ISSUE 7 September 2009
Welcome to the latest issue of the DF Acting News Page!
Feel free to pass the news link on to anyone you think might be interested, and if you have received this from a friend and wish to have further news sent directly, please email d.f.acting@gmail.com to join the mailing list. You can also email to make any comments or suggestions - all gratefully received!
Every effort is made to make sure information is correct. If you should note an error, please do email and amendments will be speedily made.
You can also access the DF Acting News Page by joining the Facebook page of Discover Fine Acting. Go on, Facebookers, become a fan!
Every effort is made to make sure information is correct. If you should note an error, please do email and amendments will be speedily made.
You can also access the DF Acting News Page by joining the Facebook page of Discover Fine Acting. Go on, Facebookers, become a fan!
If you do not wish to continue receiving the DF Acting News Page, please email d.f.acting@gmail.com and ask to be removed from the page's mailing list.
Discover Fine Acting News
Well, a hectic but fun Fringe is over for another year - I hope you had a fantastic time and congratulations to all those involved. I know I've had a great Fringe when I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single show I went to with people I know in - well done!
This seems like a new start for Discover Fine Acting, after the Fringe break, and in fact DF Acting is approaching its second year. What have you liked, what do you think is missing and what do you want to see from DF Acting next? Please do get in touch - it is your response that shapes the way things develop and encourages more (yes, even if what you say is a criticism, provided you phrase things tactfully, it will be welcomed!).
As always, read on for news and events (including a course with a contemporary of the great mime artist, Etienne Decroux) and remember, whatever you are up to - have fun!
Danielle Farrow
Diary Dates
Check out the Discover Fine Acting Calendar! Note that you can adjust the calendar to show chosen sections, i.e. performances / DFA classes / external workshops, etc. Also, if you have a Google calendar yourself, you can copy events directly into that.
Event information is found below. Anything you want added? Send info to d.f.acting@gmail.com
Information
QUICK LINKS: SKILLS PERFORMANCES AUDITIONS OTHER
SKILLS
Professional Actor Studios
If you are a professional actor and interested in meeting up with other professional actors to practice and share your skills, then check out DF Acting Information for information about:
Edinburgh - ACTORS KITCHEN - FREE weekly studio ; email admin@actorskitchen.org
Glasgow - THE ACTORS BOTHY - weekly Meisner studio; email admin@theactorsbothy.com
Community Choir
This is run by Chandra Mather and a great way to become comfortable with your singing voice if you are not yet secure with it (and if you are, it's a great way to get in some enjoyable practice). Please contact Chandra for details. You can also read more at DF Acting Information.
Laughter Workshops - Sharon Miller / Joyworks
These laughter workshops have been platformed on Radio Scotland, Radio Clyde and featured on the STV 5.30 show. A laughter workshop is a cathartic experience based on the scientific fact that your body can’t tell the difference between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ laughter. Using simple, tension-releasing exercises based on mime and play, the laughter soon taps into natural laughter. See DF Acting Information for further details.
2nd Friday every month, 7.30 to 8.30pm: Friday 11th September, Friday 9th October, Friday 13th November, Friday 11th December; £8 per person
Authenticity & the Actor: What Makes Me Unique? - Morna Burdon at Raw Talent Productions
This workshop is aimed at actors and performers who are keen to explore, re-visit, liberate their potential as creative artists.
The work is emotional, dynamic, funny, serious, challenging, changing and is based on the work of Master Fool, Jonothan Kay, where the work centres on the techniques of fooling, confronting the dictator within, and authentic expression through creative impulse.
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, 11am to 5pm; Edinburgh; part of Raw Talent Productions' 2009 Programme - further information, including booking facility, can be found here; eligible for ILA funding.
Flashback Drama - ACTive INquiry
Are you interested in being part of a brand new piece of theatre to be performed at the Leith Festival in 2010? This devising group is part of ACTive INquiry Theatre Company and is for anyone over 18 with an interest in creating innovative theatre that entertains and challenges. There are opportunities for those interested in acting, directing, writing or backstage work. Further information.
