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Box of Tricks Theatre Portfolio 2009
Citation preview
TH
E N
EX
T G
EN
ER
AT
ION
OF
NE
W W
RIT
ING
...
“A launchpad for top quality
new talent”
British Theatre Guide
AB
OU
T U
S Box of Tricks is a new writing theatre
company committed to developing and
producing the best new work around;
discovering, nurturing and promoting the next
generation of playwrights. We are drawn to
plays that have an immediacy and relevance
today: the stories that need to be told, the
voices that need to be heard.
We have produced critically-acclaimed work on
the London stage and are establishing a regional
presence in the UK, exposing new writing to the
widest possible audience.
Over the last three years, our work to date
comprises various critically-acclaimed London
productions, including: Letting in Air (�����
WhatsOnStage), Streetlights and Shadows
(���� Time Out Critics’ Choice: Show of the
Week), Whispering Happiness (“intensely de-
lightful” – Telegraph ���) and Word:Play 2
(����� Remote Goat).
In 2009, we took new work to the Hotbed
Festival in Cambridge (“an essential on the new
writing calendar” – Lyn Gardner, Guardian) and
Latitude Festival in Suffolk.
AB
OU
T U
S We continue to forge relationships with
emerging talent and to develop the plays of
the future through our New Tricks readings
and our unique Word:Play initiative (“one word,
six new plays”).
Playwrights we’ve worked with to date include:
Ali Taylor (Overspill – winner of Metamorphosis
08 – at Soho; Cotton Wool at Theatre503),
Kenneth Emson (Old Vic New Voices’ 24 Hour
Plays 08 and US/UK Exchange 09; winner of the
Arundel Festival’s Joy Goun Award), Becky
Prestwich (nominated and shortlisted for
Pearson Playwright Scheme 2009; developing
work with the Manchester Library Theatre),
Jacqueline McCarrick (Mushroom Pickers at
Southwark Playhouse and in New York) and Leo
Richardson (Sh*tmix at the Trafalgar Studios in
the West End).
We have an active and complementary
education programme delivering workshops
that inspire future generations to engage with
theatre hands-on, and to use it as a vehicle of
self- expression and exploration.
As a company, we are continually looking
forward, seeking new challenges and scaling
new heights; bringing the next generation of
new writing to the stage today.
JOINT ARTISTIC DIRECTORS:
Adam Quayle
Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder
ASSOCIATE ARTISTS:
Kenneth Emson
Chris James
Robin Guiver
PR
OD
UC
TIO
NS
09
Reviews
"Powerful production"
Whats On Stage �����
"This is a wonderful small play… A highly
rewarding exploration of the emotional cost of
censoring family secrets" The Spectator
"This really is a fantastic production with a
strong cast... I left the theatre moved and inter-
ested to learn more about Becky Prestwich's
work" Evening Standard Lowdown - "Hot Ticket"
"A thing of rare beauty, this high quality
production deserves a wide viewing. ... A very
satisfying night at the theatre and highly
recommended" Camden New Journal
"The superb cast portray Prestwich’s characters
in all of their tortured glory under the subtle
direction of Adam Quayle... A fantastic piece of
new writing which reminds you just how
excellent fringe theatre can be"
British Theatre Guide "Fantastic, gripping, funny and heartfelt
play... The cast is superb... exquisite moments throughout, both very funny and very sad... Just go and see it, please, it’s a
wonderful play." Extra!Extra!
Old Red Lion Theatre
10th-28th November 09
Director: Adam Quayle
Designer: Charlie Cridlan
Lighting: Steven Moseley
Sound: Natalie Walker
Stage Manager: Louisa Davis
Cast: Rebecca Elliot, Ryan
Hawley, Edmund Kente,
Tessa Mabbitt
World première of
Letting in Air by Becky Prestwich
Nominated and Shortlisted for the Pearson
Playwright Scheme 2009
"You shouldn't keep secrets. Secrets keep you
up at night. They stop you sleeping."
Adam and his father have never been close. For
Adam, Manchester is the sprung dancefloor at
the Ritz and cider on the 42; for Frank, gaslights
and cobbled streets.
In the wake of his mother’s death, Adam returns
to Manchester with his girlfriend, promising a
fresh start. But when Amy, a teenage girl with a
troubled past, strikes up an unlikely friendship
with his father, unspoken tensions
reemerge. Family bonds are tested and secrets
refuse to remain hidden as Manchester
becomes a whole new city.
Following the success of Streetlights and
Shadows, Becky Prestwich's Letting in Air is a
lyrical family drama about the ones we love and
the secrets we keep.
PR
OD
UC
TIO
NS
09
Reviews
"Polished, gutsy production from director
Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder. Against the wonderful
darkening sky of Georgia Lowe's gangland-
estate set, a dilapidated tramp and two bicker-
ing teens hunt for happiness... Beautifully abra-
sive, visceral production... Stupendous cast."
Time Out
"Kenneth Emson’s latest offering, Whispering
Happiness is a lyrical tale sheathed in modern
urban destruction… Lovely moments... Thought-
provoking." Telegraph ���
“Beautifully performed by a cast of five, unified
by a brave and visionary script... Lyrical, soulful
and acutely relevant to our lives today... So
step a little closer and experience the innovative
Box of Tricks.” West End Extra
“Whispering Happiness has some enthralling
moments that will hit theatrical nerve-endings.”
