Katy Dash and Michael Smith from PaddleBoat Theatre Company talk about their unique approach to making theatre for (and with) children. Their two shows, According to Arthur, and A Little Man’s Holiday played Brighton Fringe and the company is bound for Edinburgh fringe 2015.
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Paul Levy talked to two members of Next Generation Youth Theatre, Shelby Hannon and Olivia Harvey, about The Butterfly Catcher, a youth theatre production, which is ” a high school love story, capturing the feelings and thoughts of young people as they collectively voice their concerns about the pressures placed on them in education.”
The Devil Without fuses the Faust legend with mentalism. “Faust re-imagined. For 500 years, Faust has stayed one step ahead, but the Devil takes any chance to try again & Faust must hide. Despite not opening the door for one bare hour…all too soon – The Devil Without begins to manifest within. A terrifying struggle ensues, resulting in a battle for an audience member’s soul.” Ian Harvey Stone tells us more…
Off the Cuff having been delighting audience in Brighton with their impro shows for years. Off the Cuff TV takes audience ideas and turns them into comedy gold. We chatted to performer Simon Plotkin about how this acclaimed troupe work.
Mickey Wynne is a musician who has played gigs and been in the studio with the best of them. His own new album, Running on Empty, may well feature in an impromptu gig outside the Brighton Spiegeltent Bosco on Sunday 24th May 2015 at 5pm. Paul Levy chatted to Mickey about his music and the importance of the Jubilee Line.
The Hiccup Project creative very physical comedy. Here performers Cristina Mackerron and Francesca Dillon-Reams chat to Paul Levy about their Brighton Fringe show at Emporium, May-We-Go-Round?
“BEARD bring their special kind of bizarre and joyful comedy to Brighton for the first time.” Paul Levy chats to the comedy duo Rosa Robson and Matilda Wnek about the Footlights, and how they create comedy that makes so many people laugh.
Billed as “A modern fairy story with a twist. Set amidst the music industry, recording artist Alana suddenly finds herself alone after the death of her father. But things soon change when two new women enter her life. An all-female cast star in this fast-moving new play with live music.” Paul Levy talks to Kattreya Scheurer-Smith from Big Squirrel Productions about Alana.
Brighton’s own experimental theatre ensemble, Squall and Frenzy, present a brand new translation of award-winning Romanian playwright Marin Sorescu’s pioneering surrealist work, ‘Thirst Of The Salt Mountain‘. We spoke to members of the company, Ada Dodds, Conor Baum and Isabel Sensier about these three short plays, translating and transposing a Romanian writer, and bringing the work to the Emporium stage.
Gemma Arrowsmith shares her theatre-making thoughts about Everything That’s Wrong with the Universe, an acclaimed comedy show that “presents sketches and characters exploring the very worst humanity has to offer “. She even reveals what’s right with the universe!
Yama Theatre Productions presents Dead Happy at your house! Simon Lovat’s 2013 hit one-man show returns to Brighton! “Experience the world of funeral directing in all its bizarre humour and pathos when Francis Putlock visits your home for an unforgettable consultation”. Simon tells Paul levy how to show was born and how he brings it to your own doorstep.
Inconvenient Spoof are regular hits at the Fringe. Creative powerhouse, Matt Rudkin chats about their new show The Room in the Elephant and shares fascinating insights into how they create their unique theatre work.
Theatre Moyenne, whose All About George, was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014, presents the Free Meditation Class at The Basement. Josh Gardner – the writer and performer, talks to Paul Levy about this very different production.
Writer Craig Jordan Baker talks about rapskallions, fables and the creation of The Tale of Tommy O’Quire, in which “…storytelling, poetry and vivid artwork combine to tell a new tale in old ways.”
A bloody and faithful rendition of the ‘Scottish Play’ comes to the Rialto and, in this interview, director Chris Lynch (from C & D Productions), takes us into the rehearsal room of Macbeth.
United We Stand: The Story of the Shrewsbury 24 is billed as “A hardhitting, powerful, entertaining drama about the 1972 National Builders’ Strike and the trial of the Shrewsbury Pickets.”. Six months into its run it arrives at the Old Courtroom Brighton. Writer and performer Neil Gore, from Townsend Productions, talks about the play in which he plays Ricky Tomlinson.
