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Fringe Report is now closed. Fringe Report closed on its 10th anniversary, Thursday 12 July 2012. It remains online as a record of 10 exciting years in the arts. Till July 2013, previously unwritten content is being added to the site from the past 10 years, but we are no longer reviewing new material. You can still write to us on the existing email addresses. Good luck with your shows.
London Fringe PR Victoria Silverman writes (slightly edited):
SUMMARY - Organisers of the first London fringe festival 2010 have worked out how to create the intimacy of a fringe festival in London's sprawl. Inspired by the New York Fringe, they're setting up special hubs (watering holes) where festival goers and performers can meet, mix and flirt.
DETAIL - Artists and performers and people in the business of art and entertainment looking to showcase their work this summer can now perform at a major festival The London Festival Fringe. More than 200 performers have already signed up to the festival, which takes place in many venues in and around London between the 6th and 30th of August 2010. The organisers have set up a special hub for festival goers to meet each other - mix, compare notes and flirt - at the Phoenix Artists Club in the heart of Soho. It's a members-only club, but if they show their Festival event ticket, they'll be let in. There is also a professional hub for artists, performers, promoters, managers, and others in art and entertainment at the New Players Theatre near the Embankment, to network and talk business between performances. The organisers are staging The London Awards to celebrate the amazing talent that exists in the city. 'These awards are a long time coming. They are an important initiative for art and performance in the city and are intended to acknowledge that London has the best artists and performers anywhere,' says Festival Director Greg Tallent, who's set up a not-for-profit company to bring the event to London. 'The awards will encourage photographers, jazz musicians, visual artists, and others to take part, and will be a significant achievement to the winners.' From darkly satirical women comedians to burlesque dancers to opera Beowulf and a host of other acts in between, the festival is keeping ticket prices low and hoping that fringe performers will be tempted to stage their performances during the London Festival Fringe. The enticements include: fewer travel and accommodation costs for those based in the South of England, good rates with the many venues available, and the chance to perform in front of the diverse audiences that are found in London. Please visit www.londonfestivalfringe.com for details or come to one of our networking evenings at The Phoenix Artists Club, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 8BU, held every other Tuesday, next one on March 16, or sign up for our London Fringe Show on April 10. Full details on the website www.londonfestivalfringe.com.
THE LONDON AWARDS - London Art Award; London Jazz Awards - Best Vocalist, Best Instrumentalist Hosted at the Pizza Express, Dean Street, Soho; London New Comedy Award; London New Music Award; London Photography Award; London Short Fiction Award; London Theatre Writing Award; London 48 Hour Short Film Award.
CONTACTS - Director Greg Tallent on 07949 874 930 greg@londonfestivalfringe.com / PR Vicki Silverman on 07711 331 127 vicki@londonfestivalfringe.com. Festival details at www.londonfestivalfringe.com
SOURCE - London Fringe PR Vicky Silverman 5 March 2010
Stories are filed in date order, most recent first. The 'key date' in each heading is the significant date referred to in each story, or if there isn't one, a nominal date for filing.
Fleur Poad reports: Owners of Lift'n'Hoist - an old bra factory near Elephant and Castle, London UK - have opened it up to artists until it is demolished mid-2010. Exhibitions, video shoots, and performances rehearsal space are planned. Currently working there is new company The Effort, founded by director Vanessa Pope and musician Sim Eldem. They are rehearsing Shoebox, a devised performance in which seven actresses explore themes around the things which everyone puts away in shoeboxes - hidden under clothes, old letters, poems, bills, photographs, long-lost forgotten items.
The Effort aim to bring together the work of performers, artists, writers and musicians, to 'make the most of under-used spaces to engage directly with the audience', to produce the works of associated artists and reach out to new performers. To get their company started they asked the Norwich poet and performer Andy Spragg to write a piece for them. It began with him putting all his ideas, poetry and directions in a shoebox and giving it to them, which is how the idea of Shoebox started.
The Effort are organising a fundraising event in the factory on the 20 March 2010 which will involve visual arts installations, performances and music, performed by The Effort's house band - http://www.myspace.com/theeffortband. The company is planning to exchange venues with other companies and to open this space for all. More on Lift'n'Hoist including directions at http://liftnhoist.ucrony.net/. Artists interested in using the space can contact David McFarlane, the technical support person in the house, an 'artist and traveller'. Upcoming events include a free art exhibition by students of Goldsmiths College from the 24-26th February. Shoebox is at The White Bear Theatre, Kennington, 24-27 February, and 3-6 March 2010.
Source: (c) Fleur Poad 24 February 2010
Legendary cabaret act Topping and Butch (Best Cabaret - FR Awards 04) appear in London's West End at Leicester Square Theatre
Sex Drugs & Harriet Harman - An Evening with Topping & Butch. Preview Wednesday 25 November 8pm. Show runs Wednesdays 2, 9, 16 December at 9.30pm.
Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX. www.leicestersquaretheatre.com. map.
More... Topping And Butch - www.toppingandbutch.com
Source - Terry Finnegan - 11 November 09
Ruth Eastwood has resigned as chief executive of Leicester Theatre Trust (Leicester, UK). Stella McCabe and Paul Kerryson take over prior to the announcement of her successor. Kate Gambrell writes (22 September 2009, edited):
'After leading Leicester Theatre Trust (LTT) through three of the most challenging and exciting years in the organisation's history, Ruth Eastwood will step down as Chief Executive later this month to take a break for herself and to focus on her future personal development. During her tenure she ensured the successful completion and opening season of Curve, Leicester's new state-of-the-art theatre.
'Curve opened in November 2008 and since then the venue has attracted over 120,000 ticket sales for Leicester Theatre Trust productions (Lift Off, Simply Cinderella, In-I, The Pillowman, As You Like It, The Light in the Piazza and the large-scale community production of His Dark Materials), visiting national and international work and shows produced by Leicester's many vibrant community arts groups. Under Ruth's leadership Curve has also hosted a range of conferences and commercial events including Arts Marketing Association's annual conference in 2009.
'Ruth Eastwood: "I am immensely proud of what we have achieved over the last three years and the fantastic success of our first season in Curve. It has been a very exciting and very intense period and I now feel that as Leicester Theatre Trust gets into its stride and moves into its second year, I can take the opportunity to step back, take some time for myself and focus on my future personal development. The team at Curve has worked tirelessly and with huge commitment and dedication to make this wonderful facility really 'sing', it has been a pleasure and an honour to have led them on this amazing journey. I'd like to thank them all, the Board and our partners and wish Curve all the best in the future."
'Anthony Lawton OBE, Chair of Leicester Theatre Trust: "On behalf of the Board and all involved with Leicester Theatre Trust I would like to thank Ruth for her hard work in successfully leading LTT into a new era with a new cutting-edge building, her efforts have given the organisation at Curve a fine start. I wish Ruth all success and happiness in her future endeavours."
'Laura Dyer, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, East Midlands: "We are sorry to hear that Ruth Eastwood has decided to leave Curve and we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate her great achievement in taking Curve through its build phase and completing its first season, which included some stunning work. Curve is poised to build on the strong platform she has helped to create and to meet the challenges of establishing itself at the cultural heart of Leicester, the region and the Country."
'Paul Kerryson Artistic Director, Leicester Theatre Trust: "It has been a real pleasure to work alongside Ruth who has led the company through an immensely challenging and inspiring time. She has given magnificent support to the artistic endeavours of Leicester's unique and wonderful Curve experience."
'Stella McCabe, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Communications, and Paul Kerryson, Artistic Director will lead the organisation in the immediate coming weeks supported by the Chair, Board of Trustees and senior executive colleagues. A further announcement regarding the recruitment of a new Chief Executive will be made in due course.'
More: www.curveonline.co.uk / 0116 242 3595.
Source - Kate Gambrell - 22 September 2009
Tormented By Tapping - Film - (news item 19 August 2009)
Alex Kirk stars as Clive who learnt Morse Code in the Navy. Back in civilian life, messages are spelt out to him everywhere - by woodpeckers, in cafés - and by wooden legs.
Tormented By Tapping is directed by Matt Holt, and written by Blakewill & Harris. It's free to view on YouTube at Tormented By Tapping (www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVn1Wo2y9F8)
Tormented By Tapping, starring Alex Kirk. Actor Credits (alpha order): Marc Blakewill - Man in café. Isabel Fay - Narrator. Alex Kirk - Clive. Anna Starkey - Waitress. Company Credits: Director - Matt Holt. Writers - Marc Blakewill & James Harris. Editor - James Harris. Assistant Producer - Anna Starkey. Director of Photography - Tim Jordan. Producer - Matt Holt. Company - Glandoo Productions. Company - Clever Pie. (c) Glandoo Productions & Clever Pie 2009.
Source - James Harris - 19 August 2009
Mark Borkowski is curating Improperganda: The Great Edinburgh Stunt Twithibition. Mark writes: 'It's an exhibition celebrating some of the great publicity stunts that have graced or terrorised the Edinburgh Festival over the years, on the streets of Edinburgh and on Twitter this summer. The #Twithibition goes live on Monday, 10 August 09.
'In honour of the fly-posting wars that have kept audiences informed (and sometimes confused thanks to over-pasting by zealous promoters) the #Twithibition will consist of 11 arresting images of stunts posted, like temporary blue plaques, at the sites where they happened. There will be a poster at the Royal Mile marking the time that Archaos split a car in two in broad daylight on the street, a poster near the nursing home where Alan Carr performed a comedy set to a roomful of disinterested pensioners and much more.
'The posters will be posted on the appropriate walls and then photographed in situ then posted to Twitpic, allowing the Twithibition to survive in perpetuity even if someone decides to paste an advert for the latest show over it. They will also be available on Borkowski’s blog site with extra details on the stunts, via links made available through Twitter.
'The beautifully crafted and effortlessly eye-catching posters have been designed by David Hillman, the founder of Pentagram, who oversaw the redesign of the Guardian newspaper and who is one of the iconic figures of British design. All of the captions are written in 140 characters or less and the pictures, by the marvellous theatre photographer Geraint Lewis, who has been covering Edinburgh Festival for years, capture the spirit of the stunts to a tee.
'I don't think anyone's run an exhibition on Twitter before, so I'm looking forward to the reaction to this Twithibition of great stunts of the past. I'm hoping that it will inspire people take more risks with their brand and their image and create stunts for themselves. Twitter's a great medium for that.
'The old guard may mutter about the good old days of the Festival, but every generation does. The fact remains that Edinburgh is the place to create celebrity immortality , to wallow in the mud pits of publicity in the silly season, when every paper and website in the country is eager - if not desperate - for funny, cool or downright weird stories. The #Twithibition is about celebrating the chutzpah and spirit of Festival publicity and about encouraging people to continue in that spirit, adding their own memories to stunts of old.
'Putting the #Twithibition up on Twitter allows it to be completely egalitarian – by using the hash tag #twithibition, anyone can contribute. It would be great to see how long the posters last in situ and also to see what becomes of them as and when they are posted over, but obviously, I’m most looking forward to seeing people's comments and if any visitors to - or performers at - the Festival come up with some new stunts worthy of the strange things that have happened at the Festival in the past. Let the audacity and mayhem begin!
'The Twithibition can be followed on http://twitter.com
Source - Mark Borkowski - 9 August 2009
Amy-Joyce Hastings (left) stars in director Graham Cantwell's World War Two short The Letter (2009). The Letter is shown on Friday 10 July 09 in New Irish Shorts: Programme 1 which starts 10:00, Town Hall Main.
It's part of Galway Film Fleadh 7-12 July 09. Key organisers are: Miriam Allen (managing director); Felim Mac Dermott (programmer); Cathy O' Connor (administrator); Debbie Mc Vey & Annette Maye (film fair). Email info@galwayfilmfleadh.com. Email Film Fair fair@galwayfilmfleadh.com. Full information at www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
Source: Fringe Report, and Galway Film Fleadh website at 9 July 09
Arts publicist Alana Pryce has a house in Tarascon, Provence, France available to rent for £400 per week from June to October 09 - and she's happy for families, actors, artists etc to take it - or anyone who would like to. Alana says:
'It's available from 25 June to 7 August 09, and from 15 August to 31 October 09. £400 per week - approx £9.50 per night each, between 6 people - I'm willing to negotiate with the artists. Sleeps 6 comfortably - 3 double bedrooms. Can take 10 if eg a troupe of actors for the Avignon Festival - the extras will need to bring sleeping bags/ inflatables to sleep on floor.
'From UK (via Ryanair) it's half an hour drive from Nimes airport, or by train to Avignon where you can hire a car or take the local train (13 minutes) to Tarascon. I do advise hiring a car as the sea - St Marie sur Mer, famous for the Romany festival, bulls and white horses - is 45 minutes drive from the house. Also take a drive into the mountains of Les Baux and let the children enjoy another castle where sometimes they have jousting. There are car hire firms, Hertz etc at Nimes and Marseille airports and Avignon TGV.
'Full details and lots of photographs download Word file here (3MB, virus free). Contact Alana Pryce alanapryce1@aol.com.'
Source Alana Pryce - 25 June 2009
inc.Theatre Ensemble, Spare Tyre's company for artists with learning disabilities, and sister company HotPots, whose members are aged over 60, have come together to produce Feeble Minds, a play based on Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare (1564-1616). It runs in London UK 10-25 July 09, beginning the run at The Albany, Deptford and finishing at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green - more at www.sparetyretheatrecompany.co.uk or tel 020 7419 7007. The production's PR Kim Morgan sends this piece written for the company by Mike McDonough (slightly edited):
'Millie, a retired nurse, is excited about her next performance with community theatre company Spare Tyre. The reason is simple: 'You can't beat a bit of sex and violence!' Millie is one of 30 actors who will be appearing this summer in Feeble Minds, a new play inspired by Shakespeare's Timon of Athens. Directed by Arti Prashar, the show features orgies, cannibalism, asylums, gods and untouchables, murder, the cult of celebrity and money, money, money. All in all, it's a remarkably accurate portrait of credit-crunch Britain.
'The cast are drawn from inc.Theatre Ensemble, Spare Tyre's company for artists with learning disabilities, and sister company HotPots, whose members are aged over 60. The two groups came together to devise Feeble Minds during nine months of intensive taboo-breaking. 'Sex - some people whisper it, they don't like talking about it around older people', says HotPot member Millie. 'But I love trying nine million different things, so a bit of sex and violence goes a long way with me.' Feeble Minds was created against the backdrop of the unfolding financial crisis and loosely echoes Shakespeare's play about an over-generous tycoon whose friends vanish with the last of his money. 'What happens to society - especially those most in need of protection - once the party is over?' the new play asks. 'Where do all the good intentions go?'
''This new show is going to be brilliant', according to David, a long-standing member of inc.Theatre who has performed in and co-written many of the ensemble's plays. 'I think that there are some rather strong themes and I think that they are very timely for the world we are living in now.' HotPots performer John agrees: 'As you get older, you realise that the theme of universal brother and sisterhood is a load of rubbish. People look after themselves and you have a very small circle of real friends.' But he adds: 'For me the show is just a great excuse to act. It doesn't matter what the play is about, as long as I'm taking part!' Viewers of previous Spare Tyre shows will already be familiar with the professionalism and bravery of its actors. Feeble Minds, however, sees inc.Theatre and the HotPots take their work to a new level of honesty and intensity.
''Whether you like it or not, you have to bring everything out in yourself and you find out things about yourself that you didn't really know before', says Anita, who joined the HotPots in October. 'You can't hide behind a character.' Anita describes the process of creating Feeble Minds - her first devised performance - as 'like having a dress that you see being cut and you see it gradually being sewn, then alterations and then something else. And then you hope that the final dress will be... incredible!' With its powerful themes, gutsy performances and elements of audience participation, the warped world of Feeble Minds promises to challenge theatregoers as much as the artists who created it. So it's no surprise that some company members are more than usually worried about how the public will react. 'You don't know what the audience is going to be like: they might laugh in shock or they might be aggressive', says Lucy, who will be appearing in her third inc.Theatre piece. 'It's an interesting show', she adds. 'I do not know what's going on, but I like it anyway. I just think it's mad!''
Production PR Kim Morgan adds: 'Feeble Minds will be performed from 10-25 July 09. The Albany, Deptford from the 10 July: 2pm & 7.30pm, 11 July: 7.30pm, 14 July: 11.30am & 2pm, 16 July: 7.30pm, 17 July: 2pm & 7.30pm. The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London, SE8 4AG. Box Office: 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk. Followed by Rich Mix, Bethnal Green on 23 July: 7.30pm, 24 July: 2.00pm & 7.30pm and 25 July: 7.30pm. Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA. Box Office: 020 7613 7498, www.richmix.org.uk Tickets are £10 / £7 concessions / £5 groups 10+. There will be a post show discussion on the 16 & 23 July following the 7.30pm show. The production is suitable for 14+ for further information please log on to www.sparetyretheatrecompany.co.uk or call 020 7419 7007'
Source - Kim Morgan 20 June 2009
Barbra and Liza Live at Leicester Square Theatre. 25-27 June 09 at 19.30 pm. £15, £25, £35. Box Office 0844 847 2475. www.leicestersquaretheatre.com. Simply Barbra (Steven Brinberg www.simplybarbra.com) and A Slice O' Minnelli (Rick Skye www.rickskye.com). Musical direction by Michael Ferreri and Nathan Martin. Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX. Producer Michael Darton.
