I'm devastated to be missing this on Saturday so I urge everyone else to go check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113517902028782
As you can see it's a kind of sophisticated flash mob. You're invited to download an audio track on to your mp3 player 24 hours before the event and then meet up at Piccadilly Gardens at 5pm on Saturday to listen to it together. So it's a sort of private performance en masse.
Let me know what you think. I met Hannah during a Theatre Sandbox workshop when she had first created an idea for a really innovative piece of pervasive media performance. This isn't exactly what she was pitching but I have a feeling it's a part of this grander project to come...
Do excuse me while I act as the fountain of creative events sharing, but next week Contact will be taken over with Contacting the World, with events produced by young people all over the world. There's some great events and workshops lined up, see here:
http://www.contact-theatre.org/whats-on
I don't completely know what to expect but then isn't that always part of the fun! I'm expecting diversity of styles and a standard level of Contact vibrancy. Think it sounds like fun? Of course you do, I'll see you there!!
Contact are being so good to us... Rach and I had a programming feedback meeting about a week ago. We talked theatre we'd seen, theatre we'd like to see, what's next for Contact and, dun dun duuuun, our trip to The Festival Fringe in Edinburgh!!! We're off!! The four of us will be spending a couple of nights up at The Burgh in August, scouting around for new performance.
Here at Re:CON, we've been getting into the grand old habit of meeting up after Contact meetings to basically wave our arms around and talk about everything which makes us excited to be part of the team. Let me tell you Edinburgh trip featured pretty strongly in that discussion. I LOVE this festival. It's the theatre equivalent of a jumble sale but when you find 'That really amazing show' you just want to shout about it. This year I'll actually have a theatre venue to shout about it to! Wonderful!
Next meeting, Baba has promised to reveal the programme budgeting spreadsheet. Yes, yes, there are going to be numbers aplenty and it is going to get technical. I can't wait.
Toodle Pip
Tuesday 13 July 2010
Wednesday 7 July 2010
There and back again
WOW.
Here it is the blog that you've all been anxiously waiting for (well, Baba has prompted me many times at least). Prepare for an update of epic proportions, stories and spontaneity. I hope you will all enjoy it (and understand/appreciate my bad attempts at dry, sarcastic and typically British (sorry Phil & Baba) humour)). It's been a long time coming. I have been rather busy!
Captains blog...
...Recently finished my second year of BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Manchester .. phew. Over the last week or so I have got back from Glastonbury Festival (front row for Stevie Wonder!) , successfully found and moved into a new house within 48 hours, then the next day trekked to Beaconsfield (just outside London) to help out on my friends TV Sketch Show Pilot at NFTS (the National Film and Television School)! 'Mad!' you say? Well, I like to keep busy you see..
Whilst helping out on the TV Pilot I was quite surprised for my friend Ian (doing MA Directing and Producing Television Entertainment) to hand me over a script and say: "You need to learn these lines as one of the Actors hasn't turned up!". It was quite intimidating learning lines for something that was going to be shot in an hour, a multi-camera studio, 4 cameras pointing at me and professional actors to the left and right.
Don't worry I will link you all to the sketch that I'm in where I play a rudeboi named...'Bizzle'!
Yes, yes..
..I am writing to you from some student 'halls' (they're quite disgusting - free buffet breakfast is a perk though) in Camden, London that I've rented out while I am doing work experience at Flynn Productions (a high end music promo and commercials company) http://www.flynnproductions.com/home/ - they produced the Jay-z - 'On To The Next One' music vid, which has over11 million hits on youtube and stirred up quite a lot of controversy due to some subversive and ambiguous imagery!
As members of the four person team 'Re:CON' (Young Producing and Programming Team) we've attended various theatre pieces to seek out what works, what doesn't and why and how we can incorporate what we've learned into programming innovative pieces at Contact Theatre. As well as this we act as producers scouting out artists and talent that may be able to bring something new to the venue.
