tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302958812369180532024-03-16T01:09:28.256+00:00Emma King-FarlowBritish writer, director, producer and actor. Artistic Director of Shadow Road Productions (www.shadowroad.com), and creator of Secret Storytellers (www.secretstorytellers.co.uk). Festival Director of mixed arts mental health awareness festival UNBROKEN (www.unbrokenfest.com), and professional member of Stage Directors UK & the Society of Authors.Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-13382546516559337112024-02-14T18:56:00.002+00:002024-02-24T15:02:54.643+00:00From One Exciting Year to Another!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qp5snGHdG2fii4vXDsOmbEyM34ie-kr_hbH89N_yMwQU3yYeHjHLpLJNrExFo5LnzDBeASxDmL-_7ugExjtpcU2M1rwoW2Ok6ft7uqeQQVGSYrpvb0jG3lKTy2at70yc2sLIzVueCK2X3t8B5ytRnYBk8-uTbghbkMbhcF3l2q_crbeBd0x1OcWCkaAP/s2048/image-19-01-24-07-16.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qp5snGHdG2fii4vXDsOmbEyM34ie-kr_hbH89N_yMwQU3yYeHjHLpLJNrExFo5LnzDBeASxDmL-_7ugExjtpcU2M1rwoW2Ok6ft7uqeQQVGSYrpvb0jG3lKTy2at70yc2sLIzVueCK2X3t8B5ytRnYBk8-uTbghbkMbhcF3l2q_crbeBd0x1OcWCkaAP/w576-h576/image-19-01-24-07-16.jpeg" width="576" /></a></div><p>As you can see from these photos - and as many of you saw in person at one or more of our shows and events - we at <a href="http://www.shadowroad.com" target="_blank">Shadow Road</a> had a very busy and brilliant year in 2023! We are so grateful for your ongoing support and your fabulous feedback after each one.</p><p>Now a new and even busier year beckons - and we couldn't be more excited about it! </p><p>I've been using the first weeks of 2024 to write (<i>two new plays</i>), to plan (<i>all of the year's upcoming productions, another visit to Edinburgh - along with all the fundraising that requires - and the launch of the next new project</i>), and to learn (<i>more workshops with Theatrical Intimacy Education, Theatre503, and the Society of Authors</i>). Soon, however, we'll be back in the rehearsal room for one thing after another - with more writing squeezed in between times - and performing in a number of different venues, both indoors and outside. </p><p>Here are some of the main dates for the diary (both mine <i>and</i> yours, if you'd like to come along and see us!) between now and the summer:</p><p><b>MARCH</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Friday 8th:</b> I'm delighted to be going back to my old school, along with numerous other alumnae, to talk to the girls about working in the arts for their Careers Day!<br /><br /></li><li><b>Saturday 30th:</b> <b>Our second Cake & Coffee Morning of 2024</b> at <a href="https://www.stmarybarnes.org/about-us/#aboutus" target="_blank">St Mary’s Barnes</a>, SW13. Do come and join us to catch up on all the news, over homemade cakes baked by our wonderful cast and supporters of Shadow Road, as the fundraising for 2024 begins!</li></ul><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>APRIL</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Friday 26th at 7.30pm:</b> <b>Macbeth is going to Mayfield!</b> We are taking our <a href="http://fringereview.co.uk/review/edinburgh-fringe/2023/macbeth-sleep-no-more/" target="_blank">fantastically well reviewed</a> four-person production of <i><a href="http://shadowroad.com/macbeth/" target="_blank">Macbeth: Sleep No More</a></i> to the <a href="https://mayfieldfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mayfield Festival of Music & the Arts</a>, where we will perform in the round at the ancient St Dunstan's church. <br />~ Tickets are available on the festival website - <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mayfieldfestival/macbeth-sleep-no-more/e-vqymam" target="_blank">BOOK HERE</a>!<br /><br /></li><li><b>Exact date TBC:</b> Following our success in Edinburgh, this Spring will see us testing out the new, immersive element of our latest project <a href="http://www.secretstorytellers.co.uk" target="_blank"><i>Secret Storytellers</i></a> with a soft launch event for a small, invited audience. Watch this space for more details coming soon!</li></ul><p></p><p> </p><p><b>MAY</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Wednesday 29th – Friday 31st: <i><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shadowroad/robin-hoods-quest-at-morden-hall-park/e-azqvpk" target="_blank">Robin Hood's Quest</a></i> at the National Trust's <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/morden-hall-park" target="_blank">Morden Hall Park</a>.</b> Following the success of 2023's <i>St George's Quest</i>, we are returning to Morden Hall Park's beautiful Rose Garden with a brand new interactive adventure trail, this time inviting young Outlaws (and their accompanying adults) to help rescue Robin Hood from the dastardly Sir Guy of Gisborne’s jail! <br />~ Tickets are available from our TicketSource page <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shadowroad" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br /><br /></li><li><b>May/June – Dates TBC: </b>Following the test event earlier in the year, the official launch of our new, immersive element of our latest project <i><a href="https://www.secretstorytellers.co.uk/" target="_blank">Secret Storytellers</a></i> is due to take place in late spring/early summer.</li></ul><p></p><p> </p><p><b>JUNE</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Sat 15th at 7.30pm: <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shadowroad/songs-scenes-swords/e-kddaej" target="_blank"><i>Songs, Scenes & Swords</i></a> Fundraiser at <a href="https://www.stmarybarnes.org/about-us/#aboutus" target="_blank">St Mary's Barnes</a>. </b>Join us for a special evening of music, sword fighting, and scenes from Shakespeare and beyond, to raise money for our trip to the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe! (If any of you feel like lending us your talents for this one-off event, whether onstage or off, please do get in touch - we'd be most grateful!) <br />~ Tickets are available from our TicketSource page <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shadowroad/songs-scenes-swords/e-kddaej" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</li></ul><p></p><p> </p><p><b>JULY</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th at 7.30pm: London Preview of <i><a href="http://shadowroad.com/treasure-island/" target="_blank">Treasure Island</a></i> at the <a href="https://www.osoarts.org.uk/" target="_blank">OSO Arts Centre</a></b>. This will be followed by a Q&A with the team, where we will be talking about the play itself and what goes into putting a production like this together - adapting a play, casting in general, gender blind casting, directing, fight directing, and even how to go about taking a show to Edinburgh! <br />~ Tickets will be available from the <a href="https://osoarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows" target="_blank">OSO's website</a> from April onwards.</li></ul><p></p><p>At the end of the month, we'll be travelling up to Edinburgh to settle in and get ready for our nine-day, 18 show, run in August.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>AUGUST</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Friday 2nd – Sat 10th: Edinburgh Festival at <a href="https://www.thespaceuk.com/edinburgh/thespace-on-the-mile/">theSpace on the Mile</a>. </b>Shadow Road Productions will be returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with the wonderful <a href="https://www.thespaceuk.com/" target="_blank">theSpaceUK</a> venues, reprising <i><a href="http://shadowroad.com/macbeth/" target="_blank">Macbeth: Sleep No More</a></i> at 10.35am and performing a brand new adaptation of <i><a href="http://shadowroad.com/treasure-island/" target="_blank">Treasure Island</a></i> at 4.25pm each day from the 2nd to the 10th August!<br />~ Tickets for both shows are now available <a href="https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Shadow%20Road%20Productions%22" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> via the main <a href="https://www.edfringe.com/" target="_blank">EdFringe</a> website! <br /><br /></li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOAMeZKz514aSeGafOsQQD_VzrEVluHX72FbsWBorbCCqTEji7Kr5SfXbJ7j1O6hNeqq2xTia8RysuIFmnQq5eiUahcCmQqVzYIRNZX1rDvkGtMpa7Hn4P_iUkJij2j8Bkzt_ir75N6VX73WZCKLJrEAg6jddOIQCtCBndCNAwmamCFOYRZxF83CU1nfH/s2079/2023-01%20%20Shadow%20Road%20Productions%20-%20Macbeth-1434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="1943" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOAMeZKz514aSeGafOsQQD_VzrEVluHX72FbsWBorbCCqTEji7Kr5SfXbJ7j1O6hNeqq2xTia8RysuIFmnQq5eiUahcCmQqVzYIRNZX1rDvkGtMpa7Hn4P_iUkJij2j8Bkzt_ir75N6VX73WZCKLJrEAg6jddOIQCtCBndCNAwmamCFOYRZxF83CU1nfH/w200-h214/2023-01%20%20Shadow%20Road%20Productions%20-%20Macbeth-1434.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p>As for what will happen after August? Well, some irons are in the fire and things are looking interesting - all available digits are very firmly crossed in the meantime...</p>Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-36355043160748299372022-01-22T14:56:00.003+00:002022-01-22T14:56:51.099+00:00New Interviews!<div><div><b>THAT MENTAL GINGER SHOW - JANUARY 2022</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/TbkUKGBnkdI" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1051" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEVBOK8DzvKdgDlB33Lo7teZMI0JXI5-itk5ndhdlmRKaKPXICqEyxLwRl5A3Lezkaj5gurl8d7TOJmhQJuHZ5PFMfymIfipcXSoIGlSGFeTblEM4RBTCAmW_aUHbqDJ-v59ALnh6NxS3rWBD3XsziAAnWclC2lFWrxdDCK8HtxrdLm7dZ0z3XiEtHMg=w200-h116" width="200" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #030303; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://youtu.be/TbkUKGBnkdI" target="_blank">Auditions, Money and Sweeping Generalisations with Emma King Farlow</a></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #030303; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
On today’s show we talk to actor and director Emma King-Farlow about her journey in the arts and her new podcast <i>The Price of Love</i>. (And yes, her Christmas Carol show was a success!😊)</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #030303; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please check out <i>The Price of Love</i> wherever you get your podcasts. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #030303; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Until next time, take care, stay safe, bye bye.