And... The Simply Barbra Love Is The Answer UK Tour 20 November to 6 December 2009. London shows are at The New Players Theatre 24-25 November 2009 at 19.45pm. Full details www.simplybarbra.com
Source - Michael Darton - 5 May & 19 October 2009
The Broadway Theatre, Barking, London UK, has a vacancy. Kim Morgan writes:
'As The Broadway enters a new phase in its development under the leadership of Karena Johnson we are seeking an innovative and energetic Marketing Manager, salary £28,000 p/a. Working as part of a dedicated, skilled team you will have at least two years arts marketing and sales experience in a venue, excellent strategic and management skills, enthusiasm for developing new audiences and the ability to contribute to brand development and planning. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious professional. 36 hours per week full time.
'If you would like to have more details about the post or an informal chat please contact kim.morgan@thebroadwaybarking.com. Direct line 020 8507 5608. Mobile 07939 591 403. www.thebroadwaybarking.com.'
Source - Kim Morgan 28 May 2009
Distinctive life coach and business motivator L Vaughan Spencer (aka Neil Mullarkey of The Comedy Store Players) presents Motivitality Matinee with L Vaughan Spencer on Monday 1 June at 13:00 - 13:45 pm (doors open at 12.45 pm). Artprojx at Prince Charles Cinema (near Leicester Square), 7 Leicester Place, London WC2. Neil Mullarkey accepted Fringe Report Award 2003 - Best Satire for L Vaughan Spencer (left), who writes:
'Self-help guru and Gangsta Motivator L Vaughan Spencer will teach YOU the secrets of ultimate Succeediness©. Space is limited so book now! Tickets £8 available ONLY by phone and in person. Box Office: 0870 811 2559 (open for telephone bookings 1.30-8.30pm or in person).
'More details at http://tinyurl.com/dybbmf
'And...
'London Business Forum Thursday 8 October 09. Would you like to come to an improv workshop with Neil Mullarkey? More details at http://tinyurl.com/chhbfl (Twitter username – improvyourbiz) and http://neilmullarkey.com/'
Source - Neil Mullarkey 18 May 2009
Miranda Henderson and Alister O'Loughlin begin their long farewell to the Nightingale Theatre, Brighton, UK - they leave in February 2010.
Sunday 24 May 09 at 14:00 is open house at the Nightingale Theatre - with the focus on the theatre's future - in the theatre itself. 'We recommend the new manager turns up,' says Alister. Anyone interested in taking the theatre over is welcome - and the simply curious. It's free, with more details at details http://www.nightingaletheatre.co.uk/html/whatson.html.
The theatre is located over the Nightingale pub, next to Brighton's railway station. The entrance to the theatre is from the public bar. Alister explains that the people who own the building have the choice of who will take the theatre over, and that the Arts Council and local council say that the space must be a venue. 'We've had to make a choice', he says, as staying would mean signing a 3-year contract.
Miranda and Alister have become Associate Artists to Brighton Festival and Dome. They are both directors of Prodigal Theatre (www.prodigaltheatre.co.uk). 'The Dome supports Prodigal's new work over the next three years' he says. 'We did a feasibility study paid for by the local council and the Arts Council' about The Nightingale. If they'd stayed on, they were going to need to bring in a venue manager and administrator because of the increasing demands of their work with Prodigal.
'It's not as simple as bringing in more people. The most logical thing is for us to step away but to be available. The Nightingale has worked to date. We felt there was a massive responsibility to new artists.' They have a lot of work on. 'We've been commissioned to make two new shows. It's a really busy year ahead of us, including a week's residence at the National Theatre, and we're looking at international collaboration.'
Prodigal Theatre's Ten Thousand Several Doors ran 6-15 May 09 at 19:00 and 22:00 at £15 with tickets booked through The Dome. Alister explains that it's based on the Duchess of Malfi in a 1950s gangster setting, site specific, and using the whole space of the Nightingale Theatre premises.
More information - www.prodigaltheatre.co.uk and www.nightingaletheatre.co.uk
Source - Alister O'Loughlin 24 April 2009
Ollie Hester is working at Underbelly SouthBank May to July 09 and would like a place to stay. He writes:
'I'm looking for a bedsit studio / flatshare at around £400 / £500 per month from late May-mid July 09. Preferably very close to a Tube / Overground station (no more than 5 / 10 minute walk) within Zone 3 boundary. Email: olliehester@googlemail.com'
Source - Ollie Hester - 19 May 2009
Michael Stephen Fuchs has had two novels published one of which (we haven't read the other yet) is absolutely excellent. As all writers know, this isn't enough to keep the wolf from the door and as Michael puts it, succinctly: 'Now, since this whole novel-writing lark seems not to be paying the rent quite as well as advertised, I'm putting out my shingle again for awhile. (I'd feel worse, but I've just read where George Orwell was still obliged to run a village general store to help pay the rent - after his eighth book came out.)' Fortunately Michael also does freelance work in the field of web site and web applications development. 'I'm full-service - I do pretty much everything the interactive agencies do, except better and for rather less. This might have some appeal in the down economy, where folks perhaps need some work done but can't manage a major engagement.' In Michael's own words:
'Michael Fuchs is a jobbing novelist (see www.the-manuscript.com and www.pandoras-sisters.com) who also does a nice line in web consulting and development. As his day job has been in the internet industry since the very begining of the web (1994), he is able to provide full-service web development work at better-than-agency quality, for rather-less-than-agency rates. Services include:
Source - Michael Fuchs - 18 May 2009
Interchange Legal Advisory Service is a charity based in Belsize Park London UK which gives legal advice at low fees, with preliminary free advice, to help small organisations become charities. Once they are, it helps with advice on the legal aspects of running a charity. We are happy to include details of their service on Fringe Report as we used the service ourselves in 2008 - their contact details were supplied in the Charity Commission's literature - and found it excellent, and friendly, a real help to people in the arts. We asked Interchange's Peter Korn to set out the scope of their services:
'We basically offer advice, training and ongoing support to not-for-profit organisations (and to people who want to set up a not-for-profit organisation) in relation to the following:-
'Contact Information:
Source - Peter Korn, Interchange Legal Advisory Service - 17 April 2009
The Accidental Festival (www.accidentalfestival.com) runs from 22 to 24 May at The Roundhouse (www.roundhouse.org.uk) in Camden, London UK. It is curated by students in the Performance Arts course at the Central School of Speech and Drama. 50 companies, over 100 performers. Genres include performance poetry, photography, new writing, film, theatre, live art, dance, intimate performances. Activities include performances, workshops, panel discussions. Nessah Muthy (left) is the Festival's press officer. Charlotte Corner (right) is head of marketing.
Source - Nessah Muthy, press officer, The Accidental Festival; Charlotte Corner, head of marketing, The Accidental Festival - 14 May 2009
Playwright Marcus Markou's new play Ordinary Dreams runs at Trafalgar Studios London UK from 12 May to 6 June 2009. Box Office 0870 060 6632. Group Sales 0870 060 6644. Ticketmaster 0870 534 4444. Performances: Monday to Saturday: 19.45pm. Thursday and Saturday 15.00pm. Tickets £22.50 (£15 concessions & Mondays). Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY. Nearest tubes Charing Cross & Embankment. www.ambassadortickets.com/trafalgarstudios. Cast - Sia Berkeley (left), Adrian Bower, James Lance, Imogen Slaughter. Director - Adam Barnard. Writer - Marcus Markou. Designer - Vicki Fifield. Lighting - Mike Robertson. Sound - Steve Mayo. Composer - Peter Michaels. Casting - Stephen Moore. Production Manager - Gary Beestone. Stage Manager - Anna Kerr. Producer - James Seabright and Kat Portman. Production website: www.ordinarydreams.co.uk. See this link for Fringe Report's review of Marcus Markou's previous play: review: Age-Sex-Location
Source - Marcus Markou 3 May 2009
The Cornish Pixies would be grateful for sponsorship in the Relay For Life at Liskeard, Cornwall UK 2009. The event takes place near Plymouth, UK from where in 1620 the Founding Fathers set sail in The Mayflower for America. Pixies Team Leader Samantha Englefield will be honouring her mother who took part in last year's relay (left with Sam) and who died this year from cancer. All proceeds go to Cancer Research UK. Donations can be made online at any time at www.donatetomyrelay.org/cornishpixies.
Samantha writes:
'Come on everyone! Get your pennies out and sponsor the Cornish Pixies for this fantastic event. It involves walking around a track for 24 hours (one person from the team at a time - probably in the rain knowing England and last time) on Saturday 23 May 2009 to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
'There is camping involved (eek, where is the 5 star hotel) and we will be selling merchandise on a stall - did I mention we were dressing up in fancy dress (perhaps the name will be a small hint)? Pictures for those who want to see them after the event.
'All sponsors go to Cancer Research UK which is a fantastic cause as those who have been affected by it know. It is my aim as Team Captain to raise as much money as possible in memory of my mum who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year, to give others a chance of survival, to support others through this horrible disease and to celebrate all those survivors out there. I'm sure we all know someone who has been affected by this horrible disease. By giving to us it helps others going through what I and many millions of people have been or are going through.
'Come on dig those pennies out of those pockets (no tissues or blu-tac) and sponsor us for this fantastic cause. Every penny counts, so please sponsor us!'
Source - Samantha Englefield 17 April 2009
It's too important to read through biased media comment... here's the original complete budget report... The UK Budget 22 April 09 pdf
Source - The Budget pdf (c) HMSO 23 April 2009 / thanks to www.bbc.co.uk / photo thanks to The Sun / both 23 April 09
Lynne Parker, producer of Funny Women, writes on 16 April 2009:
'Now that all the Easter Eggs have been eaten and the realities of the recession are looming large again, we all need to spread a bit of joy. Finding out how to use your feminine talents at funny could be pretty useful right now.
'So why not sign up for one of our comedy workshops? Using the tools used by professionals from the world of comedy we can help whether you want to develop your own comedy routine or liven up your presentation skills, injecting them with warmth and humour. We help build confidence and professionalism at any level whether you have lots of experience in public speaking or none at all. If you are a novice will help you overcome those first few hurdles and whatever your skill we ensure everyone has some fun along the way.
'Funny Women provides a friendly and informal environment where women can enjoy one another’s company as they overcome the fear of standing up in public and find ways to deliver a few funny anecdotes and use a microphone. Many previous participants tell us how nervous they were to begin with and then how addictive getting up on stage can become! Those with more experience appreciate the improvements they make in their presentation style. There is plenty of one to one attention so we are able to cater to each individual, which is why we limit the numbers.
'The dates for the next three workshops are Wednesday 29 April 09, Tuesday 12 May 09 and Tuesday 2 June 09 and they take place in a delightful new venue for us tucked away behind Harrods in Knightsbridge: Intermission, St Saviours Church, Walton Street, London SW7. We still have places available and are pleased to offer you the special rate of £40 (normally £45). If more than three of you book together we will give you a further £5 discount. The workshops run for two hours between 5.00 and 7.00 pm. Please register your interest by contacting info@funnywomen.com or call us on 020 8948 4444.
'Please contact us if you would like to know a bit more or if you would like to organise a group event – we offer a discount for groups booking together. We have run a number of very successful workshops for companies and organisations but can also keep it light and entertaining if you want us to run a workshop for a group of friends. Let us know how best we can help you.'
Source - Lynne Parker 16 April 2009
Fringe Report front page headlines on Thursday 16 April 09:
Disaster! Major Edinburgh venues reel financially... Intelligent Finance pull out of Perrier/If.comedy Award... Belhaven pull out of sponsoring Assembly... question mark over Gilded Balloon... full story Sunday Herald and The Scotsman
Rot sets in... Assembly cancels string of shows as flagship venue closes... The Scotsman... 'Catastrophic' says director William Burdett-Coutts
Spiegeltent pulls out of Edinburgh Fringe... little one opens at seaside... Evening News
Source - The Scotsman, Evening News, Sunday Herald, 16 April 09
'We at Fringe Report have great pleasure in posting this job-wanted notice from a very delightful man who will be a huge asset to any organistion. World's End Bookshop, who supply all our books for review, is closing down. That's putting Mathew Downward, who works there, out of work. Jobs in bookstores aren't growing on trees at the moment, so if you're a bookshop or any kind of literary organisation, Mathew's your man.' John Park, editor, Fringe Report. Mathew writes as follows:
'"In a town like London there are always plenty of not quite certifiable lunatics walking the streets and they tend to gravitate toward bookshops." - George Orwell.
'The World's End Bookshop, a much-loved establishment at the westerly end of the Kings Road, is finally falling victim to "le credit crunch" and I'm looking for a similarly enduring and enjoyable position at another bookshop. Customers cossetted, lunatics catered-for and even, God forbid, the occasional book sold. Contact Mathew at mathewdownward@yahoo.com or on 07855 483 529. Thanks a lot.'
Source - Mathew Downward 26 March 09
Miranda Henderson & Alister O'Loughlin - current managers of Brighton's Nightingale Theatre - are to quit. Their company Prodigal Theatre will leave the venue in February 2010.
'Prodigal re-opened the Nightingale Theatre in 2003 after an 8 year closure', according to Prodigal, which Miranda Henderson & Alister O'Loughlin co-founded in 1999. Steven Berkoff is the patron of the theatre - a well-known year-round Brighton venue, located over a pub next to the railway station.
More information - www.prodigaltheatre.co.uk and www.nightingaletheatre.co.uk
Source - Miranda Henderson & Alister O'Loughlin, Prodigal Theatre - press release 25 March 2009
With a few days still to go, Adelaide Fringe ticket sales have passed the 150,000 mark, with Fringe artists performing at 259 venues. Fringe Chair Judy Potter says: 'In the current economic climate it's brilliant that people have still been so enthusiastic about the Fringe. And it's great that we've reached our target while there is still a chance for everyone to get out and see shows. The artists and the staff across all the venues have done a fantastic job as always.' Fringe Director Christie Anthoney [left] says: 'The Adelaide crowd has made good again cracking the 150,000 ticket barrier in tough financial times. Even more exciting is the fact that the final total is guaranteed to rise when we include the sales from national ticketing partners. It's going to be a strong finish to the third annual Fringe.' Bank SA Managing Director Rob Chapman says: 'The Fringe continues to be the main event on the festival calendar and Fringe fans are out in full force making the most of it.' Bank SA is offering Fringe-goers the chance to win $1000 by heading to the Talkfringe website www.talkfringe.com and voting for their favourite artists and favourite shows.
Adelaide Fringe runs 27 Feb 09 to 22 March 09. Thanks to Duncan Fraser, head of press, Adelaide Fringe for this report, which is an edited version of his press release dated 17 March 09.
Source - Duncan Fraser, head of press, Adelaide Fringe - 17 March 09 - www.adelaidefringe.com.au
Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2009 runs from Thursday 12 March to Sunday 29 March in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. This information is from a press release by publicist Trish McGuinness, Podge Publicity (edited):
Acts include Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Paul Merton & His Impro Chums, Ross Noble, Clive James, Brendan Burns, Jim Jeffries, Ed Byrne, David O'Doherty, Andrew Maxwell, Frank Carson for the Festival, Reginald D Hunter, Tony Law, Hans Teeuwen, Tam Cowan, Janey Godley, Scott Agnew, Des McLean, Kevin Bridges, Sarah Millican, John Hegley, Dave Spikey, Mark Steel, Richard Herring. 104,000 tickets will be available for 370 shows spread across 51 venues over 18 days. Festival Ticket Hotline is 0870 013 5464 or see www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com.
Scottish Comedy Agency Director Tommy Sheppard says 'For many people these are difficult times and it will get worse before it gets better. More than ever people need cheering up – and that's exactly what we'll do.' Jules Macken, GB Brand Manager for Magners says 'Comedy is the perfect fit for Magners – and plays an important role in the development of our brand. Magners' support for the Comedy Festival over the past two years has helped to increase audiences and visitors to the city - and this year we hope that we can build on this success. This year we will be extending our promotional support across TV and outdoor advertising alongside strong support for the licensed trade in Glasgow.
