3 down 4 to go

Tonight was another amazing performance from the Goldfish cast!

The audience were absorbed into Leanne, Abby and Cody's world, amused by the characters' unique charms and shocked by the harrowing environment in which they live.

We have had some amazing feedback from audiences including fellow blogger Alison

http://alisonsadventuresintheatreland.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/247-goldfish-21712.html

But don't just take their word for it, come and see for yourself! Find the link to performance dates, times and tickets at the top of the page... See you there!

Opening Night

18:00 ... New Century House ... Elphick Stage ...  Opening Night

After a long day filled with last minute run throughs and a dress rehearsal the Goldfish cast took to the Elphick Stage for their opening night.

The performance was a great success and the audience managed to find the comic relief present in this somewhat hopeless story of three children surviving on a housing estate.

Whatsonstage.com gave Goldfish a fantastic four star review! To read more follow the link: http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/london/E8831342821604/Goldfish+-+24.7+Theatre+Festival+(Manchester)+.html

The show is running all week as part of the 24:7 theatre festival, for times and to book tickets see the 'Book Tickets' page. We have a show at 2pm today and you can buy tickets on the door so don't miss out!

This play could not be possible without the help of our Sponsor Debbie Pine of Passion Academy and Pure Management. For more information please visit the links below:


www.pure-management.co.uk
http://www.passionacademy.co.uk/

Tech Day

Today was Tech day. Often a stressful day full of fiddly switches, fidgety actors and fussy directors. But not with Goldfish, we are well above all that nonsense!


The tech rehearsal went off without a hitch and now all that's left is tomorrow's dress rehearsal before opening night at 6pm on Friday.


It was our first look at the stage in New Century House. Once the house lights went off and the spotlights were on the tangible dramatic atmosphere emerged.


The 24/7 theatre festival has always been keen to use spaces that were not initially designed for performance.This large conference room, in one of the Co-Operative buildings, has been transformed into an intimate performance venue where brilliant new writing can be showcased. As we explored there was a lovely sense of excitement and anticipation; there is another stage space across the hall way from ours and everyone exchanged grins as they saw other fellow 24/7'ers.


There are two stages in the New Century House and the third festival venue is the Three Minute Theatre in Afflecks Palace. The venues are within walking distance of each other so there is no excuse to miss out on what the festival has to offer.

For tickets to see Goldfish see the link at the top of the page. 
Dates; 20th-26th July, varying start times, £8/£6 conc.

Everything looks arty in Black and White

 Studio rehearsal at Passion Academy; 18th July 

Today was a brilliant rehearsal with the Goldfish cast, including the few minor conversational tangents that left us all in a state of giggles.


With only two days to go until opening night on Friday (6:00pm, Elphick Stage; New Century House) things have definitely stepped up a gear.
Every character draws the audience into their council estate world,  home to three children; Leanne, Cody and Abby. These children are forced to face things most children their age will never see, whilst they battle through day to day life.


With moments that will cause laughter and tears, the audience will not be disappointed with this new piece of writing by Lisa Whiteside. The play is done a perfect justice by the cast, directed by Darren Gordon, and whether you are a regular theatre goer or not everyone can take something away from this heartfelt story.

Goldfish sponsored by Pure Management and Passion Academy.

Pure Management and Passion Academy are delighted to be sponsoring two productions at this year’s 24:7 Theatre Festival, both written by clients of the agency – All The Bens by Ian Townsend and Goldfish by Lisa Whiteside.

Debbie Pine, Managing Director, says, “We believe that the arts and culture are pivotal to enhancing human life as well as essential to the creative life in Manchester. The buzz created by 24:7 makes it Manchester’s very own Edinburgh Festival and we are proud to sponsor these productions that bring together actors, writers and directors. They deserve our support.”

Debbie and the team – Hi Lucy and Rachel! – will be at 24:7 during the Festival for both All the Bens and Goldfish, so come visit them and chat  about the exciting week long Summer Schools, one off masterclasses, taster sessions, and any other advice.

More info, including details of the Summer Schools and other classes at:

www.pure-management.co.uk 

www.passionacademy.co.uk.

More details of the week long Summer School here Passion-Pure Advert[1]

Also, to be found on Facebook and Twitter.