Lucy Hopkins’ Le Foulard received an outstanding review from Fringe Review back in 2012 in Prague. We finally managed to catch up with her. Is she an artist or an entertainer? Find out…
“The 1920s. The gods of ancient Greece spend their nights in Aphrodites’ boudoir, looking for entertainment by playing with the lives of mortals. Have they bitten off more than they can chew as they meddle with a headstrong Ariadne, a courageous Theseus and a Minotaur that needs defeating?” Jesse Du Pre talks to Paul Levy about Hideout, an award-winning production from Haste Theatre.
Stories About Love, Death & A Rabbit at Marlborough Theatre is “an award-winning solo character piece that uses heart-breaking comedy storytelling to evoke the life of librarian Ms Samantha Mann, giving an intricately crafted English twist to a European clowning tradition.” Paul Levy talked to performer Charles Adrian about the show.
The Dukebox Theatre is growing! First stop, St Andre’s Church. Mill Goble, the venue creator and director, updates us and shares her vision for the future of this now highly regarded fringe venue.
Lamb Comedy is a new kid on the block on Brighton’s comedy scene. In this interview, Lulu Baker shares the ethos and hopes of this exciting new comedy venue and project.
The Kilted Tommy is “the personal story of an ordinary Englishman, a Lancashire lad who went to war with a swing in his step. He was a volunteer posted to a Scottish Regiment, the Seaforth Highlanders, becoming one of many Englishmen who fought in kilts for their country.” Writer and performer, Simon Waterfield tells us how the show came into being.
Downstairs at the Little Beach Boutique plays host to The Mermaid’s Tale, plays host to Bright Moon Theatre‘s “a selection of watery stories and shanties of the sea; featuring a beautiful mermaid, treasure, lots of fish and a majestic wooden ship!”. Paul Levy hears from Imogen Di Sapia about her love of stories and how the show was created.
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The Maydays are back with their new “Fringe Show“. Heather Urquhart talks improv and how she ensures she keeps improvising the way she improvises. Heather is always pushing the boundaries, but how do you actually achieve that?
Jules Craig looks a lot like Edith Sitwell. But this is no mere impersonation. Painstakingly research, Edith, Elizabeth and I is a self-referencing play about Juliet, who “attempts to put on a play about her heroines, Edith Sitwell and Elizabeth I, but discovers that telling the tales of others has its pitfalls, particularly when the subjects themselves turn up, and force her to face a few home truths.”
It was only a matter of time before Ross Gurney-Randall played Henry VIII. In his new “An Audience with…” show, we have more than a straight-laced portrayal. In this interview Ross talks about stepping into the shoes of this iconic Royal,
In this interview with producer and performer, Rowan Scarborough and director, Frank Simms, we hear about Troublesome People, one of those rare plays about pacifism, which examines the Second World War through the lens of Jewish Refugees and Conscientious Objectors on the Isle of Man.
Writers Julie Everton and Josie Melia have written a new play, The Bombing of the Grand Hotel, that “tells the story of the astonishing relationship between Pat Magee, who planted the bomb, and Jo Berry, whose father was killed in the blast.” They’ve spoken to those directly involved and their thorough research is the foundation of this important piece. Here they chat to Paul Levy about the processes of writing and realisation for the stage.
Beowulf was a big hit at the Fringe in 2014 for Barely Human Puppets/Atomic Force. They are back and we talk to the show’s narrator Tom Dussek about bringing a Viking myth to life with puppetry, poetry, story and theatre.
Pericles Theatre Company and Atelier have uniquely collaborated to bring this piece of story theatre – The Tale of the Pig – to the stage. Music is a big part of it, community lies at its heart, and Erica Blaxland-de Lang talks passionately about the piece, with some input from her team!
7 Veils: An Evening with Mata Hari is written by Abi Hynes and solo performed by Laura Danielle (from Faro Productions). Here they talk to Paul Levy about this iconic figure and bringing her to the stage.
