Meet the Cast - The Penultimate Part

Milk Bottle Productions Presents...

STORYTELLER:

The Natural History of Trolls

This is the second to last selection of the company, final people next week.  And the week after that you can see them in the flesh, if you buy a ticket.

Jessica Moore

Jessica Moore is an established actress who trained at East 15. She recently performed in Loves Labours Lost as The Princess and Henry V as Mistress Quickly and Alice for the CSF, Top Cat and Alice in 'Dick Whittington meets Top Cat', Polina in 'The Seagull' at Barons Court and  Kim in 'The Waiting Game' at the Unicorn Theatre. Other credits include Emma Darwin in 'When Poets Meet Scientist's' and various Voice over projects including Sony Playstation in various roles and more recently narrator for Revealed on CNN; credits include Sylvio Berlosconi John Malkovitch and Mark Ronson.

Sally Gilfillan

Sally trained at ArtsEd, London. Theatre roles include: Katy in The Revengers, Barons Court Theatre, Maggie in With Feathers, The Pleasance, Islington; Paulina in A Winters Tale, Maria in Twelfth Night, Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew, Maria in Love’s Labours Lost all for Rooftop Theatre Company, Veralanium Park, St Albans; Beatrice in Much ado about Nothing (UK tour) Pauline in A Kind of Alaska, The Pleasance and Barons Court, Gila, One for the Road Barons Court; Susan in Tiresias part of an evening of monologues at The Crown Pub, New Oxford Street. Films include Dirty Turkey, The Brotherhood, The Kiss. Commercials: Sainsburys Jamie Oliver Campaign.

 Richard Ward

Richard Ward trained at Drama Studio London and has appeared in several one act festival plays at the Lost One Act Festival and elsewhere.  Other theatre includes "We The People" (Shakespeare's Globe) and "Twelfth Night" (Saviour Theatre).  Film and tv includes "Midsomer Murders", "Blue Peter" and "Tortoise In Love".  Richard specialises in audio books and role play and is absolutely delighted to be making his first appearance with Milk Bottle Productions.  Spotlight  9376-9059-3054.

[Blogger Note:  The show is a surprise to most of the cast.  Most of the company only have two thirds of the story - they don't know how it ends.  Except for myself and Richard - who performs as part of the Epilogue.  I didn't feel it was fair for him to not know what most of his text refered to, so I did send him an early draft.  Early mind.  Even Richard doesn't know it all.]

Jamie Addlet

Theatre credits include Quincey Morris in Dracula, Badger in Toad of Toad Hall, George in Don’t Dress for Dinner and Ernest Foster in Suddenly At Home. Screen credits include Larry in Eye Level, Barry in Best Man (a film that was nominated in the 2010 British Horror awards and then banned from being shown at the ceremony for being too graphic) and an Ident for EDF Energy.

Three Day Eventers and the One Day Internationals...

Milk Bottle Productions Presents...

STORYTELLER:

The Natural History of Trolls

Okay, this is a fairly boring blog post - but quite an important one I feel.  We're nearly at the end of the Meet the Cast introductions - now it's time to let you know when they're performing.  Some are down for all three days, some for one.  Now you can decide which day you want to come to the show based on the cast.  Or you could come to every night so that you can compare the performances of each.  But that might be pushing things at bit.
However, it is fair to say that I owe these twenty-three people a lot.  Even though I don't know many of them well yet, they have had an enormous effect on my life.
They're making me work harder.
It is easy when it's just you on stage to fall back on your old tricks, to relax and say - hey, it's just me, who would know.  But knowing that there are so many people who are all turning up to be part of this show what I wrote, who all have put in so much of their own time into rehearsal, that makes me sit up and really turn on the juice.  Because getting motivated to rehearsal monologues is difficult.  It is terribly dull work.  It's the pay off on the day that makes it all worth while.
So, thank you cast.  You're really keeping my nose to that grind stone.  Damn you.

THREE DAY EVENTERS:

(On for all three performances)

Robert Crighton

Georgina Blackledge

Catherine Eccles

Jessica Moore

Pamela Flanagan

Richard Ward

ONE DAY INTERNATIONALS:

MONDAY

Caroline Davies

Philippa Tatham

Simon Nader

Emma Burn

Sally Gilfillan

Ailsa Ilott

TUESDAY

Sophie Carmichael

Denys Gaskill

Jessica Tobert

Josie Bloom

Kate Steel

Matthew Harrison-James

WEDNESDAY

Elizabeth Jee

Jamie Addlet  

Gillian Horgan

Elizabeth Quinn

Elizabeth Nicholson

Colin Emerson

Meet the Cast - Part Five

Milk Bottle Productions Presents...

