Arts
at
Henley
Performing Arts: News 2008
STUDENTS QUIZ WEST END STAR
EXCELLENT TRANSITION TO THE STAGE
STUDENTS SHAVE HEADS FOR ROLE
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
KNIFE CRIME DRAMA
JERSEY BOY COMES TO COLLEGE
COLLEGE LECTURER DIRECTS HIT SHOW IN LONDON
SPANISH TOUR A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
OPEN AUDITIONS FOR FIRST PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
RARE LORCA PLAY TO END GREAT YEAR
FROM HENLEY TO HOGWARTS
FORMER STUDENT LANDS TOP BROADWAY ROLE
PLAYWRIGHT SHOWS SUPPORT
FIRST DRAMA PRODUCTION OF 2008 “TALK RADIO”
News from 2007
News from 2006
News from 2005
News from 2004
News from 2003
News from 2002 and earlier
Would-be actors at Henley College had a chance to quiz a professional after seeing him on stage.
The Performing Arts students were visited by actor Philip Bulcock, who plays Four Season Nick Massi in the West End musical Jersey Boys.
Bulcock, who has starred in a number of films, including The Dark Knight and 28 Weeks Later, spoke to students about his experiences.
Nic Saunders, Head of Performing Arts, had taken students to see Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre the previous evening.
The actor said: “There were some excellent questions and they all seem to be very committed to going into acting and performing. Their teacher is obviously doing a good job.”
Mr Saunders said: “The college is pleased that professionals of Philip’s calibre will take the time to visit the college. It’s great to see they value the drama training our students receive.”
The Henley Standard (December 2008)
EXCELLENT TRANSITION TO THE STAGE
Transferring Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest onto stage, following the impact the film made in 1975, is a big ask; many have done it, many have failed. To ask students of A-Level age to take on a project packing such power and emotion is an even greater risk.
The Henley College Theatre Company’s production of the classic story, made famous through Jack Nicholson’s Oscar-winning performance of Randle Patrick McMurphy, took place at the college’s dance studio.
The audience was dropped in on actor-level within the clinically designed set, recreating the Oregon state mental hospital where McMurphy’s entrance to a well-ordered system turns the asylum on its head. As soon as Nurse Rached (Natalia Torres) calls “medication time” the hospital erupts into life.
When McMurphy (David Colbourn) swaggers into the room, the frenetic pace is set for the three-plus hour production in which the constant verbal sparring between McMurphy and Nurse Rached overspills into mini-revolution with a dramatic outcome.
For a college production, such a capable and strong cast was impressive — whether it be Colbourn’s cock-sure McMurphy, Ryan Thomas’s stuttering Billy Bibbit, or a superbly subtle background cast, resisting the temptation to overact thus complementing strong lead performances.
A number of well-acted, poignant scenes stuck in the mind including Billy Bibbet’s final act of defiance against the oppressive Nurse Rached, and the electro-therapy treatment of McMurphy. A few low points included lengthily renditions of a basketball scene, and a party scene where McMurphy sneaks in the seductive Candy Starr (Aemilia Owen).
The show-stopping moment did not, however, come from the story’s shocking end twists, but an emotional exchange between the “President of patients committee” Dale Harding (Christopher Metcalfe) and McMurphy.
Following an attack on Harding in the regular patient therapy meeting which McMurphy likened to “hens at a pecking party” who smelt blood; only McMurphy defended the character. A powerful conversation between Harding — who vehemently defended Nurse Rached’s policies — and McMurphy ensued.
Metcalf’s mature handling of Harding was perfectly balanced with Colbourn’s impressively defiant take on the lead role, and while the busy asylum carried on, all eyes were glued to the corner of the room where the powerful and emotional exchange took place.
The stand-out performance came from Thomas’s delicate, thoughtful and provocative Billy Bibbit. Torres’ nurse Rached packed one hell of a punch, while Mark McKenzie’s Chief Bromden was aptly executed.
How a cast of teenagers could get the viewer sucked in on many levels is testament to the solidity of the cast from lead to support to background. Do not be surprised if you see some of these actors’ names again, certainly in the case of Ryan Thomas, David Colbourn and Christopher Metcalfe on the basis of this performance.
Simon Moores, The Henley Standard (December 2008)
STUDENTS SHAVE HEADS FOR ROLE
Two students had shaved their heads for Henley College’s forthcoming production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
David Gurney, 18, and Joel Reeves, 17, are playing patients at a mental institution and felt the new hairstyle would improve their performances.
