sanctuary with her cousin and fellow Queen, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, however, felt imprisoning her was a safer bet to keep England's crown safe from Mary. Eventually charges of conspiracy for Mary to overthrow Elizabeth garnered enough evidence for Elizabeth to allow for Mary's execution. She was beheaded on the 8th of February 1587.

Mary Stuart did however have something to do with the English crown. Her son, James VI of Scotland succeeded Elizabeth I after Elizabeth died with no children of her own to inherit the throne. He became James I of England and united the Kingdoms of Scotland and England under one monarch.

The play did well in illustrating the inner turmoil of both Elizabeth and Mary as well as the many nobles and advisors caught up in the politics of life and death. I was very happy to see a Schiller play on stage as I had never had the opportunity prior to this event.

August is now upon us and I am still organizing my thesis research. I'll keep you posted on all the happenings. In the meantime, have a look around and see if there are any historical dramas being produced in your region.

Take care!
-m

Sunday, July 24, 2016

The Tower and Fury

This past week got me out and about in London to see some history and a show. On Monday I went to the Tower of London with my friend Trish. We went, not because we have broken any laws, but Trish had never been so we decided she needed to check out this icon of British history. I went once before in 2009 with my Mom when she came to visit me during term break from my Masters course in Scotland. It is wonderful to revisit a place like the Tower as there is so much history one needs a recap every now and then to remember it all and catch the tidbits missed last time.

The Tower comes in layers. There is an outer wall and an inner wall and then the core building at the center. The center building is called The White Tower and it is the oldest part of the structure. It housed early royalty, acted as a prison and as a fortress. The inner wall contains a chapel where many famous people are buried including Henry VIII's beheaded wives. Also in the inner wall, visitors can view the crown jewels. The outer wall contains a medieval mint museum and samples of early coins and the stories behind what surrounds coins, money, minting and the crime associated with it all. The outer wall also contains many residential accommodations. That's right, people actually live there. Service men and women in Her Majesty's Armed Forces can apply to be Yeomen of the Guard and serve at the Tower. The Yeomen provide tours and historical accounts of the happenings at the Tower but do not mistake them for a character at Disneyland. They wear uniforms, not costumes and are trained specialists there to protect the Tower and all it contains. One thing it contains on occasion is royalty. The night before his coronation Prince Charles will prepare and sleep at The Tower and then, in the morning, in all the regalia, travel from the Tower to Westminster where he will be crowned King. There is much to see at the Tower and if you are in London, definitely spend a day exploring the Tower.

Saturday I went with my flatmate Nic to see a new play called Fury by Phoebe Eclair-Powell at Soho Theatre. It was an intense 70 minute modern day Medea about a single mother, young, struggling, lost and ultimately abused. It was wonderful to see a fresh offering from an up and coming playwright. Soho Theatre is on the cutting edge of new writing and facilitates new works with a myriad of programs, projects and awards. I predict we will see great things come from Soho Theatre and from Phoebe Eclair-Powell in the future.

This week we are off to see a show at Central. London has been crazy hot so, when we aren't at the theatre, we are likely parked in front of a fan. There aren't too many air conditioned buildings thus, we must find a fan, cold drink and wonder how past generations managed to survive. I'll keep you posted on the heat wave. In the meantime, find a cool theatre and go see a show!

Take care!
-m

The White Tower at the center of the Tower of London

 From inside the Tower walls, a view of The Shard: a London hotel, office building and landmark.


A view of Tower Bridge from inside the Tower.


Fury poster

Sunday, July 17, 2016

A Week of Meetings

This past week was not very glamorous I'm afraid. I stayed busy with several meetings over the days. We met about 8Squared. I am preparing to depart the producing team. It is time for new blood to take it on and my focus needs to shift to my thesis research. After the production meeting and a meeting with my academic advisor, it is clear that this is the right move at this time. I will meet with the new team before the end of the month to complete the handover.

I also spent time with the student projects on which I am assisting. We visited a venue this week and they are settled that is where they would like to preform. In the coming days we will work out the particulars and they will present in August.

I have also joined as an assistant on a project called Telemachy which is based on Homer's The Odyssey. An alum from the producing course was looking for extra hands on the project. The one-men show will preview this coming week and then participate in the Camden Fringe and the Edinburgh Fringe. It is good for me to get involved, get some experience here in London and broaden my network.

This coming week I will continue with all the above and may try to catch a play this week. Good stuff is happening all over town. We will also keep our eye on politics. Everyone in London is curious how things will work out with the new Prime Minister and the recent vote to leave the EU. Changes ahead!

I'll check in again next week. In the meantime, enjoy the summer and see some shows!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, July 10, 2016

New Projects

This past week was full of meetings and sessions. I visited some rehearsals and met with some student artists. I am helping them with certain elements of their performance projects. They are looking good and we are hoping all will work out for them to be a part of a festival hosted at a venue here in London in September. Talks about all that continue.

The 8Squared team met and discussed our future plans. Three on our team will be rotating off now and will be greatly missed. The two of us remaining will recruit new producing team members from the incoming class and any current students who might be interested in getting involved. We have a good plan of action for moving forward into this next academic year. Submissions will be open soon and it will all begin again!

