What's On Eastbourne

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. 

A Year In The Making ... Someone, Somewhere.

A Year In The Making ... Someone, Somewhere.

That time is here again - the madness that is pre-show week. 

The last two weeks before any production are pretty hectic as every aspect of the play comes together. All members of the company are running around putting the final tweaks to their particular role, and in general preparing for the get-in.  The actors are all in a state of panic that the lines and cues they have spent weeks learning won’t escape them, and for me the Producer, I have to make sure that no fish has escaped the net, and everyone is set to go.

An evening with Holocaust survivor Dorit Oliver Wolff

An evening with Holocaust survivor Dorit Oliver Wolff

Meeting Holocaust survivor Dorit Oliver Wolff was a fascinating but shocking experience for everyone at Green Room Productions.  Dorit was a wonderful character and speaker who considered herself to be a survivor of the Holocaust rather than a victim.  Despite her strong European accent, when people ask her where she is from, she says ‘Eastbourne’ and has the attitude that when her phone beeps at night and wakes her up, it is a good thing because it shows her she’s not dead.  Here is her extraordinary tale.