Bailie Gordon Matheson of Glasgow City Council, says 'The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival is now the largest comedy festival in Europe, entertaining thousands of locals and visitors each year. Once again, the festival team has organised a fantastic programme offering an impressive mix of home-grown and international talent. The festival, which is now a firm favourite in the city's annual events calendar, also reinforces Glasgow's growing reputation as one of the top live entertainment centres in Britain.' Paul Bush, OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, says 'Glasgow's International Comedy Festival has grown phenomenally over the past seven years to become one of the most well attended and highly acclaimed comedy festivals in the UK. This year the event forms an exciting part of our Homecoming programme and as such will be welcoming performers and audiences from around the world with an affinity for Scotland. I have no doubt that the event will be bigger and better than ever.'
There are 51 venues stretching from Easterhouse to Shawlands, via the Trongate to the Clyde, from massive shows at the 3,000 seater Clyde Auditorium or in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall, to the hottest names on the circuit making it standing room only at intimate, atmospheric gigs in Brel, Blackfriars and Universal. Genres include: sketch shows, character comedians, impro, music, theatre, poetry, shows for children, debates, history, magic, cinema, radio, comedy speed dating. Formats include: solo shows, multiple line-ups, lunchtime specials, matinees, late night line-ups, budget shows, free shows, youngsters, old hands comedic representatives from every English speaking nation. Have a go yourself with workshops or sit in as the audience at shows recorded for radio.
The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival was established in 2003 and is now in its seventh year. Magners Irish Cider has been the title sponsor since 2007. The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival is also supported by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Glasgow City Council, EventScotland and Homecoming Scotland 2009. The festival is organised by the Scottish Comedy Agency, a sister company of Salt'n'Sauce Promotions Ltd, which owns and operates The Stand Comedy Clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Tickets for all shows are available via the respective venue's own box offices or direct from the festival ticket hotline on 0870 013 5464.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 is funded by the Scottish Government and is managed by EventScotland the national events agency in partnership with VisitScotland, the country's national tourism agency. Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world. 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, with the programme's design guided by Scotland's unique position as the home of Burns himself, golf, whisky, great minds and innovations, and Scotland’s culture and heritage which lives on at home and through Scotland's global family. www.homecomingscotland2009.com
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau is funded by Glasgow City Council with contributions from the private sector. Glasgow City Marketing Bureau is engaged in national and international activity comprising: development and implementation of the city branding campaign: Glasgow: Scotland with style; event creation, attraction, management and marketing; conventions, incentives, meetings and exhibition sales; conference and event accommodation bookings and public relations www.seeglasgow.com.
EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world's leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland's international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. www.eventscotland.org.
VisitScotland is Scotland's national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland. The organisation has five roles: To give strategic direction to the tourism industry. To attract visitors by marketing Scotland and the country's tourism assets to all parts of the world in the UK and internationally. To provide information and inspiration to visitors and potential visitors to enable them to get the best out of a visit to Scotland. To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to industry partners to ensure the industry delivers to meet or exceed visitors' expectations. To promote partnerships with the wider industry to ensure we all reap the economic benefits of collective effort. VisitScotland is working with the tourism industry and other partners to achieve a 50 per cent growth in tourism revenues for Scotland by 2015. The organisation employs over 1,000 people and has offices and tourist information centres across Scotland. www.visitscotland.org.
Source - Trish McGuinness, Podge Publicity, 10 March 09 (date of release January 09)
Funny Women has a charity event Celebrity Funny Women on Sunday 8 March 2009. The London Studios, London Television Centre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9LT. Doors 18:00, show 19:00, ends 21:30. VIP Party 21:30. 'Dress Code: Wear Great Shoes'. Box office proceeds 'will be donated to our beneficiary charity ActionAid.' £30 plus booking fees and £60 VIP ticket to include after show party. Tickets on sale via Ticketmaster: 0844 847 2375. http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Celebrity-Funny-Women-tickets/artist/982476. Funny Women 020 8948 4444; www.funnywomen.com; womensday@funnywomen.com
Host is Claire Sweeney. 'Four female celebrities face the challenge of becoming funny women, mentored by some of our favourite comic performers. Be a part of our live audience at the famous London Studios, where the show is being recorded for later broadcast, and raise money for a great cause.' They are: Janet Ellis teamed with Jan Ravens; Lynne Franks with Tanyalee Davis; Gabby Logan with Andi Osho; Jeni Barnett with Mandy Muden.
Source - Lynne Parker, director, Funny Women, 3 March 2009
The Adelaide Fringe opened on Friday 27 February with a party and parade from 18:00 till late in the East End of Adelaide. Thanks to Duncan Fraser, head of press, Adelaide Fringe for this report, which is an edited version of his press release dated 22 Feb 09:
Fringe Opening Night begins with a bang on Friday 27 February 09 with the return of the legendary parade, a huge opening night party and concert for thousands of Fringe-goers. Best of all the whole evening is free. A Pod Stage party will showcase snippets of Fringe shows from 18:00 on specially constructed pod stages which dot Rundle Street between Frome and East Terrace. The Parade is back after an enforced two-year hiatus. Our parade masterminds have three years worth of dazzling ideas, quirky concepts and enthusiasm to fill Adelaide's East End. A brand new parade route starts at the corner of Flinders Street and Hutt Street and continues down East Terrace before tuning right up Rundle Road towards Kent Town and finishes in between Rymill Park and the Garden of Unearthly Delights. Get a great Parade Pozzy before 19:30. Parade insiders recommend: along Hutt Street between Flinders and Pirie or on East Terrace between Pirie and Grenfell. Stepping off at 20:00 everyone should expect the unexpected with this year's parade theme of smoke and mirrors guaranteed to bring some mystique and magic to our everyday streets.
Following straight on from the parade is the Pyrophone Juggernaut – the world's largest multi-octave fire organ which has the distinctive quality of shooting 15 metre flames from its pipes. Operated by five artists in Rymill park, it will be a performance to delight the eyes, ears and skin that will repeat throughout the night from 20:45 onwards. As night falls we bring on the musos and the party times. Fringe fanatics will flood down into Rymill Park at 21:00 for a Kaurna Greeting to Country with Paitya Dancers and to welcome local lads The Levitators to the stage. Following on will be SA buzz-band Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! with headlining duties skilfully taken on by NSW hip-hop legends TZU and the Fringe Benefits SPIN DJ competition winner Well Being will keep the crowd bouncing between sets. The Pyrophone Juggernaut will also run in Rymill Park on 28 Feb 09 and 1 March 09, free hourly performances from 20:00. Semaphore Foreshore Reserve will also host the Pyrophone Juggernaut in the evening from 6-9 March 09.
Source - Duncan Fraser, head of press, Adelaide Fringe - 22 February 09 - www.adelaidefringe.com.au
Regular visitors to Edinburgh's annual Festival Fringe in August will know Kath M Mainland as Assembly's charming and welcoming general manager in 2004. Since then she has been administrative director of Edinburgh's Book Festival. Kath has now accepted the challenge (no, no, don't say 'poisoned chalice') of being the Fringe's first-ever Chief Executive. The Fringe Programme 2009 will be launched on Thursday 11 June 09. Fringe 2009 dates are 7-31 August 09. Official site is www.edfringe.com. Edinburgh Fringe's official spokesman Owen O'Leary issued this release at 09:50 GMT on Friday 20 February 09 (edited):
Kath M Mainland was born in Orkney in 1969 where she grew up and went to school. After studying English at Glasgow University, and Accountancy at the University of Strathclyde, she began her career in the arts in 1991 as administrative assistant at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She left the Fringe after five years to become a freelance festivals and events producer, and for eight years was involved in many of Scotland’s major festivals and events including; BBC Music Live, Burns And A’ That, the Champions League Final, the opening of Harvey Nichols, the MTV European Music Awards, Castle Concerts and the Beltane Fire Festival. During those eight she also ran the Assembly Rooms, one of the highest profile venues at the Fringe and was Production Co-Coordinator for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay before, during and after the Millennium celebrations. She joined the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the largest public celebration of the written word, as General Manager in January 2005 and is currently the Administrative Director. She lives with her partner in Edinburgh, in Leith.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest arts festival and brings an estimated economic benefit of £100 million to Edinburgh and the wider Scottish economy. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is an open arts festival attracting national and international talent across Theatre, Comedy, Music, Dance, Visual Arts and Events. Well-known talents that have left their mark on the festival include: Christian Slater, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Ricky Gervais, Emma Thompson, Matt Lucas & David Walliams, Hugh Grant, Robin Williams, Joan Collins and Billy Connolly. The festival has also been a springboard for international touring success for hundreds of shows including Black Watch, La Clique and Stomp. Fringe 2008 featured 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows in 247 venues and over 1.5 million tickets were sold (1,535,519) - the third time and third consecutive year the Fringe has passed the 1.5 million mark.
Kath began her career at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as an administrative assistant in 1991 and following her time at the Fringe she became a freelance festivals and events producer. For eight years she was involved in many of Scotland's major festivals and events including; BBC Music Live, Burns And A' That, the Champions League Final, the opening of Harvey Nichols, the MTV European Music Awards, Castle Concerts and the Beltane Fire Festival. During this time Kath was General Manager for Assembly Theatre, one of the highest profile venues at the Fringe and was Production Co-Coordinator for Edinburgh's Hogmanay before, during and after the Millennium celebrations. In January 2005 Kath became General Manager of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and is currently Administrative Director.
Kath was one of over 100 applicants from around the globe for the new post of Chief Executive to oversee the running of the world's largest arts festival. As Chief Executive Kath will head up a team including three new senior managers to be appointed in early March. In accepting the post Kath M Mainland said 'I'm absolutely thrilled, delighted and honoured to be joining the Fringe as Chief Executive Officer, heading up the team responsible for running the world's greatest arts festival. I started my career at the Fringe 17 years ago and have always been a passionate supporter of the festival. The Fringe is a hugely important platform for performers from all over the world, a major driver for tourism and economic development and an unrivalled cultural opportunity for the people of Edinburgh. I look forward to building on its strengths and leading a world-class organisation for a world class Festival.'
Baroness Elizabeth Smith, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fringe said 'Heading up the world's biggest celebration of the Arts is a challenging role, and we are confident that Kath is perfectly suited for it. Her wide range of festivals and events experience in addition to her knowledge of the importance of the Fringe to Edinburgh and the wider Scottish Economy sees her ideally placed to take the festival to the next level.' Kath will take up the role in late May. Tim Hawkins will remain as General Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of the festival and ensure a smooth handover in advance of Fringe 2009.
Source (except first paragraph) - Owen O'Leary, Edinburgh Festival Fringe press officer, Friday 20 February 09
Edinburgh Festival Fringe issued the following statement at www.edfringe.com on 4 February 2009:
'The independent review of the Festival Fringe Society Box Office system has now been completed. It makes a number of recommendations to help improve the biggest arts festival in the world. A statement from the Fringe Board of Directors said:
'"We welcome the work of the Steering Committee in commissioning the report. Many of the recommendations mirror changes that are already well underway for this year's festival. With the help of the City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Executive, the Board has set a confident direction for the Fringe in 2009 and going forward.
'"These steps are part of a radical process of change in the Fringe - specifically in relation to the staffing structure, the business model and the negotiation of a new Box Office system. These changes will ensure that the incoming chief executive inherits an organisation that can reinforce the Fringe's position as the biggest and best arts festival in the world with a box office system to match.
'"The Board has recognised the box office difficulties of the past year and learned from the experience. The recommendations contained within this report combined with the ongoing process of change will allow the Fringe to greatly enhance the services the festival provides to public and performers alike."'
Read the full Scott-Moncrieff Report pdf here - 'Festival Fringe Society Limited. Review of the Box Office System Project'. (c) Scott-Moncrieff Chartered Accountants 2008. All rights reserved. 'Scott-Moncrieff' refers to Scott-Moncrieff Chartered Accountants, a member of Moore Stephens International Limited, a worldwide network of independent firms.
Source - Edinburgh Festival Fringe www.edfringe.com (http://www.edfringe.com/story.html?id=2609&area_id=26) - 4 February 2009
Dublin Fringe Festival is 5-20 September 2009. In the past there have been up to 110 shows across the arts in 40 venues across Dublin. All details at www.fringefest.com, and see dublinfringefestival.blogspot.com. Unusually for a fringe festival, it has a vetted list of shows. Applications are invited now; deadline Friday 3 April 2009. Pre-application talks are on Tuesday 17 February 09. Head of Press Tom Lawlor writes (edited):
'The 15th Dublin Fringe Festival invites submissions for its annually anticipated, culture jamming line-up of contemporary arts this September. As in previous years, the call for applications has been heard around the world, as Dublin Fringe continues its search for new, exciting and challenging work through all arts communities.
'This year, Dublin Fringe sees itself as the platform for works which confront, embrace and defy this year of remarkable change and challenges. From celebrating the fresh re-emergence of DIY culture to reclaiming more empty spaces, experimental theatre and performance to experiential arts on a grand and minute scale, to arts on the street and in even more unexpected places, Dublin Fringe's 2009 programme will not shy away from exploration of where we are and how we got here; as a city, nation and international community of makers, doers, seers and thinkers.
'Róise Goan (Dublin Fringe Festival Director) says: "Dublin Fringe Festival has long served as a spring-board for fresh new Irish and international artistic voices, as well as a home for risk-taking and cutting-edge performance by more established artists. This year we are inviting artists across all disciplines to imagine Dublin with a new vision for the time we live in; to be brave, bold and uncompromising in their engagement with the cultural, social and physical landscape of the city."
'A debut at Dublin Fringe can propel a small start-up company or emerging artist into the national spot light. This year the Dublin Fringe invites new and young artists to invigorate, investigate, challenge, defy, teach, excite and inspire its audience. As a year-round organisation which aims to promote, nurture and engage Irish artists, this year Dublin Fringe will once again host pre-application talks open to all interested parties on Tuesday 17 February 2009. Topics that will be covered include: Online application process, supporting material requirements, financial deals offered by the festival and fundraising. This follows the hugely successful call for applications for MAKE, a new collaborative initiative between Dublin Fringe Festival, Project Arts Centre and Theatre Forum. Applications are now closed for this residential laboratory open to Irish and international artists where ideas for new performance works will be developed over one week in March 2009 with renowned international theatre artists.
'For 16 days and nights Dublin Fringe Festival 2009 offers an around-the-clock season of events, live gigs and performances. With up to 110 shows spanning theatre, dance, music, live and visual arts in 40 venues across Dublin, Dublin Fringe is a full-on, immersive arts experience that attracts audiences in their thousands to off-kilter, experimental and seductively thrilling shows.
'In 2008, Dublin Fringe Festival broke box office records for the third year in a row and played host to top international shows and new Irish theatre, dance and art. Festival productions have been nominated in different categories at the Irish Times Theatre Awards 2009, and others, which premiered at the Fringe, are now touring both nationally and internationally.'
Source - Tom Lawlor, head of press, Dublin Fringe, 2 February 09
Camden Fringe runs 3-30 August 2009. The deadline for acts to apply is 31 March 09. According to directors Michelle Flower and Zena Barrie, lots of companies and performers who have appeared before have already signed up. This year Zena and Michelle are making a special welcome to brand new faces. Michelle says:
'The Camden Fringe is a London-based alternative to Edinburgh, with fewer time and financial commitments. We're interested in all sorts of performances and performers - it's a great chance to perform new work in a supportive environment. We'll have some shiny new venues this year and would love to have some new acts to put in them!
'Please see our website www.camdenfringe.org for more details.'
More... Camden Fringe 2008: Michelle de-briefs
Source - Michelle Flower and Zena Barrie, co-directors of Camden Fringe, 27 January 2009
Stand Up Drama is looking for a director and a producer. Deadline 3 February 2009. CVs to company director Clare English clare@standupdrama.com. Full details are at www.standupdrama.com/#/vacancies/4532681718
Source - Melissa Leigh, Stand Up Drama, 28 January 2009
Belinda Sosinowicz, Creative Director at Personality Plus writes at 23 January 09 (edited):
'The Creative Personalities Festival 2009 will take place in Leeds, UK on Friday 30 January, 11am - 5pm. Tickets cost £10. The event is free for personality disorder service users. Tickets are available from The Carriageworks box office. To book tickets call 0113 224 3801. For more information visit: www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk, www.commlinks.co.uk, www.personalityplus.org.uk
'Creative Personalities 2009 is an arts festival celebrating creative personalities and featuring works by people with, or who identify with, personality disorders. The festival is at The Carriageworks - a leading theatre and arts venue in the Millennium Square, Leeds. Leeds is on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England UK. The festival is an exciting day of film, art, debates, interactive workshops, and a series of original theatre performances. It is open to the general public and personality disorder service users.
'A free preview exhibition of highlights from local artists and pieces from the show's launch event at London's Tate Modern is also on until the end of January 09. The festival features artworks submitted by local artists from across Yorkshire and the Humber many of whom have a personality disorder or are closely involved with people who have the diagnosis. Hosted by Yorkshire-based mental health charity Community Links, Creative Personalities is organised in association with user-led group Personality Plus, Tate Modern, and The Carriageworks venue. Community Links runs over 14 mental health services and provides support for 700 people.