Monday evenings, 5th October to 7th December; Edinburgh; further details about ACTive INquiry at DF Acting Information
The Art of Mime - Charioteer Theatre (see News Page 5 in Archives for my view on this great company)
Marise Flach is coming to Scotland to lead her second course on the art of Mime. Marise is a fantastic teacher and one of the few remaining contemporaries of Etienne Decroux, known as the founder of Mime. Detailed information here; contact: admin@charioteertheatre.co.uk
Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October; Forres
Shakespeare Workshop: Taste Those Words! - Danielle Farrow at Raw Talent Productions
Shakespeare's stories and characters are rightly popular to this day. It is his language, though, that both attracts in its rich beauty and repels when seen as complex and hard to grasp.
This workshop looks at meaning, verse and practical expression, and builds up techniques for tackling Shakespearean language. Come, 'feast your ears' and tongues!
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April, 11am to 5pm; Edinburgh. This is one of the workshops I am leading as part of Raw Talent Productions' 2009 Programme. Booking via the Raw Talent Productions' website. Eligible for ILA funding.
Meisner Workshop - Scott Williams @ The Actors Bothy, with Raw Talent Productions
The famous Meisner Technique as it is taught at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, whose alumni include Robert Duval, Sidney Pollack and David Mamet. This off-shoot of Stanislavsky's method, created by Sanford Meisner,
uses three basic exercises to get at the core definition of acting: 'acting is living truthfully under a given set of circumstances'. Further information.
Sunday 18th to Thursday 22nd October; CCA, Glasgow
Little Shakespeare Theatre School - "discovering, playing, learning, acting, speaking Shakespeare"
The Little Shakespeare Theatre school holds classes in Musselburgh for 3-11 year olds on Saturday mornings and 11-16 year olds on Thursday evenings, as well as providing private voice coaching for adults and children in Haddington. For more information, contact Michelle van Rensburg via 07724 937331 or www.littleshakespearetheatreschool.co.uk.
Discover Fine Acting Courses
Do you know what you want to see from DF Acting? If so, get in touch and we'll make it happen!
PERFORMANCES
Siege Perilous / ineffect @ The GRV - Purple by Jon Fosse, adapted by David Harrower
Written by acclaimed Norwegian writer Jon Fosse and adapted into English by David Harrower, Purple - presented by new Edinburgh company ineffect - is set in a disused cellar of an abandoned factory. It is a tense piece which focuses on the central characters of The Boy and The Girl. The Boy has arranged to meet three others to rehearse but he's brought her down early, a girl who isn't part of the band.
Tuesday 8th to Thursday 10th September, 8pm (45 mins. long); tickets £6. Online booking or phone to reserve tickets: 0131 554 3005; further information - www.siegeperilous.co.uk and www.ineffect.org.uk
Lung Ha's Theatre Company - Dangerously, Yours . . .
Welcome to the final scene and the final day's shooting of Dangerously, Yours . . . - the last chance for notorious Director, Humphrey Hudson, to resurrect his fast fading career. But will it prove to be his final cut? Further information.
Wednesday 23rd September 7.30pm & Thursday 24th September 1.30pm
Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, 0131 668 2019
Wednesday 30th September 7.30pm & Thursday 1st October 1.30pm
Platform, The Bridge, Glasgow, 0141 276 9696
www.myspace.com/lunghas
AUDITIONS
ST COLUMBA'S DRAMATIC SOCIETY
SCDS is casting Out of Sight … Out of Murder, a mystery comedy by Fred Carmichael, directed by Margaret Milne, to be performed in November 2009.
CAST: 4 male (young, 30s, middle-age, 60s); 5 female (young, 40s, middle-age, 60)
SYNOPSIS: Peter has come to a lonely old house to finish a play - a thriller featuring all the old stock characters such as butler and maid, but with new twists. Amazingly the characters manifest themselves and take over the situation, one of them tying to kill Peter. Events follow a typical thriller to a hair-raising climax until Peter manages to type “The End” - but an even more surprising twist is in store.