</span></span><b><a href="https://anchor.fm/that-mental-ginger-show/episodes/Auditions--Money-and-Sweeping-Generalisations-with-Emma-King-Farlow-e1b32a0" target="_blank">Audio-only link HERE</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>PRETEND WORLDS REAL PEOPLE - JUNE 2021</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pwrppod.podbean.com/e/episode-41-emma-king-farlow/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="627" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVxiLAKXmGEvamIvS96NxR4f9XT7GetDkBaV8UAbpvPFTU-ElmrdaHxPbwGRntupiZeMKNHIe6RDHh2wJncm25RF9IEd_0G2sCzO3IIUgPT2DfUmYYZLDgxeNmjqLT6Z-uIpd7fOckrzOG7IerfsguwNGuPigxfugtD91K8cnSi65-n8645BTpgh3K3A=w200-h151" width="200" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://pwrppod.podbean.com/e/episode-41-emma-king-farlow/" target="_blank">Episode 41: Emma King-Farlow</a></b></span><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br />" Find what you love, make your own work."</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br />This week, we're joined by the incredibly talented, Emma King-Farlow! The donner of several different hats in the world of theater. As a Writer, Director, and Producer; Emma has created both fantastically-original worlds, as well as genre bending adaptations of classic works for the stage. She takes Steph and Tyler through her battle with stage fright, finding her niche in writing, and spreading mental health awareness in the arts industry. What are you doing? Check it out!</span></div></div></div>Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-15360111702286626932021-06-02T14:04:00.002+01:002024-02-14T18:57:24.334+00:00#StoryGivesBack Winners Announced!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwF6wWVoTmohHwmE3fyL6KUdiV5l2FEorPKNr4kl5wnPARZPP1N4UDBg1UeichnAvMBKc_dfOjOSN7yKxOyDcj2pXUDprNfo-mOhfnGl4kprEIUBBhTwL7aXSdfyWNcxHvf188x2hO8Yn/s1200/Story+Gives+Back+Winners+2021+Announcement.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwF6wWVoTmohHwmE3fyL6KUdiV5l2FEorPKNr4kl5wnPARZPP1N4UDBg1UeichnAvMBKc_dfOjOSN7yKxOyDcj2pXUDprNfo-mOhfnGl4kprEIUBBhTwL7aXSdfyWNcxHvf188x2hO8Yn/w200-h200/Story+Gives+Back+Winners+2021+Announcement.png" width="200" /></a></div><p>I am absolutely delighted that my tiny theatre company, <a href="http://www.shadowroad.com" target="_blank">Shadow Road Productions</a>, has just been announced as one of the two winners of this year's #StoryGivesBack initiative from <a href="https://www.storyevents.co.uk/" target="_blank">Story Events</a>!</p><p>Following the online vote, first by previous visitors to Story's renowned <a href="https://www.londonchristmaspartyshow.com/" target="_blank">London Christmas Party Show</a> and then by the wider public, we have been named as one of the two boutique suppliers they would most like to meet! As a result, our prize is the offer of a free stand at the 2021 show on the 7th and 8th September, so that they can do just that!</p><p>You can read more about the company and the show - and find out how to register to visit yourself - on the <a href="https://www.londonchristmaspartyshow.com/2021/06/02/storygivesback-winners-announced-2/" target="_blank">#StoryGivesBack page on their website</a>.</p><p>As some of you may already be aware, Shadow Road is a small independent theatre company which specialises in bringing exciting pieces of theatre for all ages and occasions to unusual venues and spaces in creative new ways. Our work usually involves a charitable aspect of some kind – raising awareness or funds - or, as with <i><a href="https://www.firesidefolktales.com/" target="_blank">Fireside Folktales</a></i> in particular, taking live entertainment out to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy it.</p><p>We are now aiming to branch out into events, corporate entertainment, and private parties – offering something original and exciting to these markets and, in turn, enabling us to fund more of our voluntary and charity work elsewhere. Winning this competition is a wonderful opportunity for us to meet many of the people who could help us take those next steps into the future and we can't wait to show everyone the fantastic entertainment – festive and otherwise – that we have to offer!</p>Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-23002223867392955932020-06-23T13:00:00.001+01:002020-07-14T21:23:32.385+01:00Shadow Road Productions' New Brochure!<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmCMG1V-OQjd-6i9LkcgTtc7Bhmo5M4eq3FEYIJAnWa5aEH4AP2e0pF9j23cJnCTsscJN6fSG4aRh7ILK0Mh4QftO-Bou9Tgrm_p5XQrCjsMd_PqMNzJjLlcUPRvkDmQyhUgOUfPY-t8b/s1631/Shadow+Road+Productions+Brochure+logo+-+front+cover+with+%2527brochure%2527+on+it.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1631" data-original-width="1131" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmCMG1V-OQjd-6i9LkcgTtc7Bhmo5M4eq3FEYIJAnWa5aEH4AP2e0pF9j23cJnCTsscJN6fSG4aRh7ILK0Mh4QftO-Bou9Tgrm_p5XQrCjsMd_PqMNzJjLlcUPRvkDmQyhUgOUfPY-t8b/s320/Shadow+Road+Productions+Brochure+logo+-+front+cover+with+%2527brochure%2527+on+it.jpg" /></a></div>
My small independent theatre company, <a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/" target="_blank">Shadow Road Productions</a>, specialises in bringing exciting works of theatre, for all ages and occasions, to unusual spaces in creative new ways.</div>
<br />
As well as continuing that tradition with <i><a href="http://www.firesidefolktales.com/" target="_blank">Fireside Folktales</a></i>, retelling myths, legends and classic stories from around the world as original short plays performed by a company of four professional actors, we also offer much more, including the <a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/" target="_blank">UNBROKEN Festival & Short Film Prize</a>, a variety of murder mystery events, full-scale theatre productions, and our soon-to-be-launched cross-platform venture, <i><a href="www.secretstorytellers.co.uk" target="_blank">Secret Storytellers</a></i>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
This fantastic new project will see us producing some exciting online content based in a new, immersive story-world, in order to enhance the impressive work of our two-person teams, who will be busy delivering a range of thrilling live performances. In common with <i>Fireside Folktales</i>, and in keeping with the world in which the overall project is set, all music and sound effects are performed live by the cast, so no electricity or technical equipment is required, once again allowing us to be extremely flexible in terms of venue.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Finally, whether for team-building purposes, school visits, or those with a simple interest, we also offer several <a href="http://shadowroad.com/workshops-team-building/" target="_blank">creative and educational workshops</a>. Some of these are designed to accompany a particular production, so that you might watch the play and then take part in the workshop afterwards, while others - such as the general Drama Workshop, An Introduction to Playwriting, and An Introduction to Stage Combat, etc - can be delivered as standalone events. </div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5l6OAAPF0t9iniOw4Z1fatgr7rP6GPPCRuPfKdViOv2aOHOyUbfWXOYnZS7Tu1vItMlCY-A37hgDx9SqGGzYFTxWtAgecXk_H2cDX6IrukV0IVUiR8za4RA00HRVlVif3AEO6JEj_zjF/s1920/staging-258631_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5l6OAAPF0t9iniOw4Z1fatgr7rP6GPPCRuPfKdViOv2aOHOyUbfWXOYnZS7Tu1vItMlCY-A37hgDx9SqGGzYFTxWtAgecXk_H2cDX6IrukV0IVUiR8za4RA00HRVlVif3AEO6JEj_zjF/s320/staging-258631_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
So that we have all the information in one place, we have put together a shiny, new PDF brochure outlining everything that Shadow Road has to offer theatre lovers, schools, events organisers and private clients with parties to throw! We hope you will find it both interesting and helpful. If, after reading, you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch - we would love to hear from you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C-YcxVOSDkdxI4EJhrKR7TIu42BorMUh/view" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone interested in finding out more can download the brochure HERE.</span></b></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We look forward to working with you!</div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-33912999571907109992020-06-22T10:30:00.002+01:002020-07-15T21:11:24.768+01:00A Christmas Carol<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUe5MC89AIoCX7RLTFpxqwf8aMH1M8T2szF-IGORXPiUN5GMOfHFZ0sVYQJ8jdfeEjNZST60MbnGlfBRWi7iOGhthkewyNsXzgKYQjSlS8c1-yNnNJdKphA8En7DzYJ30xJeQbNkeo2G1/s2480/A3+A+Christmas+Carol+poster+-+C%2526H+and+SH.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="1748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUe5MC89AIoCX7RLTFpxqwf8aMH1M8T2szF-IGORXPiUN5GMOfHFZ0sVYQJ8jdfeEjNZST60MbnGlfBRWi7iOGhthkewyNsXzgKYQjSlS8c1-yNnNJdKphA8En7DzYJ30xJeQbNkeo2G1/w226-h320/A3+A+Christmas+Carol+poster+-+C%2526H+and+SH.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A <i><a href="www.firesidefolktales.com" target="_blank">Fireside Folktales</a></i> Performance </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Winter 2019/2020</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Adapted & Directed by Emma King-Farlow</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>“<i>If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart</i>.” </div><div><br /></div><div> Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean, miserly loner, destined to spend his afterlife making up for all the mistakes he made on earth – until, that is, a chilling encounter with the spectre of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, sets him on a different path. Can Marley’s ghost – and those of Christmas Past, Present and Future – transform the unfortunate Scrooge in time, or is it already too late to save him? </div><div><br /></div><div>Variously described as ‘intimate’, ‘uplifting’ and ‘deeply moving’, this celebrated production has been a big hit with audiences across London and will return this Christmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQwWACor4cHDztJB1SQn1orh22SkCiA9MTyMOE2zha7-vbIJWYMvWYnqtD1uPX_sTtcOLZ_sr0R1oKDgpZQZAKIUur-5-Jhy_NbyvGUInia8PJYJSTtwF0X1dIZQOtjyYNWmaEBohhtg3/s1561/Smaller+Christmas+Present.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQwWACor4cHDztJB1SQn1orh22SkCiA9MTyMOE2zha7-vbIJWYMvWYnqtD1uPX_sTtcOLZ_sr0R1oKDgpZQZAKIUur-5-Jhy_NbyvGUInia8PJYJSTtwF0X1dIZQOtjyYNWmaEBohhtg3/w232-h320/Smaller+Christmas+Present.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After an extremely successful 2019 summer season, we were delighted to premiere this winter<br />production with previews at The Coach & Horses in Barnes, followed by a special, candlelit performance at the remarkable Southside House. We were then privileged to visit a number of cancer support centres and care homes, including The Mulberry Centre, Teenage Cancer Trust and Brinsworth House, to stage some voluntary performances for patients and their families in December 2019 and January 2020 - something we plan to do again this Christmas, circumstances allowing!</div><div><br /></div><div>To book a performance for your own venue, private event, school, library or care home, please contact us at <b>firesidefolktales@gmail.com </b>or drop me a line via the Contact Form in the sidebar!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb8jRrhiXhtLKdHmJubmBVl5j8nGLV7FICwsAtTXVwE1I13BPRgfbk4Xz2LgcMxFrFa3Hpui_qUFciWEiKpxVzNu4z4vwPFjy4VqVMYuGOYuOeEDrhvgu7oMEUDs5k6NTVCZPT2BPqk_A/s533/Smaller+Scrooge+with+Shirt+Tucked+In.