STORYTELLER:

The Natural History of Trolls

Big cast, isn't it.  Yes, there are (including me) twenty-four people in the company - but they're not there for each show, each night will be a combination of twelve of them.  I'll be posting who on which night later, but for the moment a few more cast details...

Jessica Tobert

Originally from Harrow, North London, Jessica trained at the University of Birmingham in both English Literature and Drama, before committing to the life of an actor. Since graduating she has been cast in a number of shows.

Her recent credits include: 

Jackie in The Snow Show (Troubadour Productions); Dancer/Actor for the 20^th Anniversary Viral (Sennheiser); Josef/Maria in Macbeth and Taming of the Shrew (Principal Theatre Company); Chorus Member in La Boheme (Cock Tavern Theatre).  Most recently she has been gigging with her band, The Honky Sausage.

Elizabeth Quinn

Elizabeth’s interest in drama started when she was very young and in 2009 she graduated from East 15 School of Acting during which time she performed in both The Cherry Orchard and Richard III. Since then she has worked in several theatre productions including playing Mrs Whitticker in Chivalry and devising and writing a new and exciting play 300 Friends with Whitespace Theatre Company. 

Her work with this company has given Elizabeth a real passion for new writing as well as devising and most recently she has worked with Crow Theatre on their newest play Crowd. Her film work includes several short films and the lead role in the independent British film The Dead Inside, due to be released later this year. 

Elizabeth is also a keen ‘Ripperologist’ and takes Jack the Ripper tours around the East end of London.

Matthew Harrison-James

Matthew Harrison-James is a British born actor hailing from the West Midlands who currently lives in and around London since graduating from East 15 Acting School.  Matt has trained in Beijing Opera (jingju), African Traditional Performance, Balinese Theatre forms and Butoh as well as training in traditional western theatre.  Matt has worked with esteemed international artists Nakamura Fukusuke IX, Nyoman Sedana and Qin Liang in Kabuki, Balinese Theatre and jingju respectively.  This work culminated in the shows “Kabuki Meets West: Sumire” at Wimbledon Arts college and “The Women Generals of the Yang Family” at E15’s Clifftown Theatre, both in 2009.  Not only has Matt worked with international artists but also British based crossover theatre specialist and former artistic director of the Yellow Earth theatre company David Tse Ka Shing on his cross-cultural version of White Snake in 2010.  Other credits include You Me Bum Bum Train (Barbican bite) and Romeo & Juliet (Clifftown Theatre) Matt is soon to be playing Palamon in ‘The Two Noble Kinsmen in Stratford-Upon-Avon’s Dell Festival.

Gillian Horgan

Gillian Horgan is originally from Cork, and trained at Drama Studio London. 

Theatre credits include: No Dogs (Fragments), Susanna (Theatro Technis), Reeperbahn (Theatre503), Tilt (Cockpit Theatre), Famine (Old Red Lion), Monsieur Venus (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Camp Confidence (Hailsham Pavillion) and Dark Week (Everyman). Film credits include: Camden Calling, Verge, The Boat That Rocked, Black Coffee, and The Hurt in Hope.

Live from the Quay Theatre!

Friday night and it's the last ever Teaching Gods.  Ever.  So, instead of telling a story, how do I start the show?
By doing my vlog.
So, here you have my latest vlog, with a live studio audience.  I'm a little bleached out... but technical facilities were basic and my camera is still playing up.

After that I told three stories - Problem Tree (from Teaching Gods and Other Stories...) and two new pieces, Much Like... and Sleep Inc.  Much Like... was a qualified success - it's a bit self indulgent and probably won't be repeated.  Sleep Inc. however went well and, with a few adjustments, will be added to shows future.  Of course those who were in the audience are free to tell me I am deluded about all the above.
After an interval I closed with Teaching Gods - which is now officially closed for business from me.  It started life as a filler for a show in 2003, was rewritten for 2006 and has been popping up for five years since.  Enough now.  The CD exists - that will have to be it for the time being, unless others wish to stage it themselves.
Right, I'm off into town now for a meet and greet with the cast of Storyteller - so more from me tomorrow on that I'm sure.
From the depths of Lavenham,
Robx.

