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NEWS
May 2012
A long overdue update! The month run of the Ted Hughes translation of The Oresteia at Riverside Studios came and went with good audiences and positive reviews from
The British Theatre Guide,
One Stop Arts and
Everything Theatre. As ever it was good to work with a company where there is a mutual understanding, genuine friendships and a desire to push boundaries. It is also great that Theatre Lab's track record, growth and desire to explore the less conservative has been rewarded with some support from the Arts Council. Let's hope the relationship continues! It was also fantastic to receive support from the Ted Hughes Foundation.
The other primary theatrical pre-occupation over the last month has been the return of
Veni Vidi Theatre Company's Radio Theatre production of
The Hound Of The Baskervilles, which runs at Theatro Technis in Camden until May 12th. The hope is to build on the overwhelmingly positive audience reaction last year, and generate some industry interest. To my mind it has the potential to become a much, much larger concern, both due to the novelty of the idea, but also due to the rapidly growing 'vintage' scene in London. It is almost a combination of Secret Cinema with a live theatre show, and audiences have again been very positive, with numerous comparisons to the long-running West End Production of The Thirty-Nine Steps. We are still waiting on reviews, but to date
One Stop Arts,
myvillage.com and
The British Theatre Guide, have all recommended the show, and
The Evening Standard felt it was worth a plug. Hopefully so will some supportive producers! Watch this space. Either way, as ever, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with the company again, and it is very satisfying to work on a show so well received by its paying audiences.
Quick update: The Hound has received further positive reviews from
Younger Theatre and
London 24.com, who also provide half of London's local press. And a five star review on
Remote Goat on our last show.
December 2011
Another really busy couple of months for me, as my aforementioned workshops with
Threepenny Theatre concluded with a small public promenade showing at
Goodenough College, which was an interesting experience, and one which will definitely inform future activity in this field.
Following on from this, I was primarily occupied with further devising, script development, rehearsals and finally the performance of
The White House, with In The Gutter Productions (of whom I am a key member), as part of the inaugural
The London Horror Festival. It was wonderfully rewarding creative experience, from process to performance. In an attempt to sum it up, it was a site-specific, devised interactive promenade piece set win the environment of a late 18th Century magic and horror themed brothel. See
Wikipedia Entry for more information regarding the influence behind the piece. For a risk-taking theatrical piece, the audience response was overwhelmingly positive, both in terms of levels of interaction and audience numbers, and we had that ever so rare experience of people queuing for returns for a show in a 'fringe' venue. Also I learned some of the basics of corset construction, wrote poetry and strode around in a frock coat. What's not to like?
Next up, I am returning to work again with
Theatre Lab Company on their forthcoming production of The Oresteia at the Riverside Studios from 29th February to 24th March 2012, where I will be playing Aegisthus. Following that we will be revisiting
Veni Vidi Theatre Company's radio theatre performance of The Hound of The Baskervilles in May 2012, and there are plans afoot for another In The Gutter Productions project later in the year. In the meantime I shall be doing some work with young people and trying to develop a voice reel. Fun Fun Fun!
September 2011
As is probably evident from my lack of updates, I have been incredibly busy over the last 2 or 3 months! June and July were primarily taken up with rehearsals for
Theatre Lab Company's revival of Antigone, which played at the
Paphos Ancient Odeon, Makarios III Amphitheatre Nicosia and
Curium Ancient Theatre Limassol from 24th-26th July, which was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. Performing on the stones where nearly 2500 years previously people would have played the same works, in front of such large audiences was a
performers dream. We got lovely reviews in Cypriot press, big houses and were deemed sufficiently successful that the company has been invited to return to future
festivals. It was also a very valuable experience reviving a piece with a different cast, and taking a major responsibility in integrating new performers and re-developing sections.
