Tuesday 19 November 2013

Progress Youth Theatre and Absurdist Blogging


Progress Youth Theatre are presenting a double bill of Absurdist drama from 9th to 14th December. The evening features After Magritte by Tom Stoppard and The Bald Prima Donna by Eugène Ionesco.

In homage to the Absurdist style I thought I would make this week's blog nothing to do with their production. To be honest I went along to the regular Monday evening youth theatre session assuming I would be able to catch a rehearsal when there wasn't, and always ready to inform you about different aspects of Progress Theatre, I decided to write about the session I watched instead.

The session was run by Ben Sandiford, Youth Theatre leader and professional actor and director. He started off with warm up and breathing exercises. He then talked about an exercise he was going to teach them. He warned them that it was very powerful and they should never do it more than once a day. It can release adrenalin and serotonin and may make you feel invincible.

They were intrigued and so was I. What they had to do was go through seven different arm positions and in each one clench their fists forty-nine times. A few phones came out to calculate that is 343 fist clenches. Ben warned them that by the end it would be very painful. Writing this down it sounds like some bizarre form of child torture but I assure you they were free to stop at any time (although none of them did). 

Checking  arms at the end of the fist clenching exercise

At the end they all seemed exhilarated and they then went on to do some powerful exercises where they had to form shapes with other people and think about what Ben called the 'physical centre'. Ben explained that this work is about building up the actor's awareness and control on stage and is a grounding for mask work that he will be doing later with group.

I was very impressed with the maturity and commitment of the group. 

In the next blog I will bring you an update on the Absurdist Double Bill - unless I decide to write about goldfish or fried eggs....

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Jazz at Progress Theatre: Steve Waterman Quartet, Friday 22nd November 2013, 7.30pm

Progress Youth Theatre, An Absurdist Double Bill Monday 9th – Saturday 14th December 2013, 7.45pm, Progress Theatre

Jazz at Progress: Hugh Turner Quintet featuring Brandon Allen, Friday 20th December 2013, 7.30pm

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, by Joan Aiken, adapted by Russ Tunney Thursday 16th January - Saturday 25th January 2014
 
Details of all our productions and auditions can be found on our website.

Monday 11 November 2013

Moonlight an Magnolias and an extra production

The theatre was pretty quiet for the Sunday before the start of a run. Normally there would be a final dress rehearsal but the cast and crew of Moonlight and Magnolias have been given the day off. The only people there were stage manager Fiona McNeil and director Liz Carrol putting finishing touches to the set.



Liz assured me that cancelling the final dress rehearsal wasn't over confidence. The cast were definitely ready as they had a press night last Thursday that was at full performance standards. Her only concern had been if any of the technical team needed more time but they all said they were good to go so everyone was given the day off.

The did tell me some exciting news though, co-director Matt Stevens had a production of his own. His wife Nikki gave birth to their first child, Polly, on Friday at the Royal Berks. Matt had popped into the theatre briefly on Sunday but assured me he was on his way straight back to the hospital! He told me that Polly weighed 7lb 14oz and, of course, is lovely.




If you are interested in what goes on at Progress Theatre then sign up to this blog. Enter your email in the box under ‘about us’ and click on subscribe. New postings are made weekly so you won’t be swamped with emails.

Moonlight and Magnolias by Ron Hutchinson Monday 11th – Saturday 16th November 2013, Progress Theatre
Progress Youth Theatre, An Absurdist Double Bill Monday 9th – Saturday 14th December 2013, Progress Theatre
Details of all our productions and auditions can be found on our website.