'Director of Development and Planning at Community Links, John Anderson says "Creative Personalities 2009 acts as an important platform to raise awareness of personality disorder as a mental health issue. Many people find that art is a really useful way of getting to grips with difficult feelings and we hope these events will help break down the stigma people diagnosed with PD often face. We hope it will also provide opportunities to develop more creative projects led by people with mental health issues across Yorkshire and the Humber."
'Personality Plus was established in January 2007 as a community interest company. It is a user-dedicated organisation that aims to help people who identify with personality disorder to collectively voice opinions about issues they face and celebrate their achievements. The group seeks to challenge misleading perceptions or stigmatising views of personality disorder. It is a national initiative supported by Borderline UK, The Arts Council, Tate Modern, The Carriageworks, and The National Institute for Mental Health in England.
'Around 10-13 per cent of the UK population are affected by personality disorder. The diagnosis describes long-term personality traits and behaviours that others may find unusual, like the inability to form social relationships or impulsive behaviour. It is often a result of abuse, loss, neglect or a traumatic experience. Personality Plus specifically provides those with more 'avoidant' and socially-excluded characteristics the opportunity to become more involved in society and step beyond the isolation they may be experiencing. For people who may be caught up in self-destructive behaviours, Personality Plus shows how to effectively and meaningfully channel these difficult feelings in a creative rather than a harmful way.
'Theatre premieres. Creative Personalities 2009 will provide a platform showcasing outcomes of these processes to a new audience. The festival will feature two major theatre premieres. Well–known Bradford group The Shoestring Theatre Co will be collaborating with renowned local writer Clare Shaw to premiere a piece titled That's not the way to do it!. The 1 in 4 Theatre Company will debut a performance challenging public perceptions of personality disorder and mental health. The Story So Far will be performed by Theatre Tonic, part of the Red Cape Theatre Group which won an award at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
'Films. During the day, The Carriageworks auditorium will also showcase a series of short films including Bobby Baker's acclaimed Life as a Pea, as shown at The Barbican art venue in London, and other exploratory works by local and national artists. Moving podcast films made in collaboration with art therapists during the launch of the exhibition at London's Tate Modern, will be shown alongside a challenging film made by young people highlighting the difficulties experienced by many diagnosed with the disorder.
'Workshops and insights into the creative process. Workshops will be running throughout the day to encourage participants to express themselves through their creativity. As part of this Richard Neville, an experienced story-teller, will facilitate a space in which people can tell their own positive stories. Tony Gammidge will help visitors make a short animation, to be shown during the day. Clare Shaw, an acclaimed local poet and creative writer who has worked with Shoestring Theatre on the performance showing at the event, will also facilitate a creative writing workshop.
'Talks & Interactive Performances. A series of talks and interactive performances will provide an opportunity to understand the working process of professional artists and give an insight into how creativity can aid in the recovery of personality diagnosis. Andy Brooker's touching, profound and inspirational talk will offer rare insight into the creative processes. He will talk about his visual artwork and how it relates to his personal experience. Sean Burn experiments with space as an interactive performance and debating arena, where the audience respond to it by being in and around the work. He will be showing an interdisciplinary work Bastilles England, three short films and one soundwork. Julie Bagwash will explore her visual artwork and installation piece called Isolation Tank - a work based on her experience of being on an acute ward in Mallorca, where she was heavily sedated and strapped onto a bed for four weeks. The Carriageworks is also hosting a space for participants to create their own art work and explore this alongside a professional art therapist. They will be able to make audio podcasts about the work and their experiences which will be available on the Personality Plus web site.
'Local Councillor John Procter, Executive Member for Leisure at Leeds Council says "It's great that The Carriageworks venue is showcasing the creative abilities of people with a personality disorder. I hope the festival will provide opportunities for the public to develop a better understanding of the complexities of these disorders and what we can learn about how to tackle the factors that create them in the first place."'
Source - Belinda Sosinowicz, Creative Director, Personality Plus - 23 January 09
Adelaide Fringe runs from Friday 27 February until Sunday 22 March 2009. The Fringe Guide launched 13 January 09. Tickets went on sale from Wednesday 14 January at 9am. To book tickets go to adelaidefringe.com.au or call Fringe TIX 1300 374 643. Duncan Fraser, publicist for Adelaide Fringe 2009, writes (edited):
'Adelaide Fringe 2009 is the largest Festival in Australia, with over 500 shows. 4,977 performances of 517 shows will take place in 259 venues during Fringe 2009. It would take 21 days to watch every show at the Fringe back to back. The shortest show, Toys lasts 15 minutes and the longest two days, Fringe Family Weekend, 8 & 9 March 09. The smallest venue only has only 20 seats available for each performance of Scarborough. The largest venue seats over 1,000 people and that's where Adam Hills and Dave Hughes will take to the stage. There are 293 Australian Premieres at Fringe 2009, that's well over 50%. A crowd of 60,000 is expected to attend the massive opening night party on Friday 27 February 09. Performers from: Algeria, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, South Africa, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, UK and USA will bring shows to Adelaide. The word Fringe appears 399 times in the official 2009 Fringe Guide. The very first Fringe events took place in 1960 when 27 shows were listed. The Fringe was run biennially until 2006. In 2007 Adelaide Fringe went annual with 403 shows registered. 2009 will be the third annual Fringe.
'Adelaide Fringe 2009 will launch with a free party for over 60,000 revellers in Adelaide's east end. Over 100 Fringe artists will take part in a Smoke and Mirrors parade on the edge of the city's parklands and perform at the party on mini outdoor stages. Hip-hop crew TZU headline the main stage with support from upcoming bands Fire, Santa Rosa, Fire! and The Levitators. "This year a whopping 293 shows are Australian premieres and that's fantastic news for Fringe-goers,' says Christie Anthoney, Fringe Director. "Both artists and audiences use the Fringe as an opportunity to try new things, take risks and discover original entertainment. Fresh ideas from the minds of artists crossover into audience experiences as the festival transforms the city into a playground where you can feel a festival buzz and soak up the legendary summer weather."
'Comedy, Dance and Cabaret focus in on popular culture; giving Fringe-goers the opportunity to You Tube Your Own Adventure, get to the bottom of who pinched the coffee in A Dingo Stole My Latte and witness the protection of the Last Bucket of Water in Australia. Audiences might struggle to recognise humdrum statistics when they meet physical theatre in Pie Charts and Panties. Cabaret for the i-generation is promised in My Significant Other is a Mobile Phone.
'A number of Theatre and Music shows involve Africa. Apartheid South Africa is explored In the Arms of a Lion, dreams of a young girl are followed in Ndito the Masai Girl and Free Man of Colour looks at the life of the first black student in an American university. Gospocentric promises to be a Gospel extravaganza and House of the Holy Afro a truly African sonic safari. In Mujahid Ahmed is On African Time a local Sudanese comedian takes on the clashes between African and Australian culture.
'It wouldn't be Adelaide Fringe without some unusual venues. This year they include a disused jail, a suburban home, Adelaide Zoo, a beauty salon, the carpark of a pub, a vineyard, Adelaide Airport, the State Library, various Op Shops and, just to be difficult, a set of secret GPS coordinates that will be sent to audiences' mobile phones. The Fringe Factory is returning to Queens Theatre for the first time since 2006 and two additional Fringe Factory venues will be created in abandoned shops on Hindley Street. Fringe Family Weekend returns on 7 & 8 March 09 bursting with family-friendly contemporary art and culture. With a little help from the BigPond Adelaide Film Festival and the Australian International Documentary Conference a city-wide social-gaming environment will be created through the playground program. There will be mass competitive picnicking in the parklands, GPS controlled hide and seek on bicycles, mobile phone directed treasure hunts and top secret Flashmob missions all the way from New York city - Adelaide will never look the same again.
'upstART returns on the 9-11 March 09 and will provide the opportunity for emerging artists to showcase their new work for the very first time at a festival. Format, the DIY event which hosts Zine Fair, enters its third year on 14-15 March 09. Architecture becomes part of the Fringe with the launch of Blueprint which features A Walking Tour of the Good, the Bad and the Bloody Odd that promises to surprise even the most design-savvy locals, as well as some UniSA students who are turning their attention to designing Adelaide’s perfect party street. Street Theatre returns to the city in a bath tub complete with butcher, baker and candlestick maker traveling through Rundle Mall - that's Three Men in a Tub. The Fringe Club will be back for two nights only up in Port Augusta; the home of Desert Fringe on 20-21 March 09. Many comedians are bringing never-before-seen shows to Fringe including: Adam Hills, Charlie Pickering, Daniel Townes, Bart Freebairn, Mark Trenwith, Nik Coppin, Rich Hall, Sammy J and Simon Palomares. The BankSA Support Act program will continue to get lots of bums on seats. Generous financial assistance from BankSA will allow 100 selected Fringe artists to drop the price of over 3,500 tickets to just $10. BankSA will pay the difference to the artists so tickets are cheaper for Fringe-goers, and the artists don't end up out of pocket. Get online at www.talkfringe.com from 14 January 09 to take advantage of the $10 ticket deal before it runs dry.
'Fringe Chair, Judy Potter says, "I'm thrilled that Adelaide becomes the home to the best selection of theatre, comedy, cabaret, dance and visual arts every summer. The Adelaide Fringe became an annual festival three years ago and the event is continuing to surprise and delight us with new ideas and experiences." Bank SA Managing Director Rob Chapman says, "The growth of the Fringe as an annual event has been phenomenal. Not only does it keep getting bigger and better every year, it continues to smash records. This year's creative pandemonium is set to put Adelaide on the world stage with a phenomenal line-up of performances. We have no doubt that Fringe-fans and converts will again embrace this year's event."'
'The Fringe Guide will be available in every copy of the Advertiser 14 January 09, state-wide in branches of BankSA and by Monday 17 January 09 ready for collection in over 100 Foodland outlets across South Australia.'
Source - Duncan Fraser, Publicist, Adelaide Fringe - 13 January 09
Fringe goes begging to Arts Council for half a million plus. Box office crash blamed. Acting director Tim Hawkins needs £100k per month. Fringe Sunday axed? Sponsors not donating. Arts companies can't afford to go. Ticket sales plummeting - more... Guardian. Hunt for new Fringe's first-ever £55k pa Chief Executive. Tim Hawkins, Faith Liddell, Mary Shields, Kath Mainland tipped. First task: restoring Fringe's damaged reputation. Scottish Goverment gives quarter Fringe million bailout cash. Fringe Roadshow: New York, Seoul, Adelaide? - more... Scotsman. Locals lament Fringe Sunday axe 'Great shame if the most open of all the festivals couldn't throw a big event' - more... Journal. Fringe Sunday cost rockets to £70k. No headline sponsor - more... BBC
Source - Fringe Report news roundup - at 13 January 09
Oxfordshire brewery and pub-owner Brakspear will invest in this year's Oxford Fringe. Oxford Fringe runs 1-13 April 2009. Fringe directors are Heather Dunmore and Sarah Jones. Oxford Fringe's Andrew Chapman writes (edited):
'Brakspear is one of Oxfordshire's leading traditional brewers, producing their hand-crafted beers at the Wychwood Brewery in Witney. We are delighted to be working with a friendly, local company that understands and promotes Oxfordshire.
'Heather Dunmore and Sarah Jones, Oxfringe's Co-Directors say: "Our new partnership with Brakspear is very important to us and will provide a cornerstone to help us build Oxfringe into an innovative and exciting fringe festival to rival Brighton, Bath, Buxton, Cambridge or even Edinburgh."'
'Oxfringe is a non-profit organisation, financially supported by main sponsors Brakspear and other national and local business. Oxfringe began with two events in 2007. In 2008 there were 39 shows across around 60 performances, and the festival is expected to grow larger still for 2009. The Oxfringe printed brochure will be available from March 09 across the city. Oxfringe is also grateful to Grassroots Grants at the Oxfordshire Community Foundation, Borders, The Midcounties Co-operative and Oxford Editors for their support.'
Source - Andrew Chapman, Oxfringe - 2 January 09
The 6th London Short Film Festival is 9-18 January 09. For full programme details see www.shortfilms.org.uk. Directors Philip Ilson & Kate Taylor write (edited):
'The cornerstone of the London Short Film Festival (LSFF) is the 13 new shorts programmes playing across the 10 venues of this year's festival. So there's something for everyone - whether you're a horror or midnight movie aficionado, into comedy, a romantic at heart, a hardcore experimentalist, like your films low budget, only interested in true-life documentaries, a music fanatic, love beautiful imagery, or into women, men or teenagers. All life is here.
'LSFF Venues & Booking Details: ICA - http://www.ica.org.uk/6th%20London%20Short%20Film%20Festival+18788.twl. Curzon Soho & Renoir - http://www.curzoncinemas.com/whats_on/all_times/all_venues/london_short_film_festival. Roxy Bar & Screen - http://www.roxybarandscreen.com/. Rich Mix - http://www.richmix.org.uk/film_ldnshort08.htm. BAFTA - http://www.bafta.org/calendar-event.html?btype=day&Gday=200901160000000. National Portrait Gallery - http://www.npg.org.uk/live/film.asp. Shunt Vaults - http://www.shunt.co.uk/jan06.html
'LSFF Facebook Group - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=40000479155#/group.php?gid=7842147031 with full details on events within the Festival: Outsiders music & film, with Jeremy Warmsley, Paloma Faith, Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring & others - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=38085383443. Darryl's Hard Liquor & Porn - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=40000479155#/event.php?eid=40000479155. Howling Feedback industry networking sessions - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=40000479155#/event.php?eid=36448579577. Sound & Vision: An Evening With Zan Lyons, ThinkSync Films & Warp - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=40000479155#/event.php?eid=45526565665. Night of the Living Docs - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7842147031#/event.php?eid=38326746375. Vauxhall Auteur Theory Award - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7842147031#/event.php?eid=38686633250. Kris Marshall retrospective - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7842147031#/event.php?eid=53076575109. Beat Happening Sessions: One Man In The Band + Live Music & Video - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7842147031#/event.php?eid=39503858785. Club des Femmes - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7842147031#/event.php?eid=40102723646&ref=ts. Kino London - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7842147031#/group.php?gid=39965446610&ref=ts
'On-Line Partners - London Short Film Festival has a presence here: BBC Film Network – check out the London Short Film Festival page at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/C55744. Shooting People – check out our daily bulletins on the UK's number one independent film community and network http://shootingpeople.org. Shorts TV – Shorts TV will be covering some of the Festival, including our Kris Marshall event at BAFTA. Check out what they have on offer at http://www.shortstv.com
'Awards. The 6th London Short Film Festival has individual awards partners throughout the 10 days (Shooting People / Darryl's Hard Liquor & Porn / Current TV / East End Film Festival / Time Out London / SCI-FI-LONDON / Club Des Femmes / Beat Happening / Wallflower Press / Under The Influence), and two major awards are announced during the festival: Vauxhall Auteur Theory Award & screening (Thursday 15 January 09, 7pm, Roxy Bar & Screen), with Robert Elms presenting the Award. The London Short Film Festival and Vauxhall are proud to showcase the new talents for whom filmmaking is a more rounded, person process as opposed to clear-cut, traditional filmmaking roles. In other words those cross disciplined filmmakers who write, direct, shoot, edit or write the music and act in their films. The short-listed filmmakers will have the chance to win £750 for first place and £250 for second place towards their next film project following in the footsteps of last year's winner Pinny Grylls with her film Peter And Ben and Johnny Kelly with his film Procrastination. This year's judges will include radio journalist and writer Robert Elms, who will attend to present the award. 2009 short-listed films to be screened: Car (Richard Nockles). Eric's Secrets (Lucia Ashmore). Ground Floor Right (Marlene Schlott Rasmussen). Hold On Twice (Francois Marry). I Do (William Westway). Keith Reynolds Can't Make It Tonight (Felix Massie). Love & Haight Ashbury (Abbie Brandon). Nantes (Gillian Biddle). Project One (Yohan Forbes). The Reason I Collect (Emma Curtis). Ryan (David Schofield). A Small Silent Film About Death (Steve Rainbow). Tasty Jam (Ricky Martin). UK Film Council Award For Best Film Of The Festival (Sunday 18 January, 6pm, Roxy Bar & Screen). The UK Film Council team up with The London Short Film Festival to give a £500 cash prize to the Best Film of the Festival, for a second year running, following in the footsteps of last year's winner Scott Graham with his film Shell. The short-list is chosen by festival directors Philip Ilson and Kate Taylor, choosing one single film from each of the 13 programmes of 'new shorts' screening throughout the festival. (See www.shortfilms.org.uk for further announcements)
'Extra items: Dazzle presents interfilm's 'Kurz in Berlin' / 'Berlin in Brief' at the 6th London Short Film Festival. The Hospital Club, 24 Endell St, Covent Garden, London. Sat 10 Jan doors 4.30pm, screening 4.45pm. Sat 17 Jan doors 4.30pm, screening 4.45pm. A selection of 8 award-winning films about Berlin including the Oscar winner 'Schwarzfahrer' ('Black Rider') by Pepe Danquart. Running Time 94' www.dazzlefilms.co.uk / www.interfilm.de. Duane Hopkins Shorts. Screening free at ICA from Friday 9 January 09. Before making Better Things, British director Hopkins studied painting and photography, and made two highly acclaimed short films. The first, Field is a dark, unblinking tale of bored children living in an unwelcoming rural area. The second, Love Me Or Leave Me Alone, is an honest examination of first love. Full details at http://www.ica.org.uk/Duane%20Hopkins%3A%20Field+18819.twl and http://www.ica.org.uk/Duane%20Hopkins%3A%20Love%20Me%20or%20Leave%20Me%20Alone+18820.twl. Kino London. LSFF this year is all about the journey - much the same can be said about the festival's Kino Kabaret project, except the journey here is likely to be somewhat rougher. Run by Kino London, the newest branch of the worldwide Kino filmmaking movement, Kino Kabaret is four days of collective beg-borrow-and-stealing, and immediate screening of the results. In true Kino tradition, Kino Kabaret is open to everyone over the age of 18, regardless of experience. Whether camera's your thing, editing, writing, directing, acting, composing. Kabaret is a true shoot-from-the-hip experience. For more info visit www.kinolondon.com or contact Sam for an application form: sam@kinolondon.com'
Source - Philip Ilson - Joint Director (with Kate Taylor), London Short Film Festival - 6 January 09
The deadline to register for Brighton Festival Fringe is Monday 9 February 2009. See www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk. Brighton Fringe Press Officer Kate Morrison says (edited):
'Hello all, I'm trying to do a bit of a push publicising registration as the deadline is coming up. Performers and promoters need to register their event by 9 February. Brighton Fringe 08: over 100,000 Fringe tickets were sold for 640 shows in 200 venues and the signs are that 2009 will eclipse even that. It's completely open access so anyone working in any artistic medium can take part – theatre, dance, visual arts, music – and venues range from allotments to a renovated bus station.