The day after I returned from Cyprus, I started rehearsals on
Veni Vidi Theatre Company's Radio Theatre production of
The Hound Of The Baskervilles. As well as developing my vocal repertoire as the voices of Cabbie 2704, a Grimpen Mire Shepherd and The Hound itself, I also had the opportunity to really involve myself in the sound folio work, using everything from replica 1930's wind-machines to gravel pits and unusual bird calls. As well as full houses and overwhelmingly positive audience responses, we also received
a five star review on Remote Goat, and were lavished with praise from Vintage Guide To London, The Sherlock Holmes Society of London and a number of groups for the visually impaired. The company are looking to build on this success with a possible revival in a larger venue in the not too distant future. Watch this space!
Following on from this, I have been taking part in some development workshops for
Threepenny Theatre, with a view to developing a new piece of multi-disciplinary and multi-media theatre, influenced by Othello, Troilus and Cressida and The Rape of Lucrece. This project in 2012 will be supported by RSC Open Stages. All very interesting!
Last but by no means least, over several days over the last 3 months, I have been involved in devising a new piece of work,
The White House, which will be playing at The Courtyard Theatre, 22nd-27th November,as part of
The London Horror Festival with a view to extending to a much bigger production with a longer run next year. I am VERY excited about this!
May 2011
Not much news since the last update, as I was out of the country for a month following the end of the Macbeth tour (which was happily sold out or very near capacity for most of the performances).
That said, It hasn't all been quiet, as I have two upcoming projects. At the end of July, I will be appearing as the Chorus Leader in a re-working of
Theatre Lab Company's production of Antigone from last year. This time, however we will be at
15th International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama in Cyprus, performing in amphitheatres ranging from 1000-5000 capacity. Exciting! Intersting to be working with new cast members, including, Londynczycy (Londoners) star, Ryan Hurst. My polish friends will be pleased!
Also coming up is
Veni Vidi Theatre Company's live audio production of
The Hound Of The Baskervilles, in which I will be doing a range of audio folio work, including the voice of The Hound! This will run 15th - 20th August 2011, at Theatro Technics, Camden.
Also, behind the scenes, I am working on developing Circle Square Collective - Watch this space!
March 2011
As is probably evident by my lack of February update, the last 2 months have been VERY busy!
Early February was dominated by final rehearsals and the performance of 'The Beheaded Lover', by Theatre Lab Company's
Labatorium at Shunt, which was reviewed by Howard Loxton at
The British Theatre Guide. I also participated in recording of a full length radio play, 'Snoozewurzle's Next Big Idea' taking the part of Liesus, the young lover, amongst others.
Between then and now, I have been fairly consumed by playing the part of Macbeth in
Custom Practice Theatre Company's tour, which took in Harrow Arts Centre, Croydon Clocktower, Alleyne's School in Dulwich, Greenwith Theatre, Rich Mix in Bethnal Green, and The Drum in Birmingham. The tour took in industry heavy evening audiences and matinees largely comprising of school audiences of various ages, and it was interesting alternating between the two and in such different venues (in terms of size, audience and accoustics).
January 2011
After a December dominated by Flu, auditions, devising work and festive indulgence, January has been straight back in the saddle!
Following on from my 2 days as Robert Catesby in November, I have done some more work for
ITG Education, following a collaborative devise-based character creation process, to be part of team creating a world for Professor Scop's Traveling Library, which had its first unveiling at the
Learning Without Frontiers Conference. As well as being a potentially revolutionary way of encouraging learning, the project works alongside the Carnival of Wonders project - See November 2010 for more information!
Also January has seen the start of rehearsals for a short physical theatre devised piece called 'The Beheaded Lover', a re-telling of the Classical Myth of Medusa, which will be at
Shunt in Early February.
Also starting in February will be rehearsals for a tour of London venues of Macbeth with the theatre company
Custom/Practice, which I can't wait to get my teeth into.
November 2010
Another busy and exciting month, though more working on longer term projects. We finished the run of 'The Cave', and I was very happy with the last few shows, where I thought the show really took off. I also had my first experience of working with
In The Gutter Productions, which involved 2 days at the William Bellamy Junior School in Dagenham meeting the children as Robert Catesby, supporting the culmination of the terms work on spies and the gunpowder plot. A very rewarding and educational experience, that I hope to repeat. For some of their other projects see
Carnival of Wonders Promo Video. I've also had the unique experience of having to turn down castings and work this month due to prior commitments.