I'm going to give quick reviews of what I've seen at Contact and at other places we've been sent to! I hope what I've documented below gives you an insight into some of the activities we are involved in as team Re:CON!
My first piece - with my Re:CON hat on - was seeing 'Raspberry' (24/4/10) a musical with Actors and Actresses with physical disabilities. The title 'Raspberry' was used because of the cockney rhyming slang of 'Raspberry Ripple' which means cripple. Although the play (like it's title) had many elements of self-mockery leaving one sometimes bemused whether it was politically correct or moral to laugh at points. The play really left me emotionally high after being through a roller coaster of stories and a fantastically written musical score. I would definitely like to see this company again at Contact or another venue. An eye opener to disability theatre and the unsung talent out there!
Shortly after being appointed part of the Young Producing and Programming Team/Re:CON I was invited to go with Baba Israel (Artistic Director/CEO of Contact) to sit on a pitching panel at Bristol Old Vic(17/5/10) for a project called Theatre Sandbox . Theatre Sandbox is a commissioning scheme for six theatre artists & companies to research and develop new ideas which use pervasive media technologies. Baba invited me down specifically as he is very aware that I am interested in digital theatre and cross media technologies. I've worked with the National Youth Theatre previously with digital theatre experimentation, so I was very excited to be seeing what potential ideas full-time artists had brewed up.
The experience of sitting on a panel and having my opinions taken very seriously on the various reflections on the pitches was refreshing. To be given a deal of responsibility so early added to the experience, especially the surreal element of sharing views amongst a Development Executive from the BBC and the Executive Director of Lyric Hammersmith to name a few..! The various members of the panel were representing the six venues (Bristol Old Vic, Soho Theater, Lyric Hammersmith, Birmingham Mac and The Junction) that would be selecting the artists to have their work developed and exhibited at each respective venue.
Baba and I saw some very interesting ideas being pitched; from using IPADs as digital maps, to experimentation to how one reacts emotionally to different everyday urban sounds such as the sound of an ambulance siren compared to a police siren for example. The many artists we met were quite characters with booming personalities to add to their ideas, which certainly kept us on our toes! It was the personalities that really sold some of the panel members, their passion and commitment for the work they wanted to develop rather than the idea itself, which was supposed to be in a state of working progress, instead of a finished piece.
The day certainly got my creative juices flowing and I left with a lot of food for thought! On the train journey back Baba and I met a young lady who was curious to discover that the beats she heard on the train were coming from Babas' mouth and not an MP3 player! Baba then offered for him to demonstrate the art of the human beatbox when we arrived in Manchester Piccadilly station...
...Now, I cannot remember if I offered or Baba put me on the spot. But in the mix of Baba dropping beats.. I was rapping! We drew up quite a bit of attention. But, that is the nature of being with Baba Israel. One minute you're on the train thinking about pervasive media technologies, the next you're doing an impromptu street performance for a young lady you met moments before! I sneakily quite enjoyed being put on the spot. Shushh..don't tell Baba, as he is likely to do it again!!
I saw a piece in April called 'Asylum Dialogues' (produced by Iceandfire Productions) this was shown in a Basement of the University of Manchester, Northern Campus' Students Union. A strange location for this piece and I believe it deserves a better platform. I thought we could definitely bring to Contact in some shape or form. The short play explores the positive experiences between asylum seekers and British citizens. Drawn from real-life accounts, it doesn't try to preach or to depress but rather it tries to break down the barriers that often exist between refugees and citizens. Have a look > http://iceandfire.co.uk/outreach/scripts/asylum-dialogues/
I had a little tear in my eye watching the performance, but it doesn't take much apparently! I've been affected in some way by almost every piece since I've thrown myself into the realm of theatre as of January this year!