This past week I also met with an alum of the producing course. Her name is Catherine and she has a producing company that keeps busy. I'm excited to be joining them on an upcoming project and look forward to getting started next week.

I'm still searching for the right projects to support my thesis. I am looking for both a play and a musical in development. I have some queries out and hope to get answers on those soon.

Students halls are fairly quiet right now. Many students have finished for the year and have moved out. Others are traveling. My flatmate, Rita, is still here and is working hard on a case study. Rita and I have been trying to motivate each other in the quest for a healthy lifestyle. We have worked out and often review our food choices with each other. With classes concluded this is a fantastic time for me to throw some focus on health.

This coming week I am planning on seeing a show or two. One is tomorrow afternoon and I have a few friends involved with that one. I'm also looking forward to meeting my friend, Emma, on Wednesday to celebrate her birthday.

I'll keep you posted on all the projects. In the meantime, get out and see some theatre!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Wrap Up and Rest

This past week was fairly relaxed as we had no formal classes. We did have one final assignment due on Friday. Many classmates have now departed either for a break or for good. But I suppose we will always have Facebook.

I have to admit I have not done much this week except for finishing the last assignment and meeting a few friends and colleagues for a coffee and a chat. But I truly believe resting and relaxing are just as important as working. If there is one goal I have in moving to London and starting a new chapter, it is to find the work-life balance. People need time to unwind and not be structured or scheduled. There is a glorification of busy in our modern world and I think it is to our detriment some times. Creativity thrives when the mind is free to play.

This coming week the 8Squared team will get together and review our production and procedures. We will make our plans for the Autumn term's presentation. I will also attend some rehearsals of some student projects. These student projects have asked for a little producer help in some areas, so I am going in to see the projects in action.

I will also need to start putting together a schedule for my thesis project. I am writing two case studies. One on a new play in development and one on a new musical in development, to research workshopping methods for new works. I will need to attach myself to a couple of projects and this will require a search, lots of email queries and coordinating my schedule. I'll need time to sit in on the workshopping process and give myself ample time to do the reading and writing for the case studies. It is crucial that we organize ourselves as this is all independent work. The last thing we want is for time to slip away and not make the deadlines. So planning mode starts Monday.

I'll let you know how it all goes. In the meantime, enjoy Independence Day everyone!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, June 26, 2016

8Squared and Another Term Ends

This past week was our most successful 8Squared: A Night of New Writing event yet. The attendance was incredible with the first night being completely sold out and the second night coming close. We also had a very strong line up of scripts. The audience seemed to really enjoy the show. Next, the production team will have a post-production meeting and review what worked, what didn't and how we can improve and evolve for the Autumn term's event.

The last day of term was Friday and many of my classmates have already dispersed around the globe. It is at this crossroads where the MAs and the MFAs will split the path. Our course offers a one year MA in Creative Producing or a two year MFA in Creative Producing. Up until now we have been together. At this point we scatter to our independent thesis projects. The MAs will have a smaller document and project and will need to finish their theses up in the next few months, while those of us on the MFA will produce something larger over the next year. In the coming weeks I will map out my plans for the project. It is important that we pace ourselves over the calendar in order to complete the work to a high standard and on time.

This coming week I have one more assignment due and some meetings with fellow Central students who are looking for a producer to advise them on shows they are creating. I am looking forward to a respite and may even take in some shows. I'll let you know how things are going when I check in next Sunday. In the meantime, summer theatre and festivals are in full swing. Check out what's playing in your area!

Take care!
-m

Sunday, June 19, 2016

All Things Legal and Workplace Realtions

The term is rolling to a close. But, we still had a couple of topics to cover this past week.

On Thursday morning entertainment lawyers, Neil Adleman and Matt Parritt came to speak to our class. They talked to us about what an entertainment lawyer does and how they can help the producer. Many of the legal tasks a producer might do are pretty straight forward. There are templates for standard contracts and basic practices and procedures for the business. However, some things might call for a lawyer's involvement. Intellectual property and copyright are often complicated areas to navigate. This might include adaptations from various source materials to a new stage work, designs from the production team and the credits for crafting the script. If a producer is originating a new work for the stage, these factors may play a major part and each instance will be have its own intricacies. Transferring a show between countries is also an area where a producer will want to work with a lawyer.  The lawyers will make sure everything is within legal regulations, can help to make sure the best deals are reached for their client and add a sense of formality and legitimacy to the arrangements. This can be particularly comforting for the financial investors of a show. If producing a big budget production like a West End or Broadway show, having a lawyer is in the best interest of the production company. Smaller organizations may want to consult a lawyer from time to time but, for daily tasks a lawyer will usually not be required.

We returned to Southbank Centre on Thursday afternoon for a session with our lecturer, Sunita Pandya. She brought in producer/director, Katie Henry to discuss the relationship between producers and directors. The relationship between a producer and a director is crucial for the success of a show. It can also make a huge impact on the atmosphere in which the show is created. The dynamic can be a fine line to walk. The director must have space to implement their vision and their position of authority needs to be supported. However, they must also understand the parameters of the project set forth by the producer and work with the producer to provide a quality product that is the unified vision of both parties. It was an intense discussion and as with many areas of producing, there is not one established method. Each project and each relationship will require its own bespoke process and style.