AUDITIONS: Wednesday 9th September 2009 at 7.30pm, the stage at St Columba's Parish Church, Blackhall - be prepared to sight read. Those who are unable to attend but wish to take part should contact Duthie Thomson via duthiethomson@hotmail.com.
KES - THE KING'S THEATRE
The King's Theatre are looking for people to join the professional cast from the Liverpool Playhouse - please note that this is unpaid. Further information.
Looking for more? Do you know these: Casting Call Pro; Mandy; Equity Job Information; Spotlight Breakdowns?
OTHER
SAT 'Making Things Happen' Launch Day Event
S A T ‘making things happen’ is a lively and passionate, issue orientated, multi-arts organisation based in Glasgow. Its launch day will be opened and attended by local celebrities, MPs and local councillors, along with a number of high profile guests. Anyone can come and join in the fun! Further information.
Saturday 12th September, 11am to 3pm; Partick Burgh Hall; FREE! ; www.makingthingshappen.org.uk
thecastingscene.com
thecastingscene.com is an online auditioning site, which is now live following its beta stage (previously mentioned here at DF Acting). Directors, producers and casting personnel post projects on this site and you can audition for them online, cutting out that initial travel hassle. Further information.
Calling all writers and production companies
Siege Perilous is always on the look out for interesting scripts of 30-90 minutes. They read every script sent so do get in touch if you have one that you would like them to look at with a view to staging at the GRV or helping you to develop through a workshop.
Similarly, they are now in a position to programme in visiting companies for the next 12 months. If you are a professional theatre company and haven't already contacted them but are interested in performing at the GRV, do get in touch: info@siegeperilous.co.uk
Save the Ramshorn Theatre from closure
A plan has been formulated to close the Ramshorn Theatre, displacing Strathclyde Theatre Group, as part of an effort for Strathclyde University to become a centre of technical "excellence". The University of Strathclyde is saying that they want to dispose of the Ramshorn Theatre.
The Ramshorn Theatre can be seen as an integral part of many people's lives, both performing artists and audience members. If you wish to support the fight against this decision, there is a dedicated Facebook group to join. Further information on the Ramshorn Theatre here.
Equity
The East of Scotland Equity Branch holds regular meetings and social evenings, and if you would like to know more, please contact edinburgh@equity.org.uk.
Protecting Actors
Protecting Actors has been setup to address the fact that many production companies promise participants a DVD copy of the film, but fail to deliver this in a timely fashion, if at all. See DF Acting Information for further details, and help to spread the word!
Of Interest
A little secret (though not a hard one to guess) - I can find getting this newsletter together and sent out more hard work than fun. I want to achieve this, but the elements of time, energy, enthusiasm and sheer determination do not always appear at the same time. Yet here it is, again - the DF Acting News Page! A help has been something that jumped out at me from Secrets From The Casting Couch, where the author - casting agent Nancy Bishop - quotes philosopher Eckhart Tolle:
"When you want to arrive at your goal more than you want to be doing what you are doing, you become stressed."
So it's all about primary motivation: find the joy in what you are doing and not only in where you are aiming - brilliant advice for castings and for life. This is partly why I include more personal things here in the 'Of Interest' section - hope you enjoy them too!
Linkylea Festival
Celebrating the best eclectic Scottish bands in a funky field near Edinburgh. Information at Facebook here.
Saturday 12th to Sunday 13th September; Linkylea Field, between Haddington and Gifford
Looking for party ideas? Madame Peaches Party Nights may be of interest:
Perfect for Hen parties, birthday bashes and girlie get togethers - choose from: Burlesque Babes/Pole Party/Back To The 80's/Pink Ladies/Dance Floor Divas and more..! Further information.
www.madamepeaches.com 07941 725754 party@madamepeaches.com
Entertainment online:
Glasgow-based singer, Pauline Alexander at MySpace - I particularly like 'Dear Sister' and 'The Calling';
And getting in the mood for next month's Shakespeare workshop, a classic comedy sketch from Hugh Laurie and Rowan Atkinson: A Small Rewrite.