In May I saw Mouth Music, a performance of various musicians that solely used their mouth as instruments. I attended with a few CYAC (Contact Young Acting Company) colleagues and couldn't help but joining in, I couldn't sit down actually! I especially liked the solo performances from Hobbit and Bellatrix (World Female Beatbox Champion)! I would definitely like to see how mouth music in general can be incorporated into theatre and move away from the attachments of something that has to be in the Hip-Hop environment, so it can progress as an art form in it's own right.
At Contact in May I also saw a piece by (Contacts' own) Peter Grist and Company - a varied performance of Contemporary dance, which I was very inspired by - and when I find the time - I'd like t get involved with Mixed Movement at Zion Arts Centre/Contact.
'Desert Boy', a story which finds a young inner city boy taken on a journey through his ancestors life in colonial history - was an ambitious piece which I was concerned about as I believe the audience size didn't reflect the quality of the piece - Guardian Review > http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/may/27/desert-boy-review.
I think Rachel can provide a good review of what we saw at the Martin Harris Centre in June. So Rach.. I'll leave to you!
I have been away from Manchester for a while and will be for another week or so. I did manage to shift my work experience placement around so that I can be in Manchester for the entirety of CTW (Contacting the World)!
I look forward to seeing the artistic voices of many international production companies in July! (Yeah... I just re-read that last line too..)
I expect all of you to come to the next Anticx Asylum - September 26th, he's a sneak preview.
http://vimeo.com/13099092
See you soon around Contact,
Alex
Here it is the blog that you've all been anxiously waiting for (well, Baba has prompted me many times at least). Prepare for an update of epic proportions, stories and spontaneity. I hope you will all enjoy it (and understand/appreciate my bad attempts at dry, sarcastic and typically British (sorry Phil & Baba) humour)). It's been a long time coming. I have been rather busy!
Captains blog...
...Recently finished my second year of BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Manchester .. phew. Over the last week or so I have got back from Glastonbury Festival (front row for Stevie Wonder!) , successfully found and moved into a new house within 48 hours, then the next day trekked to Beaconsfield (just outside London) to help out on my friends TV Sketch Show Pilot at NFTS (the National Film and Television School)! 'Mad!' you say? Well, I like to keep busy you see..
Whilst helping out on the TV Pilot I was quite surprised for my friend Ian (doing MA Directing and Producing Television Entertainment) to hand me over a script and say: "You need to learn these lines as one of the Actors hasn't turned up!". It was quite intimidating learning lines for something that was going to be shot in an hour, a multi-camera studio, 4 cameras pointing at me and professional actors to the left and right.
Don't worry I will link you all to the sketch that I'm in where I play a rudeboi named...'Bizzle'!
Yes, yes..
..I am writing to you from some student 'halls' (they're quite disgusting - free buffet breakfast is a perk though) in Camden, London that I've rented out while I am doing work experience at Flynn Productions (a high end music promo and commercials company) http://www.flynnproductions.com/home/ - they produced the Jay-z - 'On To The Next One' music vid, which has over11 million hits on youtube and stirred up quite a lot of controversy due to some subversive and ambiguous imagery!
As members of the four person team 'Re:CON' (Young Producing and Programming Team) we've attended various theatre pieces to seek out what works, what doesn't and why and how we can incorporate what we've learned into programming innovative pieces at Contact Theatre. As well as this we act as producers scouting out artists and talent that may be able to bring something new to the venue.
I'm going to give quick reviews of what I've seen at Contact and at other places we've been sent to! I hope what I've documented below gives you an insight into some of the activities we are involved in as team Re:CON!
My first piece - with my Re:CON hat on - was seeing 'Raspberry' (24/4/10) a musical with Actors and Actresses with physical disabilities. The title 'Raspberry' was used because of the cockney rhyming slang of 'Raspberry Ripple' which means cripple. Although the play (like it's title) had many elements of self-mockery leaving one sometimes bemused whether it was politically correct or moral to laugh at points. The play really left me emotionally high after being through a roller coaster of stories and a fantastically written musical score. I would definitely like to see this company again at Contact or another venue. An eye opener to disability theatre and the unsung talent out there!
