Edinburgh Fringe 2012

There has always been an embargo on announcing shows until the Fringe Programme had officially launched. That was removed this year. And now, the week after the official launch, it feels as if the cat has been out of the bag for ages. But nonetheless…

We are thrilled to announce our Edinburgh 2012 Fringe Season.

After two sell-out years in Edinburgh, two sell-out runs in London and a season at the Adelaide Fringe, ‘The Boy James’ returns. Inspired by the life and work of ‘Peter Pan’ author, J.M. Barrie, The Boy James tells a story of playful innocence and cruel experience. A dark but beautiful tale of one bright eyed boy’s startled awakening to the harsh realities of adulthood. Play with him, and take his hand as you lead him back to Neverland. Join in the games and forget the cruel world on the other side of the window. But as the tick tock of the clock continues, you too will have to face the inevitable voyage.

 After its award-winning and sell-out season at Edinburgh last year, and on the back of its critically acclaimed international debut at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and a teaser in London, ‘Outland’ returns triumphantly. ‘Outland’ travels from a melancholy reality ‘through the looking glass’ into a topsy-turvy world, where the landscape and characters are always shifting. As you journey from stuffy Victorian drawing rooms to fairy palaces, you will also get a sense of the paradox that was the man himself, the Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, known by the world as Lewis Carroll.

  

And alongside those two shows we have a brand new one as well – to complete the trilogy. Sitting perfectly alongside the imaginations of Lewis Carroll and J. M. Barrie comes the incredible world of Frances Hodgson Burnett  in this original adaptation of ‘A Little Princess’. Recommended by The Times and The Guardian; Join Sara Crewe as she is torn from her life in India in a journey from princess to pauper. Left without her father in a foreign land; comfort her, listen to her tales and relish in the magic and the tragic beauty of her story. A stunning adaptation of a well-loved novel. 

More info at www.beltuptheatre.com

Outland in London

We're really delighted that Outland is going to be coming to London in July. To get us warmed up for the Fringe we're going to be doing two performances in a stunning venue in Mayfair. The University Women's Club Library is, for anyone who has seen 'The Boy James' or 'Outland', undoubtedly perfect for a Belt Up performance. The room is a glorious Victorian library fitted with leather armchairs, sofas, wood panelling, chandeliers and lots and lots of books. 

As there are only two performances we strongly recommend booking sooner rather than later - tickets are selling very quickly.

If you're a fan of Belt Up, of Lewis Carroll, or just fancy a summer evening enjoying the lounge, library and gardens where you can have dinner or drinks all evening, then please do come along.

We're asking that everyone come in either Black Tie (just formal will do - don't worry if you haven't got a tux), or to come dressed as a character from a Lewis Carroll story. Part of the fun of performing is getting to put on a ridiculous costume; we'd like to share that silliness with everyone else. 

We hope to see you there!

More info at www.beltuptheatre.com

Review of Macbeth from One Stop Arts

Macbeth is a hauntingly exciting production by the well-established ensemble.  

The House of Detention in Clerkenwell lends itself perfectly to the promenade performance, providing haunting brick cells and low lit playing spaces. 

The stand-out performance for me was the young actress Serena Manteghi.   Her versatility was very evident in her transformation from a weird sister to Lady Macbeth, then further on to Lady Macduff. Every word she said was enthralling and each moment she was on stage I couldn’t take my eyes off her. In some cases she outshone Macbeth in their scenes together. A bright future awaits this talented actress. 

An absolutely brilliant show and a triumph for Belt Up.

****

www.onestoparts.com

Royal Portraits: the first photos of MACBETH in the House of Detention

Dominic Allen as Macbeth. Serena Manteghi, Joe Hufton and Sam Donnelly as the Witches.


Photographs by Jethro Compton.


Macbeth runs in the House of Detention until 18th May 2012. More information at www.macbethlondon.com 

'Return of the King' by Dominic Allen

They say it's cursed. Maybe. It is certainly not without trepidation that one takes up the mantle, for the second time, of playing theScottishKingwhoshouldnotbementionedfromShakespeare'sScottishplayofthesamename.

