The Installation – November 2013
November 24-25 2013, Hide Gallery
A new writing event that breaks conventions and blurs the lines between Art forms.
What is it that allures an audience to art?…or is it Art that is allured to an audience? Is it the escapism? Or arguably, is it the realism? Is it the voyeuristic nature of spying on a piece, searching for the artist’s intention? Or, is it the hedonistic rush of instant gratification in experiencing a moment of beauty? Perhaps, quite simply, it is the lack of allure that affects the individual the most.
Join A Friend of a Friend Productions for Theatre at the newly opened Hide Gallery on a journey to discover the varied ways that Art can affect our everyday lives, if even unwittingly. The Installation challenges theatrical conventions, audience expectations, and blurs the lines between Art forms.
Patrick Maubert directs the international ensemble of new work.
FULL LIST OF WORKS
TRUTH OR SEDUCTION?
Written by Mark Abbey
A man and a woman meet for the first time at an art gallery in front of an Old Master.
The play explores the nature of their attraction to the painting and how this mirrors the nature of their attraction to each other.
Mark has BA (hons) English Language and Literature. This has been a busy year for him as a playwright; his play Ice Cream was staged for three nights at the Theatre Breaks Festival, London (Tiny Dog Productions), and When it’s Gone it’s Gone was also shortlisted by Little Pieces of Gold for “Transitions”.
CAST
Richard: Mathew Foster
Since graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2012, Mathew has appeared in 55 Days at Hampstead Theatre, directed by Howard Davies, worked with Shakespeare’s Globe on their Read Not Dead productions at the Globe itself and at Wilderness Festival, and appeared in Lazarus Theatre’s productions of Dido: Queen of Carthage and Lear at Greenwich Theatre, playing Achates and France respectively. He also originated the part of Steven in David W. Bryan’s play Orion’s Hat at the Tristan Bates Theatre, collaborated with Met FIlm School graduate James Murphy on his film Hold On and played the lead role of Siegfried in William Relton’s dramatic staging of Wagner’s Ring Cycle at the British Library as part of the ‘Wagner 200′ event. Most recently he starred as Mark in Sitting With Thistle at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre. As a writer, Mathew wrote and directed two short plays at the Old Red Lion for Writer’s Bloc UK, and appeared in Poleroid Theatre’s Write It : Mic It event at Hackney Attic performing his own material. Mathew is currently developing Answers… at the Hen and Chickens theatre, and will appear on screens in Mark Gatiss’ BBC drama The Tractate Middoth this Christmas.
Imogen: Rosie Ladkin
Rosie is an English actress and singer; trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD) on the new BA Musical Theatre course.
Whilst training, she had the opportunity to originate the role of Claude in Douglas Maxwell and Richard Taylor’s new musical “Watertight”, and played roles such as The Baker’s Wife in “Into The Woods” and The Harmonica Player in “Tommy”.
Performance credits also include “The Improvised Musical”, “Musicville”, The title role in “Reni and The Brownshirts” with BBC Radio 4, Ensemble and cover Pitti-Sing/Yum-Yum in “Hot Mikado” (Landor Theatre”) and ‘Rali : The Woman Who Speaks The Future’ in Noisemaker Productions (Winner of the 2013 S&S award) “Freak Show”.
Rosie has also recently featured on a Christmas EP “A Very West End Christmas” featuring 50 well known performers from London’s West End singing various christmas songs for charity. (www.averywestendchristmas.com)
Rosie regularly also performs in various concerts; more recently including West End Fest, Giggin 4 Good and If It Only Even Runs A Minute. She is also very actively involved in recording work and session singing.
For more information see http://www.rosieladkin.com or @rosieladkin on twitter.
Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred and Then Some
Written by John Hamilton May
“February’s too busy mourning itself to mourn anybody else…”
A man with a memory stands opposite a blank canvas. She paints herself across it with Da Vinci-like dexterity to the point he just can’t ignore her any more.
John is an award-winning playwright originally from North Yorkshire. His work has been seen in venues across England, Scotland, in the United States and his 2013 Edinburgh Fesitval Fringe sell-out show, Love in the Past Participle is currently being prepared for performance in Spain. John is currently working on projects for the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the Bolton Octagon and was recently longlisted for the Verity Bargate Award. He is a Soho and Tricycle Young Writer.