Shortly after being appointed part of the Young Producing and Programming Team/Re:CON I was invited to go with Baba Israel (Artistic Director/CEO of Contact) to sit on a pitching panel at Bristol Old Vic(17/5/10) for a project called Theatre Sandbox . Theatre Sandbox is a commissioning scheme for six theatre artists & companies to research and develop new ideas which use pervasive media technologies. Baba invited me down specifically as he is very aware that I am interested in digital theatre and cross media technologies. I've worked with the National Youth Theatre previously with digital theatre experimentation, so I was very excited to be seeing what potential ideas full-time artists had brewed up.
The experience of sitting on a panel and having my opinions taken very seriously on the various reflections on the pitches was refreshing. To be given a deal of responsibility so early added to the experience, especially the surreal element of sharing views amongst a Development Executive from the BBC and the Executive Director of Lyric Hammersmith to name a few..! The various members of the panel were representing the six venues (Bristol Old Vic, Soho Theater, Lyric Hammersmith, Birmingham Mac and The Junction) that would be selecting the artists to have their work developed and exhibited at each respective venue.
Baba and I saw some very interesting ideas being pitched; from using IPADs as digital maps, to experimentation to how one reacts emotionally to different everyday urban sounds such as the sound of an ambulance siren compared to a police siren for example. The many artists we met were quite characters with booming personalities to add to their ideas, which certainly kept us on our toes! It was the personalities that really sold some of the panel members, their passion and commitment for the work they wanted to develop rather than the idea itself, which was supposed to be in a state of working progress, instead of a finished piece.
The day certainly got my creative juices flowing and I left with a lot of food for thought! On the train journey back Baba and I met a young lady who was curious to discover that the beats she heard on the train were coming from Babas' mouth and not an MP3 player! Baba then offered for him to demonstrate the art of the human beatbox when we arrived in Manchester Piccadilly station...
...Now, I cannot remember if I offered or Baba put me on the spot. But in the mix of Baba dropping beats.. I was rapping! We drew up quite a bit of attention. But, that is the nature of being with Baba Israel. One minute you're on the train thinking about pervasive media technologies, the next you're doing an impromptu street performance for a young lady you met moments before! I sneakily quite enjoyed being put on the spot. Shushh..don't tell Baba, as he is likely to do it again!!
I saw a piece in April called 'Asylum Dialogues' (produced by Iceandfire Productions) this was shown in a Basement of the University of Manchester, Northern Campus' Students Union. A strange location for this piece and I believe it deserves a better platform. I thought we could definitely bring to Contact in some shape or form. The short play explores the positive experiences between asylum seekers and British citizens. Drawn from real-life accounts, it doesn't try to preach or to depress but rather it tries to break down the barriers that often exist between refugees and citizens. Have a look > http://iceandfire.co.uk/outreach/scripts/asylum-dialogues/
I had a little tear in my eye watching the performance, but it doesn't take much apparently! I've been affected in some way by almost every piece since I've thrown myself into the realm of theatre as of January this year!
In May I saw Mouth Music, a performance of various musicians that solely used their mouth as instruments. I attended with a few CYAC (Contact Young Acting Company) colleagues and couldn't help but joining in, I couldn't sit down actually! I especially liked the solo performances from Hobbit and Bellatrix (World Female Beatbox Champion)! I would definitely like to see how mouth music in general can be incorporated into theatre and move away from the attachments of something that has to be in the Hip-Hop environment, so it can progress as an art form in it's own right.
At Contact in May I also saw a piece by (Contacts' own) Peter Grist and Company - a varied performance of Contemporary dance, which I was very inspired by - and when I find the time - I'd like t get involved with Mixed Movement at Zion Arts Centre/Contact.
'Desert Boy', a story which finds a young inner city boy taken on a journey through his ancestors life in colonial history - was an ambitious piece which I was concerned about as I believe the audience size didn't reflect the quality of the piece - Guardian Review > http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/may/27/desert-boy-review.