That's it for now! As ever, to respond to anything in this newsletter / have something included in the next one, email d.f.acting@gmail.com - and feel free to pass the News Page on to anyone who might be interested.
Until next time, then, and remember:
ENJOY!
Well, a hectic but fun Fringe is over for another year - I hope you had a fantastic time and congratulations to all those involved. I know I've had a great Fringe when I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single show I went to with people I know in - well done!
This seems like a new start for Discover Fine Acting, after the Fringe break, and in fact DF Acting is approaching its second year. What have you liked, what do you think is missing and what do you want to see from DF Acting next? Please do get in touch - it is your response that shapes the way things develop and encourages more (yes, even if what you say is a criticism, provided you phrase things tactfully, it will be welcomed!).
As always, read on for news and events (including a course with a contemporary of the great mime artist, Etienne Decroux) and remember, whatever you are up to - have fun!
Danielle Farrow
Diary Dates
Check out the Discover Fine Acting Calendar! Note that you can adjust the calendar to show chosen sections, i.e. performances / DFA classes / external workshops, etc. Also, if you have a Google calendar yourself, you can copy events directly into that.
Event information is found below. Anything you want added? Send info to d.f.acting@gmail.com
Information
QUICK LINKS: SKILLS PERFORMANCES AUDITIONS OTHER
SKILLS
Professional Actor Studios
If you are a professional actor and interested in meeting up with other professional actors to practice and share your skills, then check out DF Acting Information for information about:
Edinburgh - ACTORS KITCHEN - FREE weekly studio ; email admin@actorskitchen.org
Glasgow - THE ACTORS BOTHY - weekly Meisner studio; email admin@theactorsbothy.com
Community Choir
This is run by Chandra Mather and a great way to become comfortable with your singing voice if you are not yet secure with it (and if you are, it's a great way to get in some enjoyable practice). Please contact Chandra for details. You can also read more at DF Acting Information.
Laughter Workshops - Sharon Miller / Joyworks
These laughter workshops have been platformed on Radio Scotland, Radio Clyde and featured on the STV 5.30 show. A laughter workshop is a cathartic experience based on the scientific fact that your body can’t tell the difference between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ laughter. Using simple, tension-releasing exercises based on mime and play, the laughter soon taps into natural laughter. See DF Acting Information for further details.
2nd Friday every month, 7.30 to 8.30pm: Friday 11th September, Friday 9th October, Friday 13th November, Friday 11th December; £8 per person
Authenticity & the Actor: What Makes Me Unique? - Morna Burdon at Raw Talent Productions
This workshop is aimed at actors and performers who are keen to explore, re-visit, liberate their potential as creative artists.
The work is emotional, dynamic, funny, serious, challenging, changing and is based on the work of Master Fool, Jonothan Kay, where the work centres on the techniques of fooling, confronting the dictator within, and authentic expression through creative impulse.
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, 11am to 5pm; Edinburgh; part of Raw Talent Productions' 2009 Programme - further information, including booking facility, can be found here; eligible for ILA funding.
Flashback Drama - ACTive INquiry
Are you interested in being part of a brand new piece of theatre to be performed at the Leith Festival in 2010? This devising group is part of ACTive INquiry Theatre Company and is for anyone over 18 with an interest in creating innovative theatre that entertains and challenges. There are opportunities for those interested in acting, directing, writing or backstage work. Further information.
