Creative Midlands West

Stage 2 Update
2 New Shakespeare Sequels
The Studio @ Blue Orange
Actors wanted for site-specific play
China Plate Presents Caroline Horton’s “Mess”
Male actor sought
Summer Spark 2012
Artists' News & Opportunities Bulletin http://t.co/7GEeALuY #tpwm #tpn
Latest Artists' News & Opportunities Bulletin just released! http://t.co/dfyiKvul
Artists' News & Opportunities Bulletin

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:19 AM PDT

Our Town by Thornton Wilder is NEXT WEEK
Wednesday 18th – Saturday 21st July, 7.30pm
The Crescent Theatre, Sheepcote Street, Birmingham B16 8AE
Tickets: £9 available from: http://www.crescent-theatre.co.uk/Y2012/stage2-our-town.html
The show is now just over a week away! Make sure to get your tickets ASAP and spread the word about this uplifting production!

Our Town is a very interesting piece of theatre, almost the `theatre of the mind` with minimal set and mimed props, allowing the audience to interpret the scene how they will. This is not a Stage2 twist on a classic, but how Wilder himself staged and created the play. Due to the imaginative writing of Wilder, the audience will not only experience turn-of-the-century small town life, but also the ambiance and interpretation of 1930′s drama. Stage2 is known for the diversity of its productions and it has been a good while since it has performed a true American classic, with different focuses, and emphasis to that of a British writer. The show is completely suitable for the whole family

NEWSFLASH share Our Town on FaceBook or ReTweet on Twitter for a chance to win TWO free tickets to Our Town.One lucky winner will be drawn every day until the opening of the show on the 18th of April. Good Luck!

End of Summer Term Sharings
Saturday 14th July 2012
5.30 – 7.30pm
Studios, Millennium Point

The Sharings invitations have gone out, and we are looking forward to seeing what the workshop groups General Drama, Poetry for Performance and Stage1 have been up to. If you would like to come along or bring a member thinking of joining, then please reply to this email, letting us know how many tickets you would like. (Current members and their families can get them on Saturday from Ethan in the Marketplace)

Next Term
Although Priority Booking ended on 1st of July, you can still book your place for next term - the prices have now returned to £130 per person (£90 for extra siblings). Next term has a wide variety of options, and is an Autmn not to be missed. If possible make sure your place has been booked before the intro session, in order to be fully prepared for the start of term! http://www.stage2.org/next-term.html . We are delighted to be welcoming ex company member Notza Howell-Jones (nee Revers) back to run General Drama for us……
Summer Schools
Remember you can still book your place for the Summer Schools, 27th-31st August, with spaces in both General Acting and The Tempest Pretext, at £75 per person for the whole week. Feel free to bring along a friend or family member, to give them a taster of what Stage2 is like.
http://www.stage2.org/on-sale-now-menu/416-stage2-summer-schools-2011.html

2 New Shakespeare Sequels

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:17 AM PDT

Premiere of Brand New Shakespeare Sequel

Ophelia, Princess of Denmark

the Madness of . . .

27 July 7.30pm

28 July 2.00pm & 7.30pm

Ophelia, Hamlet and Claudius are reunited with each other, as they try to work out what really happened to them first time round. How will Ophelia and Hamlet get to understand why their relationship was fraught, and is Claudius this time truly sorry for his sins? This is a fascinating look at the original play's themes and mysteries, from a totally fresh angle, using many of Shakespeare's most famous words. The play premieres at the Alternative Shakespeare Festival 2012.

. . . and Return of the Award Winning Shakespeare Sequel

Romeo & Juliet for all Time

Where Lovers' despairs to Angels' cares are turned

20 July 7.30pm

21 July 2.00pm &7.30pm

For lovers of the original tragedy, this is a unique chance to revisit the play, from a completely different angle. The words of Shakespeare are heard throughout, as the two lovers, with the help of Friar Lawrence, are forced to relive scenes from their earlier 'lives', over and over again.

In doing so the original themes and feelings are brought into sharp focus.

A wonderful, touching drama for all – and a veritable feast for people who love their Shakespeare.

Birmingham's contribution to the World Shakespeare Festival are two new sequels written by award-winning Birmingham playwright Frank Bramwell. The challenge for all the sequels is to find new ways of re-presenting the work of Shakespeare; by putting his plays' themes, words and characters into very different new settings, audiences are treated to a completely new understanding and fresh enjoyment. Staying true to Shakespeare by being different pretty much sums up what we're trying to do.

"It's not been easy trying to follow in the steps of this most incredible genius of words, yet the journey we started 10 years ago has been exhilarating, to say the least. Whilst there are many companies throughout the World regularly presenting Shakespeare's plays in very different ways, the approach we have taken revolves around providing answers to this contention:

"Taking as a given truth Richard Eyre's statement that Shakespeare gave us the DNA of our Theatre, how then can it best be passed down the line, to give new and sustainable life to his work?"

That is what we set out to do, and over the last 10 years we have written and performed 5 sequels to Shakespeare's original plays. What links them all is:-

They all start where the original finishes
Shakespeare's original words and characters feature strongly throughout
New words are written to blend in with the original words
Themes from the original are re-explored but from very different angles

We believe our approach of staying faithful to the original works by putting them in a very different setting results in a startling rejuvenation of the text, giving them a whole new life and meaning."