I think Rachel can provide a good review of what we saw at the Martin Harris Centre in June. So Rach.. I'll leave to you!
I have been away from Manchester for a while and will be for another week or so. I did manage to shift my work experience placement around so that I can be in Manchester for the entirety of CTW (Contacting the World)!
I look forward to seeing the artistic voices of many international production companies in July! (Yeah... I just re-read that last line too..)
I expect all of you to come to the next Anticx Asylum - September 26th, he's a sneak preview.
http://vimeo.com/13099092
See you soon around Contact,
Alex
Monday 5 July 2010
Roaming around Manchester
Greetings.
It’s been a corking few months with Contact, working as A Proud Knight of the Mad Castle. Re:con have been bonding LOTS with regular get-togethers (Phil’s housewarming party was a triumph) and of course a whole load of performance scouting.
I was recently reviewing a few shows and events I’ve been to visit over the last couple of months. It occurred to me that I have been extremely Manchester focused. I think this is born out of living in a city which is so abundant with new theatre and art, plus my desire to unearth it all. Here is some unearthing:
A few events I feel I have to write about include Queer Up North which rolled into Manchester across May, bringing with it some of the most engaging performances of the north. Phil and I have already mentioned Susan and Darren & Internal, but as well I have to highlight the collection of works which came together for Three at Contact. All artists were invited to respond to the word ‘queer’ in individual ways. I remember before the performance feeling particularly stressed out and uninspired but I was pulled out of my hole of apathy. I spent the entire evening being surprised and stirred... I still have phrases & images & ideas whirring around in my brain - such as feeling grass beneath your feet & the sensation of feeling exposed – which have been offering me constant inspiration. I will be keeping my eyes open for activity from Chris Goode, Chris Thorpe and Rachael Walton.
Hope to catch Chris G perform in Tim Crouch’s The Author this summer in Edinburgh… http://www.newsfromnowhere.net/
In other news, The Anticx Asylum and The Cabaret Formerly Known as Bucket are two events which I think new artists need to be aware of in Manchester. They’re two regular showcase events for new work in an array of forms, offering a platform for new ideas in a supportive environment. There’s a genuine vibe of encouragement from the organisers, with the hosts of each event popping over to visit each other’s night. They are some of my favourite nights out in Manchester. ‘Ave a look: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000778406761&ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000778406761&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=23454554933&ref=ts
Another great event in Manchester was the second edition of day-long festival Mill24 at Islington Mill. This particular event featured non other than Picnic from, cough cough, my theatre company Fivethreefive Project. Well come on, if I can’t use my own blog to publicise myself then where can I?! Inspired by the building’s transition from factory to art venue, we invited audiences to help temporarily transform the dusty space into something idyllic & optimistic. We had one hour, several balls of string, paper, scissors, and a bundle load of yummy picnic food:
OH and I’m absolutely delighted to point out Theatre Sandbox has commission Proto-type Theater to create Fortnight with Bristol Old Vic. Theatre Sandbox, with Contact Theatre and various other national venues, have offered 6 commissions to artists/companies creating innovative work with pervasive media. Proto-type Theater are a little close to my heart, having been the first company I worked for after graduating. I’ve known about this project since it was a proposal, so it brings a tear to my eye to know that they’re receiving so much backing to bring the project to life. If you don’t know this company then you should. Proto-type are amazing and Fortnight is going to be epic! Watch that space now:
http://www.theatresandbox.co.uk/fortnight-proto-type-theater/
AND before I go, we’re pleased to announce that Contact’s premiere event of Pitch Party was a success! It’s a new format for Contact Theatre inviting artists who have previously shown an interest in the venue to pitch proposals for creative ideas – performances, instillation, festivals, events, you name it. The hope is to try to support the ideas which really inspire us, whether that’s through recommendations for events or a follow up meeting. The idea is to help build awareness for work happening in the region and build links for artists to the venue. We really enjoyed the event and the ideas so we’re looking forward to Pitch Party becoming a monthly feature. If you want to be involved then drop Contact a line.