Before the Gods Arrived...

Last month we (Catherine Eccles, Simon Nader and myself) did the final (bar tonight's Suffolk special) performance of Teaching Gods: The Ultimate Selection.  I was Teaching Gods, Cat was the Ultimate Selection.  It was a very quick set up as there was the marvellous Magic Cavern magician on before us, so I didn't get to drink quite as much tea as I'd like.  This is our journey - as documented by the marvellous Mr Matthew Vile.
NB:  I haven't fully processed these images - cropping and light balances reflect the rough and ready quality of the technical process.

THE CURTAIN'S UP PUBLIC HOUSE
16.00 hours:
Simon runs his lines.

I drink some tea.

Cat has not yet arrived.

THE BARONS COURT THEATRE
17.10 hours:
Simon focuses some lights.

It is a reasonable assumption that I am drinking tea somewhere out of shot.

Cat arrives.  All work stops for hugs and natteration.




17.30 hours:

Cat is put in her box.  The lighting box, that is.

Simon continues to focus lights.

I boil the kettle for more tea.

17.40 hours:
We start a cue to cue - Simon's up first with some dynamic invisible dart throwing.

I am probably drinking some tea.

Cat works those lights.





17.45:  Cat pretends to be a person.

17.50:  I pretend to be a cat.

 18.05:  With less than an hour till the show starts, we check out the merchandise.

18.40:  There's little time left before curtain up, so the cast behave in a serious and professional manner.

And then there was a show. And the audience smiled - for it was good.

Teaching Gods: The Ultimate Selection was performed by Robert Crighton, Catherine Eccles and Simon Nader as a one-off show at the Barons Court Theatre on Sunday 22nd May 2011.  Pre-show photos taken by Matthew Vile.  Special Thanks to Ron and Chris of the Barons Court Theatre.

Meet the Cast - Part Four

Who else do we have in our marvellous cast... well today we have...

Georgina Blackledge

Having decided to swap a sterile theatre for a dusty one, Georgie has thrown herself head first into the acting world. Her most recent work includes filming Emma Peel in ‘The Avengers Return’, of which a pilot series in is development with Gin and Tonic Productions. Other film work includes ‘Africa in her blood’, Nightpiece Media; ‘An act of loyalty’, Evergreen media; ‘Define Crazy’, Ravensbourne Films; ‘Two Birds One Stone’, JAM films; ‘The Cabinet’, Mad Ninja Films. Theatre includes ‘Noises Off’, The Company and ‘The Rover’, The Company. She will also be appearing in ‘Excess Deductable’ with So it goes...Theatre Company later this year. After stumbling upon the audition, Georgie is extremely excited to be making her Milk Bottle Productions debut.

[Bloggers Note: Georgina did indeed stumble upon the audition by complete accident, thinking we were a completely different theatre company.  After talking cross purposes for a couple of minutes like a modern day restoration comedy we did eventually realise we were discussing very different shows.  Luckily for us, after auditioning with our script, she agreed to do ours.]

Elizabeth Jee

Elizabeth graduated from the London Centre for Theatre Studies in 2007. Theatre credits include AFTER THE DANCE (National Theatre) MY BOY JACK (Baron's Court Theatre) and TREWLAWNY OF THE WELLS (New Players Theatre).

She has recently been working on a short film EMPTY PAGES playing the lead role (Release July 2011) and is looking forward to working with Milk Bottle Productions for the first time and helping to tell their marvelous story.

Denys Gaskill

Acting credits include:

The Handwitch of the Second Stage (Camden Peoples Theatre), Rashmon and Hello Paris (Edinburgh Fringe Festival),  Antigone, A Christmas Carol, Trap for a Lonely Man (all at the Lion and Unicorn), ‘House of Bernarda Alba’ (Pentameters), ‘Macbeth’ (The Scoop), ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (Rose Theatre Bankside)

Student films: ‘One Word’’, ‘Paul Thomas’, ‘ Spring Clean’ and ‘Man and Dog’.

