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!
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 Stillettos
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)
Happy New Year from Theatre Delicatessen!
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
Mercury Fur :: Audition Notice
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