Old Joint Stock Theatre

4 Temple Row West, Birmingham, B2 5NY

Email: oldjointstocktheatre@fullers.co.ukTel:0121 200 0946Website: www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk

Ticket Prices £12.00 (concession £10.00)

The Studio @ Blue Orange

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:14 AM PDT

The Studio is a new initiative launched by The Blue Orange Theatre to utilise their second space for comedy and live entertainment. The Studio is set to showcase the best of West Midlands comedy acts and is inclusive of but not limited to poetry and live entertainment. Our next night takes place on Sunday 22nd July at 7pm with a brilliant line up of comedians: Lovdev Barpaga, Colin Harris, Chris Purchase and open mic acts from Dave Pollard and Rob Kemp. Tickets are £6 in advance and £8 on the door and can be purchased through the website -www.studiocomedy.co.uk or via the box office – 0121 212 2643

Future dates for The Studio:

Sunday 16th September at 7pm. Line up: Craig Deeley, Aaron Twitchen, Lewis Charlesworth and open mic spots by Jonathan Hipkiss and Dirk and Betty.

We also have a number of theatre, comedy acts, competitions and workshops taking place at The Studio during the Birmingham Comedy Festival 5th – 14th October. More details can be found on our website - www.studiocomedy.co.uk

The Studio @ The Blue Orange Theatre

118 Great Hampton Street

Birmingham

B18 6AD

0121 212 2643

Actors wanted for site-specific play

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:12 AM PDT

Actors wanted for 30-40 minute, site-specific play performed in Sandwell Archives, Smethwick.

Rehearsals start 1st October 2012: performances 8th October to 19th October.
Audiences mainly students 14 -19 but also some sessions with adults.

There will be post-performance workshops with students. TIE useful but not essential.

There will be an all inclusive fee for the 3 weeks of £1200.

Role 1
Male, Asian, able to play 18

Role 2
Male, African-Caribbean, able to play 18

Role 3
Female, Asian, age-range late 20′s to early '40′s.

Role 4
Female, African-Caribbean, able to play late 50′s to early 60′s.

Please contact by 5p.m. Sunday 29th July.
NB Auditions Monday 30th July, 10 to 1, Sandwell Archives, Smethwick High Street.

Director: Jonathan Collings: collings@blueyonder.co.uk 01902 425587
Writer: Jefny Ashcroft: drama@jefny.org.uk 01902 429355 (not after 8pm)

China Plate Presents Caroline Horton’s “Mess”

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:11 AM PDT

2010 Stage Awards Best Solo Performer Caroline Horton ('You're Not Like The Other Girls Chrissy')

will premier her new show 'Mess' at the Traverse Theatre during the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Tickets are on sale now!

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012
02nd – 26th August
www.traverse.co.uk / 0131 228 1404

PLUS…. you can see preview performances of 'Mess' in London at the Ovalhouse.
Friday 27th July @ 7.30pm and Saturday 28th July @ 2.30pm.
www.ovalhouse.com / 020 7582 7680

Male actor sought

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:08 AM PDT

Gazebo Theatre Company are seeking a male actor/ arts worker for a gangs prevention programme

We are currently seeking a young actor/arts worker to deliver workshops as part of a team of two people, focusing on preventing young people becoming involved with gangs. The role will include acting within short scenarios and facilitating discussion and practical exploration, with young people aged 8-16 (primarily the younger age group).

Excellent acting skills and ability to and work as part of a team are required. Playing age 16-22.

Due to the nature of this role, working with young people, a CRB will be required.

Rehearsals and planning take place Friday 27th July and Monday 30th July- Thursday 2nd August at Gazebo, Bilston Town Hall, Wolverhampton with delivery of four 2 hour sessions during the afternoons of 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th August 2012 in Wolverhampton.

If you are interested, please send your cv and photo (plus showreel link if available) to:
pamela.cole-hudson@gazebotie.org

or by post to
Pamela Cole-Hudson
Gazebo
Bilston Town Hall
Church Street
Bilston
WV14 0AP

ASAP- beginning of July 2012- as we are planning to cast this role as quickly as possible.

Summer Spark 2012

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:07 AM PDT

Bring your creative spark to the stage this summer in Birmingham!

Summer SPARK! is ready to create a completely new piece of theatre – all we need is you, your energy and a sense of fun!

No acting experience is needed.

In just one week, we will all work together to create a completely new piece of theatre, with a grand performance on the final day.

Discover acting, directing, and performing skills you never knew you had – and make loads of new friends!

Summer Spark! 2012

6-10 & 13-17 August - Set in the grounds of the beautiful Blakesley Hall, Yardley, each week we will learn about the history of the building and local area and bring that history to life in a unique promenade performance in the hall and grounds. Come to one or both weeks for an amazing theatre experience.

THE SPARK OF CREATIVITY

At SPARK! we love to bring the creativity of young people to life. We believe that producing great drama can be friendly and fun, and can truly do wonders for self-confidence and self-esteem.

Run by professional drama and youth theatre practitioners, Rachael Veazey and Naomi Wood, SPARK! caters for young people of all abilities from the novice actor to the next Oscar winner!

Download the Summer application form 2012

www.theatresparks.co.uk

sparktheatre@gmail.com Telephone: 07432030309

Rachael Veazey (SPARK! Director)