Net Curtains Blog

End of the Workshop Season...

2009-12-10T13:41:00.004Z

So, as the nights begin to well and truly close in (dark at 4pm? Does this really happen every year?!) Net Curtains' Workshops have closed up for the Christmas period, to return bigger and better than ever in the New Year.

November and December have given us some great evenings. We've had two brilliant writers, Rachel Sambrooks and Matt Borgatti, take workshops for us with their scripts 'Clouds' and 'Descent and Decency'.

During Rachel's evening the actors read through the entire script and discussed in detail what was felt to be effective and what needed clarification or could be built upon further. We also tried putting the scenes up on their feet, gaging how the words worked when combined with movement. The general consensus was that the strength of the material Rachel was working with demanded that the play be worked into a full-length piece, and we hope to see Rachel back in the new year with her next draft!

Matt also brought a very powerful piece of work, but at a far earlier stage of development, which provided a fascinating view of a script in progress. Again the company read through the material and provided feedback on characters, scene development and plotting. For this evening we were also joined by the guiding hand of director Mel Cookis. Mel worked with Matt to give the evening a very effective structure, facilitating a strong investigation of the piece and leaving no plot stone unturned.

Our final workshop of the year was delivered by writer and director Poppy Corbett. Focusing on Russian acting techniques, Poppy guided the group through various games and exercises, designed to sharpen concentration, heighten awareness of the self and others and build relationships within a company. The workshop was quite different from anything else we had done during the season so far, very hands on, actor-orientated and physical, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

On looking back at the past few months, it seems that Net Curtains' Workshops have had a very successful and diverse season, but this is only the beginning...

WORKSHOPS!

2009-10-23T14:28:00.004+01:00

Net Curtains has been busy recently with two fantastic workshops over the past fortnight.

First up was David Cottis, director of Druid's Rest at the Finborough Theatre and currently directing The Comedy of Errors, due to open next Wednesday at the Riverhouse. David led the company in an interesting set of exercises, focusing on Ken Campbell's theory that the face physically holds two distinct personalities. The actors took turns studying each other's profiles, left and right, devising personalities, jobs, character flaws and lifestyles to fit the physical attributes that each side of the face presented. The company then took it in turns to be 'hot-seated', the two different sides of their face were asked questions and the actor's took on the character that had been assigned to each profile in their answers.

This Tuesday we welcomed Philip Westerman, armed with his brilliant horror film script 'The Photograph'. Phil was interested in fleshing and developing his characters to complement the strongly threaded plot. So the company worked with extracts from the script, ranging from a scene bristling with domestic tension, to an unsettling moment where a mother worries for her child's safety, to a cosy scene in which an older woman dispenses advice for the younger generation. The actors worked both on and off script, some scenes benefiting from some original and often hilarious devising!

Both evenings were very successful and with more workshops planned for November, Net Curtains' creativity continues to grow.

2009-09-29T17:31:00.005+01:00

NET CURTAINS UPDATE

Exciting Developments are afoot at Net Curtains right now. A new draft of a full length First Impressions is on its way, and in the meantime a variety of Net Curtains workshops have been lined up to keep the Company on their toes. Actors will interact with diverse artistic opportunities, ranging from work with recent directors, horror film scripts and on to fresh new writing pieces. And with more possibilities in the pipeline, Tuesday evening looks like it will be an interesting time for the next couple of months!

And in other news, netcurtains.org is getting a face-lift. Overseen by our Website and Design Manager, Tom Clarke, Net Curtains Theatre Company will soon have a brilliant new online look. So, watch this space...literally

WORKSHOP WITH ELEANOR RHODE

2009-09-17T15:02:00.005+01:00

8th September 2009

While plans are well underway for the production of Tim Stimpson's winning play at The Theatre Royal Margate next year, Net Curtains remain dedicated to providing actors and directors with the creative space in which to nurture talent and forge new artistic links. It is this philosophy that found the company in their favourite haunt - the Coach and Horses in Soho - engaging in a workshop run by Eleanor Rhode, director of the critically acclaimed Generous by Michael Healey.

After a brief synopsis of the play, which concerns four interconnected stories of 'generosity' playing out under the politically charged atmosphere of a minority government in 1970s Canada, the actors began work with extracts from the script. Eleanor and the company started with an electric scene concerning five members of the failing government and set in the disaster zone that emerges after an important parliamentary vote is lost. The motivations for the characters were examined and explored through a series of improvisations and experiments with the script, leading actors towards the urgency the scene needs to portray.

After working on some focus exercises the company moved onto a scene involving two characters who, as the action progresses, develop a sexual bond steeped that is in power-games. The actors had the chance to explore the best way to create this bond and the subtleties of action that denote status and authority on stage. Eleanor used minimal set and props for her production of Generous and she spoke about the challenges faced by performers without these items but also the focus that this lack lends to every tiny nuance of the actor's behaviour.

The evening provided an interesting insight into Eleanor Rhode's directorial style and the chance for the company to work in a 'hands-on' way with a dynamic script. Thank you to Eleanor for her time and we wish her all the best for her upcoming production of The December Man as part of the VIBRANT! Festival at the Finborough during October.

AND THE WINNER IS...

2009-09-17T14:56:00.002+01:00

...Tim Stimpson's First Impressions. After a brilliant evening of drama watched and debated over by more than 350 people, Tim Stimpson's play questioning the power of art to transform a community was voted as the winner. The script will now go on into further development for performance as a full-length play in Spring 2010. Watch this space for updates on the play's progress and the work of Net Curtains Theatre Company.

CURTAINS UP!

