I directed a short play for Theatre503′s Rapid Write Response event for inhouse production Land of Our Fathers – Butter Side Down, by James Huntrods. Rapid Write Response is a new writing night at Theatre503, where pieces are written in response to the current inhouse production, then cast and directed in just 2 weeks. James’ script was … Continue reading
The poster for The Philosopher’s Tale – with the wrong actress for Annabel, unfortunately, but it still worked just as well! “splendidly funny” (One Stop Arts) “a promising script and some good performances” (Performance Reviewed) “unashamedly conventional, warm and familiar style” (Views from the Gods) “highly amusing” (Everything Theatre) I was approached by Player-Playwrights to direct … Continue reading
Pros: A highly amusing play with a standout performance by Anthony Curran. Cons: The big reveal at the end felt a little rushed. Our Verdict: The play could do with some fine polishing, but on the whole, the writing and acting was top notch. How does the saying go? “What goes on in Brighton, stays … Continue reading
BY GREG WILKINSON ‘Morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness’ said Immauel Kant and Gerald Angel, who preaches, practices and writes about fidelity, is very happy. Until one day, in a Brighton hotel room, he wakes up next to a beautiful, … Continue reading
BY GINA SMITH The Philosopher’s Tale is the latest from playwright Fauzia Rahman and directed by award nominated Chris Hislop, a light-hearted, slow burner about moral grounds and boundaries. There’s a sentimental challenge at the heart of the play – a question of paternity, with most unexpected confusion and consequences. The play begins with two … Continue reading
BY FRANCIS BECKETT A splendidly funny but flawed farce with a moral philosopher at its heart. While this funny, bouncy production is excellent fun to watch, it’s hard not to think that writer Fauzia Rahman could have mined this philosophical seam a little deeper. At the Tristan Bates Theatre. READ THE COMPLETE REVIEW ON ONE … Continue reading
BY ANONYMOUS I knew I would like the play written by Birkbeck alumni Fauzia Rahman from the outset when I saw that the lead roles had been so perfectly cast. Anthony Curran who had the honour of featuring as “Eccentric Uncle” in the ‘Thanks Tim’ section of the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony plays the part … Continue reading
BY JOHN MORRISON Here’s a declaration of interest: these two Camden Fringe plays are written by members of Player-Playwrights, which I chair, and our group is supporting them a small amount of funding. But I don’t see any harm in trying to blog about them as I would about any other play. The Philosopher’s Tale … Continue reading
BY ANONYMOUS Fear not – despite the title, this play isn’t going to throw you into an existential quandary or bog you down with Kant, Wittgenstein and Heidegger. In fact, despite holding an MA in Philosophy (and one of her previous plays being an introduction to Locke, Berkley and Hume) playwright Fauzia Rahman doesn’t blind … Continue reading
The poster for The Maternal Instinct, designed by Chris Hislop. “an intriguing piece of theatre that will have you talking for days” (The Public Reviews) “strong, convincing performances” (The Argus) RUNNER UP for BEST NEW PLAY (New Writing South, Brighton Fringe 2013) I was approached to direct Monica Bauer’s The Maternal Instinct for the Brighton … Continue reading
We made the following trailer for The Maternal Instinct – very last minute, very low budget, but it does capture the flavour of the play! Continue reading
BY TANIA DEAVILLE “What’s the most powerful instinct in nature?” Geneticist Fred (Bob Gilchrist) asks fellow scientist and friend Lilian (Lia Burge) before becoming the sperm donor for her and wife Sarah’s (Bethan Clark) baby. “Self preservation,” Lilian replies. “No, it’s procreation,” insists Fred. Shortlisted for the New Writing South Best Play Award, The Maternal … Continue reading
BY JOANNA TRAINOR A party celebrating your partner’s one year sobriety is perhaps not the best time to announce that you want to have a baby and that your sister in law has chosen the appropriate sperm donor. Writer, Monica Bauer offers a thought-provoking exploration of what it is to have a maternal instinct and … Continue reading
BY RICHARD STAMP We admit – we’re taking a chance today, and recommending a play we’ve never actually seen. In fact, it’s having its UK premiere here in Brighton. But there’s no disputing its pedigree: playwright Monica Bauer’s previous work earned our top rating in Edinburgh last year, while director Chris Hislop has consistently impressed … Continue reading
BY ANONYMOUS Award-winning Monica Bauer visits Brighton Fringe Award-winning American playwright Monica Bauer will be travelling to Brighton Fringe this month to see the UK premiere of her play The Maternal Instinct, which is being performed at The Dukebox Theatre. “I had such an amazing experience last year in Edinburgh, and so many there had … Continue reading
I directed a short play for Theatre503’s Rapid Write Response event for inhouse production Desolate Heaven. The piece was called Top Bunk, written by Brian Mullin. Rapid Write Response is a new writing night at Theatre503, where pieces are written in response to the current inhouse production, then cast and directed in just 2 weeks. … Continue reading
After a year of focusing on OneStopArts.com and angst about not directing, I’m pleased to announce 2 new exciting directing projects! On 25 February, I will be taking part in Theatre503’s Rapid Write Response to current show Desolate Heaven – which I also reviewed here. Rapid Write Response is a very cool concept: writers are … Continue reading
The poster for It’s A Puppet Life, designed by Lee White. After helping out last minute with my first Stickyback Theatre show, …And They Called it Puppet Love, I got properly involved in the production/direction for Camden Fringe show It’s A Puppet Life. Featuring Lee’s puppets and trademark surreal humour, the show was a fun … Continue reading
BY JOHN MASLEN Puppetry can be a magnetically fascinating media of artistic communication – or a novelty which quickly palls and is found wanting in interest and appreciation. On a hot and humid night in Camden, forming part of the Camden Fringe, in a packed upstairs theatre with little air circulating, Stickyback Theatre delivered just … Continue reading
BY TOM KING On its face, ‘It’s a Puppet Life’ seems like a fairly straightforward concept. People like Avenue Q, people like sketch shows; what happens if we smoosh the two together? Actually, what happens is more than the sum of these parts. Getting the obvious out of the way – the puppets are superbly … Continue reading
Grubby Strugglers 