CAST
Guard: Miles Yekinni
Trained: Central School of speech and Drama
Theatre Credits: Blood Wedding [The Courtyard Theatre]; The bridge [Chelsea Theatre]; A Midsummer Night’s Dream [Royal Lyceum Theatre]; The Legend of Captain Crows Teeth [Unicorn Theatre]; Under a Foreign sky [Theatre Centre]; School for Scandal [Barbican]; The Front Line [The Globe Theatre].
Television, Film and Radio: Say Nothing [Independent film]; Julius Caesar [The Co-operative], Lyle and the Voice, Darius [Short films]; Get the Spark [Internet].
For further information, please visit http://www.keddiescott.com
This is the Beginning of Everything
Written by Anna Forsyth
An examination of art and truth.
Anna has written and directed two four-star shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. She has just completed her MA in Scriptwriting at Goldsmiths and has won two screenwriting awards in the United States, as well as a BBC award for radio drama and the LOST Theatre Festival. Anna’s work has been performed in London, Manchester, and Buxton.
CAST
Ben: Mathew Foster
Gillian: Ruthie Luff
Ruthie Luff is a Canadian actress and singer, represented by Olivia Bell Management.
She received her Masters in Musical Theatre Performance, with Distinction, from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly known as the RSAMD) and has had the pleasure of performing in London at the Landor Theatre in Hot Mikado and at Sadler’s Wells in Flahooley. She often spends her summers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where she collaborated and stared in the original, multi-award winning musical Wasted Love, and also played leading first lady, Hillary Clinton in Clinton The Musical. She also had the honour of playing Dot/Marie in the Scottish premiere of Sunday In The Park With George. http://www.ruthieluff.com
Here Comes a Lady
Written by Jeffrey Baker
A cultivated young woman and a museum guard clash over the merits of a painting.
Jeffrey lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. His plays have been produced at The Ontological-Hysteric Incubator (NY), The Francis Ford Coppola One Act Festival (LA) and the UCLA New Play Festival (LA). He is the recipient of a 2012 Florence Theil Herrscher Award in Theater Arts and the 2013 George Burns and Gracie Allen Fellowship in Comedy. His feature-length screenplay DR. ACKER’S ENGLISH ELIXIR is a finalist for the 2013 Samuel Goldwyn Writing Awards.
CAST
Guard: Miles Yekinni
Hilary: Verity Quade
Verity has a first class Bmus (Hons) from Trinity College of Music, and a Musical Theatre PGDip and DipRAM from the Royal Academy of Music, which was sponsored by the Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award. The majority of her credits lie in musical theatre. She has just enjoyed the privilege of singing in the National Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Gala, alongside a plethora of British theatre royalty. Verity was the alternate Mother Superior in “Sister Act” at the London Palladium, and before that she played Narrator 1/Mr. Devine in “Awaking Beauty“, written and directed by Sir Alan Ayckbourn, with music by Denis King. In 2008 Verity had the honour of being the featured vocalist in “Strictly Gershwin”, a collaboration with the English National Ballet at the Royal Albert Hall. Other roles include Ida in “Honk!” at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Ensemble in the original revival cast of “The Sound of Music” at the London Palladium, Ensemble/1st cover Shawntel in “Jerry Springer, the Opera” at the Cambridge Theatre, Agnes/Sherri in the European premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s “Lucky Nurse and other short Musical Plays” at the Finborough Theatre, Madame Thenardier in a concert version of “Les Miserables” at the Beau Sejour Centre in Guernsey, Professor Hatton Jones in a promenade musical version of the classic Ealing comedy “Passport To Pimlico” and Gina Santini in the workshop of “Talking To Mr. Warner” at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Verity was a runner-up in the BBC Radio2 Voice of Musical Theatre in 2005. She can be found on the original cast recordings of Sister Act, Awaking Beauty and The Sound of Music, on “Numbers Rush By” with the band Tonic Fold, on the demo recording for Cinderella by Anne Dudley and Stephen Fry and on her own album “A Different Kind of Love” with fellow performer Robert Archibald. Verity is also a composer lyricist and in 2010, “Scrapbook – the songs of Rob Archibald and Verity Quade” was released and can be found on iTunes, Amazon and at Dress Circle. She is an experienced cabaret performer, having sung at venues such as Pizza on the Park, the Battersea Barge, Lauderdale House, Soho Revue Bar and Norden Farm Centre for the Arts. Verity is constantly in demand as a voice teacher, vocal coach and musical director at both college and professional level. As well as Trinity Laban, she also currently teaches at LAMDA and The Urdang Academy. Previously she has taught at Mountview, ALRA, East 15 and GSA.