'Brighton Fringe 2009. 2-25 May 09. Sign up at www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/registration'
Source - Kate Morrison - Press Officer - Brighton Festival Fringe - 6 January 09
(There's a full-length feature on this story here: Ed Chappel - The Musical Comedy Awards. What? Why?)
The Musical Comedy Awards are launched today 7 January 2009. The first awards will take place on Saturday 11 April 09 at The Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London, N7 9EF. There will be two prizes, each £500. More information at www.musicalcomedy.co.uk. Details from Paul Sullivan PR in the following press release issued 7 January 09 (edited):
'The Musical Comedy Awards 2009 will be both an online and offline competition and will offer emerging musical comedians a unique platform to showcase their talents and a chance to win £500 and appear at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009. The awards are launched by Avin' A Larf Ltd as an opportunity for musical comedians to aquire an equal footing with the rest of the UK's comedy industry.
'To enter, contestants must upload videos of their original comedy songs on to www.musicalcomedy.co.uk - due to be live on 8 January 09 - where visitors to the site will be encouraged to vote for their favourite entries. The top twenty entries will then be judged by a jury of comedy industry experts who will select the five acts they would like to see perform live at The Musical Comedy Awards 2009 final which will take place at The Pleasance Theatre, London on Saturday, 11 April, 2009.
'The jury for the awards will consist of Perrier Award nominee Joanna Neary; Malcolm Hardee Award Winner, Doctor Coca Cola MacDonalds; Time Out Comedy Editor, Tim Arthur; and the Comedy Programmer for the Pleasance Theatre, Ryan Taylor. The jury will be chaired by Ed Chappel, founder of Avin' A Larf Ltd and The Musical Comedy Awards. Online viewers will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite entry from the five finalists and there will be a £500 prize for the winner of the online vote and a £500 prize for the winner of the jury vote which will both be announced at the final.
The top five comedians will also have the opportunity of promoting their work on a nationwide tour and there are plans to hold a gala night celebrating musical comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009 at which the winner/s of The Musical Comedy Awards 2009 will be given the opportunity to appear alongside some of the top names in musical comedy.
Musical comedy has enjoyed a huge resurgence in commercial and critical success in recent years with performers such as Tim Minchin, Bill Bailey and Flight of the Conchords entertaining audiences across the UK both at live venues and on television and radio. Tom Basden also won the if.comedy Award in 2007 for his unique musical comedy show. There has never been a better time than now to celebrate the diversity of musical comedy talent and its place as a stand-alone genre in the comedy industry.'
More at www.musicalcomedy.co.uk
Source - Paul Sullivan / Louise Lawrence - Paul Sullivan PR - 7 January 09
Joe Bateman, Festival Director Rushes Soho Shorts Festival writes as follows (edited):
'The entry form for this year’s Rushes Soho Shorts Festival can now be downloaded at www.sohoshorts.com. It’s free to enter, just send in your film on DVD along with an entry form to: Rushes Soho Shorts, 66 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4UH, UK.
'Call For Entries will close on Thursday 23 April 2009 with the shortlisted films being announced early June and the full programme available from 1 July 09. The Festival runs for 10 days; Wednesday 23 July to Friday 31 July 2009. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday 30th July 2009.
'Entry Criteria: Films must be no more than 12 minutes without credits. Films must have been completed between 1January 2008 and 23 April 2009. Films should be submitted on DVD with the entry form. A SAE should be sent with entries if they are to be returned.
'Competitive Categories: The Documentary Award, The Short Film Award, The Animation Award, The Music Video Award, The Broadcast Design Award, The Newcomers Award
'Celebrating the previous year’s best director in each of the six competition categories Short Film, Animation, Documentary, Music Video, Newcomer and Broadcast Design, the festival has built a phenomenal following and maintains a significant bridge between the independent and commercial film making communities.
'2009 includes additional out-of-competition programmes highlighting work from abroad along with numerous guest programmes showcasing amazing work produced in the UK and overseas. The 10 day event will also see a large range of seminars, lectures, networking events, receptions, Bar-B-Q’s, boat parties and live music performances.
'We’ve been very lucky to have such great support over the last decade and we’re very excited by the possibilities presenting themselves for the coming year and the years ahead. We’re planning the usual guest programmes, lunchtime seminars and late afternoon panels for 2009, if anyone is interested in getting involved it’d be great to hear from them
'The festival provides many programmes and events for free, intending to encourage, inspire and promote talented filmmakers to the public and the huge number of production companies and creative organisations in and around London and the UK.
'In 2008, post festival, the finalist’s films and selections of work from the festival shortlist were screened not only to Ad agencies, festivals and film organisations in London but also at events in Denmark, Australia, USA, Turkey, and Jersey (to name a few).
'Further Information at www.sohoshorts.com.'
Source - Joe Bateman, Festival Director, Rushes Soho Shorts Festival 6 January 09
Actors interested in creating an unusual improvisation event in London during Feb/March 09 need to apply to Michael John at the Actors Centre before 19 January. email: bookclass@actorscentre.co.uk. It costs £115. Details from press release (abbreviated):
'Night, London - Adventures in a Splintered City. 25 performers with a keen interest in improvisation are required for a unique project that combines training and performance. Chris Johnston will lead the Actors Centre/Tristan Bates Theatre (TBT)/Fluxx project, culminating in a 3-week run at the TBT in March 2009. 25 actors, 18 performances: a unique new form of improvised performance using video, music, multiple ongoing storylines and interventions by guest directors.
'The Training Element. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, February at 18.30 - 21.30. And 25, 26, 27, 28, February & 1 March at 10.30 - 17.30. Training will involve immersion in improvisation practice and the development of characters and relationships in preparation for performance. The Performance Element. 18 nights of performance 2-21 March (no Sundays).
'All the performances will be improvised on the night, directed live by Chris Johnston and invited guest directors. The characters and relationships developed during the training element will be taken into situations of conflict or exposition live in front of an audience. Everything that happens in the first show becomes the back-story for the second, everything in the second for the third, and so on. Guest directors will throw challenges at the actors to stretch the theatrical vocabulary of the event.
'Membership of the performance company entitles the performer to share in any profits of the performance run. Details available on request. Participating performers will be expected to share some responsibility for promotion of the performance run. Participants need to be able to attend all of the training sessions and the majority of the performance nights.
'To apply for this project, you need to email Michael John at the Actors Centre before 19 January stating the experience you've had with improvisation, and your interest in the particular challenge this project offers. email: bookclass@actorscentre.co.uk
'Fees for the Training Element. £95.00 giving access to the performance company. Non-Actors Centre members who are accepted onto the project will also be required to pay £20 guest membership.
'www.fluxx.co.uk supported by www.britishtheatre.com'
Source - Marcus Markou, director BritishTheatre.com - 5 January 09.
Peter Hitchens reports the defiance of comedy group the Moustache Brothers against the regime in Burma:
'In the unhurried police state of Burma the people are afraid of their rulers. General Than Shwe is the psychological warfare expert who heads the Junta. The only opposition comes from Aung San Suu Kyi, the hauntingly beautiful and tragic leader of the resistance (the National League of Democracy) in a beseiged villa - and The Moustache Brothers, a troupe of comedians in a tiny back-street theatre, who are forbidden to tell jokes in their native language. The internet is busily censored. The well-named Insein Prison is the hopeless home of many protestors and dissenters. Rangoon is a sort of tropical East Berlin.
'Apart from Auung San Suu Kyi and the monks, whose mild pacifism makes them horribly easy to crush if they rise in revolt, the only flickering trace of opposition is to be found in a rubble-heaped side street on the wrong side of the tracks in Mandalay.
'Here each night at 8.30, a small and incredibly brave group of people keep a light of free speech burning in the surrounding darkness. And it is very dark. For Mandalay at night makes Rangoon look like Manhattan. Night falls here like a thick blanket. You must fumble your way along unlit streets, hoping that will not fall down one of the many yawning holes in the pavement, down into the stinking drains beneath. Even the state telephone bureau functions by candlelight.
'But do not be put off, for without tourists the symbolic, heroic resistance of the Moustache Brothers would come to an end. They are comedians who dared to mock the regime. For this crime - for tyranny is terrified of laughter - two of them were imprisoned and set to work on chain gangs. Now released, they perform their act in English, laboriously learned, to tiny foreign audiences on a miniature stage. In truth, the performance is not very funny. But it is utterly magnificent.
'It is a heartbreaking and touching thing to see these men and their families daring to say the unsayable, to laugh at the deadly serious, especially in the menacing blackness from which - at any time - vengeance might suddenly emerge.
'The brothers, who had no idea that I was a reporter the night they entertained me, joke about the KGB and openly praise Auung San Suu Kyi. By the time I saw this performance I was so used to the air of oppression that I was lowering my own voice before saying anything remotely controversial. Yet these courageous people say such things out loud.
'All that protects them is the interest of the outside world. If the tourists stop coming, how long can their brave demonstration go on? The night I watched them, there were four of us in the audience. If the level falls much below this, will the regime feel safe to shut them down and throw them in a dungeon?
If you can, go to see the Moustache Brothers. They may not make you laugh but by heaven they will show you what courage looks like.'
The Moustache Brothers are U Par Par Lay, U Lu Zaw, Lu Maw. Website www.moustachebrothers.com
Source - Fringe Report asked Peter Hitchens and the editor of the Mail on Sunday for permission to use the quotes above and thank them for kindly agreeing. They are taken from his article 'Peter Hitchens Inside Burma' and some quotes above are edited (within context) to put the story concisely. Quotes are (c) Peter Hitchens & Mail On Sunday 14 December 08. We're also grateful to Peter Hitchens for subsequent correspondence with Fringe Report explaining more fully the importance of the work and courage of the Moustache Brothers.
Comedy company Good Sense of Humour (GSOH) issued the following release December 08:
'In 2009, Good Sense Of Humour (GSOH) will launch the Five Pound Fringe – a middle ground between the newly-established Edinburgh Comedy Festival and both the Free Fringe and Free Festival.
'Unsurprisingly, the key principal is that all the tickets cost £5.
'GSOH will be programming and running 3 spaces at the 2009 Fringe – Downstairs at The Tron, the GRV Studio and the GRV Cube. These spaces will be at the centre of the Five Pound Fringe umbrella, but will by no means be the extent of it. We actively encourage any venues or performers to take part in the movement.
'Our main aim for the Five Pound Fringe is to reduce costs, both for the performer and the punter. By offering tickets at a lower price we hope that audiences will be more willing to take a risk on an unknown show.
'Many Fringe shows seem to end up at about £5 by being on two-for-one ticket offers, or by having tickets on sale at the Half Price Hut. If we start with tickets priced at £5, there's no need for it to be seen as being cheapened.
'It will be an opportunity for audiences to use the Fringe as a chance to experience new work, new artists, and to take risks – as we believe a Fringe Festival should be.
'We hope that you will want to be part of this in some way. The Five Pound Fringe has been conceived as a movement to include any venues or individual performers who want to be involved, and is not curated in any way – as long as tickets for the performer cost £5, that show can be included within the Five Pound Fringe movement. Our aim is for there to be a Five Pound Fringe presence at as many venues as possible.
'We’re keen to stress that the Five Pound Fringe is not limited to comedy performances (although GSOH itself is a comedy production company). At our own venues we’ll be programming a mix of comedy, theatre, children's shows and music, and we welcome performances of all disciplines as part of the movement.'
Source - GSOH - 22 December 08
Underbelly co-director Ed Bartlam responds to Brighton Fringe Manager Nick Stockman's 19 December 08 statement:
'As we have already said, Underbelly is extremely disappointed that it is not returning to Brighton in 2009. I wish Nick wouldn't feel the need to be quite so defensive! We think the Brighton Fringe is great, and has the potential to grow and challenge other festivals. We just think it needs to look at how it moves forward in respect of growing an audience and developing an artistic reputation.
'We were very concerned last year by the amount of effort that was spent trying to make the Parlure happen: not because we didn't want the Parlure to happen but because we thought it was growing the festival too quickly, when the effort would have been better spent trying to develop what was already there.
'We're offering advice, not criticism! I fear Nick has taken it as the latter, which is a shame. It's also a shame that he feels the need to have a pop at our pulling power outside of Edinburgh. We're not claiming to be a internationally renowned company (yet!) but we have some draw and we did sell over 50% of the Fringe's tickets this year. That might help to explain the 37% increase in overall ticket sales. To be honest, it's disappointing that the organisers of the festival aren't able to acknowledge this. Still, as we have always done, we wish the Fringe well for 2009. I am sure they will continue to develop the festival and I hope they will continue to search out professional, high profile venues to take part in the Fringe. Unfortunately, and sadly, this will not be us in 2009.'
Source - Ed Bartlam & Charlie Wood, directors, Underbelly - 19 December 08
Nick Stockman, Manager of Brighton Fringe, replies to Underbelly's pull-out: 'In response to the Fringe Report article about the Underbelly at Brighton Fringe:
'High Costs
'Bringing an outdoor operation in from outside the city is an expensive enterprise. The costs to facilitate, staff and power tents on a site slap bang in the middle of the city can be high but Brighton Fringe and Brighton Council did everything in their power over the two years to mitigate the effects of these costs for the Underbelly.
'We appreciate it does take substantial sponsorship to put on an event the size of the Udderbelly but it is the responsibility of the venue organiser to find that sponsorship and funding, just as it's our responsibility to find sponsorship to support the event as a whole. We have been very successful at achieving this, announcing the continued support of all our major sponsors into 2009; First Capital Connect, Southern Water and Jeremy Hoye jewellers and Arts Republic stepping up to be the exclusive visual arts sponsors.
'Wider Marketing
'The Fringe has spent more money on marketing every year for the last four years. For the first time in 2008 we devoted extra resources to marketing targeted areas in London. There were posters on trains and stations directly referring to the Underbelly also for the first time. This had the effect of increasing the number of tickets bought by people from London by 43%. We are also steadily increasing national press coverage.
'Audience growth
'In respect of the long term growth strategy of Brighton Fringe the organisation is ahead of where we were projecting to be at this stage in our development; with more events, more ticket sales and more earned income than the top of five year forecasts in 2006. We are growing in a sustained managed way. Brighton Fringe 2008 featured 12.5% more events than in 2007 but grew ticket sales by 37%
'We know that mid-week ticket sales are a challenge - as they are at many other venues and festivals - and this is something we are constantly working to address with targeted publicity and schemes like two-for-one ticket offers.
