Random Ramblings

For 11 days there was nothing. But then...
AN original SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION READY TO SET THE SUMMER ALIGHT!

An innovative group of young professionals are prepared to go to any lengths to bring Shakespeare to the people this summer. the original theatre company is a new exciting venture set to take Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to an impressive selection of over 20 UK venues this summer culminating in their debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

This venture aims to take contemporary performances into a diverse mix of interesting and accessible spaces around the country. From country houses to football stadiums with theatres, with hotels and schools in between, this company will perform anywhere to bring their show to the people. Venues for the forthcoming tour include The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Accrington Stanley Football club & C Electric in Edinburgh.

All members of the company are bracing themselves to sleep in cars and tents for the 10 week tour in order that they bring their own style of theatrical magic to the nation. Although unsurprisingly not everybody was immediately taken with the idea of sleeping rough. According to Stage Manager, Russell Clark, who was charged with broaching the subject with the company...

"Some of the actors were understandably cautious to begin with, but promises of unlimited hot chocolate and camp fires won them round!"

The company's emphasis is on producing entertaining and challenging theatre outside of expensive West End or regional theatres, from which people often feel out-priced. The forthcoming production of Twelfth Night involves eleven professional actors who will be hoping to bring out the darker elements of what is usually considered to be Shakespeare's most riotous comedy.

"We believe that theatre is not a passive form of entertainment"

Says Alastair Whatley - creative director and founder of the original theatre company.

"It is important that we can take Shakespeare, as well as new drama, into people's lives outside of pricey theatres. We want to offer an alternative to the cinema; theatre is live, exciting, provoking and, primarily, entertaining."

The classic tale of mistaken identity, lust, unrequited love and cruel deceit is by turns uproariously funny and bitingly sad; it is a story that speaks of chances missed, roads not taken and love - In all its guises that governs everyone from the most powerful Duke to the self righteous Malvolio.

Under the capable direction of Alastair Whatley, Twelfth Night is translated into the topsy turvy, upstairs downstairs Edwardian world. Set in the decaying yet decadent world of a crumbling British European outpost this performance is going to delight the audience with a classic and original production, contrasting the epic with the personal, the grief with the laughter.



‘Why, this is very midsummer madness’
William Shakespeare

I was going to send a long perky catch up post today, Ive had a good fortnight, those of you who know what i have been upto thankyou for making it special and loving me lots, those that don't well rest assured, I had a great time and am now ready and equipped to face my 25th year!

So instead of rambling about days in days out I hail to Kylie... Bow down to her honesty and wish her courage and hope and alot of love for the journey ahead of her. We all know its a tough one, but her character and positive attitude will see her through. Most of all I wish her strength.

You would think that we had all grown out of our Blytonesque gingerbeer swilling impromptu outings by now wouldn't you?! nope...chatting to Hubby before lunch, he only had sausages *cue jokes* in his fridge and I needed a jolly jaunt we decided to picnic... Where shall we go he asked... To the SEASIDE I said and started to ping around (no cackling this time!) so one freshly made lasagne, and two phonecalls later Andiematt and Hubby arrived at mine to await Tumbledry in hys lean mean silver machine. We waited. We drunk tea. We chatted. We were proud. Tumbledry had made a whole lasagne all by hymself. Slynky Sylver pulled into the driveway... we bundled in. Yes. In the smallest car we have between us. 5 of us. And a lovely honey bee in the back that wanted to jollyjaunt with us. Eventually we released him back out into the wild, only after an hour and ate Pease Pottage services *cue more jokes* an hour after that we pealed ourselves out of the car at Brighton Beach. The Sun was shining the sea was soggy, the beach was crowded with beautiful people. Our marrieds went on the big bungy trampolines, We filled Tumbledry's shoes with stones, and threw them at hym. We filled Andypandys bag with rocks and she didn't notice. We went on rides on the beach. We went on the log flume. Hubby had extra ammo. Hubby didn't think I was wet enough so emptied a bottle of water over me. I stripped off on the beach cos my vest was soaked and frightened the people on the ride behind. We ate donuts. We went on carousels while the sun was setting, We had dinner in the Lanes, We met Kitten, we talked we bundled all 5 of us - minus small stripy passengers and trundled home. It was a fantastic day out and I hope we never grow up.