Edinburgh Village Hall 2012: Ellen Thorpe

Name of company	Hartshorn - Hook Productions ltd
Name of show	Some Small Love Story
Genre	Theatre
Venue	C-Nova
Date	7.8.12

Review Two love stories told concurrently through words, song and music.  it was presented by 4 talented performers/singers an accomplished pianist providing live music.  It was a lyrical piece about love, relationships loss and death.  It was a very good production, beautiful songs and lyrics and well observed writing interwoven in an interesting way to tell the story of the 2 couples.  All 4 performers were strong and sang well, the music was good.  It was directed by BAFTA Award winner Noreen Kershaw (Coronation Street, River City, Shameless), music by Gavin Whitworth and lyrics by Alexander Wright.  It is the second year for this production at the Fringe and there are plans for a national tour.  A really high quality piece in terms of content. According to the press release in 2011 it was named by The Stage’s ‘Must-See Production at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe’, and it was nominated for the ‘Musical Theatre Matters Best Lyrics Award’ If you go and see this show be warned it is in a very hot small room, wear light clothing or melt!

Why is the work suitable or not suitable / ready for rural touring ?	It is suitable but could be expensive with the number of performers in the Festival production, 4 + musician + technician.
Why would you book them ?  or  Why wouldn’t you book them ?	Would depend on cost but would work in small halls.
Why would it be worth pursuing this company to consider work in the future? Or not  ?	See above

Edinburgh Village Hall 2012: Ellen Thorpe

Name of company	Whitebone Productions/ Joe Bone
Name of show	Bane 3
Genre	Theatre
Venue	Pleasance Dome
Date	7.8.12

Review A one-man show, no set or props with live guitar accompaniment.  Joe Bone’s performance was a high-energy tour-de-force: inspired by film-noir the performance used mime, gesture and sound effects to create characters and settings, weaving a fast moving story that was both funny and engaging.   Ben Roe, the musician was great too and made all the different atmospheres real with his inspired guitar playing.  The show was performed with supreme skill and brilliance and would have a wide appeal.  Having enjoyed  Bane 3 , MUST now see Bane 1 and Bane 2….

Why is the work suitable or not suitable / ready for rural touring ?	Ready to tour, highly suitable and of high quality
Why would you book them ?  or  Why wouldn’t you book them ?	Yes
Why would it be worth pursuing this company to consider work in the future? Or not  ?	It’s good work and will work in community venues

Edinburgh Village Hall 2012:  Ellen Thorpe

Name of company	Fol Espoir
Name of show	Winston on the Run
Genre	Theatre
Venue	Pleasance Courtyard
Date	7.8.12

Review A play based on the true story of Winston Churchill’s escape whilst being held by the Boers as a prisoner-of-war in South Africa.  Freddie Machin played Winston and gave a strong performance.  The production is well directed and the set simple.  The pace was a little slow at the very beginning but once the scene was set it really picked up.  It was an engaging piece of theatre, interesting in its subject matter and especially the way the solo performer told the tale.  Blackout made it atmospheric and was used to good effect.  Good sound effects too.  It was extremely hot in the venue on the day, however, this did not compromise the performance and under these difficult conditions his energy remained high throughout.

Why is the work suitable or not suitable / ready for rural touring ?	It is suitable because of its scale but need to check whether blackout is essential for the production.
Why would you book them ?  or  Why wouldn’t you book them ?	Would book because it is good quality and of scale to offer smaller venues.
Why would it be worth pursuing this company to consider work in the future? Or not  ?	It was of a high standard and suitable for small venues.

Mike Daisey THE AGONY AND ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS Mike Daisey THE AGONY AND ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS Gilded Balloon 9 August 2012

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

My last Edinburgh fringe show this year and what a thought-provoking piece to finish on.  Mike Daisey, a self-confessed technology addict and Apple geek follows the rise, fall and rise again of Steve Jobs, tells the story of Apple and visits the factory in China where Apple products are made.  To say more would be to give the plot away but Mike Daisey quickly leaves you in no doubt about where he stands on the issue of conditions for factory workers.  Let me just warn you to make sure your iPhone is switched off during this passionate and often angry performance …

Like several of the pieces that I’ve seen this fringe, this one really resonates because it appears to be a true story performed by the person whose story it is.

Mike Daisey is mesmerising to watch, making clever use of the space and using only a white desk and an Apple Mac.

Although it’s a very entertaining show, it’s not suitable for rural touring – nor is it intended to be.

Rob Drummond BULLET CATCH Traverse 9 August 2012

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

Yet another really unusual show – a drama based on the true story of a magician who performed the famous Bullet Catch trick in 1912 with disastrous consequences.  Rob Drummond, who wrote and performs the show, handles the audience very gently and gives a convincing impression of someone who isn’t quite sure that everything is going to turn out right – just what you need when you suspect that he himself is going to attempt the bullet catch trick at the end of the show!  He is, however, more than just a magician.  He is also a psychic and a philosopher.

The audience was entranced and to this day, I don’t know how he performed most of his magic.  He was lucky to get a great volunteer for the show – but of course he chose her very carefully and if you watch the show, you will appreciate why.

It would work in village halls and wouldn’t be too difficult to package and market.

Pop Up Productions JABBERWOCKY The Space Surgeons' Hall 9 August 2012

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

Four young actors tell the story of how Jack defeats the Jabberwocky by being confident and not scared.  Small children loved the show and quickly seized the opportunity to become involved.  The company were good at engaging with the little ones and there was lots of audience participation.  Some clever use of bodies (eg making a bed for Jack to lie on) and I particularly liked the hand sock puppet worm whose mouth opened and closed like Kermit the Frog.

Lots of very fast character changeovers and costume changes behind the scenes so performing area would need private space very near the stage.  Would work in village halls and primary schools.

Mai oh Mai Productions THE HARRI-PARRIS LEAVING DO Zoo 8 August 2012

Review by Cally Barker ArtERY Live Marketing Manager & Promoter

Oh I do hope we can have this show in East Yorkshire!  (Are you reading this, Ellen?!)

It’s a really funny mini West End musical style show set in a farmhouse in rural West Wales on the eve of the daughter’s departure for the bright lights of London.  We’re all invited to her leaving party with cakes and drinks.  Even though the audience was small in number (which let’s face it, often happens in a rural venue), the atmosphere was tremendous.  This was due entirely to four great performers who threw themselves enthusiastically into the parts of the four rural misfits.  The songs were fab, the dancing was great, the gags kept on coming and I just didn’t want the party to end. 

I’m pretty confident this show would work anywhere – not just in village halls.