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="533" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb8jRrhiXhtLKdHmJubmBVl5j8nGLV7FICwsAtTXVwE1I13BPRgfbk4Xz2LgcMxFrFa3Hpui_qUFciWEiKpxVzNu4z4vwPFjy4VqVMYuGOYuOeEDrhvgu7oMEUDs5k6NTVCZPT2BPqk_A/w200-h199/Smaller+Scrooge+with+Shirt+Tucked+In.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>REVIEWS:</u></b></div><div><div>~ <i>Thank you for a brilliant & professional performance this afternoon. The changes of emotions & clothing with such integrity of acting was quite moving. So pleased to be with you - a gem of an afternoon! - </i><b>John P</b></div><div><br /></div><div>~ <i>A beautiful production! Very emotional. Well done</i> - <b>Michelle</b></div><div><br /></div><div> ~ <i>Really talented bunch, a really impressive interpretation & dramatisation - so creative with the props and the overall format. Brilliant & congratulations!</i> - <b>Anonymous, Southside House</b></div><div><br /></div><div> ~ <i>This was amazing, would love to view again</i> - <b>J Zaman</b></div><div><br /></div><div>~ <i>I loved it! Utterly magical. Thank you</i>. - <b>Anonymous, Southside House</b></div><div><br /></div><div> ~ <i>This was an excellent production. I found myself entirely engrossed in the tale. Well done!</i> - <b>Jim</b></div><div><br /></div><div> ~ <i>Such an innovative and engaging performance! My 4 year-old son and I enjoyed it - and we especially loved the future spirit and the magical tunes! </i>- <b>A.V.Elliot</b></div><div> </div><div>~ <i>Wow! Thanks you were wonderful </i>- <b>Lili L</b></div><div><br /></div><div>~ <i>A beautiful programme - very moving and the puppets /spirit of christmas yet to come were amazing. My friends' teenage daughter joined us and she loved the performance as well</i>. - <b>Yvonne, Southside House</b></div><div><br /></div><div>~ <i>Simply wonderful afternoon and I hope to see more of what you do come Easter?</i> - <b>Françoise G</b></div><div> </div><div>~ <i>Stunning and talented. Thank you</i> - <b>Anonymous </b></div></div><div><br /></div>Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-25131518513326861152020-06-21T17:51:00.002+01:002020-07-15T21:18:39.197+01:00Fireside Folktales<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNreAMHdZZrFNwNKcwdN0CDcGF7Swig3q0UsjTnQNPLR_sCIptUW_2yocHsaMf7ZR-UCiwcYKBx4-MCNYaxJBqWnbIcTPyoWRC2fxZsrKYHj2LUVkJQf2qKdMJnRDCuUxzbLO8goUFkMvh/s1965/Cropped+FF+Flyer+Front.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="1726" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNreAMHdZZrFNwNKcwdN0CDcGF7Swig3q0UsjTnQNPLR_sCIptUW_2yocHsaMf7ZR-UCiwcYKBx4-MCNYaxJBqWnbIcTPyoWRC2fxZsrKYHj2LUVkJQf2qKdMJnRDCuUxzbLO8goUFkMvh/s320/Cropped+FF+Flyer+Front.png" /></a></div>
An ongoing project begun in 2019, <i><a href="www.firesidefolktales.com" target="_blank">Fireside Folktales</a></i> sees the Shadow Road team retelling a growing collection of myths, legends, and classic stories from around the world. Each is presented as an original short play (see the <a href="http://emma-king-farlow.blogspot.com/p/playscripts.html" target="_blank">Playscripts page</a> for more information) performed by a company of four actors. In keeping with the back-to-basics philosophy of this particular storytelling project, all music and sound effects are performed live by the cast, with no electricity or technical equipment necessary.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Having previously staged <i>Fireside Folktales</i> productions in Shadow Road's own beautiful 8m bell tent, in the open air, and at a wide variety of indoor venues, we know they work in almost all imaginable settings.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were delighted to launch <i>Fireside Folktales</i> at the <a href="https://www.barneskidslitfest.org/" target="_blank">Barnes Children’s Literature Festival</a> over the weekend of 11th-12th May 2019, where we delivered no fewer than six performances of <i>Aesop's Fables</i>, <i>Persephone & the Pomegranate Seeds</i>, and <i>A Tale of Robin Hood </i>in our superb Story Tent, each to a packed out audience!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTkN4ArBtvuTL5N-dAp04RRSZsJLLtfgd8laQfyBnOiu7hglwUEp4mC8reRGqPzHSVeMbUTcTz__hFX4SsF_nffDbV6CzRZ8yOqiuN4q3P9hGfh5GjBt5HckitqO7MrDV5WsDX2X1YIUC/s3648/Tent+at+Dusk+-+St+Osmund%2527s.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTkN4ArBtvuTL5N-dAp04RRSZsJLLtfgd8laQfyBnOiu7hglwUEp4mC8reRGqPzHSVeMbUTcTz__hFX4SsF_nffDbV6CzRZ8yOqiuN4q3P9hGfh5GjBt5HckitqO7MrDV5WsDX2X1YIUC/s320/Tent+at+Dusk+-+St+Osmund%2527s.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
After the BCLF, we moved on to other venues - including the magnificent National Trust property, Ham House, and Horace Walpole's gothic wonder Strawberry Hill House - before moving indoors for the winter to Southside House and other venues with our new production of <i>A Christmas Carol</i>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The return of these productions in 2020 - and our new shows, <i><a href="http://shadowroad.com/macbeth/" target="_blank">Macbeth</a> </i>and <i><a href="http://shadowroad.com/the-musicians-of-bremen/" target="_blank">The Musicians of Bremen</a></i> - has been postponed by the outbreak of Covid-19 but we will still be back later in the year...</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
We are also now available for private bookings for parties and events for both children and adults, or for school visits - including optional workshops and Q&A sessions, alongside the performances. <br /><br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
As well as our usual selection of tales for all ages and occasions, we are able to create a bespoke event, writing a new piece of work specifically for your celebration, if we are given sufficient notice. Should you wish to discuss a private booking of any sort, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us at <b>firesidefolktales@gmail.com</b>!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
We look forward to hearing from you - and perhaps to seeing you at one of the public events we will be appearing at throughout the year, bringing the magic of myths and legends to life on your very own doorstep!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * * * *</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For more information, please visit the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.firesidefolktales.com" target="_blank"><i>Fireside Folktales</i></a> website, follow us on social media (Instagram:@firesidefolktales & Twitter: @firesidefolks), like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/firesidefolktales/" target="_blank">our Facebook page</a>, or have a listen to <a href="https://soundcloud.com/shadow_road/sets/fireside-folktales" target="_blank">the Fireside Folktales podcast</a>!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-42725208180152724852019-01-30T00:25:00.003+00:002020-07-15T21:24:46.801+01:00The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ooVCQWUr18HNrZ9Xeu0fqBAjZDG_N0FRcTF-PW5Hk2fElLOl-dV3dJW-hzN1i-i4uTZh1K1jExjghDE1YdJJC42jmtcIVDLaBzaRjlHRF6xxkiiCGPHLRR7C3tDgGSOX67K1QtJ1krat/s1600/Full+LWW+Cast+%2526+Crew.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="600" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ooVCQWUr18HNrZ9Xeu0fqBAjZDG_N0FRcTF-PW5Hk2fElLOl-dV3dJW-hzN1i-i4uTZh1K1jExjghDE1YdJJC42jmtcIVDLaBzaRjlHRF6xxkiiCGPHLRR7C3tDgGSOX67K1QtJ1krat/s200/Full+LWW+Cast+%2526+Crew.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cast & crew of 'The Lion, The<br />
Witch & The Wardrobe' 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: left;">
<span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">“<i>Utterly brilliant, spellbinding and wonderful. I have a lump in my throat as I think about it ....</i>” <b>Celia F</b></font></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span><font face="inherit"><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“<i>Great evening last night - your show is amazing!!! </i></span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><i>Well done and very pleased that the BCA supported this production.</i>”<b> </b></span><b><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Steven Mindel, Chairman of the Barnes Community Association</span></b></font></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span><font face="inherit"><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“<i>Emma King-Farlow has mounted a truly magical production</i><i>…</i>” </span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b>Mia Gibbons, Churches Together in Barnes</b></span></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><span><font face="inherit"><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span></font></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLfK15qVGQRcu-jzDa5kzCiPEbWkrDS1zeTwO_P3wTq_aJ0IgCw3gRzBYI1Zlf78P-2pzZtATXGcRBAJuAzeNJ6FfH9GDQjOsKvGoDw5pmCAFehX4_hzXnt6uPPKU7Q5YprH4jkMYoR28/s1600/Edmund+%2526+Lucy+in+the+Snow.JPG" style="background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="599" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLfK15qVGQRcu-jzDa5kzCiPEbWkrDS1zeTwO_P3wTq_aJ0IgCw3gRzBYI1Zlf78P-2pzZtATXGcRBAJuAzeNJ6FfH9GDQjOsKvGoDw5pmCAFehX4_hzXnt6uPPKU7Q5YprH4jkMYoR28/s200/Edmund+%2526+Lucy+in+the+Snow.JPG" width="200" /></font></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font face="inherit">Edmund (Alice Hope Wilson) & Lucy<br />
(Lucy Evans) in the Narnian snow</font></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span><font face="inherit">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This production was such a pleasure. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The fine story by C.S. Lewis was performed by a great team of actors, all of them perfectly in character. The Christian allegory worked gently but effectively in the beautiful mediaeval St Mary's Church, Barnes. Acting the part of Aslan, the lion King of Narnia, is inevitably impossible, but Will Forrester gave it drama and dignity. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The White Queen & her wolf were superbly malevolent & frightening! <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The opening 40’s dance set the scene in wartime Britain, from where the evacuee children escape through the wardrobe to Narnia. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Costumes were inventive & the simple set was used imaginatively. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Many thanks to all. A special evening</i>.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> <b>Anonymous audience Member</b></span></font></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvpvH9uERvy6NmPPeFganuxFUM3wSjh7B-7tE212g4ylvcjbr5i0ZwCCCstgM41xIJBYVtEU68qIN3vzEBFDvFfrSOaX2a7lzDsBvMUU3WpA8oujrQviDnAxiZSDDD8Xfoi8GeEuNMrAl/s1600/Maugrim+%2526+Edmund.JPG" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvpvH9uERvy6NmPPeFganuxFUM3wSjh7B-7tE212g4ylvcjbr5i0ZwCCCstgM41xIJBYVtEU68qIN3vzEBFDvFfrSOaX2a7lzDsBvMUU3WpA8oujrQviDnAxiZSDDD8Xfoi8GeEuNMrAl/s1600/Maugrim+%2526+Edmund.JPG" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="598" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvpvH9uERvy6NmPPeFganuxFUM3wSjh7B-7tE212g4ylvcjbr5i0ZwCCCstgM41xIJBYVtEU68qIN3vzEBFDvFfrSOaX2a7lzDsBvMUU3WpA8oujrQviDnAxiZSDDD8Xfoi8GeEuNMrAl/s200/Maugrim+%2526+Edmund.JPG" width="200" /></font></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font face="inherit">Maugrim (Carly Borrow) captures<br />
