Last night's eventful performance was certainly exciting! Not only were we once again in the midst of one of the most exhausting, thrilling, terrifying, visceral and challenging plays I've ever read; but we were very nearly raided by the police! Of course the police and the neighbours have been informed of the fact that a play is happening, and that the sounds of fighting and a gun shot may well be common over the next few weeks, however a new local resident was shocked enough by what she heard that she actually phoned the police!
Before we knew it, Debs and I, looking like a bedraggled Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's, and a Soho Square regular on the back fire escape, had torches turned on our faces and burly policemen demanding that we open the fire escape door!
"We're doing a play! It's OK, we're doing a performance!" we whispered down to them, in an attempt not to disturb the performance happening in the room next to us. As if there is not enough drama in the play! Apparantly Mauricio (our illustrious producer) then calmed the poor woman who thought something horrific was happening next door to her new flat, and confirmed with the police that it IS only a performance. And all this was before the gun shot went off!
It does make one remember the shocking nature of the play, but I think the fact that our neighbour rang the police is encouraging, and affirms that there is still a semblance of community spirit in London (something the play places huge importance on!)
If that's not a reason to come see this new revival of Philip Ridley's 'Mercury Fur' I don't know what is!
Performance nearly raided by police!February 19th, 2010 by Isaac Jones | Share |
Last night's eventful performance was certainly exciting! Not only were we once again in the midst of one of the most exhausting, thrilling, terrifying, visceral and challenging plays I've ever read; but we were very nearly raided by the police! Of course the police and the neighbours have been informed of the fact that a play is happening, and that the sounds of fighting and a gun shot may well be common over the next few weeks, however a new local resident was shocked enough by what she heard that she actually phoned the police!
Before we knew it, Debs and I, looking like a bedraggled Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's, and a Soho Square regular on the back fire escape, had torches turned on our faces and burly policemen demanding that we open the fire escape door!
"We're doing a play! It's OK, we're doing a performance!" we whispered down to them, in an attempt not to disturb the performance happening in the room next to us. As if there is not enough drama in the play! Apparantly Mauricio (our illustrious producer) then calmed the poor woman who thought something horrific was happening next door to her new flat, and confirmed with the police that it IS only a performance. And all this was before the gun shot went off!
It does make one remember the shocking nature of the play, but I think the fact that our neighbour rang the police is encouraging, and affirms that there is still a semblance of community spirit in London (something the play places huge importance on!)
If that's not a reason to come see this new revival of Philip Ridley's 'Mercury Fur' I don't know what is!
Running in StillettosJanuary 26th, 2010 by Isaac Jones | Share |
Well, our first run of the whole play was on Sunday, as well as what I am sure will be very flattering rehearsal shots. I think we all felt that it was really important to get the whole piece up on its feet for the first time. Especially as we were able to do it in the performance space. I, of course, spent most of the run negotiating the new floor with my stillettos! As the title of the blog suggests, it is the running that is the problem. Not to worry, I don't feel too unstable.
The play is beginning to feel like a whole, and although we still have a lot of work to do, the shape is there. Effie's main note was about lines - the pace of this show is such that we need to know our lines, and perhaps more importantly our cues, so precisely that we can reel them off without a single break. Phil's writing is so rhythmic, and for me the run showed that we cannot interrupt the rhythm at any cost. It's a challenge, but I think we're getting there.
As for stillettos - well, I am sure that in 2 weeks I will look like a pro. Even when I'm running across the stage. No laughing please folks!
Isaac (Lola)
Tags: lola, mercury fur, philip ridley, rhythm, run, stillettos
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Happy New Year from Theatre Delicatessen!January 6th, 2010 by Roland Smith | Share |
The space is dead... Long live the space
TheatreDelicatessen would like to wish all our friends and extended family a happy 2010!
The doors have finally closed on 295 Regent Street, and the preparations are taking place for our move to our new home.
Meanwhile, rehearsals are well underway for production #6.
Watch this space for more information - hopefully we will be able to fill you in on the details by the end of the week.
In the meantime, you might be interested to know that Pedal Pusher was highlighted as one of Time Out's theatre picks of 2009. In fact, they said:
“In ‘Pedal Pusher’, what Theatre Delicatessen managed to do with a couple of plastic chairs and some cycling shorts was pretty spectacular.”
‘Best of the year 2009: Theatre’ TIME OUT
Tags: blogs, mercury fur, News, pedal pusher, pedal pusher review, philip ridley, press, Reviews
Posted in General, News, Pre-production | No Comments »
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Mercury Fur :: Audition NoticeOctober 29th, 2009 by admin | Share |
Mercury Fur - by Philip Ridley
Produced by theatredelicatessen
Directed by Frances Loy
Designed by William Reynolds Theatredelicatessen are producing the first major London revival of Philip Ridley's infamous play of 2005, MERCURY FUR. A story that invites controversary, intense emotional responses and assaults the sense of the audience while requiring their full powers of imagination, it asks us how far we will we go for the people we love. Set in a post-apocalyptic East London, a party is being prepared, edible butterflies create the most violent hallucinations, creating a nihilistic escape from a tortured world.
Audition Notice
1st Round Auditions 22nd November (10am-6pm), 23rd & 24th November (7-11pm)Recall workshop auditions w/e 28th/29th November Rehearsals from w/c 14th December
Rehearsals 2-3 evenings and 1 weekend day a week Performances 2nd February - 6th March 2010 All auditions, rehearsals and performaces held at Cavendish Gate, 295 Regent Street For more imformation about the company please visit www.theatredelicatessen.co.uk Please submit cv's and headshots to casting@theatredelicatessen.co.uk
Casting Breakdown
Elliot - 19, male. Incredibly well read and intelligent, acts as a father to his younger brother Darren. Spinx's right hand man but the one most trusted by everyone in the group. Inner strength, fierce loyalty and sense of protecting those around him Darren - 16, male, Elliot's brother. Immature for his age, probably due to being so looked after by Elliot. Often unsure of himself but confidence that shines through when encouraged. A gentleness reflected in his mother's manner. Naz - young-looking 15, asian male. Cocky and self-assured, he's been taking care of himself for a long time. Street wise and with an ability to ingratiate himself into situations. Spinx - 21, male. Essentially the leader of the group, he organises and orders. Has no issue with showing his strength and authority through violence but has moments of absolute gentleness with the Duchess. Lola - 19, male, Spinx's brother. Wearing a sequinned dress, stilettos and denim jacket, he should be naturally very feminine, elegantly so, not camp or kitsch or affected "gay". Delicate and vulnerable with inner strength, he is in a deeply emotional relationship with Elliot. Duchess - 38, female, Elliot and Darren's mother. She is blind and unaware of who her sons are. She is taken care of by Spinx and juxtaposes a real frailty against pure violent emotions. A very strong actress needed to carry off an emotional role, able to perform uncontrolable fits. Everything about her seems fragile and damaged. Party Piece - 10, asian male. A child captured for the depraved fantasies of the Party Guest. An older actor is needed for this part but must look substantially younger than the other characters. The symbol for horrific ways the group struggle to survive Party Guest - 23, white male. Works in the "City", lives in almost another world from the group. Completely over-excited about the oncoming party, someone who has probably got where he has thanks to nepotism as opposed to any kind of talent or hard wokr on his on behalf.Tags: Auditions, mercury fur, philip ridley, revival
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