Monday evenings, 5th October to 7th December; Edinburgh; further details about ACTive INquiry at DF Acting Information
The Art of Mime - Charioteer Theatre (see News Page 5 in Archives for my view on this great company)
Marise Flach is coming to Scotland to lead her second course on the art of Mime. Marise is a fantastic teacher and one of the few remaining contemporaries of Etienne Decroux, known as the founder of Mime. Detailed information here; contact: admin@charioteertheatre.co.uk
Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October; Forres
Shakespeare Workshop: Taste Those Words! - Danielle Farrow at Raw Talent Productions
Shakespeare's stories and characters are rightly popular to this day. It is his language, though, that both attracts in its rich beauty and repels when seen as complex and hard to grasp.
This workshop looks at meaning, verse and practical expression, and builds up techniques for tackling Shakespearean language. Come, 'feast your ears' and tongues!
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April, 11am to 5pm; Edinburgh. This is one of the workshops I am leading as part of Raw Talent Productions' 2009 Programme. Booking via the Raw Talent Productions' website. Eligible for ILA funding.
Meisner Workshop - Scott Williams @ The Actors Bothy, with Raw Talent Productions
The famous Meisner Technique as it is taught at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, whose alumni include Robert Duval, Sidney Pollack and David Mamet. This off-shoot of Stanislavsky's method, created by Sanford Meisner,
uses three basic exercises to get at the core definition of acting: 'acting is living truthfully under a given set of circumstances'. Further information.
Sunday 18th to Thursday 22nd October; CCA, Glasgow
Little Shakespeare Theatre School - "discovering, playing, learning, acting, speaking Shakespeare"
The Little Shakespeare Theatre school holds classes in Musselburgh for 3-11 year olds on Saturday mornings and 11-16 year olds on Thursday evenings, as well as providing private voice coaching for adults and children in Haddington. For more information, contact Michelle van Rensburg via 07724 937331 or www.littleshakespearetheatreschool.co.uk.
Discover Fine Acting Courses
Do you know what you want to see from DF Acting? If so, get in touch and we'll make it happen!
PERFORMANCES
Siege Perilous / ineffect @ The GRV - Purple by Jon Fosse, adapted by David Harrower
Written by acclaimed Norwegian writer Jon Fosse and adapted into English by David Harrower, Purple - presented by new Edinburgh company ineffect - is set in a disused cellar of an abandoned factory. It is a tense piece which focuses on the central characters of The Boy and The Girl. The Boy has arranged to meet three others to rehearse but he's brought her down early, a girl who isn't part of the band.
Tuesday 8th to Thursday 10th September, 8pm (45 mins. long); tickets £6. Online booking or phone to reserve tickets: 0131 554 3005; further information - www.siegeperilous.co.uk and www.ineffect.org.uk
Lung Ha's Theatre Company - Dangerously, Yours . . .
Welcome to the final scene and the final day's shooting of Dangerously, Yours . . . - the last chance for notorious Director, Humphrey Hudson, to resurrect his fast fading career. But will it prove to be his final cut? Further information.
Wednesday 23rd September 7.30pm & Thursday 24th September 1.30pm
Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, 0131 668 2019
Wednesday 30th September 7.30pm & Thursday 1st October 1.30pm
Platform, The Bridge, Glasgow, 0141 276 9696
www.myspace.com/lunghas
AUDITIONS
ST COLUMBA'S DRAMATIC SOCIETY
SCDS is casting Out of Sight … Out of Murder, a mystery comedy by Fred Carmichael, directed by Margaret Milne, to be performed in November 2009.
CAST: 4 male (young, 30s, middle-age, 60s); 5 female (young, 40s, middle-age, 60)
SYNOPSIS: Peter has come to a lonely old house to finish a play - a thriller featuring all the old stock characters such as butler and maid, but with new twists. Amazingly the characters manifest themselves and take over the situation, one of them tying to kill Peter. Events follow a typical thriller to a hair-raising climax until Peter manages to type “The End” - but an even more surprising twist is in store.
AUDITIONS: Wednesday 9th September 2009 at 7.30pm, the stage at St Columba's Parish Church, Blackhall - be prepared to sight read. Those who are unable to attend but wish to take part should contact Duthie Thomson via duthiethomson@hotmail.com.