Joel said: “The hairstyle is relevant to the characters. I think it will make our performance believable, so much more relevant and, ultimately, better.”
Director Nic Saunders said: “It shows the commitment of the students that they’re prepared to shave their heads for the roles. The performing arts students we have at the college are serious about wanting to get into the best drama schools and enter the profession, so they’ll do what it takes to produce the best work they can.”
(November 2008)
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
The December production this year is “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”.
Most people will know the story from the popular film of the 1970’s with Jack Nicholson, but the book by Ken Kesey was originally adapted for the stage before the screen. The story revolves around the events that occur when R.P.McMurphy is transferred from the work farm onto the ward of a mental institution. At times hilarious, at other times deeply moving, “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” is a personal favourite of director Nic Saunders. “I’ve had a long association with this play, having performed in it both as a student myself and as a professional actor. I’ve also directed the play before with students and had plans at one point to make my professional debut as a director with this piece. I genuinely love the play – I think it’s got that winning combination of great story, unforgettable characters and provides a real challenge for actors. It’s a real pleasure to revisit the play with this group of students and hopefully we’ll produce something really special.”
The play is being performed in the Dance Studio on the Deanfield Campus and opens on Tuesday 9th December and runs until the Saturday. There are also two matinee performances on the Wednesday and the Saturday afternoon. Tickets are £8.50 / £7.00 (concs) and are available from reception at Deanfield and from Nellie’s Sweet Shop in town. (September 2008)
Former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella was the subject of considerable media attention during the Summer when her brother Ben was tragically murdered by four youths in a London street. The incident made headline news.
Brooke has now teamed up with Wokingham Borough Council to create a Knife Crime Awareness project that will tour schools to discuss the rise in knife crime and its tragic consequences.
The college drama department is very pleased to be a key part of this project and the BND Performing Arts students will be creating dramatic scenes to incorporate into the piece. The students will then be touring the piece around schools and then be filmed for a DVD to accompany the project.
Nic Saunders, “It’s a real honour to be asked to be involved and we’ll do all we can to support Brooke and this project and help raise awareness of an issue that affects us all.”
(September 2008)
COLLEGE LECTURER DIRECTS HIT SHOW IN LONDON
Neil McCurley, one of the team of lecturers in the Performing Arts department, has a show he has directed and written being performed in London at the moment. Alongside his work at the college, Neil works with The Kangaroo Court Theatre Company who are based in Reading and their latest production of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is currently at The Tabard Theatre, Chiswick. The show is a musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s famous novella and has received rave reviews. “It is very important for our students to feel that their lecturers still have a working knowledge of the industry and are involved themselves, so it’s great that Neil has directed this show and students will get a chance to see it and talk to him about it in depth”, Nic Saunders, Programme leader for the area. (September 2008)
SPANISH TOUR A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
The final college production of last year – “The Shoemaker’s Incredible Wife” – toured to Spain in the Summer. Marking the third time the college has been fortunate to appear as part of the Festival of Theatre and Music in Tossa de Mar, “The Shoemaker’s Incredible Wife” was the culmination of two years work for the BND students and was performed at Norden Farm in Maidenhead before touring to Spain. The production was performed in the beautiful old town of Tossa to audiences of no less than 50. The production also performed a third night on the Beach stage in nearby Lloret de Mar. “Touring work is not only good for the college, but also for the students who have to learn to adapt their work to new environments and play to audiences that they wouldn’t normally be exposed to. Taking Lorca to Spain is like taking Shakespeare to Stratford, we had our work cut out and had to produce the goods, but audiences seemed to enjoy it and we had a great week in Spain.”, director Nic Saunders. (July 2008)
OPEN AUDITIONS FOR FIRST PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
The college theatre group is holding open auditions at 1.30pm on Wednesday 10th September in The Studio Theatre for this years enrichment production. The production this year is ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST and follows last years sell out production of WE WILL ROCK YOU. Most people will be familiar with the story from the successful film of the 1970’s with Jack Nicholson in the leading role, but maybe won’t be as familiar with the play version.
The college first performed the play almost 10 years ago and there have been major revivals of it since then, most notably at The Barbican with Gary Sinise in 2001 and in the West End with Christian Slater in 2006, so it’s about time it returned to Henley in a brand new version. Director Nic Saunders, “It will be exciting to revisit a play we did well before and see it come to life with a new cast and some new ideas.” All college students are welcome to audition, be it for on stage or behind the scenes roles.