Edmund (Alice Hope Wilson) </font></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<font face="inherit"><span>These were just a few of the many personal reviews that we received from audience members, following our recent(ish!) production of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://shadowroad.com/the-lion-the-witch-the-wardrobe/" target="_blank">The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe</a></i> at St Mary’s Barnes (29</span><span><sup>th</sup> Oct – 3<sup>r</sup><sup>d</sup> Nov 2018). <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The show turned out to be rather more of a challenge than I first envisaged, and perhaps not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">quite</i> as financially successful as it could have been if we hadn’t found ourselves up against the final of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Great British Bake Off</i> early in the week! It was, however, even more successful than I hoped in terms of the glowing feedback received and, it seems, the very different but similarly positive experiences enjoyed by cast, crew and audiences alike. Indeed, the cast and crew - quite possibly the loveliest group of people I have had the privilege of working with - remain astonishingly close knit and in regular contact, and we are still hearing how much the audience thought of the show nearly three months after closing night!</span></font></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWZ8AB0OAmP4cYR4Ak7kMhXMBTDwNw13qKNA3rOH8PkWVgeqYZKdoP3s2ahuvznHde4Kve4oqHYECVdgg7wnUgKXBaB_VW9v5D2NHd_wOjpwUS6gER6JXsLF53VwwHy3A5SIafTsGupid/s1600/White+Witch+Aims+Wand.JPG" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><font face="inherit"><br />
</font><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYhyl0vZJNCN_CPfD8BhmRfyJ1YBfqFCy-whtHUrOp_tCdVTfKH5OkMpJdIWwAldZvqtucXu2AJvD8quGigB6IsEKT_q33Q0WfT-Ahb7R8Mw3bmwhVXprHrFX3pToWZirN8I1fVRa0tJU/s1600/Maugrim+with+Audience.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><font face="inherit"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="599" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYhyl0vZJNCN_CPfD8BhmRfyJ1YBfqFCy-whtHUrOp_tCdVTfKH5OkMpJdIWwAldZvqtucXu2AJvD8quGigB6IsEKT_q33Q0WfT-Ahb7R8Mw3bmwhVXprHrFX3pToWZirN8I1fVRa0tJU/s200/Maugrim+with+Audience.JPG" width="200" /></font></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font face="inherit">Mr Tumnus Sr (Martin Parsley) watches<br />
Maugrim terrorise small children!</font></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<font face="inherit"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span>None of this would have been possible without the financial and practical support of <a href="http://www.stmarybarnes.org/" target="_blank">St Mary's Church</a> and help from the <a href="http://www.barnes-ca.org/" target="_blank">Barnes Community Association</a>, who recognised the potential of the project early on and awarded us a £500 grant to put towards the considerable costs involved.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I am extremely grateful to both organisations for their faith in the production, and to Bishop Richard Harries, whose fascinating pre-show talk on C.S. Lewis ensured that, despite adding as many extra chairs as we could, we still had to turn people away on the Friday night!</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span><br /></span></span>
<br />
</font><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-NbYsdjYs9-k_dtyRojOsq0B9JThcIQ-R8KWEDPK-xJpZosOh7Dg1zKGk1kgqUtUFZKDz2zv6ek9JLVnwj3dfXLrdLLudnZAJ1LpLllbgOKhT4CFQ0oXbV1qTY5XdbIENnq-W-HgJaBR/s1600/White+Witch+Aims+Wand.JPG" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-NbYsdjYs9-k_dtyRojOsq0B9JThcIQ-R8KWEDPK-xJpZosOh7Dg1zKGk1kgqUtUFZKDz2zv6ek9JLVnwj3dfXLrdLLudnZAJ1LpLllbgOKhT4CFQ0oXbV1qTY5XdbIENnq-W-HgJaBR/s200/White+Witch+Aims+Wand.JPG" width="199" /></font></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font face="inherit">The White Witch (Kat Merrick)</font></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<font face="inherit"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span>Finally, I am delighted that the success of the production has enabled us to make donations not only to St Mary's but also to two fantastic children's literacy charities, both doing invaluable work with disadvantaged children around the country: BookTrust and First Story.</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;">This wonderful play brought to an end a year of exhausting and exciting achievements for <a href="www.shadowroad.com" target="_blank">Shadow Road Productions</a> and we now look forward to an equally exhilarating 2019!</span></font></div>Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-46729318700625162932018-02-19T17:38:00.000+00:002018-02-19T17:38:26.188+00:00A Look Back at UNBROKEN 2017<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a1785; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Following a hugely successful debut at <a href="https://theatre503.com/">Theatre503</a> on World
Mental Health Day the previous year, the </span><a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">UNBROKEN
festival</span></a><span style="color: black;"> returned in 2017 with the inaugural <a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/short-film-prize">UNBROKEN Short Film Prize</a>; a creative writing project and festival bookstall; a talk on <span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">‘</span>Mental Health in Current Children's Literature' by Charlie Sheppard, Publishing Director at acclaimed children's publisher <a href="https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/">Andersen Press</a>; and <i>Under My Skin</i>, a funny and powerful
play about adolescent mental health by award-winning playwright <a href="https://twitter.com/thisalitaylor">Ali Taylor</a>, having been added to the art exhibitions, live music, new writing,
original choreography and panel discussions that proved such a hit in 2016.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a1785; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a1785; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Find out much more on the </span><a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1;">UNBROKEN Festival website</span></a><span style="color: black;"> - see in particular the <a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/reactions">Reactions</a> and <a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/gallery">Gallery</a> pages - and do get in touch if you'd like to
get involved this year! </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a1785; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a1785; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">In the meantime, you might enjoy watching the following
film from WinkBall Video, who reported from the festival on its final evening,
Monday 30th October:</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a1785; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22.4px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9Jv60E2rY08/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Jv60E2rY08?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-58158943015990115872017-10-11T13:17:00.001+01:002017-10-11T13:17:27.267+01:00UNBROKEN 2017 - The Programme!World Mental Health Day has just ended and the second <a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/">UNBROKEN</a> mixed arts mental health awareness festival, produced by Shadow Road, draws ever closer!<br />
<br />
<div>
As I'm sure you can imagine, it's pretty hectic right now! <span class="x__5mfr x__47e3"></span>Despite the stress, however, I'm really excited that we've managed to expand from one day at one venue in 2016, to three days and two venues this year. We have also, with the new <a class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="http://unbrokenfest.com/short-film-prize" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Short Film Prize</a>, been able to encourage exploration of the issues through yet another art form. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I would love it if you would conside<span class="x_text_exposed_show">r joining us for any/all of the festival at the end of this month. We have put together a fantastic programme which offers something for everyone of all ages - from theatre, film and literature, to art, music, dance, discussions and even a taste of some therapy! </span><br />
<br />
The new writing, original choreography, art exhibition, live music and panel discussions that proved such a hit in 2016, have this year been joined by a practical <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FDHIHG" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Art Therapy taster workshop</a><u>;</u> a <a href="https://theatre503.com/whats-on/unbroken-festival-mental-health-in-childrens-literature/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">literary event </a>with Charlie Sheppard, Publishing Director at Andersen Press; <a href="https://theatre503.com/whats-on/unbroken-festival-under-my-skin/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Under My Skin</em></a>, a
powerful play about adolescent mental health by award-winning
playwright Ali Taylor; a small festival bookstall and, of course, the inaugural <a href="http://unbrokenfest.com/short-film-prize">UNBROKEN Short Film Prize</a> at <a href="https://www.frontlineclub.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Frontline Club</a>!<br />
<div>
<span class="x_text_exposed_show"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="x_text_exposed_show"></span>A more detailed version of the programme can be found on the festival website – <a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/2017-programme" rel="noopener" target="_blank">www.unbrokenfest.com/2017-programme</a> – but in the meantime, I have copied a simpler version below for you to look at. (The links won’t work, I’m afraid, as it’s a screenshot of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShadowRoadProductions/posts/841031022737959" rel="noopener" target="_blank">our Facebook announcement</a>!) If you aren’t able to join us yourself, we’d all be really grateful if you could please help us by spreading the word to others.<br />
<br />
Thank you very much and see you at the festival! :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qxiZXcJlSpZmrPQUkgRyBtVV8NoHKoryYXYAfvVcKf6UoWKJ0PWjGdusPDzlADLwhvBulfx19HxZrfb2luSwFTtiZbiFSJJlq_HYbGpUrj4WwMITJ-Y72KKxCyqQdGaRm5X7hqwStUd-/s1600/Full+Unbroken+Schedule+-+Screenshot+of+FB+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qxiZXcJlSpZmrPQUkgRyBtVV8NoHKoryYXYAfvVcKf6UoWKJ0PWjGdusPDzlADLwhvBulfx19HxZrfb2luSwFTtiZbiFSJJlq_HYbGpUrj4WwMITJ-Y72KKxCyqQdGaRm5X7hqwStUd-/s1600/Full+Unbroken+Schedule+-+Screenshot+of+FB+Post.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike></div>
<div>
<span id="goog_560871909"></span><span id="goog_560871910"><br /></span></div>
<br />Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-63145925776697685882017-05-27T21:41:00.000+01:002017-05-27T21:41:50.572+01:00UNBROKEN 2017 - the festival is back!As you may remember, UNBROKEN made its debut as a 'mini-festival' produced by <a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Shadow Road</strong> </a>at <strong><a href="https://theatre503.com/">Theatre503</a></strong> on World Mental Health Day 2016. Following an extremely successful and at times deeply moving day, we are delighted that the festival will return to 503 this year from <strong>Saturday 28th until Tuesday 31st October</strong>.<br />
<br />