'Edinburgh venues
'We work hard to engage with Edinburgh venue operators and show them the benefits of being involved in Brighton. Underbelly are not the only Edinburgh operator here, the Laughing Horse have already registered events for 2009. The Underbelly reputation is rightly justified in Edinburgh but I'm not sure how it extends beyond the Festival. We have little evidence of the Underbelly attracting significant numbers of people from outside Brighton. There has been a muted response to their withdrawal announcement here.
'The status of the Fringe is not threatened by the Udderbelly's withdrawal: we're going from strength to strength, year on year. The Parlure Spiegeltent which debuted last year is returning in 2009, and we will make further announcements in the coming weeks regarding other content for 2009.
'The Fringe in its current incarnation is still young and still growing its audiences and participants. Like any open access event promoters and venues will come and go but BFF Ltd (Brighton Festival Fringe) is in a strong position to maintain its position as one of the UK's leading festivals.'
(see Underbelly's reply 19 December 08)
Source - Nick Stockman - Brighton Fringe Manager - 17 December 08
Underbelly Limited issued this press release at 10 December 08:
Underbelly has decided not to return to the Brighton Fringe Festival in 2009 with the Udderbelly. Directors of Underbelly, Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, have issued the following statement:
'Brighton has been a fantastic home for our upside down, purple cow for the last 2 years. In both 2007 and 2008, we have tried to present the highest quality programme of theatre, comedy and music shows, and in doing so we hope that we have brought something original and enjoyable to this vibrant city.
'Many of our shows were very successful, both critically and at the box office: Caesar Twins and Tom Tom Club especially. Overall, however, the event has proved a stretch too far. The costs involved in running a temporary, outdoor event for a month are extremely high. With the current size of the festival and without substantial sponsorship, or alternative funding, the event is simply unviable.
'The Brighton Fringe has the potential to be one of the UKs foremost arts events but it needs to work hard at building its local audience and marketing itself to the wider UK arts audience. We found that the audience numbers were particularly stretched in the mid-week. We would urge the Fringe organisers to concentrate on this vital audience growth ahead of any growth in the number of shows or venues at the Fringe.
'We would like to thank the many people who have worked tirelessly to make Udderbelly happen in 2007 and 2008, in particular Ian Taylor from Brighton and Hove City Council and the staff of the Brighton Fringe Office and of Brighton Dome and Festival. We very much hope that Underbelly will return to Brighton in the near future and we wish everybody the best of success for the festival in 2009.'
(see Brighton Fringe's reply 19 December 08)
Source - Ed Bartlam & Charlie Wood, directors, Underbelly - 10 December 08
We'd like to provide a proper reception for you at the Fringe Report Awards in February 2009. This will cost around 5,000. Any suggestions about possible sponsors? We'd appreciate your ideas however wild, reasonable, vague or specific to reviews@fringereport.com. Thanks very much.
Source - John Park, editor Fringe Report - 26 November 08
Singer/songwriter Tally Koren is at Pizza On The Park, London, on Wednesday 29 October 08 to launch her album Timeless Melodies.
Pizza on the Park, 11-13 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LY. Tickets www.pizzaexpresslive.com or tel 08456 027 017. Website www.myspace.com/tallykoren
Source - Tally Koren 17 October 08
SH*T-M*X from producing company CurvingRoad (www.curvingroad.com/) is at Trafalgar Studios 2, 14 Whitehall, London W1 till Saturday 25 October 08.
It's written by Leo Richardson and directed by Samantha Potter. Cast includes Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Jay Taylor, Steven Webb, Leo Richardson, Cassie Atkinson. Producers - Sonja Rein, Sue Guiney, Verity Langley, Prav Menon-Johansson.
Mon-Sat 19:45. Matinees Thur & Sat 15:00. Tickets 22.50. Mon evenings and Thursday and Saturday matinees 15. Box Office - 0871 297 5461. www.theambassadors.com/trafalgarstudios/basket_sp_p4889.html
Source - producer Sonja Rein 14 October 08
Sadie Frost is returning to her roots as an actor in an upcoming production at London's cutting edge fringe/mainstream crossover venue, 90-seat Trafalgar Studios 2.
Long before her gossip-column-falling-pissed-out-of-clubs-into-taxis-with-toyboys days, Sadie Frost had a sharp reputation as an actor to be watched. She had the key part of Sarah Thompson in Edward Thomas's film of James Hawes's novel Rancid Aluminium. She was Lucy Westenra in Francis Ford Coppola's epic version of Dracula - with Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing - and Sharon Pellam in Peter Medak's stunning The Krays. Sadie Frost started her career at Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre and trained at Italia Conti. Her professional work has almost exclusively focussed on film and tv, so a sharp change into theatre - and the notoriously risky route of fringe theatre in particular - sounds lively. More on this story as it develops.
Industry source - 10 October 08
Westminster Reference Library is just off Leicester Square. It has a lecture and performance space which has events on 26 & 27 September 08 under the title Open Theatre. Both are free, please book.
Friday 26 September 08 evening at 18:00 (20:00). Lecture and performance. RADA Theatre Design graduate Katie Lias discusses her student work; Royal Opera House's Peter Farmer and Rodger Hulley discuss the design of English National Opera's latest production of Jonathan Miller's La Boheme from model to reality. Drew Caiden performs Strawberry Daiquiri.
Saturday 27 September 08 afternoon at 14:00 (16:30). Lecture and performance. Designer Michael Vale talks about his work including fringe, Royal Opera House, National Theatre, Glyndebourne, Royal Shakespeare Company. Drew Davies performs Fear of Projection (http://theinfamists.tumblr.com/), a 45 minutes multi-media romantic comedy.
Q&A session and refreshments will be provided. Both events are free. Please book with organiser Rossella Black on 020 7641 5250 or rblack1@westminster.gov.uk. There is a FaceBook group - Westminster Reference Library Events Diary. Westminster Reference Library, 35 St Martins Street, London WC2H 7HP - that's at the south end of Leicester Square. Tube is Leicester Square or Charing Cross.
Source - Rossella Black - 19 September 08
Legendary cabaret act Topping and Butch (Best Cabaret - FR Awards 04) appear in London's West End at Leicester Square Theatre Fri & Sat 26 & 27 September 08. 21:30pm. Direct theatre web page www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/events.asp?eventid=17. Tickets 16.50. Bookings - 0844 847 2475.
Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX. www.leicestersquaretheatre.com. map. Topping And Butch - www.toppingandbutch.com
Source - Andrew Simmons - 18 August 08
300 (total per month for the double room not each) + bills (gas, water, broadband, etc). Non smoking. Cleaner and council tax included. Opposite Ealing Hospital. Room available is downstairs, good morning sun. Contact Catherine Balavage on catherinebalavage (at) googlemail.com.
Source - Catherine Balavage 25 August 08
Alex Petty writes:
Alex Petty replies to Peter Buckley Hill press release 19 August 08
'The term 'free Fringe' is one that is used by the Fringe itself, fringe-goers and performers across the Fringe to describe all free events at the fringe, Peter's, the Laughing Horse's and all the rest. The fact that Peter tries to claim ownership of a generic phrase says a lot more about him than it does about anyone else, and putting out adverse PR does no good for any free shows who are all still fighting to be established in relation to paid shows as a valid way of 'doing the Fringe'. If Peter wants to have a separate identity from all other free fringe shows, would it have not been better to use a name that was not already in generic parlance?
'In regards to claims that the free Fringe was started by Peter Buckley Hill in 1996, that clearly isn't the case. There have been free Fringe shows since the start of the Fringe, right back to when the first companies arrived in Edinburgh on the fringes of the International Festival. Since then many organisation have run free events, and the Fringe itself uses the term free fringe to describe all of these. Fringe Sunday, busking on the High Street and shows in venues and locations across a diverse city and festival - this year there are 350 free Fringe shows in the programme, probably over 400 including unprogrammed shows, run by many different performers and promoters across Edinburgh, and the phrase has also been used correctly to encompass all of these, and even the Forest Fringe, an incredibly worthwhile event at the Forest Caf which itself is outside of the official Fringe programme.
'As for claiming 'who is best' as Peter wishes to do, that is just getting into the territory of inflated egos and childish playground politics. That again offers nothing positive, and only drags all free shows into the dirt. You certainly don't see professional Fringe organisations such as the Gilded Balloon putting out press releases to say that they're bigger and better than the other main venues! We prefer to let our audiences and reviews speak for themselves, with 20 four-star shows, 40 3-star shows and a number of good unrated reviews from publications that don't give out stars to date, and seven days still remaining of this years Fringe.
'In most cases performers who are running shows as part of either the Laughing Horses or Peter's free programmes support each other, perform in each other shows, run shows with both promoters, and usually end up drinking with each other at the end of the day. It is this spirit of co-operation and camaraderie, which Peter lacks, which will be the thing to further the cause of all free shows at the Fringe: to combat high ticket-prices, over-commercialisation and spiralling costs to performers. Childish fighting and self-serving press releases aimed at polarising a situation that doesn't exist certainly won't.'
Source - Alex Petty, The Free Festival - 19 August 08
Peter Buckley Hill writes:
'A plea to all press and media covering the Edinburgh Fringe'
'I'm sending this to everybody on the Fringe Press list. Please ignore if it doesn't affect you. There's been a lot of confusion this year between ourselves, the Free Fringe, and the Laughing Horse's 'Free Festival'. I'd be very grateful if the distinction would be clear in the minds of those who write and broadcast.
'The Free Fringe was founded in 1996 by me, and this year (2008) has 1,973 performances of 115 shows. I own the company and the name. We are a not-for-profit organisation, and run as far as possible as a community of performers.
'There are many other free shows on the Fringe, but they are not the Free Fringe. Most of these shows are run by the Laughing Horse, who formerly did shows within the Free Fringe, but left at their own insistence after Fringe 2006. Their rival 'Free Festival' is running for the second year in 2008.
'Several news reports have confused the two, and reported on the Laughing Horse's events as if they were the Free Fringe, using that name and mostly that capitalisation. They are indeed doing free shows on the Fringe, but are not the Free Fringe. I would be very grateful if all media could remember this distinction.
'Why is it important?
'We have worked hard since 1996 to establish both the brand and the concept of free shows at the Fringe. One of the things at which we have worked hardest is providing a series of shows that are, as a norm, of equal quality to those found at the paid venues. We are proud of our offering this year. In my view - you do not have to believe this without proof, but come and try - the normative quality of our shows is much higher that those put on by the Laughing Horse. In my view also - and again you need not take my word - many of the shows in the Laughing Horse's offering are not (yet) of a fit quality to be at the Edinburgh Fringe. It follows from this that we would not like the public to confuse our shows with theirs. Both of us may indeed run free shows, but there the similarity ends.
'I would be grateful if all media - and again, this is a mass email so I do not wish to offend any individual - would respect the difference in the brandings and, when writing of the Laughing Horse's operation, not use the term Free Fringe. Some of their press communications might, in a certain light, be seen to be blurring the distinction. We would be very grateful if the distinction were to be clear.'
Source - Peter Buckley Hill, Founder and Artistic Director, Free Fringe - Tuesday 19 August 2008
Alex Petty replies - see Alex Petty 19 August 08
Anthony Timmons writes:
'I've rented a 16-seater mini van, and I'm offering a return / round or one-way trip to Edinburgh and back to London. There is plenty of room for everyone. Leaving for Edinburgh from London at 12:00 noon on Friday 22 August 08 (flexible time wise) from Hammersmith. We return on Sunday night or Monday.
It should take about 8 hours each way and there will be plenty of stops for the loo, etc as and when we need them - we'll run it democratically; we are not Greyhound! This will be a fun trip, having a good time all the way so hopefully we can all be good friends by the time we get to Edinburgh! The cost of the trip is 40.00 return or single. RSVP as seats are filling quickly.
Contact timmons_anthony@yahoo.co.uk for further details. Source - Anthony Timmons 18 August 08
Dorothy Max Prior, editor, Total Theatre Magazine has a room to rent in their Edinburgh Fringe flat. She writes:
'Single room to rent in Edinburgh from 20 August 08 to the end of the month. Ideal for the final flurry of the Fringe, the Book Fest and the International Festival all at once. The room is small but neat with lovely views, in a shared flat with large kitchen etc. Close to The Meadows. 130 inclusive per week, or just 150 for all last 10 days of August. Email max@totaltheatre.org.uk or call 07752 142526.'
Source - Dorothy Max Prior 1 August 08
Producer & promoter Paul L Martin will be running The Basement, a new West End venue, from October 08. And he's taking bookings now.
Arts Theatre Director Martin Witts launches his new Leicester Square Theatre in summer 2008. It was formerly The Venue, in Leicester Place, and is next to the Prince Charles Cinema. The Leicester Square Theatre will have a 400-seat main house, and a 60-80 capacity room, The Basement.
Paul will be artistic director of The Basement. He has 17 years experience programming and co-ordinating cabaret and variety events, and is a performer himself. He says 'Plans for a vibrant and diverse autumn/winter 2008 season at The Basement are already well underway.'
'It's perfect for cabaret, comedy, burlesque and one-man plays. We're also hiring The Basement out in the daytime for rehearsals and auditions.
'The space comes with a Yamaha electronic baby-grand piano and its own bar within the room. It has versatile seating that can be in rows, cabaret-style or removed completely to allow standing for a larger capacity audience.
'Promoters interested in seeing the space for both one-off and regular events are welcome to contact me, Paul L Martin, at MMP Ltd on 020 7737 5300 or paul@millionthmuse.com.'
Source - Paul L Martin 12 July 08
Organiser Sam Howey Nunn writes:
'Stellar Network have organised a cross-industry event for Wednesday 30 July that will give you the opportunity to hook up with fellow professionals, gain inspiration, drum-up support and come away with numbers and the seed of future collaborations. This is an event for people who think they hate networking - we like to think of it as finding creative alchemy.
'If you've the seed of an idea, project or need (or all three), take the microphone to tell the group all about it. Announce your project idea and ask for feedback. Find that elusive lighting designer for your next production (or stage manager, or producer). Instigate a skill-swap by telling people what you do best and what skill you need to tap into. We think the best networking is done by linking other people. If you have a recommendation, idea or contact for the person in need, put your hand up and let them know.
'We're very excited about this event, and know that for it to work we need the widest representation from theatre and other art forms. We need producers, directors, technicians, stage managers, actors and writers. We'd also like to see composers, choreographers, video artists, designers - you get the idea.
'This will be hosted by comedienne Janice Phayre, fresh from compering Scratch Sundays and used to encouraging nervous first timers to the stage. If you plan to take a shot at the microphone, email uk@stellarnetwork.com saying what it'll be about. A couple of days before the event the organisers will distribute a summary so that everyone can have a chance to think about their responses.
'Book at www.stellarnetwork.com. Free for Stellar Network members. 3 for non-members. The Wilmington Arms, 69 Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4RL. 19:00 - 22:00. Come after work for an 8pm start.'
Source - Sam Howey Nunn - 22 July 08
Branding the comedy output of Gilded Balloon, Assembly, Underbelly, Pleasance as The Edinburgh Comedy Festival (see below) is causing angry reactions in Edinburgh. 'Too many venues ask what the Edinburgh Fringe can do for them. We ask what we can do for our City and its Festival' says Tommy Sheppard, director of all-year-round Edinburgh comedy venue The Stand. He quotes Stewart Lee: 'I am delighted to be making my Stand debut this summer; at an independent venue which has stayed true to the spirit of The Fringe.' Tommy Sheppard: 'We're proud to be at the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and we will actively resist any attempts to break away from it. There are 49 comedy venues on the fringe - we all need to work together.'
The Stand's Jan Webster queries the Big Four's motives: 'Are they forming a cartel? Are they splitting up the Fringe?'
Tommy Sheppard says that The Stand has 36 shows for the city's festival this year, 'making it the largest single producer of comedy on the Fringe. We offer all performers a guarantee against loss, which is why more and more want to play here each year. Luckily we've found two new performance spaces across the road which allows us to expand to four stages this year, but still we've had to turn many artists away. We also work hard to keep down costs, making sure we don't waste fortunes on hype and publicity which is why we can peg prices at seven or eight quid.'
More details www.thestand.co.uk/fringe2008
Source - Jan Webster, Tommy Sheppard, Paddy Cuthbert - 2 June 08
The Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival launches its 2008 programme today featuring, says director Alex Petty, '2,625 performances of 157 shows with comedy, theatre, music, Children's and art shows.
'The Free Festival shows will be performed in eight venues across Edinburgh, including new venue Espionage which will serve as the new hub for free shows, featuring over 800 performances of 53 free shows across three performance spaces all under one roof - alongside a free nightclub for Fringe-goers and performers every night until 5am. Espionage is located next door to the Underbelly on Victoria Street and Cowgate.