Behind the scenes, I have working with some friends and colleagues on developing a film project to be shot next year, so far primarily character and script development. Its very exciting to be creating something from scratch, and we are all learning a great deal from the experience. I also have been involved in setting up some actors, writers and directors networking meetings and a drop in acting group, which is also proving very rewarding. Lastly, November has been pre-occupied with preliminary work on putting together a proposal as part of a collective for an arts space in West London. If any of these bear fruit, it will be a very exciting 2011!
Lastly, the short radio play I did earlier this year, 'Another Stab At Life', playing Pluto, God of the Underworld, is now
online
October 2010
October has been primarily taken up by the role of 'Tom Carter, the Witch Hunter' in the World Premiere of Mervyn Peake's 'The Cave' at
the Blue Elephant Theatre. It's received a fair amount of positive press coverage and reviews, including
The Stage and
The Express, as well as Libby Purves in The Times: "It has streaks of the angry postwar nihilism of Anouilh and Sartre: the hopeful theme of rejecting fear and social coercion leads only to amoral fragmentation in the last act. But it is extraordinary: a howl, an imperfect and painful philosophical struggle, part of a remarkable artist's testament. Honour to the little theatre."
Also this month, the audio recording of the production of
Othello from earlier this year was completed, and work on the film project with friends continues with script drafts emerging.
September 2010
A slightly quieter month so far! September's main project has been 'Standing by Her Man', and indie feature film set the day before a US Senatorial election. A tight ship, entirely shot over 3 days, which has been a real challenge, especially in something so heavy with complex dialogue.
Also this month, I have participated in workshops on playing Chekhov and Faust, and have had a couple of more meetings about a film project me and some colleagues are working on. I have also just been cast in the role of 'Tom, The Witch Hunter' in the first ever performance of 'The Cave' by Mervyn Peake, which opens next month at The Blue Elephant Theatre
August 2010
A very satisfying month so far. In addition to a well received run of Othello (sadly the rain kept some of the larger profile reviewers away, but here are reviews from
The British Theatre Guide,
Extra Extra and
Londonist, all of which were very kind.), I have attended a couple of workshops, and have just been cast in an independent film called 'Standing By Her Man'. This is a 3 hander set in real time the day before a US senatorial election ballot and shoots next month. Best get working on my accent!
July 2010
Another busy month for Mr Wade. In addition to the extract of 'Kiss The Shadow' at the London Literature Festival, I was also involved in a photo/video shoot for the Betfair website (The one where fans bet against each other rather than the house), playing the role of a football fan, which as anyone who knows me can testify, is hardly a stretch!
Most of this month, however has been consumed with rehearsals for
Othello, which have been suitably emotionally intense, but rewarding, and I'm very much looking forward to the show. A good cast, crew and director, with a great play in a beautiful setting - what's not to like! Also got a few other irons in the fire, but we shall see!
June 2010
Another busy and interesting month!
After a quick turnaround, on online link appeared for the
'Gilly' Video for Matthew P that I was involved in last month.
The 1 off workshop production of Kiss The Shadow at the Soho Theatre was a sell out, we had a lovely write-up in Diva, and have been asked to perform an extract as part of the
London Literature Festival at the South Bank on July 8th at 2pm.
I have also been cast as Othello in
Veni Vidi Theatre's production of Othello at Lauderdale House, Monday, 9th August 2010 - Friday, 13th August 2010
I've also attended a number of workshops this month and begun the process of updating my showreel...watch this space!
May 2010
Antigone finished this month, after a series of very good audiences.Another review in
The Fulham Chronicle, and one which will feature in the Greek Press by
James Karas.
This week I recorded my first radio play, a 10 minute piece called 'Another Stab at Life', which was written by Sue Blundell and directed by Ed Dede for
Veni Vidi Theatre Company, where I play Pluto, God of the underworld.