The Exhibition
Written by Judah Skoff
The audience witnesses a brief, shocking exhibition between the “subject” and the “object” in art.
Judah is a distinguished American playwright who won the National (U.S.) Playwriting Competition, the New Jersey Playwrights Contest, two New Jersey Governor’s Awards in the Arts, and many other awards. His plays have been performed in New York and around the United States at theatres and festivals including: the Abingdon Theatre, the Producer’s Club, the Hunziker Black Box Theatre, Joria Production, the Great Plains Theatre Conference, the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, the State Theatre of New Jersey and elsewhere. The Jewish Week, the largest circulated Jewish-oriented newspaper in America named him one of their top 36 under 36 rising stars due to his playwriting. He was named a finalist in numerous competitions including the American Renegade Theatre’s National Playwriting Competition, the New Century Writer’s Awards, the New Orleans/Tennessee Williams literary one-act play contest, and the Hamilton Fringe Festival’s International Playwriting Competition. His writing is included in the Best Monologues From the Last Fronier Theatre Conference, published by Focus Publishing and available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere. His writing has appeared in numerous publications including Red Ochre Lit and Red River Review. He was a member of the Horse Trade Theatre Group’s inaugural playwriting workshop, and a participating artist at Backyart, a multi-disciplinary artist’s showcase based in Brooklyn, New York. Judah graduated from Brown University with a degree in English.
CAST
The Exhibitionist: Jack Joseph
Jack trained at The Italia Conti Academy, where he was nominated by the school for The Laurence Olivier bursary. Past credits include: ‘Oberon’ in a Midsummer Night’s Dream, ‘Brick’ in Cat on A Hot Tin Roof and ‘Lally’ in Vernon God Little at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. ‘The Installation’ marks his London debut, and Jack feels very privileged to be working on such an exciting project.
Jessica: Rosie Fletcher
Rosie FletcherRosie graduated this summer from Arts Educational School London. Roles include: “Baby” Rose Owen in Babes In Arms and Gaelen/Dance Captain in Legally Blonde. Rosie was also fortunate to be a soloist on BBC Radio 2′s Friday Night Is Music Night. Since graduating Rosie worked with Patrick on Passport to Pimlico and is about to start rehearsals for a musical that will tour the UK in the new year.
The Project
Written by James Paul Avery
A professor has a Project for his students; how far are they willing to go to be an Artist?
James began as an actor, and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, before turning his hand to writing. He has had his short plays performed in venues across London, and is currently working on a full length play to be completed in 2014.
CAST
Professor: Canavan Connolly
Canavan trained at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, enjoying the chance to play Benedick and Avocatore whilst there. Since then there have been a variety of roles, including Tarzan and Frankenstein’s Creature, while the last couple of years have included a great deal of immersive theatre and the curious parts therein. Some of the most rewarding work has included a number of collaborations on new pieces by the writer Robin Johnson, including the chance to play both Dr John Watson and Lady Bracknell. Canavan is currently appearing in Bussy D’Ambois at St Giles in the Fields with the Owle Schreme Rep Company.
What Would Andrew Lincoln Do?
Written by James Robert-Moore
Tom, 27, works in finance. Straight acting. Into rugby, cinema trips and tae kwon do. WLTM: tall, handsome easy going guy for new adventures. LTR only. Piper, 25, works in the arts. WLTM: creative types for fun and spontaneous trips. Enjoys theatre, baking and figure skating. Frightened of tuna but we can talk about that another time. Will consider STR but looking for marriage. And fast.
Tom, meet Piper. Dating just got interesting.
James trained at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York campus. Theatre credits whilst training include; Hal in Proof, Oliver in Dinner At Eight, and Derek in Once A Catholic. Theatre includes; Who The James Is Jim Darke? at The Breakfast Club (site specific), and An Evening of Music and Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas at The Landor. Rehearsed readings include; Breakfast With Tiffany at Dance Attic. For TV and Film; Young Dracula and Nowhere Boy. James wrote the scripts and appeared as an acting coach for online children’s talent show The Call Back for iMedia. He is also the Stage Editor for So So Gay magazine, and a features writer for the MOBO Awards online. His first full play, a dark comedy entitled ‘It’s Been Nice Knowing You’ had a rehearsed reading at the Jermyn Street Theatre in February earlier this year. ‘What Would Andrew Lincoln Do?’ is his first short play.