Now, I'm not a superstitious person; I don't mind black cats, spilt salt, broken mirrors and the only reason I don't like people putting their shoes on the table is that it's unhygienic. Generally, I don't even mind 'The Scottish Play' being called by its proper name. Or, at least, I didn't – but we'll come back to that. That said, there is something altogether sinister about that play. There's something in it – some twisted bit of Shakespeare's genius – that gets inside you and makes you go a little bit... oogie.

As if the play itself wasn't cursed enough, I'm sure many of the more superstitious actors in this world would think again when we consider the venue. It's not a bad venue once you get past the cold, the damp, the ingrained sense of a history of cruelty in its very fabric, the dark, the smell, the strange feeling of being watched, the what-was-that and the What-did-you-say I-didn't-say-anything – I mean, if anything it's perfect for the play – but it hardly does much to put a superstitious man at ease. Not that I'm a superstitious man, you understand... but even without the shifting shadows and tricks of the light, it's still a funny old place. It's bigger than you'd think and it's... twisty. You'd be surprised how easy it is to sneak up on people in there. And there's something to be said, I think, about its design. It's not designed to make you feel comfortable or at ease with your surroundings. It's designed to make 18^th Century soon-to-be-Australian convicts feel like... well, convicts. And it works.

Finally, we come to the dates of the performances. Surely, there couldn't be anything untoward or darkly sinister about those? You would think not but, alas, here we have it. A preview performance date. Yes, it's a Friday. I wonder if you can guess the actual date? Well, it's the second Friday in April. And the first Friday is the sixth... so six plus seven is...

Ah! So maybe the schedule could be better, given that were I superstitious – which I'm not – I'd not only have to contend with a long tradition of the play being cursed and long established ghosts in an allegedly haunted prison but also the most quintessentially unlucky date in the history of the entire world! Lucky for me I have absolutely no reason to be worried about that – it's all total nonsense, hokum, gibberish... oh, except for last time we did it (the same play in the same venue on the same date) and something utterly terrible happened. But apart from that, there's no reason to be worried at all. I mean, lightning doesn't strike twice. Does it?

Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to it. And why? Because it's so much fun. I get to go round killing people, scaring people, I get to shout, scream, giggle, cry, grow a bigger beard, get covered in blood and perfect an evil laugh. So why don't you come down one night and join in? I mean... what's the worst that can happen?

Dominic is appearing in 'Macbeth' at the House of Detention, Clerkenwell, London from 17th April - 18th May 2012. More info at www.macbethlondon.com

Serena's Big Ozzie Thank You

It's raining. That is the reason Jethro has managed to get me sat down, in side and writing this blog. So far the weather in Adelaide has been somewhere in the region of paradisal; the sort of weather that fools a Londoner into believing that you can't possibly be allowed to stay here for more than a brief daydream, into believing that the residents of Adelaide must be victim to some horrid forfeit that befalls them in repentance for living in this balmy Elysium. Our host, the irrepressibly enchanting Joanne Hartstone, assures me that no such forfeit exists to her knowledge. I see. She must not be allowed to tell.

Yes Australia is the place where this Londoner has to keep reminding herself why she has subjected herself to living in The Big Smoke. Why is that again? Okay I'm going to stop shitting on London because its wonderful, of course, but it really is spectacular here. There is green and warmth and wildlife and there is A LOT to be said for Australian hospitality. I think that's what I would like to make the subject of this blog; the astounding and unflinching kindness of everyone at the Central for International Theatre.

C.I.T, as they are generally referred to, are our hosts at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Their Artisitc Director, Guy Masterson saw The Boy James in Edniburgh, 2011 and purely on his belief in the wonderful performances of that production (thank you Jethro Compton, Lucy Farrett and Dan Wood) Belt Up arrived in Adelaide, Australia last Monday. Our first day here we were met at the airport by the aforementioned Joanne Hartstone, producer of C.I.T and all-round Wonderwoman. Joanne and her father Jonathan, Front of House Manager for C.I.T, then got us all settled in what will be our homes for the next month; Jethro and I are very happily ensconced at Joanne's and Dom at her brother Micheal's. In case you haven't already figured, this company is very much a family affair and in all the best possible ways. You see, for those of the company who are not directly related to Joanne, us for example, we are still all treated as part of the family. And what a wonderful family it is.

