We're back!
We're two years old this week. Can you believe it? It seems like a very long time ago that we at down and first started wondering whether we'd ever be able to get up and running, and here we are about to embark on shows three AND four. They're on their way! Thanks to everyone who has supported us; actors, production teams, audiences, family members, and friends alike.
We're getting all fired up and ready for the next two shows in our catalogue, and we're giving it the full Oscar Wilde treatment this Autumn with our productions of "The Importance Of Being Earnest" this September and "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" in November. For the first time we are delighted to be performing both shows at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town and we're looking forward to an intensive but fun rehearsal process.
We've got some really exciting plans for both of these forthcoming productions, and we're really excited for you to see what we've got in store. We're keeping some surprises back. but you can expect a fresh twist on Earnest, putting Oscar Wilde's words back on stage and adding a stylistic modern twist we hope will blast a bit of fresh air into some brilliantly funny 120 year old material. For Reading Gaol, we're adding some brand new material which we hope gives it a "Proforca" twist that responds to the original poem, tells some new stories and highlights the brilliance of the original text. We're also adding some great physical staging to the piece to bring it to life which we hope you will enjoy. (We're doing a LOT of walking in circles!)
We have a great cast assembled for both shows, and we're almost following a "repertory" approach to both productions - with the actors for both shows appearing in each. We hope to establish just enough of a crossover between both shows and reward you for seeing both (you should buy tickets, if you haven't already!) I'm really looking forward to starting work on both pieces as we kick off rehearsals tomorrow, welcome back some brand new faces and some of our favourite returning actors. They've got a lot to do! Massive credit to Erin, Harriet and Cat too for being superstars during the pre-production process and I can't wait to see what they come with for their material for Reading Gaol. (as well as their acting performances for Earnest!)
Speaking of keeping busy, August is always a brilliant time for theatre, and not just for those people lucky enough to go to Edinburgh fringe. London has it's own version of the fringe held in Camden and we've been lucky enough to see some great shows this year. from the provocatively titled "Grab 'em by the P*ssy" with our new Dr Chasuble Alasdair Melrose to something a bit more serious from our mates at Glass Half Full Theatre with "Monologues of a Tired Nurse" which has been doing the rounds with some really great feedback. In between, we've also been able to squeeze in the bloody, brilliant (and bloody brilliant) production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Open Air Theatre at Regent's Park, as well as the bonkers but great musical 5,6,7,8 by Shaun Kitchener at Above the Gatehouse. (a musical with the song of Steps is pretty much going to win anyway, isn't it?) Exciting times indeed.
One of the great things we're hoping to do with this project is focus on the cast and crew and their journeys through the productions - so look out for video blogs, photos, notes from the rehearsal rooms and special guest blogs as we go through the rehearsal and show process. All of this additional material will be featured on our social media channels (which you should check out, if you haven't already) as well as in the new "Backstage" area of our website which you can find at www.proforca.co.uk/backstage
Looking forward to getting back into a little black box in North London now. Hope to see you at the shows!
David x
David Brady is Artistic Director of Proforca Theatre Company. Follow Proforca on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre and via our website at www.proforca.co.uk.
"The Importance of Being Earnest" is performed 27th - 30th September and "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" is on November 2nd - 4th 2017. Tickets for both shows in our "Project Wilde" series are available now and can be found at our website at www.proforca.co.uk/boxoffice or via www.lionandunicorntheatre.co.uk