'Goldfish' is part of the 24:7 Theatre Festival 2012
http://247theatrefestival.co.uk/
Director: Darren R.L. Gordon
I have directed Lisa
in a variety of shows over the last 6 or 7 years and have always found her to
be a consummate professional and a talented and diligent actress. When
she initially approached me about directing this play, I was so busy I didn't
get the chance to read it, but when I eventually did, I was so taken by it that
I snapped her hand off, but I had to ask why she wanted me to direct it, given
all the other people she knew and could approach. Her response was one
that strengthened my resolve to get to work when she said "I know you'll
get the piece and tell the story I want it to tell in a way I would want it to
be told."
Director: Darren R.L. Gordon
I have directed Lisa
in a variety of shows over the last 6 or 7 years and have always found her to
be a consummate professional and a talented and diligent actress. When
she initially approached me about directing this play, I was so busy I didn't
get the chance to read it, but when I eventually did, I was so taken by it that
I snapped her hand off, but I had to ask why she wanted me to direct it, given
all the other people she knew and could approach. Her response was one
that strengthened my resolve to get to work when she said "I know you'll
get the piece and tell the story I want it to tell in a way I would want it to
be told."
'Goldfish' is a
comment on a significant aspect of urban society in modern Britain, and makes a
powerful social comment in an all too recognisable image. The challenge
of this piece was to find the balance between the gritty and harsh reality, and
the light, playful innocence. With the support of, what I feel is, a
great cast, we have strived to create a colourful, dynamic and engaging piece
of theatre and I hope we have done this wonderful piece of writing justice.
Writer: Lisa Whiteside
I began working
on the script during my first year of study on the MA Writing for Performance
and Publication course at Leeds University.
As soon as I had the bare bones of the script gathered together I wanted
to hear it read aloud and so began to workshop it as a theatre piece.
CAST
Goldfish
written & produced by Lisa Whiteside.
Goldfish was inspired by my work
as a Youth Leader running Drama based activities on a local housing
estate. I came across several children
who proved to be captivating characters and I instantly wanted to present the
world in which they live. I was humbled
by the way the children would respond to attention, be it in a positive or
negative way, and those experiences made such an impact that I felt compelled
to put pen to paper.
Originating
from a performance background and working part time as a Performing Arts
tutor/director I suddenly felt quite vulnerable in handing my script over for
other people to read and pass judgement on.
However having been previously involved in 24:7 as a performer and a
keen fan of the festival itself, I decided to bite the bullet and submit my
script. I was delighted to receive the
news that my script had been accepted, despite my location at A&E having broken
my leg two hours earlier…very long story!
My
ambition as a writer is to tell stories that reveal something about the world
in which we live. We often choose to be ignorant to many things that occur
around us, be that on the news, what we read or hear is happening just down the
road. I am also very keen as a theatre
creative to produce plays that embrace theatre itself, often in a
non-naturalistic style. I feel many
plays nowadays are ‘playing it safe’ in their approach to the creation of new
work. I want the audience to recognise
that they are indeed part of the experience and the more impact my stories have
on the audience, hopefully the more involved they will feel within the
storyline as they leave.
I am
delighted to have Darren R.L. Gordon on board as director, and having worked
with him on several plays in the past I know that he has the creative skills to
bring this piece to life. Working
collaboratively with Darren and this strong cast of Northerners provides a
recipe for success.
My
ambitions for this play are to hopefully, following the success of 24:7, tour
the piece to enable this story to be told even further afield. I have also been working on the creation of a
screen adaptation of ‘Goldfish’, combining the characters and storyline to
create a gritty three part drama.
I feel
very strongly about the misconception many people have about Northern writers, and
as a Mancunian girl myself, commonly known as the ‘milkman’s daughter’ where I
grew up in New Moston, I feel very honoured to have my work out there!
I would also like to thank my agent Debbie Pine of Pure Management and Passion Academy for sponsoring this production and for her continued help and support.
CAST
Leanne - Keeley
Fitzgerald
I don’t pretend to be a better actor than I am, you can only ever strive for perfection in this industry unless you’re the rarity and born under a star, personally I like the idea of the challenge, it’s the fight that keeps me focused.
I don’t pretend to be a better actor than I am, you can only ever strive for perfection in this industry unless you’re the rarity and born under a star, personally I like the idea of the challenge, it’s the fight that keeps me focused.
Abby - Zoe Iqbal
I trained at Salford University and the Manchester School of Acting. Credits include Coronation St, Blue Murder (ITV), Scally Wagga, Lunch monkeys, The Gemma factor (BBC3) I also do stand up comedy (Funny women semi finalist 2011). Theatre credits include 24 hour city-Royal Exchange, 10-10 shift and epilogue-sequel to the Laramie Project, at the Lowry Theatre.
Cody – Ciaran Clancy
Cody trained at the National Youth Theatre and LAMDA, where his roles included those in Three Sisters, Cymbeline, Live Like Pigs and Closer. Television credits include Moving On, Father & Son a four-part series and ‘Blind Faith’ a Chase & Status music video. His film credits include Looking for Eric.
Watch Ciaran's showreel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cig24sIZ4Hk (restricted viewing)
Cody trained at the National Youth Theatre and LAMDA, where his roles included those in Three Sisters, Cymbeline, Live Like Pigs and Closer. Television credits include Moving On, Father & Son a four-part series and ‘Blind Faith’ a Chase & Status music video. His film credits include Looking for Eric.
Watch Ciaran's showreel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cig24sIZ4Hk (restricted viewing)
Louise/Lou – Lisa Whiteside
Lisa is passionate about performance, so she has put pen to paper and created her own material, showcasing ‘Goldfish’ at this year’s 24:7 Theatre Festival. Originating from a performance background Lisa is delighted to be working with such a strong cast and director as her hard work comes to fruition.
Nick – Luke Walker
Luke has a strong association with 24:7 theatre festival having written and performed in Mind the Gap (2007) and Make Believe (2010), both of which went on to be part of The Library Theatre's Re:Play festival. Last year Luke got to play the part if Yuri Gagarin in Peggy and the Spaceman and is very pleased to be part of 24:7 once again.
Luke has a strong association with 24:7 theatre festival having written and performed in Mind the Gap (2007) and Make Believe (2010), both of which went on to be part of The Library Theatre's Re:Play festival. Last year Luke got to play the part if Yuri Gagarin in Peggy and the Spaceman and is very pleased to be part of 24:7 once again.
A
special thanks goes to Debbie Pine of Pure Management and Passion Academy for
sponsoring this production and for her continued help and support.
www.pure-management.co.uk
www.passionacademy.co.uk
www.pure-management.co.uk
www.passionacademy.co.uk
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