C.I.T is hosting eleven shows at The Adelaide Fringe Festival and on our first evening we all congregated at Joanne's house for introductions. It reminded me of my grandparents' Christmas parties where the extended family all pile in on Boxing Day and reacquaint themselves with one other. Despite being the newbies (or nubiles as one David Calvitto like to call us) we settled in almost instantly thanks to everyone being just so nice. I must also mention the very warm welcome extended to us by the C.I.T team who look after us and tend to all our precious artists' worries; to the lovely Chelsea, the remarkable Amy and her multi-talents, to the one-man-delight that is Glen, the very special ball of sunshine that is Annie and to the effervescent angel, Brodie. Also to Penny, Sammy and everyone at Higher Ground. And to A.C. Arts, especially our secret tech angel, Warren. There is also another very special group of people at C.I.T; the hosts. These are the very kind people who put a roof over all us visiting artistes heads and offer huge support to all the shows. Thank you to Thirza and Piers for my vegetarian sushi.

And thank you to Guy. As well as having enough faith in the company to fly us thousands of miles, he is an absolute gem. An old-school gent with a big heart. My apologies for being a horrid soppy git but I secretly want him to be my mentor, to teach me the tricks and to heed warnings of the trade. To wear hats and drinks cocktails at Sardi's. I realise its not that secret if you put it on the internet but I trust you all to help me play it cool.

Last but in no way least, please raise your glasses to Miss Joanne Hartstone. How she manages to be a first class producer alongside being a first class actress is both highly impressive and slightly baffling. She is a force to be reckoned with. Note, she is also a strong mentor contender.

Anyway, thats enough for now. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone here. It helps in this job if you can surround yourself with professionals of such a calibre as these fine ladies and gents at C.I.T. I makes you feel counted, it makes it all worth it. So cheers.

-------

Serena is performing as The Girl in The Boy James and as Muriel/Sylvie in Outland which are both running at the Adelaide Fringe Festival until 18th March 2012. More details at www.citadelaide.com

Australia: the reviews so far

OUTLAND

'This piece is a great example of how theatre should be; interesting, informative, entertaining but, most of all, captivating and totally absorbing.'

GLAM ADELAIDE Full review here

'Allen plays the Lewis/professor character with a physical vitality and staccato rhythm that never loses focus.' ****1/2

ADELAIDE ADVERTISER Full review here

'Certainly a must-see Fringe show for its delicate complexity, or if nothing else, its affability.'

AUSTRALIAN STAGE Full review here

'It was beautifully, joyfully, lovingly done.'

ADELAIDE ART BEAT Full review here

'This is an absolutely magical experience that is equal parts funny, thrilling and touching – and a must-see for fans of clever, imaginative theatre.' ****1/2

ADELAIDE THEATRE GUIDE Full review here

Number 9 on FRINGE REVIEW'S TOP 30

THE BOY JAMES

'disarming, charming and well performed' ****

ADELAIDE ADVERTISER Full review here

'This beautiful, but sometimes brutal play, with its amazingly informed and powerful performances from these three magical actors, has the ability, even if only briefly, to awaken your inner child and give you back your childhood.'

GLAM ADELAIDE Full review here

'This production is highly recommended – an intriguing Fringe experience that you are unlikely to find anywhere else – but it will leave you wondering long after you have left the theatre.'

THE BAREFOOT REVIEW Full review here

'An unsettling, thought-provoking and imaginative work from a theatre company to keep an eye on; here’s hoping they’ll make the Adelaide Fringe a regular destination.' ****

ADELAIDE THEATRE GUIDE Full review here

'Jethro Compton is mesmerising in an emotional and compelling performance in which there are no holds barred as he shows you his despair and loss. This is a powerful and affecting show, the themes and feeling of which draw you in and pierce your core.' ****1/2

KRYSTOFF Full review here

Number 3 on FRINGE REVIEW'S TOP 30