Festival season has arrived so I’m off to travel around as much as I can this summer. Any recommendations would be much appreciated!
Until soon,
Jenny
It’s been a corking few months with Contact, working as A Proud Knight of the Mad Castle. Re:con have been bonding LOTS with regular get-togethers (Phil’s housewarming party was a triumph) and of course a whole load of performance scouting.
I was recently reviewing a few shows and events I’ve been to visit over the last couple of months. It occurred to me that I have been extremely Manchester focused. I think this is born out of living in a city which is so abundant with new theatre and art, plus my desire to unearth it all. Here is some unearthing:
A few events I feel I have to write about include Queer Up North which rolled into Manchester across May, bringing with it some of the most engaging performances of the north. Phil and I have already mentioned Susan and Darren & Internal, but as well I have to highlight the collection of works which came together for Three at Contact. All artists were invited to respond to the word ‘queer’ in individual ways. I remember before the performance feeling particularly stressed out and uninspired but I was pulled out of my hole of apathy. I spent the entire evening being surprised and stirred... I still have phrases & images & ideas whirring around in my brain - such as feeling grass beneath your feet & the sensation of feeling exposed – which have been offering me constant inspiration. I will be keeping my eyes open for activity from Chris Goode, Chris Thorpe and Rachael Walton.
Hope to catch Chris G perform in Tim Crouch’s The Author this summer in Edinburgh… http://www.newsfromnowhere.net/
In other news, The Anticx Asylum and The Cabaret Formerly Known as Bucket are two events which I think new artists need to be aware of in Manchester. They’re two regular showcase events for new work in an array of forms, offering a platform for new ideas in a supportive environment. There’s a genuine vibe of encouragement from the organisers, with the hosts of each event popping over to visit each other’s night. They are some of my favourite nights out in Manchester. ‘Ave a look: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000778406761&ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000778406761&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=23454554933&ref=ts
Another great event in Manchester was the second edition of day-long festival Mill24 at Islington Mill. This particular event featured non other than Picnic from, cough cough, my theatre company Fivethreefive Project. Well come on, if I can’t use my own blog to publicise myself then where can I?! Inspired by the building’s transition from factory to art venue, we invited audiences to help temporarily transform the dusty space into something idyllic & optimistic. We had one hour, several balls of string, paper, scissors, and a bundle load of yummy picnic food:
OH and I’m absolutely delighted to point out Theatre Sandbox has commission Proto-type Theater to create Fortnight with Bristol Old Vic. Theatre Sandbox, with Contact Theatre and various other national venues, have offered 6 commissions to artists/companies creating innovative work with pervasive media. Proto-type Theater are a little close to my heart, having been the first company I worked for after graduating. I’ve known about this project since it was a proposal, so it brings a tear to my eye to know that they’re receiving so much backing to bring the project to life. If you don’t know this company then you should. Proto-type are amazing and Fortnight is going to be epic! Watch that space now:
http://www.theatresandbox.co.uk/fortnight-proto-type-theater/
AND before I go, we’re pleased to announce that Contact’s premiere event of Pitch Party was a success! It’s a new format for Contact Theatre inviting artists who have previously shown an interest in the venue to pitch proposals for creative ideas – performances, instillation, festivals, events, you name it. The hope is to try to support the ideas which really inspire us, whether that’s through recommendations for events or a follow up meeting. The idea is to help build awareness for work happening in the region and build links for artists to the venue. We really enjoyed the event and the ideas so we’re looking forward to Pitch Party becoming a monthly feature. If you want to be involved then drop Contact a line.
Festival season has arrived so I’m off to travel around as much as I can this summer. Any recommendations would be much appreciated!
Until soon,
Jenny
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