Thankyous.

We'd like to thank everyone involved in this production, including our volunteers.

Happily, everything went according to plan. Both of the actors' performances were as impressive as expected and the show was well-attended for a library show, with very little room to spare. The atmosphere was good as soon as the doors opened and the audience was attentive and enthusiastic.Though slightly belated, we had also good coverage in our local paper.

We'd like to thank the Arts Council for funding most of this project. Our crowdfunding bid also paid off. Our thanks to all the people who pledged any amount of money though our crowdfunding page.

We operate on a project by project basis and are currently working out our next move. As pilots, both of our Double Bill plays have a potentially bright and interesting future.

There will no doubt be some further post-show additions to this blog. In the meantime, courtesy of Kieron Hazel, here's a clip of Deborah McEwan in the first couple of minutes of Foodbankers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Day of Rehearsal

Our last day in the rehearsal room.  The rehearsals proceeded as planned today while various things were happening around and involving the actors. Sandra Fraser came in to take some final publicity shots. The Express & Star also came in to take pictures. Various bits of technical equipment were set up and tested, most of which we have decided to use in the show.

On the basis of the rehearsals, this double bill should be excellent. Thimblemill library is well known locally as a performance venue so we are starting out on a firm footing with this particular community space. The signs are encouraging but there's little more we can do before tomorrow - except for one last marketing push.

 

 

 

Photographs courtesy of Sandra Fraser, who also took this publicity shot of Kiren Jogi and Deborah McEwan during one of today's rehearsal breaks.

 

 

 

Gearing Up

This afternoon we had another run-through with Deborah McEwan. We are now in the tec stage of rehearsals so we also set up the larger version of our sound system. We have now finalised the selection of  music and sound effects.

To extend people's opportunities to enjoy the performance, we'll be using a British Sign Language interpreter for both of our plays on Saturday. This morning our signer came in to watch and participate in the rehearsals with our actors.

A solid day's work as we gear up for our production.

The BSL interpreter, Ellen, signing for Kiren.

Medley

We're halfway trough the final week of rehearsal. Our programmes are being printed. Here's a medley of our rehearsal images so far:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today's Rehearsal

Today's rehearsal. Debz this morning, Kiren this afternoon.

This morning saw a run-though of the whole of Foodbankers, including props and backdrop. Deborah McEwan did a sterling job.  In the afternoon our director swapped actors and worked with Kiren Jogi on Dance Home Arika.

Kieron Hazel came in to film parts of the rehearsals for a video which we've crowd-funded. Our flyers are now being distributed and invitations to the show are being issued.

Tickets

We've wound up the second week of rehearsal.

 

                                            Tickets are available now! Pay on the door or pre-book
                                            through the library on 0121 429 2039.

Poster

A glimpse of the artwork.

Second Week

Second week of rehearsal. Foodbankers. Debz hits the ground running.

Forthcoming Attractions

Here at Drama AND SOME cic we're really excited by our next show.

For one night only, from 7.00pm on Saturday 30th July 2016, we're putting on a double bill of plays at Thimblemill Library in Bearwood, Smethwick, near the heart of our base in the West Midlands.

Dance Home Arika is a coming-of-age story about a Sikh girl growing up in care who uses Indian dance as a form of escapism and self-expression.

Foodbankers is a black comedy drama about three female volunteers who work at a foodbank, all of whom have to deal with their own problems as well as those of the people they're trying to help.

Both were scripted by our in-house writers but as usual we've pooled some of the best local talent to bring them to life. These are both one-woman shows with a brilliant lead playing every character.

 In the case of Foodbankers it's the gifted and versatile Deborah McEwan. For Dance Home Arika we've netted Kiren Jogi, the Bollywood star with roots in West Bromwich. Zak Marsh, the accomplished Birmingham-based director, is directing both pieces.

Rehearsals are underway. For the first week Zak has been mostly working with Kiran. Next week it will be mostly with Debz and for the third and final week it will be a combination of both. With all the experience in the room we're confident the results will be excellent.

The flyers have been designed and are on their way. There'll be information soon about tickets. We'll keep you posted.

First day of rehearsal. Debz and Kiren go through their scripts.

 

 

Up on its feet...Kiren throws some shapes rehearsing Dance Home Arika.

 

Kiren works on a scene with Zak.