We begin now the final week of the term and with it, 8Squared will have its third term presentation.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Take care!
-m

Sunday, June 12, 2016

We Are Now

This week I continued to work on assignments and projects. 8Squared is rolling on. We meet for production meetings regularly. The thesis, called a S.I.P (Sustained Independent Project), is in the works. But the highlight this week was the We Are Now Festival.

This weekend we came full circle on the project with the Roundhouse that dates back to our first term pitches. As you may recall, our class was divided into groups and each group was set with the task of coming up with a pitch for a festival that would be presented this month at the Roundhouse. The winning pitch was a festival called We Are Now and a couple of the students involved with the original concept successfully presented the festival this past weekend. The rest of us were called upon to help as front of house ambassadors to help direct patrons around the different events.

The concept behind the We Are Now is a festival with a theme of sound and technology at its core. Friday kicked off the festival with panel discussions, performances, interactive installations and activities. Saturday the experiences continued and Sunday concluded the event. The festival was well attended and the artists praised. Central's president gave a lovely speech at the opening reception on the importance of collaboration.

Collaboration and co-producing are certainly crucial parts of our work as producers. With the rising costs of just about everything and purse stings from funders ever tightening, co-producing with other companies is quickly becoming the standard. We Are Now partnered Central with the Roundhouse to usher this project through to completion. Under the umbrella of Central and the Roundhouse were several guest artists and companies that provided the assorted components of the festival. The hope is, the festival will continue in the years to come, vary in theme and become a permanent fixture as part of the Roundhouse's programing. Fingers crossed the festival will have its future ensured soon.

This week we move on to our final class. Thursday will be the last time the whole cohort will assemble for a lecture. It is hard to believe we have already arrived at this point. The remaining days of the term will be dedicated to essay writing and other assignments. And of course for some of us, the execution of 8Squared. So, there is still much to do before we can take a break.

I'll let you know how it all goes. In the meantime, have a look around your region and see what arts festivals are happening.

Take care!
-m

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Production Presentation, Birthday Bash and a Day of Dance

There was a lot of buzzing around this past week. The big events came at the end of the week. Thursday I taught my own class. There has been some talk on our course about doing some sharing sessions with our peers. We have had a few of those moments trickling through lately. As I am the oldest in the class and have been kicking around the planet for longer than the rest of my classmates, it stands to reason I have experienced a few things that might be of interest to the others. Some have asked me about certain areas producing. Upon discussing some of these conversations with my course leader, she suggested I take the class one day. Wow! I didn't see that coming. I was happy to take on the challenge. With experience over the last twenty years in acting, directing, writing, casting, play publishing and licensing, production management and the corporate sector, I have a well rounded understanding of how to put a show together and the basics of how to run a theatre company. I put together a two hour presentation called The Producer in Production and ran through the whole production process, soup to nuts. It was a lot of information and was really just a whistle stop tour. I can see the presentation has room to expand and could be broken down into bite size portions with more detail and could run a whole term or possibly year. Thursday seemed to go well. My course leader was pleased as were several students who thanked me. One thing that was really good for me, it was a wonderful reflective on the last twenty years of my professional life. I was able to take the time to really think through what I have experienced and learned and formulate it into a sort of best practices type production guide. Naturally, the production process will change from theatre to theatre and show to show, depending on the needs and resources but, it's a good outline to utilize when starting out on a show or with a theatre company that primarily focuses on second class productions. Now that's no insult, most regional, community and educational theatres do second class productions. That isn't a comment on the quality of the work. It is in reference to the show not being the first major run of a title. Broadway, West End and some A-list regional theatres would be the considered the first class production of a title. And that was all covered on Thursday.

Friday was my big 4-0! Exciting times. I have never been one to hide or worry about my age. I embrace it and am thrilled to meet this milestone! Some of my friends and classmates gathered at a pub near school for a quick social drink and then we headed to London Zoo for their Sunset Safari. What a night! At my birthday shenanigans, we had three from America, one from Australia, one from Austria, one from Singapore, one from Italy, two from Poland, one from Saudi Arabia and two from England. That's a pretty good mix of international representatives! The zoo was a hoot. Stating this past Friday the London Zoo will offer these evening hours every Friday for the summer months. It was a good time. We saw animals, watched the zoo keepers do presentations, rode the carousel, got our faces painted and generally had a blast.

Saturday there was no lying down on the job. It was off to the Royal Opera House for a full afternoon of new short ballets. Three rising star choreographers of the ballet world presented three new dance pieces. I had never been to the Royal Opera House so, it was a treat to see the venue. We were up in the top level of seats but center and actually for watching dance, the seats could not have been better. We could see the whole stage and the orchestra and at an elevated angle which gave us the perfect sightlines to see the stage pictures and formations that were being created. It was fabulous afternoon!

This coming week is filled with more meetings and projects. I'll let you know how it goes next Sunday. In the meantime, check out what are dance companies and choreographers creating in your area.

Take care!
-m