The Art & Tech of Film & Photography is a minifest of talks at the Brighton Spiegeltent during the Brighton Fringe (Bank Holiday Monday from 2pm till 5pm) Nick Driftwood enthuses about the line up, talks about the development of film and photography and even tells us how to hack a camera..
On site at the Old Steine, producer and venue creator Adrian Bristow tells Paul Levy what he loves about Spiegeltents and Boscos, and shares some highlights from this year’s Fringe programme at the Brighton Spiegletent.
Head First Acrobats bring their show, Elixir, to the Brighton Fringe, playing the Brighton Spiegeltent’s Bosco. Described as “A unique mix of mayhem where handsome boys and incredible circus tricks meet with impeccable comic timing to make you laugh and smile”, Elixir is a piece of narrative circus in which “Three acrobatic and enthusiastic scientists attempt to create the elixir of life”. Thomas Gorham from Head First Acrobats chats to Paul Levy about how the show came into being and how circus combines with narrative to bring the story to life through acrobatics.
It all began in Blackpool for Paul Zenon, magician. It all bean with a set of linking rings. “Not a magic show, but magical nonetheless.” Paul Zenon offers at this year’s Fringe “an affectionate look at a misspent youth and unsung heroes; a touching true story of interlocking lives.” Paul shares his thoughts on magic, who has influenced him and his next steps. Look him up on Wikipedia and you’ll find this polymath described as ” is an English stage and TV magician, comedian, presenter, corporate entertainer, commentator, writer and actor”. He’s that, and more…
James Weisz is either insane or a brave genius. He is successfully piloting an arts venue through its first years and has helped (with his team) to create a vibrant cafe and theatre in Brighton’s up and coming London Road area. Here he chats about staying true to his theatre roots and sustaining and growing Emporium for the theatre makers and audience in Brighton.
This was a real treat for yours truly. Joe Orton‘s darkly comic farce, What the Butler Saw comes to Emporium Brighton (produced by talking Scarlet) and I (Paul Levy) get to talk to the director and two cast members! Patric Kearns directs Brian Capron (as Dr Prentice) and Melissa Clements (who plays Geraldine Barclay) in a version that also stars Jenny Funnell (as Mrs Prentice). We chat about the play, the ghost of Joe, and much more in an interview that unravels the creation of characters, the enduring qualities of this play, and why Emporium is such a fitting venue for the piece. (Though not an official Brighton Fringe show, we have listed it under the Fringe Interviews for brighton as it runs until May 9th).
Maria McAteer plays opposite Björn Dahlberg in My Friend Lester, a show in the Brighton Fringe that tells the story of the “musical romance of Billie Holiday and Lester Young”. Maria talks about how the show has developed since it became a sell out hit at the previous two Fringes. As a writer and performer, Maria discusses the challenges of stepping into the role of this music icon.
Lost in Transit is back at the Brighton Spiegeltent “with a new twist.” A sell out hit in 2014, creator and director Chris Cresswell gives us an update and shares insights into the creation of a unique piece of cabaret theatre that includes circus and clown.
If Puss in Boots came to Brighton, Joshua Crisp from Bard and Troubadour thinks the wily cat might get into a few adventures and a scrape or two. In this interview, Joshua talks about how his company (comprising he, the bard, and she, Amy Sutton – the Troubadour), makes theatre for children, takes us into his rehearsal rooms and shares some ambitions for the this acclaimed duo.
Tony Jaffe always brings variety to the Fringe. And with a mix of theatre, film, solo shows, music and talks, there’s no disappointing us this year at the Fringe. here Tony chats to Paul Levy about his tea, his vision for The Old Courtroom, and his programme this year.
Nicola Haydn and her team have boldly piloted legendary Brighton theatre venue, Upstairs at Three and Ten to the equally renowned Basement. I met Nicola at the Brighton Fringe press launch and she shared her usual passion for theatre and a few updates for the Warren at this year’s Fringe.
In our catch up interview with Brighton Fringe’s managing director, Julian Caddy, we thought we’d do something different this year. We asked Julian to take us on a tour of Fringes around the world. Each Fringe has its own uniqueness, yet there is also common ground. Where should you take your show next, after Brighton ? The interview ends back in our home city is an informative and inspiring conversation.