'The Free Festival starts on 31 July, for the first time running shows during the Week Zero Fringe preview week, with shows running right up until the end of the Fringe on 25 August. Following the success of running extended shows after the Fringe dates in 2007, three daily shows will run right the way through to the end of the International Festival on 30 August, at the Meadow Bar.
'Although comedy is still the main focus of the programme, with shows featuring stand-up, sketch, improv, solo and multi-acts shows, there is an ever-increasing programme across the spectrum of Fringe genres, with the theatre and music sections expanded since 2007, alongside storytelling, musicals and cabaret. 2008 will also see the first Free Festival children's shows.'
More details www.freefestival.co.uk
Source - Alex Petty, 20 May 08
Thanks to Jenny Eldridge for this press release about the screening of One Culture at Putney Arts Theatre on 30 May and its background:
'KLS Drama Group is an inner-city group of young people with a desire to change their lives and the lives of others.
'The Katherine Low Settlement (KLS) runs a drama group for young people every Monday evening. Together with practitioners from Abandon Theatre, they have been working in partnership for two years. Running workshops, focussing and encouraging youngsters to learn and develop positive life skills and behaviours through theatre games, drama skills development, movement, voice, forum theatre, improvisation and public performances. The content of these productions are driven by the young people and their experiences.
'Last year Abandon Theatre and KLS Young Carers produced a devised play, "Michelle" which was performed at BAC as part of Wandsworth Arts Festival. "One Culture", a further successful production, was written and devised by KLS Drama Group based on issues affecting their lives; the mixing of cultures, forbidden love and street crime. This production ran at the Putney Arts Theatre last October. Expanding on this they have now produced their first ever short film based on "One Culture" to be shown at Putney Arts Theatre on Friday 30 May.
'The young people involved form KLS Drama Group in Battersea and are aged between 14 to 18 years and have raised the funds, sourced the film company and produced the film themselves.
'With so much negative publicity about young inner city kids in the news, here are a group of very ordinary youngsters who with some support and guidance are using their energies to create something that they hope will speak to their own generation. Reflecting their own street experiences in a story of forbidden love with an urban edge, they hope with this film, to prove that however disadvantaged they may be, given encouragement they have great potential and it is their voices which are maybe the ones that can actually make a change for the better.
'Abandon Theatre is a producing theatre company established in January 2005. Abandon Theatre nurtures and develops talent for the arts, within education and across business.
'One Culture will be screened on:
'Friday 30th May @ 7:30 pm and tickets can be purchased by calling Putney Arts Theatre on 020 8788 6943 Putney Arts Theatre, Ravenna Road, Putney SW15 6AW'
Source - Jennifer Eldridge, Target Live, 14 May 08
Truffle The Cat - star columnist of Somerfield supermarket's in-house magazine - is missing, believed dead.
Truffle is famous for her (or his, Truffle's sexual identity is unknown) in-depth interviews with other animals and showed an eager readiness to embrace the cross-special divide in her celebrated 12-a-year column Pet Of The Month. And this pc fearlessness to reach out across boundaries may be the cause of her sudden disappearance. Her final column, filed in April 08 starts: 'As a cat, I am not naturally drawn towards dogs. However, even I am inspired to declare what a handsome chap you are, Merlin The Dog.'
Could trusting Truffle have become Merlin's starter, main course and dessert? The interview reveals he came from a bad home - Dumfries & Galloway Rescue Centre. Or is it jealousy from fellow columnists Andy Duncan (literature), Marcel Haydn (coffee), Russell Grant (horoscopes), or Hannah Smith (editor) at Truffles's celebrity profile? Having a private office door (flap) may have ratcheted envy, but it's the pure intellect of Truffle's asides and scorching interview style - she laid bare the inner psyches of a regiment of budgerigars, possums, rabbits, chihuahuas and lizards - that made her column worth her 5-star-cat-food salary. And not even an obituary.
Source - John Park - 23 April 08
Fraser Smith writes:
'Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance and Underbelly are delighted to announce the inaugural Edinburgh Comedy Festival at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Between them the venues are renowned for presenting the very best in British and international comedy and over the years have hosted almost every major name in the live and television industry. French and Saunders, Graham Norton, Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans, Omid Djalili, Lenny Henry, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, Russell Brand and Jimmy Carr are just the tip of the comedy ice-berg that have melted Edinburgh audiences to laughter.
'The Edinburgh Comedy Festival as a new brand will present over 250 comedy shows appearing at the venues during the forthcoming Edinburgh Festival Fringe to an estimated audience of over 550,000 people. A key imperative behind the Festival is to improve marketing and the four venues will create a single brochure and website for the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. The brochure will have a 400,000 print run and be distributed around Scotland in association with the Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday. The brochure will be reversible with two separate sections - one section marketing the comedy and the other marketing the venues theatre, music and childrens shows on the Fringe.
'With projected sales of over 550,000 tickets, the Edinburgh Comedy Festival will be the largest comedy festival in the world. This festival will be part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with all its shows included within the wider Fringe programme but when coupled with sales for their theatre, music and childrens shows which together account for a further 300,000 tickets sales, the founding members of the Edinburgh Comedy Festival believe they have a perfect opportunity to create a new platform to market Edinburgh to a national and international audience and, therefore, continue the growth of the collective August festivals.
'William Burdett-Coutts, director of Assembly commented: "This is my 30th year on the Fringe and in that time I have seen comedy grow from a few shows to become a major part of what takes place in Edinburgh. I think this is a welcome development that will give comedy the platform it deserves whilst also being a magnificent way of improving marketing for our collective programmes and the festival as a whole.
'Anthony Alderson, director of Pleasance Theatre commented: "The four venues have always worked very closely together in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Comedy Festival is the next logical step forward for us - we believe that we are stronger together than we are apart, that we can market our programmes more effectively and help attract new audiences to Edinburgh."
'Charlie Wood, co-director of Underbelly commented: "In many ways the real thundering hooves on Edinburgh's heels are the music and comedy festivals springing up everywhere in the UK. If we stakeholders in the Edinburgh Fringe are to meet this challenge and the additional challenges of marketing in the twenty-first century and actually bring more people into the City, then we have to come together to shout about what a great festival we have. The Edinburgh Comedy Festival is the right platform to shout from."
'Karen Koren, director of Gilded Balloon commented: "In this first year of the Edinburgh Comedy Festival we plan to establish the brand with our four venues. In future years we hope other Edinburgh Fringe venues will join the umbrella to market their programmes under this brilliant and exciting new festival."'
Source / more info - Fraser Smith, Hothouse Publicity - 20 March 08
The Stage 100 the industry bibles annual guide to the 100 most influential people in UK theatre - names Cameron Mackintosh as 2008's number one.
Stage Editor Brian Attwood says 'Cameron Mackintosh has never been out of the upper echelons of The Stage 100 but has had to wait nearly a decade to regain top billing. This year he presents an unassailable case for the number one slot. In the West End he has led the way by refurbishing his playhouses at a cost of 35 million, while on television, his production of Oliver! is the BBCs latest musical theatre talent show. Meanwhile, his agreement with Beijing will introduce his productions to a potential audience of millions and guarantees him an unrivalled global influence.'
Top Twenty are:
Source - Alistair Smith, News Editor, The Stage, 27 December 07. www.thestage.co.uk. Full list is in 28 Dec 07 issue of The Stage.
In today's finals of The Sitcom Trials at London's Soho Theatre, Sweet As won Best Script. Best Actor went to the male cast of Sweet As. Best Actress went to the female cast of Sweet As.
Sweet As, which features the gross lives of 8 characters from California, Polynesia, Wales, New Zealand, Brazil and Australia, is written by Caro Sharman & Symon Parsons. Actors (alpha order, with character names) are Nick Bacash (Tyler), Abigail Boyd (Brownie), Graham Elwell (The Husband), Rebecca Jo Hanbury, Hannah Harvey (Blanca), Michael Magnet (Mike), Katrina Thompson (Caro), Greg Wohead (Keith). Director is Maggie Inchley. Stage Manager is Jules Richardson.
Creator of Sitcom Trials Kev F Sutherland MCs today's finals. Producers of the current season of Sitcom Trials are Declan Hill and Simon Wright. Judges of the finals are Jamie Glazebrook and Geoff Posner. Family notes: scriptwriters Caro Sharman & Symon Parsons are married to each other; series producer Declan Hill became a father this week - congratulations Declan.
Each entry to Sitcom Trials is 15 minutes long with a requirement for a beginning, middle and end. The judges awarded a first prize and did not place the 3 co-finalists in an order. Listing them in the order shown in the event's programme, the co-finalists (with writer's names) are: The Good Guide by Sara Pascoe, Troubleshooters by John Hill, Monster Biscuits by Kevin Borrass & John Hill.
Fringe Report's fuller report and comment are here
John Park - Soho Theatre 13:30 - (c) Fringe Report www.fringereport.com - Thursday 13 December 07
back to Current NewsWau Wau Sisters Adrienne Truscott and Tanya Gagn excited royal Princes William & Harry in cabaret at aptly-named Bush Hall Wednesday 12 December.
'They swung from trapezes with the words Fuck and Yeah written across their knickers and sensually rubbed each other' says TheLondonPaper's Andy Jones. The Waus not the princes - but who knows?
'William and Harry sat at the front. Tanya cheekily dropped her shoe - a la Cinderella - for either of the Prince Charmings to pick up. She said "I was sure to cast them a wink and a smile and of course they couldn't take their eyes off our bodies. They loved it."'
Adrienne and Tanya - New York's two naughtiest girls on stage. And now princesses in waiting? Have the ladies no shame?
Medium Rare 11-15 December, Bush Hall, 70, www.mediumrare.tv. www.wauwausisters.com. www.bushhallmusic.co.uk.
Source - Andy Jones - TheLondonPaper - 13 December 07 - andy.jones@thelondonpaper.com
back to Current NewsIsabelle Georges & Frdrik Steenbrink tour their show Judy And Me in the UK 8 Nov to 8 Dec. Judy And Me featured at Edinburgh in 2005 (review here. Their Rural Arts Tour takes in venues in SW England and Wales. Dates and venues at www.judyandme.net
Source 5 Nov 07 - Sue McKichan
Journalists Jay Richardson and Kirstin Innes have been awarded the Allen Wright Award for Excellence in Arts Journalism. Now in its tenth year, the award celebrates the work of young journalists and their contribution to arts writing while covering the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Both winners will receive 750 prize money.
Jay Richardson was awarded for his evocative features on Frankie Boyle, Michael McIntyre and Adam Hills in Breaker Morant. Kirstin Innes was praised for her coverage of free shows at Fringe 2007 and for her reviews of Popsicle Departure 1989, Bed and Breakfast. The awards were judged by a panel of leading journalists and arts professionals, including Jon Morgan, director of the Fringe, and Charlie Wood, director of Underbelly. Founded in 1998, the awards were set up to commemorate Allen Wright, a distinguished journalist and arts editor of the Scotsman newspaper for 30 years. During his long career, Allen Wright founded the Fringe First awards and was a strong supporter of young talent.
The full shortlist for the awards included the following journalists: Nana Wereko-Brobby - FEST. Jennifer Shelton - ThreeWeeks. Kirstin Innes - The List. Yasmin Sulaiman - FEST. Roger Cox - Scotsman. James Richardson - Scotsman. Matt Brereton - Scotsman. Maxie Szalwinska - Guardian. Shona Craven - The Herald. Entrants for the award must be aged thirty or younger and are required to submit up to three pieces of published work (minimum 100 words) relating to the current year's Fringe. These could be previews and features as well as reviews, giving emerging writers opportunity to display their talents in a number of styles.
Source 25 August 07 and for more information: Leroy or Duncan at the Fringe Press Office on 0131 240 1919 or press@edfringe.com
back to Current NewsTotal Theatre award winners announced 23 August 07 are:
Casting Call Pro will present its first-ever annual Student Awards on 5 July 07 at 17:00 for 17:30 at Keston Lodge, 131 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1QP. The 6-strong shortlist is at http://uk.castingcallpro.com/award.php. The two winners will be announced at the event.
Winners will each receive a cheque for 1,000, a head-shot session with John Clark Photography, a voice-reel session with CutGlass Productions and a show-reel session with Actors One Stop Shop.
The Casting Call Pro Student Awards, in association with the National Council of Drama Training (NCDT), are for graduating students. During April and May 2007, all students graduating from NCDT accredited courses were invited to submit an entry, with 6 shortlisted students being interviewed.
Casting Call Pro Website Manager Robbie Dale says 'When you leave drama school, there can be a sudden influx of costs, a scarcity of work - and a feeling that everything may not be as rosy as it seemed when you started out. Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to work with the NCDT in developing the first-ever Casting Call Pro Student Awards. We were delighted to open them to students graduating from NCDT accredited courses.
'We particularly wanted to offer something to young actors. We meet them every day, and wanted to celebrate them. When we first launched the awards, and advertised the opportunity to students, we didn't know what to expect. We didn't know what would make a winning entry. As the applications came back, we were amazed and excited by the variety of projects and interests that drama students were evolving. Whether they had raised money to help fund theatre groups, convinced other students to take their work to festivals, or got involved in production, direction or writing to educate themselves about the creative process, the best students showed a fire, a tenacity, that was absolutely inspirational.'
Source - Robbie Dale - 3/4 July 07 - http://uk.castingcallpro.com
back to Current NewsThe legendary and much-loved comedy editor Malcolm Hay is to leave Time Out. Malcolm has a eye condition called Doyne's choroiditis, first diagnosed in his 30s. 'It's degenerative but in spurts, often with huge stretches of time without any worsening of the eyesight,' says Malcolm. 'But it's been getting appreciably worse recently', and is one of the more pressing reasons for his decision.
There's to be a spectacular tribute show - Comedy Hayday- at Hackney Empire on Tuesday 17 July 07 details below.
The exact date of Malcolm's departure from Time Out depends on when a replacement is appointed. It's likely to be between end July and end August 07. 'I'm no less fired-up and fascinated by comedy than I was when I first started the job' says Malcolm. 'But that was back in September 1986 and it's probably high time that I handed over to someone else. Apart from any other factors, the task of getting the weekly listings is one that I won't miss!'
Malcolm is married to director Toni Arthur-Hay. He adds 'It's genuinely been a great privilege to be involved on the fringes of the business. I've loved it. The plan now is to head off into semi-retirement and to work with Toni on developing some of our own writing and other projects.'
Will the great man be silent on comedy in the future? Not necessarily. 'I'm hoping that I'll continue to write occasionally about comedy,' he says, cautiously. So hopefully we can look forward to Malcolm's expert comment and analysis for many years to come.
A special thank-you tribute show, has been organised in appreciation of the retiring comedy editor of Time Out, Malcolm Hay. The line-up includes Pub Landlord Al Murray, Anglo-Iranian film and TV star Omid Djalili, ace political satirist Mark Thomas, Radio 4 stars Milton Jones and Mitch Benn, outrageous San Francisco gay comic Scott Capurro and award winning stand-up Josie Long. Introductions are by the UK's most renowned compere Arthur Smith.
The show, titled Comedy Hayday takes place at the Hackney Empire on Tuesday 17 July and tickets are 15. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts 8pm. Late bar. Tickets now on sale on 020 8985 2424 or online at www.hackneyempire.co.uk/show_details.php?show=108
Source - Malcolm Hay 26 June 07
back to Current NewsActs include Icarus (UK) and from Denmark: Karsten Pflum, Bjrn Svin, Rumpistol (aka Jens Berents Christiansen). Rump Recordings was founded in 2003 to release 'uncompromising electronic and electro-acoustic music' - what emerges when artists start to experiment and push the existing boundaries of music. The showcase includes minimal ambient pieces, jungle, drum'n'bass, no-wave, free jazz, psychedelic rock, minimal techno and avant-garde classical music.
More information at http://www.amblondon.um.dk/en/menu/TheEmbassy/News/LondonEventForRumpRecordings.htm
Source - Cultural Attaché / Danish Embassy / 12 April 07
back to Current NewsMore details of Solar Bear's work with Deaf and hearing audiences, their work with adults and children - and their new physical theatre piece Broken (Tramway, Glasgow, Scotland, 6-9 June 07, 19:30; matinee 8 June 07 13:00; 3/6 - at www.solarbear.org.uk
Deborah Andrews and Gerry Ramage founded Solar Bear in 2002. The company does social commitment theatre and national education and training programmes, in-house apprenticeships, and stage productions for Deaf and hearing audiences. They aim for 'inclusion, integration and access'. Solar Bear translated Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream into British Sign Language (BSL), and performed extracts of it at Glasgow (Scotland)'s Citizens Theatre in 2006.
Further details and interviews from PR Lynn McAdam. lynn@mcadam.info. 07967 804 257. 0141 548 8675. www.solarbear.org.uk. Solar Bear's director is Deborah Andrews.
