The GRP

Talking Theatre Eastbourne and Talking Heads London!

Talking Theatre Eastbourne and Talking Heads London!

I have been really enjoying the new series of Talking Heads on the BBC. The first series was aired in 1988 with Alan Bennett in A Chip in the Sugar, Patricia Routledge in A Lady of Letters, Maggie Smith in Bed Among the Lentils, Stephanie Cole in Soldiering On, Julie Walters in Her Big Chance and the wonderful Thora Hird in A Cream Cracker under the Settee. I remember watching these and being totally enthralled. In 1998 the second series was aired with some of the same cast playing different roles Patricia Routledge in Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet, Eileen Atkins in The Hand of God, David Haig in Playing Sandwiches, Julie Walters in The Outside Dog, Penelope Wilton in Nights in the Gardens of Spain and Thora Hird in Waiting for the Telegram. When they were first published I remember appearing in and directing the odd one or two here and there. I even have a dusty old copy of the scripts on my bookshelf but haven’t revisited them in a good few years.

How To Adult In A Blog And How To Murder In A Theatre Company!

How To Adult In A Blog And How To Murder In A Theatre Company!

How to Adult

Back in early February, just a few weeks before the world turned upside down, the lovely Simone Stewart interviewed me for her podcast ‘How to Adult’. She says she started this podcast because at, aged 25: “I am trying to dig my way out of a quarter-life crisis. I've realised that burying my head in the sand (no matter how deep I go) doesn't actually help, but talking to people about their experiences, really does! Here, on How to Adult, I’ll be talking to different people about their quarter-life journey's and hearing some incredible stories along the way. I'm hoping that we can learn, laugh and get through this together! I mean, does anyone really know how to adult?”

The Green Room Productions’ Suggestion for Getting your Theatre Fix During COVID-19

The Green Room Productions’ Suggestion for Getting your Theatre Fix During COVID-19

It’s hardly surprising that in these difficult times when people are trying all sorts to keep themselves entertained, we theatrical types are turning to the theatre to help us. In fact, we have found that engaging in play readings over video call is so helpful, so much fun and such a nice way to spend time together while apart that we wanted to recommend it to our followers as a great lockdown activity.

Here are the things we think are so good about it:

A Fun Distraction

Not only is play reading great fun, because you really have to concentrate on it, it means you can’t think about anything else so it provides a great escape from everything that’s going on. Our gang have had a great time reading comedies to make them laugh but also very absorbing serious plays that give them something different to think about.

WE HAVE HOPPED, SKIPPED AND LEAPT INTO 2020

WE HAVE HOPPED, SKIPPED AND LEAPT INTO 2020

Happy New Year!

2019 was a big one for The Green Room Productions. Being our 10 year anniversary we chose to start our season with the amazing (world premiere!) play Someone, Somewhere by Pat Davis. This was the true story of 22- year old Jessie Earl, who disappeared from her flat Eastbourne in 1980. She was a 'missing person' until 9 years later when her body was discovered hidden in dense undergrowth on Beachy Head. We worked with Pat and Jessie’s parents, John and Val, to bring this story to the stage. We all invested our hearts and souls into this production and we are incredibly proud and honoured to have produced a piece of theatre that impacted so many people in so many ways. It was a very moving experience for those onstage and off, and I know that those of us who were involved in the play will ever forget that time. When we collated all the emails, comments and letters we had received to give to John and Val, there were 10 A4 pages! We are hoping for some more news about Someone, Somewhere in 2020 so watch this space.
***** ‘Simply stunning’ *****’

Buns Glorious Buns!

Buns Glorious Buns!

When I look at the props list of a forthcoming play and I see that it has some rather unusual props on it, I actually get quite excited about the challenge. However, Steve Darvill - a member of our company who quite often helps to source the props - will probably say his heart sinks! Over the last two or three years it seems that a number of our productions have contained unusual props. We have had to hunt for some quite bizarre items - but more of that in another blog. Our next production, Breeders (What’s On in Eastbourne), certainly has some ‘weird and wacky’ props. The play centres around Santa Lucia Day and I was intrigued to see that Saffrons Buns were included on the list. Having no idea what they were I hopped over to Google to find out more and ended up delving further into the subject than I first anticipated. So, for all you bun lovers out there (said the actress to the bishop) read-ahead!...

2009 A Theatre Throwback – Where It All Began In Eastbourne

2009 A Theatre Throwback – Where It All Began In Eastbourne

On 1st November 2009 I formed The Green Room Productions. Our first play was The Collector, based on the book by John Fowles and set in Lewes.  It was a two-hander starring Tim Bond and Leah Mooney.  Leah is still an integral, and founding, member of the company - these days you will find her in our tech box, lighting our productions.

My first task was to find us a venue. The (then) Headmaster of Willingdon Community School along with the drama teacher very kindly allowed us to use their school drama studio to perform and rehearse in.  We cannot thank their staff enough for the support and generosity they gave us in those early days, which enabled the company to grow and flourish. 

So What Does A Director Actually Do?...

So What Does A Director Actually Do?...

During our last production of Spine I was asked a few times what the role of the Director is.  The answer is that it can vary from company to company, but in The Green Room Productions it goes something like this:

As the Director, when I read a great play it captures my imagination.  Usually the story visually unfolds in my head and if I can see it working well on our stage I will decide to produce it. 

The next step is to cast the play.  The Green Room Productions has a pool of very talented actors so I will try to cast from them.  If this isn't possible then I will hold auditions to find other actors to suit the roles.

Community Libraries and their value to our town ...

Community Libraries and their value to our town ...

Researching for our next production Spine by Clara Brennan made us wonder what exactly a community library is, and what value do they bring. We set up an interview with the lovely Kate Daly from Old Town Community Library in Eastbourne (only a stones throw from our theatre) and were quite humbled at the answer. We are going to split this blog into two, as every word is worth a read.

How does a community library vary from a council library?

A community library is either a registered charity or a community interest company, or even a charitable incorporated organisation. We don’t get any funding so we had to become self- funding.  In 2002, we were one of the first community libraries in the whole country. So we've been doing it a long time.

Interview with 'This Wide Night Actress' Sandra Cheesman

Interview with 'This Wide Night Actress' Sandra Cheesman

What is your theatrical background?

I have been acting since I was knee-high to a Grasshopper. At the ripe old age of 24, I managed to gain a place at a drama school in London and train professionally.  Deciding quite early on after leaving the school that the professional side was not for me, I took my learned skills and acted and directed my way up to eventually starting my own theatre company in 2009.