KES - THE KING'S THEATRE
The King's Theatre are looking for people to join the professional cast from the Liverpool Playhouse - please note that this is unpaid. Further information.
Looking for more? Do you know these: Casting Call Pro; Mandy; Equity Job Information; Spotlight Breakdowns?
OTHER
SAT 'Making Things Happen' Launch Day Event
S A T ‘making things happen’ is a lively and passionate, issue orientated, multi-arts organisation based in Glasgow. Its launch day will be opened and attended by local celebrities, MPs and local councillors, along with a number of high profile guests. Anyone can come and join in the fun! Further information.
Saturday 12th September, 11am to 3pm; Partick Burgh Hall; FREE! ; www.makingthingshappen.org.uk
thecastingscene.com
thecastingscene.com is an online auditioning site, which is now live following its beta stage (previously mentioned here at DF Acting). Directors, producers and casting personnel post projects on this site and you can audition for them online, cutting out that initial travel hassle. Further information.
Calling all writers and production companies
Siege Perilous is always on the look out for interesting scripts of 30-90 minutes. They read every script sent so do get in touch if you have one that you would like them to look at with a view to staging at the GRV or helping you to develop through a workshop.
Similarly, they are now in a position to programme in visiting companies for the next 12 months. If you are a professional theatre company and haven't already contacted them but are interested in performing at the GRV, do get in touch: info@siegeperilous.co.uk
Save the Ramshorn Theatre from closure
A plan has been formulated to close the Ramshorn Theatre, displacing Strathclyde Theatre Group, as part of an effort for Strathclyde University to become a centre of technical "excellence". The University of Strathclyde is saying that they want to dispose of the Ramshorn Theatre.
The Ramshorn Theatre can be seen as an integral part of many people's lives, both performing artists and audience members. If you wish to support the fight against this decision, there is a dedicated Facebook group to join. Further information on the Ramshorn Theatre here.
Equity
The East of Scotland Equity Branch holds regular meetings and social evenings, and if you would like to know more, please contact edinburgh@equity.org.uk.
Protecting Actors
Protecting Actors has been setup to address the fact that many production companies promise participants a DVD copy of the film, but fail to deliver this in a timely fashion, if at all. See DF Acting Information for further details, and help to spread the word!
Of Interest
A little secret (though not a hard one to guess) - I can find getting this newsletter together and sent out more hard work than fun. I want to achieve this, but the elements of time, energy, enthusiasm and sheer determination do not always appear at the same time. Yet here it is, again - the DF Acting News Page! A help has been something that jumped out at me from Secrets From The Casting Couch, where the author - casting agent Nancy Bishop - quotes philosopher Eckhart Tolle:
"When you want to arrive at your goal more than you want to be doing what you are doing, you become stressed."
So it's all about primary motivation: find the joy in what you are doing and not only in where you are aiming - brilliant advice for castings and for life. This is partly why I include more personal things here in the 'Of Interest' section - hope you enjoy them too!
Linkylea Festival
Celebrating the best eclectic Scottish bands in a funky field near Edinburgh. Information at Facebook here.
Saturday 12th to Sunday 13th September; Linkylea Field, between Haddington and Gifford
Looking for party ideas? Madame Peaches Party Nights may be of interest:
Perfect for Hen parties, birthday bashes and girlie get togethers - choose from: Burlesque Babes/Pole Party/Back To The 80's/Pink Ladies/Dance Floor Divas and more..! Further information.
www.madamepeaches.com 07941 725754 party@madamepeaches.com
Entertainment online:
Glasgow-based singer, Pauline Alexander at MySpace - I particularly like 'Dear Sister' and 'The Calling';
And getting in the mood for next month's Shakespeare workshop, a classic comedy sketch from Hugh Laurie and Rowan Atkinson: A Small Rewrite.
That's it for now! As ever, to respond to anything in this newsletter / have something included in the next one, email d.f.acting@gmail.com - and feel free to pass the News Page on to anyone who might be interested.
Until next time, then, and remember:
ENJOY!