This month also saw my first music video appearance as 'Guitar Guy', in the video for the song Gilly by
Matthew P. Good fun, and should be an amusing watch.
Also I am going to start rehearsals with Anastasia Revi for a 1-off performance of a new play, 'Kiss the Shadow', by writer Nina Rapi, who's previous work has been described as 'inspirational' by The Guardian. Its on Thursday 10th June at Soho Theatre Studio at 7.30pm (£3 tickets).
April 2010
This month has been very much dominated by Theatre Lab Company's production of Antigone. A very rewarding and creatively interesting rehearsal process has grown into a challenging and successful production, with very positive audience reactions. Also lovely playing in a rather posh venue!
Reviews, feedback and thoughts:
Blog from an audience member
Review: British Theatre Guide
Also a lovely write up from Dr Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps of the Centre for Hellenic Studies:
Antigone by Sophocles belongs to the finest hour of Greek tragedy. Anastasia Revi has clearly let herself be seduced by the most daughterly of daughters which is why her respectful yet bold direction is so seductive. It masterfully strikes the forever precarious balance between the timeless beauty of the original (as captured in Fagles faithful translation) and any attempt at a synchronic revival of the perennial man-woman, city-divinity conflict. With an at times harrowing incantation and percussion on stage, minimally but effectively designed, the feminine-ontological and masculine-political duality is beautifully re-enacted by a physically fragile yet powerful Antigone (Lisa Stuart) and an equally worthy Creon (George Siena) whose physicality is self-lacerating. Weaved around their agony are not the elders of Thebes, but a bolt of pure energy, three warriors who can also embody the sensitivity of a girl in between battles and prove brief becoming maids of a doomed bride before her solitary rite of death. This reduced chorus is a challenging departure (partly imposed by the here and now of the theatrical practice) yet as imaginative and unpredictable as the final master stroke, Creon's last breath opening up before us as an audible lasting enunciation that he just like Antigone will never achieve homecoming. 'Sophocles is a master of solitudes' indeed in this passionate memorable production; the Athenian tragedy has certainly come home at the heart of London!
March 2010
Having bookended February with the Lyric Lounge event (and lots of lovely feedback about the piece and the performance), I've had the odd sensation of having to turn down offers of work! This is because rehearsals for
Antigone start tomorrow. Can't wait....very excited. For more info look at the
Theatre Lab Company website. Also will be taking my BADC Level 3 (Advanced) Stage Combat exam later this month.
Completed my BADC Level 3 Exam...I passed with a bronze award which i was fairly happy with having not picked up a sword in 3 years!
February 2010
Finished the 'Point and Shoot' short film, and enjoyed it immensely despite standing freezing on Westminster Bridge at 7.30 am. Should be some beautiful shots, and if nothing else running around Leicester Square being chased by a steady-cam was an interesting experience.
Via the director of Antigone, I have also ended up having a role in a work in progress called 'Kiss the Shadow' at
Lyric Lounge: Fri 26th Feb. Lyric Hammersmith, Studio Space. It should be intersting, and at least I can now say I've acted there!
January 2010
Wow..a new decade! Just finished working on a short film (30-45mins), 'Fairy Nuff' for a company called
Not For Me Films, which a part scripted, part improvised film project, which I have enjoyed the process of influencing he plot and character development of.
I've also started to re-take my BADC level 3 (Advanced) stage combat exam after a about 3 years of a weapon free life. A good challenge, and interesting to revisit the various weapon systems after so long. The Company I'm doing this with is
RC-Annie and I highly recommend them!
Start shooting next week for another short film called 'Point and Shoot' about the potential restriction of civil liberties of further anti-terror legislation. Lots of me running past famous London Landmarks....
December 2009
Shot a short film over the weekend with the Met Film School, which basically involved trying to talk someone out of killing themselves whilst spending the best part of 3 days outside in the wind and rain. Its amazing how much DV cameras have improved in recent years!