We would like to thank Debbie for your sponsorship and continued help and support! 

Happy Feet

The excitement is infectious in the 'Goldfish' rehearsal room. With the 24:7 Theatre Festival just round the corner everyone is in a lively mood...

Although they may not be appearing on Strictly Come Dancing any time soon, there is no doubt that you will want to watch them take to the stage at New Century House.

It is just over a week until the first show and the story of these three children living on a council estate has evolved into a captivating tale. The scripts are down and the claws are out as the characters grapple with the conflicts they face; with each other, their surroundings and within themselves.

This is definitely one not to be missed. For tickets see the link at the top of the page.

03.07.2012

Tuesday’s rehearsal – Awkward Adults

Rather than focussing on the relationship between the children in the play, Tuesday’s rehearsal focussed on Nick and Lou. It seems obvious for me to describe the blatant contrast between the open and honest interaction created between the Cody and Abby on Monday, to the awkward and manipulative relationship between Nick and Lou explored on Tuesday.

Lisa and Luke worked hard with Darren our Director to create the awkward moments between the two characters in the play. Lots of very long (sometimes unintentionally long) pauses were exaggerated throughout the dialogue in order to heighten the uneasy feeling between the characters. This uneasiness was created through a mixture of misread signals and hidden motives that are encrypted in the dialogue.

Although the adults should be the authoritative and parental figures to the children, it could be argued that the kids almost have a better grip on reality and are able to communicate more effectively without the awkward social habits that the adults use to cover their true emotions. 

02.07.2012

Monday's rehearsal - Improv (Cody and Abby)

Improvisation is a great way to explore and develop a character. It also is very useful when establishing relationships between characters, creating a back story for them and imagining how they would interact off script.

This week, in Monday’s rehearsal, Ciaran and Zoe improvised a scene in which Cody and Abby are talking to each other. They begin to compare the differences between each other’s family and the struggles they are both forced to tackle living on the estate.

A touching scene developed as the characters related so openly and honestly with each other. Cody’s need to be accepted was paired with Abby’s desire to be loved and what resulted was an innocent picture of childhood friendship blossoming from somewhat desperate surroundings.

These characters are a warming element of the play, however don’t worry, I haven’t given too much away, there are plenty more twists and turns to this story.

27.06.2012

Wednesday’s Rehearsal – Getting to Grips

On a cloudy and humid day, in a tall tower in the heart of Manchester (the fourth floor on Portland Street) there lies a room where magic happens.

The Goldfish rehearsals are well underway and the cast, writer and director gathered this Wednesday morning to delve into the script once again.

Strong relationships are forming, both in and out of character, and a brilliant mixture of fun and hard-work is present in this rehearsal room!

The talented actors are given excellent direction from Darren that transforms the scene from the words on the page, to a dynamic combination of shocking and heart-warming moments.

Focussed in the dialogue of the characters, the rehearsal explored how the relationships are formed from the language they exchange. The ‘Goldfish’ narrative is strongly rooted in the relationships between the characters; and how they are changed and manipulated through the positive and negative experiences they share.

It is safe to say that this will be an amazing performance, one not to be missed.

Get your tickets via the link: http://247theatrefestival.co.uk/show2012goldfish.html

Welcome to 'Goldfish'

Introducing 'Goldfish'; a new play by Lisa Whiteside.

“Three children, one estate, where people very easily forget! Witness the turbulent lives of three young children; Levi, Charlotte and Cody, as they strive to survive the cruel realities of life on their estate. Three very different journeys that endeavour to discover the rights and wrongs of the many things that occur around them.”

Selected as part of the ninth annual 24:7 Theatre Festival, 'Goldfish' will be performed from the 20th-26th of July 2012 on the Elphick Stage in New Century House, Manchester. 

SHOW TITLE                        ‘Goldfish’

WRITER                                 Lisa Whiteside

RUNNING TIME                  50 Minutes

PERFORMANCE TYPE       Drama

RATING CERTIFICATE      15

SHOW WARNINGS             Mature content/Course language

Check out our pages for information about the play, the cast, our Twitter and Facebook pages and a link to book tickets!

There will be updates throughout the rehearsal period, and the entirety of the festival, with photos and posts so make sure to stay tuned …