(September 2008)
RARE LORCA PLAY TO END GREAT YEAR
After two incredibly well received productions so far this year – “We Will Rock You” and “Talk Radio” – tickets are now on sale for the last production of the year.
“The Shoemaker’s Incredible Wife” was written in 1926 and is Lorca’s fourth play. Rarely performed, the play combines Lorca’s love of puppetry and fairytale to create a romantic comedy. The play tells the story of an elderly shoemaker and his wife and their tumultuous relationship.
The play runs from 12 – 15 June at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead. Tickets available from the Box Office on 01628 788997 and online at www.nordenfarm.org.
Says director Nic Saunders, “It’s a short and sweet little play with some nice comic twists and turns. You can see the seeds of some of Lorca’s more famous plays being sown and I’d definitely recommend it. It’s been fun to rehearse and the cast and I are very excited about performing it in Maidenhead before we take it on tour to Spain in the Summer.”
The play will be on tour to Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar in July. (June 2008)
The college was visited by casting director Sally King this week.
Sally came to the college to see if any vocational performing arts students would be suitable for supporting artist roles in the new Harry Potter film. The film is currently in production at Pinewood Studios and sees Daniel Radcliffe reprise his role as Harry once more, but maybe this time some of his school chums at Hogwarts will be recognisable faces from Henley.
Sally took headshots of the students and they filled in measurement sheets. She left optimistic that most of the students would be able to work on the film for a couple of days. The college is keen to encourage links with the profession and those that work within it. Says BND course co-ordinator Nic Saunders, “It will be really exciting if the students get a chance to be in the film and will give them an invaluable insight into the profession they all want to enter and we’re very pleased that Sally came to Henley in her hunt for Hogwarts students.” (May 2008)
This week sees the opening of the London transfer of the Broadway hit “JERSEY BOYS”.
“Jersey Boys” tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and opens at The Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End on the 28th February. A massive hit on Broadway, the show is expected to do great business in the UK and is being heavily promoted on television and in the print media.
The exciting news for the college is the casting of SCOTT MONELLO (pictured right) in the role of Frankie Valli. Scott shares the role with established musical theatre figure Ryan Molloy, but this is a huge break for Scott. Scott studied the BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at the college from 1999 – 2001. Scott then studied at Arts Educational in London. Nic Saunders, Director of Drama, spoke to Scott at the open dress rehearsal for the play and passed on the best wishes of all at the college. Scott speaks very fondly of his time at Henley and the part it played in his training and hopes to come to the college to do a workshop with the Performing Arts students in the near future.
More on “Jersey Boys” at the official website www.jerseyboyslondon.com
(February 2008)
As the cast of TALK RADIO continue rehearsals for the production in March, their spirits were raised by a show of support from the author of the piece Eric Bogosian.
Bogosian sent the cast a personally dedicated photograph wishing them luck.
The New York Times said of Bogosian, “What Lenny Bruce was to the 1950’s, Bob Dylan was to the 1960’s, Woody Allen was to the 1970’s – Bogosian was to the 1980’s”.
Director Nic Saunders comments, “A signed photo is only a small thing, but it’s nice to think Mr Bogosian took a few moments to personalise it and send it. In a small way, it kind of feels like we have his blessing on our production.”
The play opens on 20 March and tickets are available from www.nordenfarm.org now.
(February 2008)
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR FIRST DRAMA PRODUCTION OF 2008: “TALK RADIO”
After the success of "We Will Rock You", the department anticipates great interest in its next production. “Talk Radio” is Eric Bogosian’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize nominated play. Set against the backdrop of the popular talk radio format of America, the play takes place in the studio of DJ Barry Champlain on the eve of his show, “Night Talk”, going into national syndication.
The play explores the dark underbelly of the American Dream with blistering prose, trenchant social criticism and a disturbingly comic take on his fellow citizens.
Of the play, The New York Times said “What Lenny Bruce was to the 1950’s, Bob Dylan to the 1960’s, Woody Allen to the 1970’s – Bogosian was to the 1980’s. There’s no one else like him in popular culture right now.” “Talk Radio” is now quite rightly regarded as one of the landmark American plays of the last part of the Twentieth Century and Bogosian a playwright whose work is on a par with that of David Mamet or Arthur Miller.
The play has recently been revived to enormous success on Broadway and this is the first British production since that production closed. The play is also familiar to audience since it was adapted into a very popular film by director Oliver Stone in 1988.
The play runs from 20 – 23 March at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead. Tickets are available right now from http://www.nordenfarm.org
Please note that the play contains adult material and is not suitable for those under 14.
(February 2008)