Sadly Twelfth Night with the English Repertory Theatre is not going to happen. Around the same time as I got involved with the project, the company lost its producer and were hit by massive unexpected extra costs. The remaining production team did their best, but the timescales around Christmas were just too tight. My West End debut will have to wait! There is still some interest in revisiting the project later in 2010, so it may yet be a positive.
Having completed the series of workshops for Antigone with Theatre Lab Company, I have been cast as one of the 3 strong chorus, which is great as the chorus is particularly prevalent and integral to this play. It will be at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith from mid April.
November 2009
Julius Caesar ran for 4 weeks, with very positive feedback from the increasingly full audiences regarding both the show and my performance, which added to what had already been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. It was an opportunity to work with some talented and wonderfully selfless people.
As work begets work in this industry, my involvement in Julius Caesar has also indirectly led me to being involved (again as an emergency sub!) in a production of Twelfth Night, playing the part of Antonio. The company is the
English Repertory Theatre, and opens at the Duchess Theatre, in the West End on 14th December, running until 16th January.
Also workshops continue for Antigone for
Theatre Lab Company, which is a very exciting project which will be taking place in Spring 2010.
I'm also shooting a short for the Met Film School in the last weekend in November, that has a nice simple but effective concept.
October 2009
Busy Busy Busy! Into 3rd week of rehearsals for Julius Caesar, and have found myself recast as Brutus! Scary picking up such a major part and short notice, but also a massive opportunity to play a role I feel I'm quite well suited to in terms of temperament. Production is looking good, and should be well worth a watch.
Website for production:
Julius Caesar - Lazarus Theatre Company
We now have some early reviews...opinions of the production have been generally positive, and they've all been quite kind to me which is nice!
Fringe Review
British Theatre Guide
Dulwich OnView
I've also started some workshops with a view to a production of Antigone with Theatre Lab Company...watch this space I guess....
September 2009
September is continuing where August left off, with a fair bit of activity on the acting front. Wednesday 9th was a rehearsed reading for 'One Night Stands', playing the character of Imad in a new play by a swiss author, 'Enemy Material'. This was directed by the lovely Francesca Seeley, whom I hope to work with again.
I have also just been cast in Lazarus Theatre Company's forthcoming ensemble production of Julius Caesar, playing Octavius. Nothing like a future deified master of the known world...! I've heard many good things about the company, and if the auditions are anything to go by, it should a rewarding experience for both cast and audience.
August 2009
Its been a busy month for Mr Wade as I have just spent 3 days filming in studio and on location playing the role of the Emporer's son, Caracalla in the forthcoming partially animated documentary 'Britain's African Emporer'. My second green-screen in a month and rather lovely experience all round. Should be some fun footage of me in Roman Imperial Armour on horseback...
Just finished a shoot for Global Radio playing multiple characters as 'The Voice of Reason' in a sexual health vodcast for Suffolk. Got promoted from initial casting as a disease riddled sex addict!
Just completed a run playing the role of Rob in the World Premiere of 'Rob Is' by Trent Burton for Trunkman Productions as part of the Camden Fringe Festival. This was at the Camden People's Theatre, 10-15 August.
Website for production:
Rob Is - Trunkman Productions
Fringe Review Write-up
July 2009
The first episode of the Doritos ID3 Interactive Film that I had a part in has launched:
Doritos ID3-An Interactive Movie Adventure
My acting group, The Circle Square Collective, is now happening. At present while we are setting up and getting established, its invitation only, but a little further down the line, we'll be either running workshops or getting people in to run them, and then we'll spread the word...links to follow.
May 2009
Having completed my move back out to Ealing, and resolved my part-time employment issues, I can concentrate on my acting once more! A mixed month - 2 days filming for a Doritos Interactive Video, and successful audition for a fringe play in August in the plus column. In the minus, 2 different shoots I was due to be involved in have been cancelled or trimmed by the money men the day before. The joys of economic turndown! Have started attending weekly improvisation workshops to keep the muscles flexed, and have made some progress with the acting group I am setting up, which should be good to go in June - Watch this space!