As well as the art exhibitions, live music, new writing, original choreography and panel discussions that were such a hit last year, the 2017 programme will feature some practical workshops, a literary event, a staged reading of a powerful play about adolescent mental health, short film screenings and a free event open to all. We will also be running a small but perfectly formed bookshop throughout the festival!<br />
<br />
More information will be available on the new <a href="http://www.unbrokenfest.com/" target="_blank"><b>UNBROKEN website</b></a> soon. Do get in touch if you're interested in getting involved - we'd love to hear from you!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/218090799" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/218090799">UNBROKEN - A Mental Health Awareness Festival</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/shadowroad">Shadow Road</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-3370043433248616092016-09-21T15:23:00.000+01:002017-08-07T17:23:40.103+01:00A Last Look Back!Just when we thought that <em><a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page3.htm" target="_blank">Robin Hood</a></em> was all but behind us – at least for this year – another delightful review popped up in the September issue of <em>Prospect</em>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_J27UvdxfrIXn5lXKSLQceb1dQKqFcdlYFJLdwLP4Jd5kQ9pIVWLY1J271KrPY807vO2ZLhyphenhyphendwzC4PDBYvS7RqusuRHkMrS885zkleiPwjDQ18sWZY4IXx6mrnIggOXGHW0Cbg7A7oYL/s1600/Robin+Hood+Prospect+Review+Sep16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_J27UvdxfrIXn5lXKSLQceb1dQKqFcdlYFJLdwLP4Jd5kQ9pIVWLY1J271KrPY807vO2ZLhyphenhyphendwzC4PDBYvS7RqusuRHkMrS885zkleiPwjDQ18sWZY4IXx6mrnIggOXGHW0Cbg7A7oYL/s400/Robin+Hood+Prospect+Review+Sep16.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
Many thanks to Robin Eastwood for her very kind words about the show – we’re delighted that you enjoyed it, Robin! :-)<br />
<br />
Our final 2016 <em>Robin Hood</em>-related gathering also took place earlier this month, when a small group of cast and crew members met back at the <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/" target="_blank">London Wetland Centre</a> for a picnic lunch with a couple of our generous crowdfunding campaign supporters at one of the play’s locations.<br />
<br />
The weather was fairly inhospitable, to say the least – but then, given the many turbulent meteorological experiences that we ‘enjoyed’ there throughout both the show’s rehearsals <em>and </em>the run, it wouldn’t really have been a proper ‘<em>Robin Hood</em> at the Wetlands’ event if it hadn’t been!<br />
<br />
The brilliant Henry Weston took this photo – a lovely memento – towards the end of an afternoon filled with plenty of good food, great company, fun, laughter, trampoline tennis, ring toss and, of course, rain! :-D<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUsE3BIQi2qBpRDlV1G86uMOgCjVOQib4QqEtPR_gj_Xg_DJnHukFQ7ETwnuSyNDmAxjR97yP8uKqB53XImIIOaXlssu4yJJjEI7bzgCxXL5LE0vHqjJ2KISKL-C_YHiAMIArHvU3ZIb2/s1600/Crowdfunding+Picnic+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUsE3BIQi2qBpRDlV1G86uMOgCjVOQib4QqEtPR_gj_Xg_DJnHukFQ7ETwnuSyNDmAxjR97yP8uKqB53XImIIOaXlssu4yJJjEI7bzgCxXL5LE0vHqjJ2KISKL-C_YHiAMIArHvU3ZIb2/s320/Crowdfunding+Picnic+Photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-30662534902523081672016-09-20T20:01:00.000+01:002016-09-20T21:31:11.403+01:00Dreams from the Pit & 22 Push-Ups!Taking its title from the work of WWI poet Siegfried Sassoon, <a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page7.htm" target="_blank"><i>Dreams From The Pit</i></a> - an original play of mine that <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=484909461683452" href="https://www.facebook.com/ShadowRoadProductions/">Shadow Road Productions</a> first staged in 2013 in aid of Forces charity <a href="http://www.combatstress.org.uk/" target="_blank">Combat Stress</a> - follows three soldiers, Razor, Jacko and Sully, as they deploy together to Afghanistan. Life in 'Afghan' is tough but for some the return to civilian life is even harder...<br />
<br />
I was recently nominated for the <a href="http://www.combatstress.org.uk/support-us/22pushupchallenge/" target="_blank">#22PushUpChallenge</a> by both <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=638871321" href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.bolger.37">Amy Bolger-Floyd</a> <i>and</i> <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=580775105" href="https://www.facebook.com/maia.gibbons1">Maia Gibbons</a> (arguably a bit of <span class="text_exposed_show">overkill there, people!) which is also designed to raise money and awareness for Combat Stress and to draw attention to the horrifying rates of suicide and mental suffering evident in both US and UK veterans.</span><br />
<br />
As I am, however, decidedly NOT a fan of appearing on any screen anywhere for any reason at all - much less while doing push-ups! - I chose instead to fashion the video below, in the hope that it might have a similar result. I actually am also doing the push-ups at home each day as well - but there'll be some severe climate change in Hell before I film them and post the video online! <span class="_47e3" title="wink emoticon"><i aria-hidden="1" class="img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_7f72ac" style="height: 16px; width: 16px;"></i><span aria-hidden="1" class="_7oe">;-)</span></span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br /></div>
I do hope you get something out of the film. Anyone who would like to donate <b>£5</b> to Combat Stress can do so by texting <b>PTSD22</b> to <b>70004</b>.<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br /></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="text-align: center;">
Thank you! </div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div align="center" class="text_exposed_show">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/183015550" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/183015550">#22PushUpChallenge</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/shadowroad">Shadow Road</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br /></div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-86946806706599628622016-07-26T00:27:00.001+01:002016-08-15T23:09:51.751+01:00Introducing UNBROKEN...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4otHUmdQeW818EseArNAM_dNXPQIzZ-75dtjEC1bodWyW0-Ivtsw-H5aTbD_28aByOWwuWf4egSO-P3Mx7H6a-B1Vt5POXmNi4pFRzgRf6v_zPKIVkWvRtp3JpK2HCpBmh_DAZCFNUvGv/s1600/Unbroken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4otHUmdQeW818EseArNAM_dNXPQIzZ-75dtjEC1bodWyW0-Ivtsw-H5aTbD_28aByOWwuWf4egSO-P3Mx7H6a-B1Vt5POXmNi4pFRzgRf6v_zPKIVkWvRtp3JpK2HCpBmh_DAZCFNUvGv/s400/Unbroken.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>AN INVITATION FOR SUBMISSIONS TO A NEW MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MINI-FESTIVAL IN AUTUMN 2016</strong><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have you written a short play or a standalone scene – or created a piece of spoken word, music, movement or dance – dealing with mental illness, its effects and consequences, or the realities and myths surrounding the subject? Would you like to? Or would you like to direct one?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As part of my tiny theatre company's longstanding commitment to the issue of mental health we will be staging <em>UNBROKEN,</em><span class="text_exposed_show"> a mini-festival on that very subject, in London this October and we would like to invite anyone interested in getting involved – either as a writer, director, choreographer or composer – to get in touch.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"></span><em><br />UNBROKEN</em> will showcase a number of new short plays and performance pieces, all dealing with the issue of mental health from different angles. It will also include at least one or more panel discussions.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
As mentioned above, we are open to both short plays and scenes/extracts from a larger work that are able to stand alone in performance, as well as pieces of music, movement, spoken word or dance. Each of the chosen pieces will deal with some aspect of the issue, but the precise approach taken or subject explored will be up to its creator – for example, living with someone suffering from mental health problems can, in some ways, be just as difficult or alienating as suffering from the condition yourself.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><br />UNBROKEN</em> is an entirely voluntary event which will be staged in connection with one of the UK’s main mental health charities. This mini-festival will be the first of its kind for <a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Shadow Road</a>. Given our enduring concern with the issue of mental health, however – particularly when examined in relation to the military, as was the case with our original full-length play, <em><a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page7.htm" target="_blank">Dreams From The Pit</a></em> – we do hope that it may prove to be the first of many.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
If you are interested in getting involved with <em>UNBROKEN,</em> there is plenty more information available – including submissions details and dates etc – here on our website: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_379133573" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;"></span><a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page6.htm">www.shadowroad.com/page6.htm</a></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Please have a read and then drop us a line at <a href="mailto:shadowroadproductions@gmx.com.">shadowroadproductions@gmx.com.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
We look forward to hearing from you! :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-73052661884748979052016-07-18T20:01:00.000+01:002016-07-18T20:11:49.287+01:00Farewell to the Merry Men!There are still a few more days of admin to conquer, a couple of meetings to attend, one or two costumes to return and some crowdfunding thank you’s to write and perks to arrange but, all of those notwithstanding, <em>Robin Hood</em>‘s day is almost done – at least for this year.<br />
<br />
Before leaving him and his Merry Men behind, however, I thought you might like to see this lovely photo of the cast and a couple of the crew and to read the fantastic write up that the show received from local reviewer Roger Pettit… :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzuBC-1wYM0cl3lziSR_1gj4aEAZ0w2wC0QXiTsGG9PtSrsjFKnyyz4GLsWZDsi5LiECTBVBX9f8qP1zLyr0caSDDSrrryxaTIwRtVhIBS1Ixc8moeagyUNPxEIcI-FvOUirFChiuJe-p/s1600/20160701_230556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzuBC-1wYM0cl3lziSR_1gj4aEAZ0w2wC0QXiTsGG9PtSrsjFKnyyz4GLsWZDsi5LiECTBVBX9f8qP1zLyr0caSDDSrrryxaTIwRtVhIBS1Ixc8moeagyUNPxEIcI-FvOUirFChiuJe-p/s400/20160701_230556.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="ecxs1">“Shadow Road Productions is a small professional theatre company based in South-West London.</span> <span class="ecxs1">It specialises in presenting new and unfamiliar works in quirky, unusual ways.</span> <span class="ecxs1">Its production of <em>Robin Hood</em> at the award-winning nature reserve in Barnes, the London Wetland Centre, demonstrates the company’s modus operandi to perfection.</span> <br />
<br />
<span class="ecxs1">Written and directed by Shadow Road’s Artistic Director, Emma King-Farlow, it’s an alfresco production – the first ever at the London Wetland Centre.</span> <span class="ecxs1">Based on the Robin Hood legend, it tells the story of the outlaw’s struggle (with his band of men: Little John, Friar Tuck, Alan-a-Dale, etc.) to assist the people of Loxley in trying to overcome the ruthless reign of terror of the villainous landlord (and Prince John supporter) Guy of Gisborne. </span><br />
<span class="ecxs1"></span><br />
<div class="ecxp1">
<span class="ecxs1">The programme notes describe this production as “immersive”, and it’s certainly that.</span> <span class="ecxs1">The audience literally follow the action as it moves from one part of the nature reserve to another.</span> <span class="ecxs1">We get a wedding, spectacularly-staged sword fights, romance, death and music and songs, all skilfully staged to make the most of the spectacular outdoor setting.</span> <span class="ecxs1">The cast is very talented, and I was particularly taken with Frank Teale’s performance as Gisborne.</span> <span class="ecxs1">You really did want to see him get his comeuppance, thanks in no small measure to Teale’s success in portraying the cruelty, ruthlessness and sheer savagery of the character.</span> <span class="ecxs1">A brilliant performance!</span></div>
<div class="ecxp1">
<span class="ecxs1"></span> </div>
<div class="ecxp1">
<span class="ecxs1"><em>Robin Hood</em> is family entertainment at its best.</span> <span class="ecxs1">There’s something for everyone.</span> <span class="ecxs1">The four people I went with (two adults and two young children) all thoroughly enjoyed it.</span> <span class="ecxs1">I did too.</span> <span class="ecxs1">On this evidence, Shadow Road Productions is a company with a very bright future.”</span></div>
<div class="ecxp1">
<span class="ecxs1"></span> </div>
<strong><em>Roger Pettit</em></strong><br />
<div align="center">
</div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-42811233422514102042016-06-29T18:08:00.001+01:002016-06-29T18:08:14.760+01:00Robin Hood on the Radio!The lovely Jean Somerville-Rabbitt from Wandsworth Radio's ArtsWatch programme joined us for a chat about <em>Robin Hood</em> in advance of this week's final four shows. This interview was the result...<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/271400841&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page3.htm" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #2114c4;"><em>Robin Hood</em></span></strong></a><em> is on at the London Wetland Centre on Thursday and Friday evenings at 6.30pm and 8.15pm until July 1st 2016. Get your tickets here: </em><a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood" rel="nofollow"><em><strong><span style="color: #2114c4;">www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood</span></strong></em></a> </div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-33393263641138570332016-06-21T19:57:00.001+01:002016-06-22T00:24:22.134+01:00Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall......Or so Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and various others would have us believe. If that is the case, I think everyone involved in <em>Robin Hood</em> at the London Wetland Centre had sufficient rain to last an entire lifetime falling into their lives last Thursday!<br />
<br />
A genuine 'wrath of God' style rainstorm not only interrupted the first performance but soaked a number of our valiant actors (and several of the audience) to the skin within moments, while the lightning threatened to electrocute several others who were standing in a big metal box (our Prison set), in possession of big metal sticks (colloquially known as 'swords'), staring in apprehensive disbelief at the swiftly rising tide!<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="201" src="//giphy.com/embed/NkDAVoEioOOqY" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/water-lightning-NkDAVoEioOOqY">via GIPHY</a></div>
<br />
With the exception of there being a little more daylight than is shown, this gif is an entirely accurate representation of the weather we endured - if anything, it's a little milder than the storm that quickly flooded so many of the Wetland Centre's paths and pools!<br />
<br />
Being my first open air production, this was the moment I had truly been dreading - the time when, despite the best will and the most encouraging clichés in the world, the show simply could <em>not</em> go on any longer. At least not for a while...<br />
<br />
Thankfully, however, we are lucky enough to have a stage management team for whom no obstacle is too large to overcome and, while the ever-adaptable actors and I were running through a very quick rehearsal in a new indoor space, they speedily set about creating some simple but evocative sets in opposing corners of the large, and aptly named, Water's Edge Room.<br />
<br />
A few waterlogged audience members did go home between the two shows but those who stayed were extremely vocal in their appreciation of the indoor version of the show, and wonderfully supportive and uncomplaining. Some of them are due to return for a second viewing of <em>Robin Hood</em> this week, when they will hopefully be able to see it performed outside against the various Wetland backdrops, just as it <em>should</em> be seen. We will, however, always be very grateful to everyone - cast, crew and audience alike - who helped to turn an evening that could have been a total washout in <em>every</em> sense of the word into something of true triumph against all the odds! :-D<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page3.htm" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #2114c4;"><em>Robin Hood</em></span></strong></a><em> is on at the London Wetland Centre on Thursday and Friday evenings at 6.30pm and 8.15pm until July 1st 2016. Get your tickets here: </em><a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood" rel="nofollow"><em><strong><span style="color: #2114c4;">www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood</span></strong></em></a>Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-22206017198053334892016-06-15T00:05:00.000+01:002016-06-15T00:29:20.219+01:00Our First Feedback!How did the first two days of <em>Robin Hood</em> go, you ask? Very well indeed, thank you! Not only was the audience reaction really positive but the weather was also extremely kind, no one was hit by any low-flying ducks or other wildlife, and people left saying they would be sure to let their friends know how good the show was. We couldn't really ask for much more - though we certainly wouldn't say no to a sold out run and some spectacularly sunny evenings! :-D<br />
<br />
In the meantime, though, the great feedback we've had so far is enough keep us all smiling...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/170388777" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/170388777">RobinHoodReview_001</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/shadowroad">Shadow Road</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong><a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page3.htm" target="_blank">Robin Hood</a></strong> is on at the London Wetland Centre on Thursday and Friday evenings at 6.30pm and 8.15pm until July 1st 2016. Get your tickets here: </em><a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood" rel="nofollow"><em><strong>www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood</strong></em></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-85953638283584795552016-05-25T15:49:00.000+01:002016-05-25T15:49:30.417+01:00Introducing Maid Marian!<div style="text-align: left;">
Over on our <a href="http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/robinhoodlwc/" target="_blank">Robin Hood crowdfunding campaign page</a>, we have begun a short series of interviews with the cast, in order to allow our supporters to become a bit more familiar with both the tale we'll be telling at the <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/" target="_blank">London Wetland Centre</a> next month <em>and</em> the lovely, talented people who will be bringing it to life. I hope that you, too, might enjoy finding out more... :-)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yJIZSVquhWhtLaGzD7gBEYtQis0FjSxgEu6jMojyEqVjm9P3uDXFDmCdWHuTatbt4ppa_fIEGqtazJQXndNwFEqYsWgsnUidDvnf2yR_BZoDXQIXsaQyzj9ymBmaO8fhJ9IA3vymjip1/s1600/_GAV4514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yJIZSVquhWhtLaGzD7gBEYtQis0FjSxgEu6jMojyEqVjm9P3uDXFDmCdWHuTatbt4ppa_fIEGqtazJQXndNwFEqYsWgsnUidDvnf2yR_BZoDXQIXsaQyzj9ymBmaO8fhJ9IA3vymjip1/s320/_GAV4514.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><em>Lindsey Huebner as Marian Fitzwalter, with Fed Zanni as Robin Hood</em></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<strong>Please introduce yourself and your character.</strong><br />
My name is Lindsey Huebner and I will be playing the part of Marian in Shadow Road's exciting new production - taking over the London Wetland Centre this summer!<br /><br /><strong>How old were you when you first read, watched or heard the story of <em>Robin Hood</em> and what did you think of it?</strong><br />
Some of my very earliest memories are watching Disney films with family members and close friends. Like the stories of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, I feel like the tale of Robin Hood has always been a part of me.<br />
Although I'm mildly disappointed that Emma's interpretation doesn't have myself and Fed as foxes, I am overjoyed that the character of Marian is not your typical Disney damsel. Strong, capable and fierce in her love of Robin Hood, she is the kind of heroine I wish I'd encountered more in my childhood.<br /><br />
<strong> What made you want to get involved with this production of <em>Robin Hood</em> at the London Wetland Centre?</strong><br />
What really drew me to this production are those very aspects that make it unique!<br />
First off, it is an outdoor promenade production. Pulling off a solid performance is a feat in and of itself... Add on top of that passing planes, rogue children/ducks/otters, honking geese, passing trucks, surprise weddings, and whatever weather the skies can throw our way, all whilst attempting to safely shepherd 30 audience members to our various locations... Well, it sounds like a pretty glorious challenge to me!<br />
Secondly, I did martial arts as a youngster, and although I'm not in favour of real violence, I'm a big fan of stage combat! This was highly emphasised in the audition brief, and throughout the production we have gotten to work with Claire Llewellyn, an Associate Teacher at one of London's premiere stage combat clubs: RC-Annie.<br /><br />
<strong> What’s your favourite line spoken by your character – or any other - in the show? No spoilers, please!</strong><br />
There are a few lines in this show that bring a smile to my face or give me chills, but out of context, they might not make a lot of sense to an innocent reader. This being said, one of my favourite lines in reference to Robin is, "Outlaw, yes, but never 'common'. He is but one in all the world." I like it because of its simple truth, and through it we get a glimpse of the astounding love that Marian feels for Robin.<br /><br />
<strong> What’s your favourite thing about working in the theatre? </strong><br />
There are loads of things that appeal to me about a career in theatre. My current favourite thing is the people one meets both off and on the stage. Casts come together quickly and, through performing together, the acts of vulnerability and trust give way to a sense of cameraderie like nothing I've ever experienced.<br />
<br />
<strong>And your least favourite?</strong><br />
For what one gains in an ever-changing, fast-paced, fulfilling, creative career choice, one loses out in stability and security. Financial concerns are prevalent among actors - particularly those recently embarked upon this life path. Fortunately, such tribulations only enhance creativity and resourcefulness.<br /><br />
<strong> Tell us why we should come and see the show in two sentences or less!</strong><br />
You know the legend. Now become immersed in it.<br />
<br />
<em>Tickets for <a href="http://www.robinhoodwetlandcentre.com/" target="_blank">Robin Hood</a></em><em> - at 6.30pm or 8.15pm on Thursdays and Fridays throughout June, from Thursday 9th June until Friday 1st July - are available from the Wetland Centre website </em><a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2114c4;"><em>HERE</em></span></a>.Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-89868370761149044652016-05-16T14:19:00.001+01:002016-05-16T14:19:58.341+01:00Robin Hood's Crowdfunding Campaign<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/165452193" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/165452193">Robin Hood Crowdfunding 2016</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/shadowroad">Shadow Road</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our crowdfunding campaign for our brand new production of <a href="http://www.robinhoodwetlandcentre.com/" target="_blank">Robin Hood at the London Wetland Centre</a> has now begun and, with 28 days to go, we have already raised £415! HUGE thanks to all of our lovely contributors - we really couldn't do this without you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We've assembled an exciting selection of perks for the campaign so if you're at all interested in supporting independent theatre and important conservation work, or in the Wetland Centre, any of the cast and crew, Robin Hood, stage combat or many other excellent things, perhaps you'd like to pop over to <a href="http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/robinhoodlwc" target="_blank">our Campaign Page on Crowdfunder.co.uk</a> and take a look? :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You can also see some of our £10 pledge thank you videos on the <a href="https://vimeo.com/shadowroad" target="_blank">Shadow Road Vimeo page</a>. Hope watching them amuses you as much as making them amused us! Who knows, we could be making one for you soon, too... ;-)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tickets for the show - at the <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/" target="_blank">London Wetland Centre</a> at 6.30pm or 8.15pm on Thursdays and Fridays throughout June, from Thursday 9th June until Friday 1st July - are available from the Wetland Centre website <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We hope to see you there! :-)</div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-57103793384501946722016-05-13T15:44:00.001+01:002016-05-16T13:56:49.671+01:00A Word on AuditionsIt seems like a very long time ago now but there was a reason I started a brief post on auditions shortly before we held ours for <strong><em><a href="http://www.robinhoodwetlandcentre.com/" target="_blank">Robin Hood</a></em></strong>, so I'm going to complete it anyway!<br />
<br />
At the time, I wanted to remind people that there was no need to be nervous coming into an audition room. Unless the role you are auditioning for specifically calls for it, or the director and/or casting director whom you're about to meet happen to be particularly unpleasant or unintelligent people (and if that was the case, why would you want to work with them?), they are not going to be looking to catch you out or make you feel uncomfortable. Far from it. In fact, they want you to be as comfortable as possible - to feel at ease and entirely free to be yourself - so that you have the best chance possible of being the answer to their casting prayers! <br />
<br />
Like a hopeful audience, waiting in the dark for the curtain to rise on the play, or for the first few frames of a film to flicker across the screen, they want you to be brilliant - to be the leading man or lady they've been looking for, the hilarious character actor they're desperate to find or the lovely, talented performer they just can't wait to work with in any capacity. <br />
<br />
They <em>want</em> to love you - and it is for that very reason that if there <em>are</em> any tiny slip-ups or stumbles, they will, in all likelihood, give you the benefit of the doubt. When you enter the audition room they are, or at least they should be, on your side - and they will stay there until you give them a reason not to be. <br />
<br />
And I don't mean until you forget a word or two, or call someone by the wrong name. I mean until you show them either that you are, for any reason, wrong for the part (in which case, again, it's probably better for everyone concerned, including you, that you don't get it) or - and this one's significant because it could cause longer term problems for your career - that you would not be easy or pleasant to work with. <br />
<br />
Whether you're making a film, staging a play or embarking on any other substantial creative project, you know that you are going to be spending a <em>lot</em> of time over the coming days, weeks or even months with the people you cast here and now. You also know that a sizeable amount of that time will almost inevitably be both difficult and stressful. It is therefore only natural - and <em>wise</em> - to take a moment to consider exactly whom you want to be facing those challenges alongside. <br />
<br />
As each actor leaves the room, you consider first whether or not they are suitable for the job and then second, and no less important, would you want to work with them on it? Could you stand being shut up in a rehearsal room or stuck on a film set with them for hours or days at a time? What about for weeks? And when times get hard - you always hope they won't but you know they probably will - is it likely that having this person there will make things better or worse? If the answer to all of those questions is 'yes' and 'better', then<em> no one</em> is going to be happier than the director sitting across the room from you... :-D<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSXlXH-2-Uz95QToyzPGdCeEZhzVzKQih7xgFwaSU8Tl9JOLPyYlrRcl3oR2gW0ZM2f0eEy4vSFIMxkMgyOxnEBURhm96Uz7a5Dj6qJHvsMLpJGbyD1yt23rFgyEtk9l_8E7CEwWOkmbT/s1600/stage-1015653_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSXlXH-2-Uz95QToyzPGdCeEZhzVzKQih7xgFwaSU8Tl9JOLPyYlrRcl3oR2gW0ZM2f0eEy4vSFIMxkMgyOxnEBURhm96Uz7a5Dj6qJHvsMLpJGbyD1yt23rFgyEtk9l_8E7CEwWOkmbT/s200/stage-1015653_1920.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
P.S. It goes without saying (or at least it should) that you should be asking yourself the same questions about the director and any other members of the cast and crew whom you meet - do YOU want to work with THEM? Auditions are a two way street! :-)Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-838144178875880902016-01-28T16:03:00.001+00:002016-01-28T16:03:58.393+00:00Robin Hood!And the word is officially out - our summer show at the <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/" target="_blank">London Wetland Centre</a> will be a new, promenade production of <em><a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page3.htm" target="_blank">Robin Hood</a></em>! <br />
<br />
Written (by yours truly!) specifically for the Centre, it will be an exciting evening out in beautiful surroundings. We'd be delighted if you would join us, Robin Hood and his men, the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham and his minions and the hopeful people of Loxley, for this immersive adventure on Thursday and Friday evenings throughout June.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebZ6WdGrNKRmtCAEY-6SoDB2QO5nnxjr7gpnsw7564neJJ2QNw4tV4qAPKGxnZ-o5eFPDCj9EbcBUSv15wc43huo90Ib1otoYdP92omBy_soB3hVftRa-Nn9Gd4teV3hxMM0233_mUvW9/s1600/Robin+Hood+Poster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebZ6WdGrNKRmtCAEY-6SoDB2QO5nnxjr7gpnsw7564neJJ2QNw4tV4qAPKGxnZ-o5eFPDCj9EbcBUSv15wc43huo90Ib1otoYdP92omBy_soB3hVftRa-Nn9Gd4teV3hxMM0233_mUvW9/s320/Robin+Hood+Poster.JPG" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>With the King absent, corruption and injustice are rife in England. The country cries out for a champion - and in the heart of the Greenwood, a legend stirs...</em></div>
<br />
<strong>Dates</strong>: 9 (Previews), 10 (Press Night), 16, 17, 23, 24 & 30 June and 1 July.<br />
<strong>Times</strong>: 6.30pm or 8pm - there will be two performances each night.<br />
<strong>Tickets</strong> will cost £20 and will soon be available from the <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood/" target="_blank">Wetland Centre website</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We look forward to seeing you there! :-)</div>
<br />
P.S. Despite our deep and abiding faith in the English summer weather, we can't help thinking that you might still want to bring an umbrella with you. Just in case... ;-)<br />
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-54329017338914312282016-01-19T17:45:00.000+00:002016-01-19T17:59:12.297+00:00Ten in Ten #1 - Me!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having submitted the old blog to a little digital ‘spit and polish', with the intention of turning it into my main personal website (together with </span><a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shadow Road's site</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, I think the Internet already knows far more about me than it really needs - or indeed <em>wants</em> - to, without me having to maintain yet another site!), I am going to kick things off by submitting myself to the very same questionnaire that I'm hoping a few of my creative friends may be willing to answer here over the coming months.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've called it <em><strong>Ten in Ten</strong></em> - the idea being that it asks only ten questions, all of which should be answered in no more than ten minutes. Thus, I hope I may get a few more takers than I would if I was asking them for the biographical equivalent of <em>War & Peace</em> - and we may all get a little insight into their lives and interests. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since I try never to ask others to do anything that I wouldn't be prepared to at least have a go at myself, however, I'm going to get the ball rolling. Usually, we'd begin with a short biography of the person answering the questions but as you've probably already read all the information about me in the blog header above, I'll spare you that and skip straight to the answers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The timer on my phone has been set for ten minutes* so here we go... :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>TEN IN TEN</u> - 10 questions to answer in
10 minutes or less - don’t think, just write!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Who inspires you?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> P</span>eople who step in when they see someone else in danger – fearless, selfless people. All the
people – Veterans, soldiers, civilians and counsellors alike – whom I spoke to
when researching my play, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dreams From
The Pit. </i>The Invictus Veterans and all our brilliant Paralympians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Laura Bates – creator of <a href="http://www.everydaysexism.com/index.php/about" target="_blank">The Everyday Sexism Project</a> – who has given a
voice, and a community, to countless previously unheard women from around the
world and drawn attention to a problem that many are not even aware still exists. Actors and other creatives – most of the actors whom I have met and worked
with have been amazing people, so open, giving and empathetic, while also
committed, professional and driven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My parents. </span>People
who make a difference. Too many other people to mention!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Who/what most annoys you?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Overpaid, over-privileged footballers, pop singers and Hollywood stars –
basically, celebrity culture and its celebration of the vain, vacuous and inane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The modern-day tendency to exalt all the wrong people for the wrong reasons, while ignoring or undervaluing those who make a genuine and positive difference to other people's lives - often at their own expense - really infuriates me.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. The last three plays or films you saw?</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Around the World in 80 Days</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Firework Maker’s Daughter</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miss
Saigon</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. The first four books that you think of when asked which ones have
stayed with you since reading them?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Girl in the Box</i> – Ouida Sebastien, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Among You</i> – Jake Wood, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Thousand Splendid Suns</i> – Khaled
Hosseini, <em>The</em> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Penguin Book of WWI Poetry</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. Your five favourite fictional characters?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ellen Ripley, Jason Bourne,
Katniss Everdeen, Pug/Milamber and Paksenarrion Dorthansdottir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. A hidden gem you’d recommend (could be a place to visit, a book to
read, a play to see, a song to listen to etc)? </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/" target="_blank">The London Wetland Centre</a> in Barnes. It's pretty incredible to see a nature reserve of that size tucked away in the corner of a huge city like London.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. What are you most proud of in your professional life so far?</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.shadowroad.com/page5.htm" target="_blank">Dreams From The Pit</a></i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I can't wait to get the new and improved version back onstage!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8. What is your greatest as yet unfulfilled ambition?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To win an Olivier award and direct a play on
the stage of the Olivier Theatre at the National!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9. Your favourite quotation?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Too many to choose between but time’s running out so I’ll go for one of
the two that I currently have up on my study wall: ‘<em>Be
who you were created to be and you will set the world on fire</em>’ -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St Catherine of Sienna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10. Your hoped-for epitaph?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
Hmm. </span>‘She lived, loved, laughed - and left the world a better place than she
found it.'</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
*In the interests of full disclosure, I should make it clear that while I did try and answer the questions in ten minutes, it took me a lot longer than that to put this whole post together, writing and editing the intro, adding links and checking names etc! :-DEmma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-39305624169913626322014-12-26T20:06:00.001+00:002016-01-17T00:00:23.073+00:00Hello Again & Happy Christmas!We all know that one of the definitions of insanity is 'doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results'. I will understand, therefore, if anyone's tempted to call me insane upon learning that, after a few years' away from it, I'm thinking about giving this blogging lark a bit of a go again. I, however, remain happily assured of my own sanity since I am, much to my own disappointment, not really expecting different results. As ever, though, I remain open to the possibility of being pleasantly surprised... ;-)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
In keeping with ancient (at least on <i>this</i> blog!) tradition, I am posting a poem for Christmas. In these turbulent times, this one - in which Longfellow acknowledges the depths of the darkness he sees in the world around him but goes on to speak of the eventual triumph of the light over it - struck a particular chord with me. I hope you enjoy reading it and I wish you a very Happy Christmas. :-)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>CHRISTMAS BELLS</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)</i><br />
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
I heard the bells on Christmas Day <br />
Their
old, familiar carols play, <br />
And wild and sweet <br />
The words
repeat <br />
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And thought how, as the day had come, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The belfries of all
Christendom <br />
Had rolled along <br />
The unbroken song <br />
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Till ringing, singing on its way, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The world revolved from night
to day, <br />
A voice, a chime, <br />
A chant sublime <br />
Of
peace on earth, good-will to men!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then from each black, accursed mouth </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The cannon thundered in the
South, <br />
And with the sound <br />
The carols drowned <br />
Of
peace on earth, good-will to men!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was as if an earthquake rent </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hearth-stones of a continent,
<br />
And made forlorn <br />
The households born <br />
Of peace on
earth, good-will to men!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And in despair I bowed my head; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"There is no peace on earth," I
said; <br />
"For hate is strong, <br />
And mocks the song <br />
Of
peace on earth, good-will to men!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"God is not dead, nor
doth He sleep; <br />
The Wrong shall fail, <br />
The Right prevail,
<br />
With peace on earth, good-will to men." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-6754134848192441512011-12-26T01:07:00.000+00:002016-01-19T17:47:00.937+00:00Happy Christmas 2011!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A Child of the Snows <br />
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There is heard a hymn when the panes are dim, <br />
And never before or again, <br />
When the nights are strong with a darkness long, <br />
And the dark is alive with rain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Never we know but in sleet and in snow, <br />
The place where the great fires are, <br />
That in the midst of the earth is a raging mirth<br />
And the heart of the earth is a star.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And at night we win to the ancient inn<br />
Where the child in the frost is furled, <br />
We follow the feet where all souls meet<br />
At the inn at the end of the world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The gods lie dead where the leaves lie red<br />
For the flame of the sun is flown;<br />
The gods lie cold where the leaves lie gold,<br />
And a Child comes forth alone</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">.<br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJmwxVV_X7YwuS-I4_-kXxz3x5XgUbTTQXBqOeI17-LCxjuGNIQTO1P_Sd6Mp7kc1hz_fAUXMT_C0jNSz4LENjVscOtaS5-WOJVrGDsKmRp5JWS976bRYn6dOnl0gPXqfeLIpOBTGRFy-/s1600/Nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJmwxVV_X7YwuS-I4_-kXxz3x5XgUbTTQXBqOeI17-LCxjuGNIQTO1P_Sd6Mp7kc1hz_fAUXMT_C0jNSz4LENjVscOtaS5-WOJVrGDsKmRp5JWS976bRYn6dOnl0gPXqfeLIpOBTGRFy-/s1600/Nativity.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <em>I hope everyone has had a very</em> <br />
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-730295881236918053.post-31042085718946319942011-05-07T23:55:00.001+01:002011-05-07T23:59:51.304+01:00Seizing the Day!Never let it be said that I am not a woman of my word: I said I would seize the day and I <em>have</em> - or at least I'm trying to! <br />
<br />
The bones continue to mend (though not quite as quickly as I would like) and I have been getting out and about as much as possible. There is no doubt that, from the fringe to the National, I have seen more theatre over the last few months than I had in the last few years and it has been utterly glorious!<br />
<br />
The next couple of months, however, will see me becoming a little more proactive again. Instead of (or at least 'as well as') watching other people's plays, I will be staging a couple myself - Lucille Fletcher's one-act suspense thrillers <em>Sorry, Wrong Number</em> and <em>The Hitch-Hiker </em>which I am directing at <a href="http://www.osoarts.org.uk/">The Old Sorting Office</a> in June. I have also signed up for the <a href="http://www.guerillamasterclass.com/schedule/">Guerilla Film Makers Masterclass</a> - at the Early Bird price it was an opportunity that I literally couldn't afford to miss! - and I hope that I will soon be able to return to film-making armed both with new knowledge and new collaborators.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, on the writing front, I have finally begun to streamline my vast stable of Works in Progress! Two very different projects have recently been completed and the end is finally in sight for another two. (Admittedly the aforementioned 'ends' are still several hundred miles away, up hill, down dale, through mist, mire and misbegotten bog but they <em>are</em> finally coming over the far-distant horizon and <em>that</em> is what counts!) I have also branched out a little and committed to teaching a couple of writing workshops - one <a href="http://www2.richmond.gov.uk/Richmondbookings/BookingStep2.aspx?id=2862">for adults who want to write for children</a>, the other for children who want to write! <br />
<br />
All of the above, together with a few other things that I have in the pipeline, will be keeping me extremely busy for the next several weeks and it is my not-as-new-as-I-wish-it-was year's resolution both to post here and to tweet more often so as to document my progress in some small way. <br />
<br />
Only time will tell if I am a woman of my resolution as well as my word... ;-)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7dCzArMTGMSvQCaQ6H_16Thvp_PyWP7YfCZlz8LnhRodaq2cut952tr_kxWBvDGpH91JlwpFD51LeogV7bASAljCvzUMPr71oW-iyk8LBdUB7ZflJfF45V2JEqi7sp1rts267f-xiBkt/s1600/CoolClips_vc013118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7dCzArMTGMSvQCaQ6H_16Thvp_PyWP7YfCZlz8LnhRodaq2cut952tr_kxWBvDGpH91JlwpFD51LeogV7bASAljCvzUMPr71oW-iyk8LBdUB7ZflJfF45V2JEqi7sp1rts267f-xiBkt/s1600/CoolClips_vc013118.jpg" /></a></div>Emma K-Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605615818710615231noreply@blogger.com0