Ajax and the incredible folding tent

The first half of Ajax is set during the siege of Troy and features Ajax's tent as part of the set. The tent was designed by Aidan Moran who explained that for it to look good on stage it has to be set at a strange angle which makes it harder to construct. Before passing the design on to the construction team he also casually mentioned that as it is not needed in the second half of the play it also needs to be easy to collapse and take off stage.

Chris Rothwell has done an amazing job of creating a folding frame for the tent and Alice Mulford bought her sewing machine on stage to run up the fabric cover. The audience will be busy at the bar while the tent is deconstructed each night so here's a series photos showing the incredible folding tent.

The Full tent

Going

Going

Gone

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Coming up...

Ajax by Sophocles 25th November to 4th December 2010

Auditions for Teechers by John Godber Sun 12th December at 2.30pm &Tues 14th December at 7.30pm

The Ash Girl by Timberlake Wertenbaker 10th to 16th January 2011

See Progress Theatre website for details of all our productions and auditions.

Ajax masks

If you happened to be in town on Sunday afternoon you may have noticed a sword fight going on. This was part of the publicity drive for Ajax and certainly caught the passing public's attention - giving us the opportunity to hand them a flyer. 

The chorus in Ajax (see last week's post) will be wearing full head masks. These represent ancient Greek armour but have a modern twist in keeping with the costumes and setting of the play. 

The masks have been made by Chris Farman who specialised in masks and millinery (hats) at art college. The masks are made of plaster of paris and are individually fitted to each person - that is what is going on in the photo! They were then strengthened and covered in faux leather.

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.

Coming up...

Ajax by Sophocles 25th November to 4th December 2010

Auditions for Teechers by John Godber Sun 12th December at 2.30pm &Tues 14th December at 7.30pm

The Ash Girl by Timberlake Wertenbaker 10th to 16th January 2011

See Progress Theatre website for details of all our productions and auditions.

Ajax Chorus

In classic Greek theatre the chorus is an important part of the action. They help to explain the plot and give insights the other characters don't have. Ajax is no exception and this production has six actors in the chorus who represent the army. Director Dan Clarke has given each of the chorus members a distinct character, for example the rookie, the battle hardened warrior and the clever but clumsy one.


I met up with five of the six chorus members getting ready for a rehearsal on Sunday evening. Most of the faces will be familiar to regular Progress audiences but Ellie Kent is a new member and as well as being in the chorus plays the goddess Athena.



Matt Dury signed up as production manager for the show but stepped into his place in the chorus when the actor originally cast had to drop out. He explained to me that the setting of the play will be a mixture of ancient Greek and modern military. They will be using masks and cloaks but also modern weapons and army boots.



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.


Coming up...

Ajax by Sophocles 25th November to 4th December 2010

Auditions for Teechers by John Godber Sun 12th December at 2.30pm &Tues 14th December at 7.30pm

The Ash Girl by Timberlake Wertenbaker 10th to 16th January 2011

See Progress Theatre website for details of all our productions and auditions.

Ajax Auditions

Auditions for the third play of the 2010–11 season, Ajax by Sophocles are taking place this week. They are being held at Progress Theatre on Wednesday 28 July 7.30 pm and Sunday 1 August 2.30 pm. The production itself will be 25 November - 4 December 2010.

The play is being directed by Dan Clarke who was recently on stage at Progress playing Toby and Lionel in Intimate Exchanges. Ajax will be a very different production, it was written in 450 BC and is set in the Trojan war.  Dan sees parallels in the play with a current conflict like Afghanistan and is going to give the production a modern setting although it will still be the Trojan war with the heroes and Gods.

Dan has always been interested in Greek Mythology and came across Ajax for the first time when studying classics. He almost directed the play with another theatre group but decided not to as he didn't think he could find enough talented actors to do it justice. He is obviously confident this time so prove him right and come along to the auditions. Details of the characters and audition pieces are on the Progress Theatre website here. Remember you don't have to be a member of Progress to audition.

Traditionally in classical Greek plays much of the action happens off stage and is reported by the characters. Ajax is different in that more of the often horrific action happens on stage. This is more of a challenge for cast and crew but should make for a more exciting spectacle for the audience and Dan promises "there will be blood!"

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.

Coming up...

Auditions for Ajax by Sophocles, Progress Theatre Wednesday 28 July 7.30 pm and Sunday 1 August 2.30 pm
 
Breathing Corpses by Laura Wade 6th - 11th September 2010

See www.progresstheatre.co.uk for details of all our productions and auditions.