Source - Lynn McAdam - 28 March 07
back to Current NewsActors include Richard Griffiths, Simon Russell Beale, Phoebe Nicholls, Patrick Malahide, Jemma Redgrave and Martin Shaw. Together with barristers they will perform the Bardell v Pickwick trial from Charles Dickenss The Pickwick Papers.
The event is to raise money to help poor people become barristers. The scheme is the Kalisher Scholarship, named after the late Queens Counsel Michael Kalisher.
Tickets are 50 from Julian Bradley tel 020 7242 1289 or from the Criminal Bar Association website http//www.criminalbar.com/kalisher2007. Event details from Camilla Barker tel 020 7067 0330.
Source Criminal Bar Association 29 March 07
back to Current NewsTickets are 12. Booking 020 8940 3633. www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk
The occasion is a debate celebrating Charter 77 - The 30th Anniversary Of The Petition That Gave A Voice To Opposition In Czechoslovakia. The discussion is chaired by Prof Timothy Garton Ash, Professor of European Studies, University of Oxford.
Speakers: Vaclav Havel, playwright, former President of the Czech Republic, Charter 77 co-founder and spokesman, dissident. Jir Dienstbier - Director of Reuters, former Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights, dissident, former spokesman of Charter 77. Pavel Landovsky - actor, Charter 77 founding signatory, dissident. Pavel Seifter - Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Global Governance at the LSE, former Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the UK, former adviser to President Vaclav Havel, Charter 77 signatory. Zdena Tomin - writer, Charter 77 signatory and spokeswoman, dissident. Guests of honour: Barbara Day, Sir Anthony Kenny, Sir Tom Stoppard, Jessica Douglas-Home and Prof. Roger Scruton
Vaclav Havel joins the evening celebrating the 30th anniversary of the petition that followed the police clampdown on the group The Plastic People Of The Universe in 1976, and started a movement representing the leading platform for opposition in Czechoslovakia under the Communist regime. After its start in January 1977, the petition - Charter 77 - gained international support. Many events were held internationally to draw attention to the Chartists and their call for freedom of speech and expression and respect of human rights.
It was at the Orange Tree Theatre where in 1975 - 1980 Vaclav Havel's plays directed by Sam Walters and adapted by Sir Tom Stoppard were premiered. It was also at the Orange Tree Theatre where a number of events organized to support Charter 77 took place and where British intellectuals established strong links with Czechoslovak dissidents.
After 30 years, many of those who were personally involved in the events and Charter 77 movement from both Czechoslovakia and the UK have come back together for the evenings debate. They will look back and share their experience and memories of key events of modern European history, and discuss the legacy of Charter 77 in promoting its values and supporting basic human rights.
The evening will open with a short extract from Vaclav Havel's play Audience - read by Vaclav Havel and Pavel Landovsky - as a reminder of its English language premiere at the Orange Tree Theatre in 1977. Sam Walters, founder and artistic director of Orange Tree Theatre, will afterwards introduce distinguished guests and speakers as well as related history of the Orange Tree Theatre.
An accompanying exhibition from the National Museum in Prague - including documentary photographs by Ivan Kyncl - in the theatre foyer - will introduce documents and some of the history of Charter 77. On display also are rare photographs of Vaclav Havel provided by the Leica Gallery, Prague.
The evening is organised by the Czech Centre London and Orange Tree Theatre in collaboration with the Czech Embassy in London. Supported by Charter 77 Foundation and the National Museum in Prague.
Charter 77 - The 30th Anniversary Of The Petition That Gave A Voice To Opposition In Czechoslovakia is the second of two major events celebrating Charter 77 in London. The first was a concert of The Plastic People Of The Universe which took place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 25 January 2007.
Source Renata Clark - Czech Centre, London 23 March 07
back to Current NewsLeroy Harris from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe press office writes (edited):
Jon Morgan will begin the job of director of the world largest arts festival in June 2007. At Contact Jon has managed a wide range of contemporary performance and workshop programmes for and with young adult audiences. He has been involved in a range of initiatives to encourage new and emerging artists to develop exciting and innovative performance and has produced work which has toured in the UK and internationally.
Jon (Morgan) has a long track-record in Scotland, having worked with many of Scotland's leading arts venues and performing companies. He has also worked with the Scottish Arts Council in an advisory capacity on drama and dance touring and on the bid to establish the popular and successful National Theatre of Scotland (NTS).
Baroness Elizabeth Smith, Chair of the Board of Directors of the (Edinburgh Festival) Fringe said Heading up the worlds biggest celebration of the arts is a challenging role, and we are confident that Jon (Morgan) is extremely well-placed for it. His experience paired with his ambition will no doubt build on the Fringes past success.
Jon (Morgan) is very eager to begin his new post. 'Im very pleased to be returning to Scotland's vibrant arts scene and am looking forward to getting started. Its an exciting and demanding time for the (Edinburgh Festival) Fringe and its clear to me that working in partnership with the huge variety of groups, individuals and supporters that make up the festival is key to the (Edinburgh Festival) Fringe's continuing success.'
Donald Anderson the City of Edinburgh's Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Tourism said (outgoing Edinburgh Festival Fringe director) Paul Gudgin will be a tough act to follow but Jon (Morgan) obviously has extensive experience both north and south of the (Scotland/England) border that will be invaluable in this role. It is an exciting time for all the summer festivals with 3 new appointments in the run-up to the 2007 (Edinburgh) Festival and I am sure we have a strong team to take our festivals forward.
Jon (Morgan) will take up his role following the departure of Paul Gudgin, director since 1999. Paul (Gudgin) plans to leave his post on the day of the (Edinburgh Festival) Fringes programme launch 2007, Thursday 7 June.
Jon Morgan - Biography
Jon Morgan is currently Executive Producer at Contact, Manchesters pioneering theatre for young people. Contacts mission is to make and produce ground-breaking performance by and for young people aged 13-30. Contact brings together a range of emerging theatre, new writing, international work, UK based touring companies and home-grown productions. Participatory work and work with emerging artists is at the core, mixing drama, dance, multi-media, spoken word, comedy, slams, club nights, events, exhibitions, showcases, poetry, physical theatre, hip-hop, film, live art and debates.
Prior to joining Contact in 2003 (Jon Morgan) has worked in a range of arts organisations and contexts including venues, contemporary music, touring theatre, young peoples theatre and arts for development. Work for and with young people has featured in much of his career, but particularly at TAG Theatre Company where he was General Manager for seven years and now at Contact.
In 2002/03 he was engaged by the British Council to develop and publish a resource and to programme an international seminar on Arts for Development and through this work, along with his experience at TAG and at Contact, he has built a strong commitment to the importance of active engagement in the arts as a right which all people should enjoy
The Fringe Programme will be released on Thursday 7 June. Edinburgh Fringe 2007 runs 5-27 August 07. See http://www.edfringe.com.
Source report by Leroy Harris (edited) Edinburgh Fringe Press Office. Further information contact Leroy Harris - tel 0131 240 1919. press@edfringe.com. 26 March 07
back to Current News'The (Wandsworth) Council extended BACs lease until March 2008,' says Alicia Gelassakis, BAC Press and Communications Officer. 'During this time BAC will work towards setting up the Building Preservation Trust. The aim of the Trust is to take over full responsibility for repairs and maintenance. If it is successfully established, the (Wandsworth) Council will grant us a longer lease. BAC is in a good position.'
Further details at http://www.bac.org.uk/about_press.php
Source - Alicia Gelassakis (BAC) - 23 March 07
back to Current NewsPrizes are given annually to women who deserve recognition for having written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. Judges in New York this year gave Special Commendation Awards of $4,000 each to London-based Lucy Caldwell for her play Leaves, New York-based Sheila Callaghan for Dead City, Irish playwright Stella Feehily for O Go My Man, and Irish playwright Abbie Spallen for Pumpgirl.
Leaves premieres at the Druid Theatre, Galway, Ireland, directed by Garry Hynes, a former Blackburn Prize judge. The production will move to the Royal Court Theatre, London, 14 March - 7 April 7 07. Lucy Caldwell is currently under commission to write for the main stage at the Royal Court Theatre. Sheila Callaghans Dead City was commissioned by Playwrights Horizons, included in the Public Theaters New Work Now series, and produced in New York in 2006 by New Georges. O Go My Man premiered in 2006 at the Royal Court Theatre with Out of Joint Theatre Company, directed by Max Stafford-Clark - a previous Blackburn Prize judge - and toured the UK. Stella Feehily is under commission to write for Soho Theatre, London, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York, and Out Of Joint. Pumpgirls world premiere was at the Bush Theatre, London, 2006 and played at the Traverse, Edinburgh Festival. Abbie Spallen is currently working on a commission for Fishamble Theatre Company, Dublin, and has recently finished a screenplay - Seven Drunken Knights.
Eight other finalists received $1,000 each - Julia Cho, US, for The Piano Teacher - Katie Douglas, Scotland, for Rust - Amy Fox , US, for One Thing I Like To Say Is - Julia Jordan, US, for Dark Yellow - C Michle Kaplan, US, for Bot - Nell Leyshon, UK, for Comfort Me With Apples - Tamsin Oglesby, UK, for The War Next Door - Francine Volpe, US, for The Given.
Judges for the 29th annual Susan Smith Blackburn Awards were American actor Jill Clayburgh; New York playwright John Guare; Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of the Public Theatre, New York; Alastair Macauley, chief theatre critic, Financial Times, London; British actor Deborah Findlay; UK director Anna Mackmin.
Each year theatre professionals throughout the English-speaking world are invited to submit plays. Countries include the UK, Canada, Australia, US, New Zealand, India, Irish Republic, South Africa. There were approximately 90 submissions this year. All final nominations are read by all six judges. To date there have been 332 finalist plays. 118 of these have been from the UK and Irish Republic, 205 from the US, 4 from Canada, 3 from Australia, 1 from India, 1 from New Zealand.
Women Writing Plays - Three Decades Of The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is available in the UK and US, published by University of Texas Press. Edited by Alexis Greene, with an introduction by Marsha Norman, the volume offers a comprehensive overview of womens playwriting, combining critical essays, playwrights memoirs, and conversations and interviews with playwrights to explore how womens playwriting evolved in relation to the womens movement and how it continues to map new territory and find fresh modes of expression. See www.amazon.com.
Directors - Emilie Kilgore, president; Michael Attenborough, Adam Blackburn, William Blackburn, Blair Brown, Bertrand Davezac, Cabann Gilbreath, John Guare, Ann Gussow, Lady Hale, Alexander Kilgore, Marsha Norman, Charles Perlitz, Pauline Pinto, Meg Poole, Lucy Reid, Amber Rudd, Edwin Wilson, Matt Wolf.
The Prize reflects the values and interests of Susan Smith Blackburn, an American actor and writer who lived in London for the last 15 years of her life. She died in 1977, age 42.
Further information America - Emilie Kilgore, President - (713) 308-2842, blackburnprize@yahoo.com. UK - Caroline Keely 020 8969 2759, caroline@nitrox.demon.co.uk.
Source Alexandra Gammie - AGPR Theatre Publicity - www.agpr.co.uk - alex@agpr.co.uk 8 March 07
back to Current NewsLaughing Horse Comedy and The Free Festival have secured two slots at The Underbelly for free performances throughout the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2007.
Underbelly co-director Charlie Wood said: 'The Free Festival has been a remarkable phenomenon in the last few years and we feel privileged at Underbelly to be getting involved. The costs of performing at the Fringe continue to grow year on year and Underbelly wants to do all it can to help reduce the costs and support artists.'
Since 2004 Laughing Horse Comedy have managed venues and produced Free Fringe shows at its venues across Edinburgh, offering an alternative to the costs usually associated with the Fringe for both performers and audiences. In 2006 it comprised 69 shows, and in 2007 will feature at least 90 shows in eight locations across Edinburgh.
Performances in the two Underbelly slots will be free entry to the public. The first slot will feature a daily comedy-club style show, with a different selection of comedians from across the Free Festival Venues each day.
The second will be offered to a performer or group who wishes to perform free at the Underbelly. This performance will become part of both the Underbelly and Free Festival programmes, and will not be charged to hire the space - in exactly the same way as all other shows that are part of the Free Festival. Entry to this show will be free, and the performer will take a collection at the end of the performance.
Performers who wish to apply for this slot, should email info@freefestival.co.uk with details of their proposed show. Underbelly directors Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam will decide which performer will take the slot.
For details of how Free Festival shows work see http://www.freefestival.co.uk
For further information contact:
Alex Petty - Laughing Horse Comedy, 57 Nelson Road, Whitton, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 7AR. Email alex@laughinghorse.co.uk. Tel 020 8894 3676. Mobile 07768 584 881. Fax 0208 894 3676.
Charlie Wood - Director, Underbelly Limited, 3rd Floor, 83 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 4PR. Email charlie@underbelly.co.uk. Tel 0207 580 0560. Mobile 07974 130 912. Fax 0207 580 0155.
Source - Alex Petty - Laughing Horse Comedy - 1 March 07
back to Current NewsMidlands-based company Gist Productions are doing a production of The Maids by Jean Genet at the Wolverhampton Arena for 1 night only after it ran at the Waterside Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon - writes Jennifer Bosomworth, who plays Madame.
Wolverhampton Arena at 7:30pm - 15 Feb 07 - 9 (7). Wolverhampton Arena webpage is http://www2.wlv.ac.uk/arena/Spring_2007/Maids.htm. MySpace page http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=148109411
Source - Jennifer Bosomworth - 16 Jan 07
Brighton Festival Fringe - 5-28 May 2007. Be a part of Englands Biggest Art festival. Get your event into the Brighton Festival Fringe.
You can register by phone, by post, or online via the Fringe website - www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk. For more information on how you can take part contactDownload our Venue Guide to see an extensive list of new and exciting venues in Brighton looking to fill their spaces:
http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk/registration/regvenueguide.asp
Check out the OHSO Social on the seafront, Komedias new Cabaret bar and stage and the Brighton Media Centres huge basement with the potential for 2 theatres and more. Brighton Fringe presents you with the opportunity to do whatever you want. Our music section is huge. Our theatre section is getting bigger by the year make sure your performance is seen in 2007.
Source - Holly Payton - Operations Manager / Nick Stockman - Development Manager/ Jess Huffman - Fringe Coordinator - 26 January 07
One of North Londons busiest arts centres, Jacksons Lane, has closed for at least a month due to structural damage to the building caused by the recent storms.
The high winds and stormy weather caused masonry, concrete and the cross from the roof of the converted church to crash to the ground rendering the building unsafe. Jacksons Lane Management Committee and Haringey Council therefore closed the building on Tuesday 23 January to ensure the safety of its staff and users.
Building work is to start as soon as possible in order to erect scaffolding and conduct a full structural inspection. The necessary repairs will then be undertaken to restore Jacksons Lane for the use of the local community. Haringey Neighbourhood Management teams are now looking at providing alternative office space and other venues for the centre's activities whilst the building remains closed.
Essential services at Jacksons Lane, which support the more vulnerable members of the community, include a pensioners Lunch Club with over 60 members, an After Schools Club and a Parents & Toddlers Group. Each week, around 2,000 participants benefit from a choice of over 50 arts courses and classes and a vibrant theatre programme of 280 performances a year, which attracts audiences from all over London to the borough and welcomes world-class performances from artists such as Russell Brand, Benjamin Zephaniah and Theatre Alibi.
Over recent years the deteriorating fabric of the 18th century building has become a massive drain on the centres resources and the storm damage has highlighted the severity of the problem. There is simply no other facility like Jacksons Lane on this side of the borough and in order to ensure its future survival, Jacksons Lane and Haringey Council are committed to the rectifying the buildings problems so it can continue as a beacon of excellence.
Fiona MallinRobinson, Chair of Jacksons Lane Management Committee says As a registered charity, the team at Jacksons Lane are dedicated to serving their local community, providing a vital home for the creative arts in London. It is, of course, hugely disappointing to us to have to close, albeit temporarily, as we know that many people rely on and enjoy using the centre. The team are currently working under very difficult conditions and we thank everyone in the community for their patience and support at this time of emergency.
Councillor Lorna Reith, Executive Member for Community Involvement, Haringey Council said: The Council is responsible for the Jacksons Lane building, and following this recent storm damage we will be getting the necessary repairs done as quickly as we can.
Jacksons Lanes phone number - 020 8340 5226 - is on divert message with details on how to contact the Jacksons Lane Health and Safety department. The website www.jacksonslane.org.uk will be updated regularly with all details of Jacksons Lanes activities. The venue will contact all those who have purchased tickets for upcoming performances to update them on their individual bookings and refund where appropriate. To make a donation in support of Jacksons Lane, registered charity 270934, make cheques payable to Jacksons Lane and send to - The Appeal, 269a Archway Road, London N6 5AA.
Source - Written by Janina Mundy, Marketing Manager, Jacksons Lane 2 Feb 07
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