 

Kate Steel

Kate trained at East 15 Acting School.  Since graduating in 2008 she has played a wide variety of roles, most recently in Los Angeles where she trained with Cinda Jackson and John Pleshette. 

Theatre credits include Tzeitel in "Fiddler on the Roof" and Madame Aubert in "Titanic the Musical" at Hull New Theatre. Last year she toured Slovenia with the Alzaytouna dance/theatre company and is currently rehearsing for an Agatha Christie Spoof, ‘Murdered to Death’. If she survives this play, she hopes to reprise her character, Margaret, in the two remaining plays in the trilogy!

Kate was in Los Angeles from January this year until recently and was thrilled to be cast as Liz in "Me as a Penguin" by northern playwright Tom Wells – although it was a slightly surreal experience for her to play a lass from her native Hull.... in Hollywood! She also played Emma in Harold Pinter’s "Betrayal". Playing a Renaissance Fair Maiden in a US commercial was also an experience! 
Kate also loves film and her favourite role to date was when she gallivanted across the North Yorkshire Moors as a 17th century governess in "The Legend of Beggar's Bridge". Her first feature film, ‘Peter’ (based on the life of The Yorkshire Ripper) is due to be released this year. 

As a former primary school teacher, Kate has always loved telling stories and is thrilled to play her most recent part in "The Natural History of Trolls". 

 

The New Wimbledon Studio

Monday 11^th, Tuesday 12^th and Wednesday 13^th July at 7.45pm

Tickets: £10

Box Office: 0844 871 7646

Groups Line: 0844 871 7696

Access Booking Line: 0844 871 7677

www.ambassadortickets.com/wimbledon

TICKETS HERE

New Wimbledon Studio, the Broadway, London, SW19 1QG

 

Meet the Cast - Part Three

We've been a little female heavy the last couple of posts - we can't help that, it's a female heavy company.  However, today we have sneaked in a couple of men with a lady, and we do have a few more in coming posts.

Elizabeth Nicholson

After performing in stage productions whilst growing up in Nottingham and then Dorset, Elizabeth graduated from the University of the West of England in Bristol and went on to train full time as an actor in her Postgraduate studies.

She has recently filmed a commercial in Romania and been busy filming 3 shorts and a feature film, including the ambitious indie feature ‘Red Heart’ (redheartmovie.tumblr.com), sci-fi short Proximity (vimeo.com/22052733) and the comedy super-hero short ‘Durex-Man’ directed by fellow Storyteller Colin Emerson. 

She is also soon to feature in ‘Like a Fishbone’ by Andrew Weigh at the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone.

Colin Emerson

Born in London, Colin passed a course in Contemporary Popular Musics and went on to become a singer/songwriter working with Garage producers, Delinquent, DJ Fabion and Mischief Makers, and scored a top 10 hit on 1xtra with the track ''R U Ready''. 

Since then Colin has turned his eye to learning Japanese and the craft of acting. He has trained at The Actors Temple and has also worked closely with producer Milly Ellis and screenwriter, Nick Reed and currently in the process of producing/directing a web series.

Last year Colin performed ''Teaching Gods'', written by Robert Crighton at the Tristan Bates Theatre and will next be seen in The Actors Centre/BBC Talent Boost short film ''The Conference'' directed by Justin Edgar.

Simon Nader

Simon Nader is a core member of Milk Bottle having played Teiresias in BLIND SPOTS, Treplev in THE ALTERNATIVE SEAGULL and several solo pieces including KEYNOTE SPEAKER. He trained at London’s Academy Drama School. Previous stage work includes: Billy, BILLY BLISTER’S CIRCUS (Watford Palace Theatre); George, OF MICE AND MEN (National tour); Colin/Policeman, MAGGIE’S END (Shaw Theatre); All the male roles, THE OTHER SIDE (Gilded Balloon Edinburgh); Otto, CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (Union Theatre); Gary, THE REVENGERS (Barons Court Theatre) and many others. Feature Film work includes forthcoming horror THE DEAD INSIDE as Wayne Andrews; Guildenstern in HAMLET (Fodor’s 2006); Horst in FUR MEINEN VATER and as a voice actor on IRONCLAD. He recently played The Journalist in BBC Radio 4’s THE CHESS GIRLS and is currently playing Claudio in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING for Rooftop Theatre in St Albans (until July 16th). Tickets www.rooftoptheatre.co.uk