WhatsOnStage ���
“Kenneth Emson and Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder
make a good team. His ping-ponging dialogue
provides ample fuel for her energetic directorial
style, resulting in a show that stimulates both
the eye and the ear.” British Theatre Guide
Tristan Bates Theatre
9th June - 4th July 09
Director: Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder
Designer: Georgia Lowe
Lighting: Steven Moseley
Sound: Chris James
Stage Manager: Louisa Davis
Cast: Abigail Hood, Richard
James-Neale, Jim Sturgeon,
Henry Maynard and Jamie
Maclachlan
World première of
Whispering Happiness by Kenneth Emson
"Come closer. Some things should only be
whispered..."
Two teenagers sit in a desolate playground as
the city tears itself apart. An old tramp waits in
an empty church, while the gangs stalk the
streets for their next fix.
Into this wasteland of crumbling tower blocks, a
shadowy figure appears, promising
happiness. But at what price?
A political play of personal journeys, Whispering
Happiness is a lyrical and provocative urban
fairytale that explores the choices we face when
society is in freefall.
FE
ST
IVA
LS 0
9
World première of
Captain of the School Football Team by Kenneth Emson
"The universe stops for everyone. Everyone except
one."
Amid the prefect badges, school blazers and empty
B&H packets, a secret lurks that will send shivers
down the spine of a small community. Kev goes out
with Lisa, Lisa lives down the same road as Jack, Jack
hangs out with Ben.
But on a warm sunny day, when they should have
been at school, events take a darker turn and it’s no
longer just a laugh. A dark, lyrical tale of teenage
tragedy, The Captain of the School Football Team is
a dizzying journey through the irrevocable events of
one summer’s day.
Hotbed Festival, Cambridge 1st July 09
Latitude Festival 16th-19th July 09
World première of
On a starless night by Daniel Kanaber
"Starless night. / All washed away by street-
light. / Interference."
When Josh volunteers for the Samaritans, he
wants to make a difference. Lost in the swell of
the city, he breaks the monotony of his day-to-
day, listening silently to the confessions of
strangers. Until one day, one call shatters his
peace. He finds himself once more on the edge,
staring at dark waters.
Accidental Festival
Camden Roundhouse 22nd May 09
World première of
Tomorrow/Seppuku by Kenneth Emson
"And we'll be safe in this home. Safe away
from all of that outside. Because there's noth-
ing out there for us anyway."
Dan and Violet sit in a room telling each other
stories, hiding from the world outside.
London Literature Festival
Southbank Centre 12th July 09
FE
ST
IVA
LS 0
9
nabokov presents
Present : Tense / Thirteen
The toughest creative challenge in town is back at
Southwark Playhouse.
Present:Tense challenges groups of cross-
disciplinary artists to collaborate on a brand new
piece of work created in response to the hottest
topic of the moment - in just seven days.
World première of
Swabs
by Kenneth Emson
Box of Tricks was invited to take part in Present :
Tense / Thirteen.
We decided to fuse text and movement - uniting
playwright Kenny Emson and movement
director Robin Guiver - to respond to the news
story: "DNA of innocent still to be retained for six
years".
Southwark Playhouse 22nd November 09
nabokov
PR
OD
UC
TIO
NS
06
-09
“Sheer theatricality”
Resonance FM
“Gripping play”
Time Out ���
“Pinteresque menace”
Time Out ���
“A bold piece of work”
Time Out ����
Critics’ Choice:
Show of the Week
“Slick and impressive
work” The Stage
“Original and
ambitious new
writing”
British Theatre
Guide
“Magnificence”
�����
Remote Goat
“Beautifully
abrasive, visceral
production”
Time Out
“Powerful production”
�����
WhatsOnStage
Box of Tricks believes in theatre as education.
We have an active and complementary
education programme delivering workshops
that inspire future generations to engage with
theatre hands-on, and to use it as a vehicle of
self- expression and exploration.
When working with young people, we believe in
fostering Interest and excitement in drama and
in giving them a unique insight into the magic of
theatre.
Our burgeoning education programme
encompasses a broad spectrum of workshops
and projects for all ages and abilities. Our
workshop leaders are theatre professionals as
well as drama facilitators, bringing a fresh
approach to the world of drama education.
ED
UC
AT
ION
School Travel Plan
2008-2010
After another successful grant application to
Transport for London, Box of Tricks Theatre - in
conjunction with Hounslow School Travel Plan
Team - is delivering its third year of workshops to
develop bespoke performances conveying the
message of the School Travel Plan.
Whispering Happiness:
Freedom of Choice
Running in conjunction with our production of
Kenneth Emson’s Whispering Happiness, Box of
Tricks offered free education workshops to London
schools, colleges and universities.
Taking Whispering Happiness as a launchpad for
this innovative education project, Box of Tricks used
drama to explore young people’s choices and
freedoms.
WW
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TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/bottc
FACEBOOK:
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www.youtube.com/boxoftrickstheatre
E-MAIL:
WEBSITE:
www.boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk