A Last Look Back!

Just when we thought that Robin Hood was all but behind us – at least for this year – another delightful review popped up in the September issue of Prospect!

Many thanks to Robin Eastwood for her very kind words about the show – we’re delighted that you enjoyed it, Robin! :-)

Our final 2016 Robin Hood-related gathering also took place earlier this month, when a small group of cast and crew members met back at the London Wetland Centre for a picnic lunch with a couple of our generous crowdfunding campaign supporters at one of the play’s locations.

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 and the run, it wouldn’t really have been a proper ‘Robin Hood at the Wetlands’ event if it hadn’t been!

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

Farewell 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, Robin Hood‘s day is almost done – at least for this year.

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… :-)

“Shadow Road Productions is a small professional theatre company based in South-West London. It specialises in presenting new and unfamiliar works in quirky, unusual ways. Its production of Robin Hood at the award-winning nature reserve in Barnes, the London Wetland Centre, demonstrates the company’s modus operandi to perfection.

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. 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.

The programme notes describe this production as “immersive”, and it’s certainly that. The audience literally follow the action as it moves from one part of the nature reserve to another. 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. The cast is very talented, and I was particularly taken with Frank Teale’s performance as Gisborne. 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. A brilliant performance!

 

Robin Hood is family entertainment at its best. There’s something for everyone. The four people I went with (two adults and two young children) all thoroughly enjoyed it. I did too. On this evidence, Shadow Road Productions is a company with a very bright future.”

 

Roger Pettit



Robin Hood on the Radio!

The lovely Jean Somerville-Rabbitt from Wandsworth Radio's ArtsWatch programme joined us for a chat about Robin Hood in advance of this week's final four shows.  This interview was the result...

Robin Hood 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: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood

Into 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 Robin Hood at the London Wetland Centre had sufficient rain to last an entire lifetime falling into their lives last Thursday!

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!



via GIPHY

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!

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 not go on any longer.  At least not for a while...

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.

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 Robin Hood this week, when they will hopefully be able to see it performed outside against the various Wetland backdrops, just as it should 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 every sense of the word into something of true triumph against all the odds! :-D

Robin Hood 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: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood

Our First Feedback!

How did the first two days of Robin Hood 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

In the meantime, though, the great feedback we've had so far is enough keep us all smiling...


RobinHoodReview_001 from Shadow Road on Vimeo.

 

Robin Hood 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: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/2016/06/09/robin-hood

 

Introducing Maid Marian!

Over on our Robin Hood crowdfunding campaign page, 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 London Wetland Centre next month and the lovely, talented people who will be bringing it to life.  I hope that you, too, might enjoy finding out more... :-)

Lindsey Huebner as Marian Fitzwalter, with Fed Zanni as Robin Hood



Please introduce yourself and your character.
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!

How old were you when you first read, watched or heard the story of Robin Hood and what did you think of it?
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.
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.

What made you want to get involved with this production of Robin Hood at the London Wetland Centre?
What really drew me to this production are those very aspects that make it unique!
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!
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.

What’s your favourite line spoken by your character – or any other - in the show?  No spoilers, please!
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.

What’s your favourite thing about working in the theatre?  
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.

And your least favourite?
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.

Tell us why we should come and see the show in two sentences or less!
You know the legend. Now become immersed in it.

Tickets for Robin Hood - 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 HERE.

Robin Hood's Crowdfunding Campaign

Robin Hood Crowdfunding 2016 from Shadow Road on Vimeo.

 

Our crowdfunding campaign for our brand new production of Robin Hood at the London Wetland Centre 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.

 

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 our Campaign Page on Crowdfunder.co.uk and take a look? :-)

 

You can also see some of our £10 pledge thank you videos on the Shadow Road Vimeo page.  Hope watching them amuses you as much as making them amused us!  Who knows, we could be making one for you soon, too... ;-)

 

Tickets for the show - at the London Wetland Centre 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 HERE.

 

We hope to see you there! :-)

Robin Hood!

And the word is officially out - our summer show at the London Wetland Centre will be a new, promenade production of Robin Hood! 

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.

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...

Dates: 9 (Previews), 10 (Press Night), 16, 17, 23, 24 & 30 June and 1 July.
Times: 6.30pm or 8pm - there will be two performances each night.
Tickets will cost £20 and will soon be available from the Wetland Centre website.

We look forward to seeing you there! :-)

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... ;-)

Ten in Ten #1 - Me!

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 Shadow Road's site, I think the Internet already knows far more about me than it really needs - or indeed wants - 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.

I've called it Ten in Ten - 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 War & Peace - and we may all get a little insight into their lives and interests. 

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!

The timer on my phone has been set for ten minutes* so here we go... :-)

TEN IN TEN - 10 questions to answer in 10 minutes or less - don’t think, just write!

1. Who inspires you?  People 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, Dreams From The Pit.  The Invictus Veterans and all our brilliant Paralympians.  Laura Bates – creator of The Everyday Sexism Project – 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.  My parents.  People who make a difference.  Too many other people to mention!

2. Who/what most annoys you?   Overpaid, over-privileged footballers, pop singers and Hollywood stars – basically, celebrity culture and its celebration of the vain, vacuous and inane.  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.

3. The last three plays or films you saw? Around the World in 80 Days, The Firework Maker’s Daughter and Miss Saigon.

4. The first four books that you think of when asked which ones have stayed with you since reading them?  The Girl in the Box – Ouida Sebastien, Among You – Jake Wood, A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini, The Penguin Book of WWI Poetry.

5. Your five favourite fictional characters?  Ellen Ripley, Jason Bourne, Katniss Everdeen, Pug/Milamber and Paksenarrion Dorthansdottir.

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)?   The London Wetland Centre 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.

7. What are you most proud of in your professional life so far? Dreams From The Pit.  I can't wait to get the new and improved version back onstage!

8. What is your greatest as yet unfulfilled ambition?  To win an Olivier award and direct a play on the stage of the Olivier Theatre at the National!

9. Your favourite quotation?  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: ‘Be who you were created to be and you will set the world on fire’ -  St Catherine of Sienna.

10. Your hoped-for epitaph?  Hmm.  ‘She lived, loved, laughed - and left the world a better place than she found it.'

 

*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! :-D

Visits and Valentines

My lovely god-daughter, Lilia, and her mother have been staying with me for a couple of days and yesterday we spent a few hours at the London Wetland Centre. The weather was as perfect as possible for the time of year – crisp, blue-skied and sunny – and the Centre itself was starkly beautiful. I am always amazed that a place like this, 43 hectares of wetlands – wide open stretches of water and grassy walkways, teeming with wildlife – can exist in a corner of one of the busiest cities in the world. I love taking visitors along there to see the surprise in their faces when they enter the observatory, a glass-walled room, two storeys high, that looks out across the main lake. On a day like yesterday, so bright and clear, the view really is breathtaking and each new visitor’s astonishment at the sight mirrors my own. If any non-Londoners out there are planning a trip to the capital soon, then I recommend that you pencil a visit to the Wetland Centre into your itinerary. And if there are any Londoners reading who haven’t yet paid it a call, then what are you waiting for?

I have just booked this year’s trip to the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival and I am already looking forward to it. Just as last year – which was, astoundingly, my first ever visit to a literary festival – I will be staying in Christ Church College, at the heart of the action. And again, just as last year, I’ve booked more events than are probably good for me: in the space of a day and a half, I’ve committed myself to five different events and a Carvery Lunch! It’s bound to be a hectic couple of days, but also, I’m sure, extremely interesting and great fun at the same time. Another experience that I can highly recommend!

‘Sonnet: For the 14th of February’
Thomas Hood (1799-1845)

Thy bright eyes govern better than the Sun,
For with thy favour was my life begun,
And still I reckon on from smiles to smiles,
And not by summers, for I thrive on none
But those thy cheerful countenance compiles;
Oh! if it be to choose and call thee mine,
Love, thou art every day my Valentine!


Happy Valentine’s Day, one and all!