CAST
Piper: James Robert-Moore
Tom: Patrick Keeler
Patrick Keeler Installation headshotOriginally from Canada, Patrick recently finished an MA at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and is excited about his recent move to London. Previous credits include William Dean in “The Dock” (BBC Radio 4), Jiminy Cricket in “Pinnochio#10” (AgenC-1), Testor in “It’s a Greek Thing”, Rev. Dodgson in “Alice”, and Bottom in “Midsummer Night on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (all Basement Theatre). Theatre credits while training include Faulkland in “The Rivals”, Man in “Lungs”, DeFlores in “The Changeling”, Telegin in “Uncle Vanya”, and Orlando in “As You Like It”.
Two Out of Five
Written by Jonas Oppenheim
Edwin Hominy-Smythe, a frustrated and melodramatic young man, composes a testy online review of a popular bar that he has just visited. He relates his experience braving the loud music and the crowds in hopes of finding true love, and waxes poetic about his romantic fantasies and ancient heartbreaks. Will the ghost of relationships past derail his wooing of an unfriendly hipster? The answer is in the stars.
Jonas is a playwright and director whose plays include Hamlet Shut Up, Free $$$, Mr. Satan Goes to Wall Street, Earth Sucks, The Foul Stench of Death, and The Clown Family Murders. New York: PS122, Ontological/Hysteric, EST, La MaMa, and Ohio Theatre; Los Angeles: Sacred Fools, Theatre of NOTE, the Freud Theater, 24th St. Theater, Miles Playhouse, Highways, Luckman Arts Complex, and Art|Works; and at theaters, universities, backyards, basements, parks, and parking lots across America. His new comedy The Mother Ship will premiere at Sacred Fools Theater in 2014.
His work has received L.A. Weekly Awards for “Best Adaptation” (2010) and “Distinguished Achievement” (2006). He is the recipient of the 2003 Peterson Emerging Playwright Award and the 1998 John Golden Playwriting Prize.
He currently serves as co-artistic director of Sacred Fools Theater Company in Los Angeles, and is founder and artistic director of a guerrilla theater company, the Imagination Liberation Front. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and the L.A. Stage Alliance, an alumnus of Directors Lab West, and a teacher and guest artist with the 52nd Street and Virginia Avenue Projects.
CAST
Edwin: James Lawrence
James Lawrence Installation headshotJames is a recent graduate from Arts Ed. He has just appeared as John Kelly in ‘The London Job’, a site-specific piece in East London exploring the Jack the Ripper killings. He has also worked as a musician and sound designer for ‘Pause’ at the Camden Fringe and ‘Two Sisters’ at the Southwark Playhouse. In October, James completed a promotional voiceover for Siignia UK. He is also a public speaking coach for the Four Acre Trust and is currently working as a guest tutor in drama at Imperial College London. Over a period of five weeks, James is working with students on vocal technique, voice over and acting technique.
With cello by Maria Rodriguez Reina
Professional musician (cellist), originally from Zaragoza, Spain. In 2006 Maria got an MA in English Studies and a BMus (cello). She moved to London in Jan 2008. She has got relevant experience mainly in orchestras, chamber music groups, bands, musical theatre productions and recordings. Feel free to check out her website http://www.mariacello.com
Featuring Rosie Fletcher and Miles Yekinni
PRODUCTION
Nik Corrall (consulting designer)
Nik graduated with a Graphic Design degree from Camberwell College of Arts. After working as an animator and shop window display designer, he found himself drawn to design for theatre. Nik’s background in Graphics brings a different approach and process to designing for the stage. His belief is that design is at its most successful and exciting when it draws from non traditional sources and mixed disciplines. Together with his role as designer for Saltpeter production company, Nik a recurring visiting lecturer at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) and has previously been invited to guest design/teach at Birmingham School of Acting and Weekend Art College. He has also acted as assistant designer for James Perkins and Simon Daw at Theatre503 and Stewart Charlesworth of Morphic Grafitti.
Nicole McKeown (production assistant)
Nicole is currently studying BA (Hons) Arts and Festival Management at London South Bank University.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Nicole has been involved in theatre for 10 years specialising in singing, acting and dancing. She has been stage manager and choreographer for various theatre companies in Belfast, most recently for Kandu Theatre company in their production of The 39 Steps. Since coming to London Nicole has been ASM for A Friend of a Friend’s production of Moments. She is excited to be a part of this event and is looking forward to her next project in London.