2009-05-27T18:18:00.007+01:00

Following an intense Saturday an even busier Sunday arrived. After filling up on a full English breakfast at the hotel, the company headed down to the theatre to finish teching the last two plays, do a dress rehearsal of all three - and all in time for the curtain to go up at 7:30pm.

Needless to say it was a close run thing. The house was forced to open a little later than planned in order to allow rehearsals to finish. However, it did result in the satisfying site of theatre-goers literally queuing around the block!

Eventually though, the audience took their seats and the mayor took to the stage to introduce the evening and remind everyone that they were there to vote for their favourite play - all of which ran (almost) without a hitch.

At the end of the evening there was a short Q&A session with the writers James Woolf, Tim Stimpson and Sue Lenier. The plays provoked a lot of passionate discussion (and not a little disagreement) and the writers were able to justify their decisions and bid for the last few votes.

We can't reveal the result quite yet - but come back to the site to find out which play won the audience's support and will go forward to become a full-length production.

In the meantime a huge thank you to everyone involved. We hope that this is only the first stage in creating a great play for Margate!

Top picture: Lucinda Westcar, Jonathan Peck, Claire Farrington, Anne Bird and Stephen Boswell in First Impressions.

Bottom picture: Lucinda Westcar and Jamie Allan in End of the Line.

END OF THE LINE....

2009-05-24T13:51:00.002+01:00

Following a week of intensive rehearsals in London the cast and crew arrived in Margate on Saturday. While the crew began preparations at the Theatre Royal, the actors took a stroll from the train station to the magnificent Walpole Bay Hotel, getting a feel for the town en route. Rehearsal continued in the 1920s ballroom at the hotel, before tech runs at the theatre later in the evening.

The company enjoy the sunshine on Margate Harbour

Stephen Boswell (Martin), Claire Farrington (Connie) and Jonathan Peck (Maurice) in 'The Bed and Breakfast Burglar' by Sue Lenier

READ/HEAR/WATCH ALL ABOUT IT!

2009-05-23T17:39:00.011+01:00

We've been busy getting the word out around Margate. Claire adorned the front cover of 'Your Thanet' alongside patron, Richard Briers and an article also appeared in the Kent Messenger. Tim Stimpson took an early trip to Margate for a morning interview on KMFM. Claire and actor Steven Boswell could be heard later in the week on BBC Radio Kent. Look out for an item about the production on South East Today (BBC 1) who are filming rehearsals on Sunday.

In the meantime rehearsals have carried on in London. These pictures were taken during a rehearsal of 'End of the Line' by Jame Woolf. The picture on the left features Jonathan Peck as Jack and Ben Jones playing Bry. Below Jonathan Peck, Jamie Allan (Georgie), Oscar Ward (Taylor) and Ben Jones.

Annie bird as Maggie (and Keiko Sumida, Production Manager)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

2009-05-19T19:48:00.005+01:00

As promised here are a couple of pics from our rehearsals. If you're wondering where that lovely room is you'll find it above the Coach and Horses in Greek Street (Soho) - famous as a venue for Private Eye lunches, but also for their cracking fish finger sandwiches. These shots were taken during a rehearsal for First Impressions by associate writer Tim Stimpson.

Stephen Boswell (Lawrence) and Jonathan Peck (Martin)

Oscar Ward (Jon), Jonathan Peck, Anne Bird (Harriet) & Jamie Allan (Director)

More photographs from our other plays to follow shortly....

ON YOUR MARKS...

2009-05-15T17:05:00.009+01:00

It's now nine days until the curtain goes up on our next production and rehearsals are about to begin. It's going to be quite a challenge putting together three plays in a just over a week, but with the great team we've put together we're sure we can do it!

We can now confirm the company for Dreamland as:

Jamie Allan (Director, First Impressions; Georgie in End of the Line)

Toria Banks (Director, End of the Line)

Anne Bird (Maggie in End of the Line; Harriet in First Impressions)

Stephen Boswell (Burglar in The Bed and Breakfast Burglar; Lawrence in First Impressions)

Mel Cook (Director, The Bed and Breakfast Burglar)

Claire Farrington (Artistic Director; Shelly in End of the Line; Connie in The Bed and Breakfast Burglar; Jocelyn in First Impressions)

Ben Jones (Bry in End of the Line)

Jonathan Peck (Jack in End of the Line; Maurice in The Bed and Breakfast Burglar; Martin in First Impressions)

Keiko Sumida (Company Manager)

Will Train (Designer)

Oscar Ward (Taylor in End of the Line; Moody in The Bed and Breakfast Burglar; Jon in First Impressions)

Lucinder Westcar (Shelley in First Impressions)

Alan Caig Wilson (Associate Artistic Director)

Remember tickets for Dreamland are FREE so reserve yours now by calling Margate's Theatre Royal on 0845 130 1786.

Keep an eye on this blog for rehearsal updates and photographs.

Hello and welcome to the Net Curtains blog!

2009-03-29T17:46:00.008+01:00

Here you'll find out about all the latest Net Curtains news. Our next production 'Dreamland' is now very much on the horizon. It's our first co-production (in this case Margate's Theatre Royal) and only our second major out-of-London production. Check back here to read rehearsal diaries, view photographs and find out about the progress of these three new exciting plays.

As with all blogs, this one will evolve over time. We hope that it will become a focal point for actors, writers and directors who work with Net Curtains, as well as those who support us. As the company grows we also hope that this blog will expand to cover other aspects of fringe theatre and become a useful community for all those practitioners busy creating their own work.
If you have any suggestions for things you'd like to see on this blog, or would like to contribute, then please do leave your comments here.

That's all for now. I'd better get back to redrafting my script....
Tim Stimpson (Associate Writer)

Welcome to the Net Curtains Blog

2009-02-28T17:03:00.001Z

Keep up to date with the most recent developments here in the blog.