Announcements

It is with a mixture of sadness and jubilation that Halden Theatre has to announce Alistair Catterall will be leaving the company; During the time he has been with us he has seen and in fact helped us grow into what he would say "Nottingham's most innovative DIY Theatre company". He will be moving on to bigger and better things which involve concentrating on his writing and film work. I am sure I represent everyone at Halden Theatre when I say Farewell and Good Luck Alistair.

So this of course means that I must introduce our new Producer. Our new producer, one Barry Paul Horrell; some of you maybe aware that Mr Horrell is Halden Theatre's MD (Musical Director). Barry will be holding this position on a temporary basis until we have managed to recruit a new volunteer producer, I think a round of applause is required for Barry as I am 100% confident that he will bring new styles of work to future productions that he will work on. This in mind, If anyone out there reading this is perhaps a budding producer or would like to be a producer please please contact Halden Theatre so we can discuss matters further.

Well we are into the final stretch, 4 weeks to go, the cast are forming an amazing piece of dramatic action. The costumes are having there final pins taken out and the tickets are selling like hot buns at a church fête. All we need now is for the opening night! Of course there is still a lot more work to be done, Lights have to be arranged and more importantly the lighting board! So with no further adieu I had better get back to work . . . Now where is my 12V tester!

We're heading for venus . . .

As Daniel and I wait around the venue, I stare out of the window at the slow passing traffic as he straightens his jacket and struts to and fro. Clear as the black tape tarred across the floor, this show is going ahead. The venues are booked; the posters in print and more worryingly, the cast appear to be forming a play that exudes strength and vitality. As the responsibility dawns, I feel we could fall ourselves free from excuse and bear the burden solely upon our shoulders, but who knows.

Anyway, as promised, allow me to introduce a fantastic artistic and close friend of mine, Hannah Heartshape, who will be taking the role of Estelle, the unsafe socialite with a occupational tendency to introduce those too young to swim to water. Hannah is a wonderful singer songwriter with a voice to rival the best between the blues, soul and disco. With her solo work and her involvement with Sub Rosa (also affiliated with the aforementioned Richard Bolton), she is quickly becoming one to watch on the Nottingham live scene.

Hannah and I met while at a gallery/party opening and proceeded to get thoroughly under water with the free wine, leading to an impromptu session/busking moment out on the street. And as we played with fire (which made us a whole two pounds!), her voice rattled out among cigarettes and smiles, while I played to hard and decided to layer the inside of her guitar with a coat of blood. I’m still fairly honoured that she hasn’t cleaned that away, so that one day I may be able to saunter into a hard Rock and say “there’s a little bit of me” long since after she moves on to the places that she deserves. Put short, she is poetry, of the rarest kind.

Now with the venues in place, and already in work with a fantastic duo for Decadence, it seems that promotion is the thing to do. But all this time with these people, I’m craving my little room and a lot of wine, theatre is a business for wolves, and tonight with this upon us, I feel like a kitten.

Huis Clos:

Lee Rosy’s Tea: 17th July 7 pm

Lee Rosy’s Tea: 19th July 1 pm

Jamcafe: 21st July 7 pm

Jamcafe: 22nd July 7 pm

Fade and the hard to find café: 29th July 7 pm

Lee Rosy’s Tea: 31st 7 pm

To book tickets or for more information, please contact us on: haldentheatre@gmail.com 02071937385

All tickets cost only £2! Please come down and show your support to people trying to do something new, in a town already full with a fantastic night scene, thanks!

Just when you thought it would not get any worse . . .

Hope is a dangerous bedfellow, finished too quickly and asleep too soon. I sit stupid and nervous to lie in his sweaty, overfed arms. However, this time I feel I have no choice but to submit. As the last entry will probably present, despair had sunk in with our sorry state of affairs. We had lost a key member, our rehearsal space was in jeopardy and time spent with our cast was falling by the wayside. Already within a week, things have changed. We now have a male lead far superior to the original, the space has been cleared and painted by our gallant crew, and actors for decadence have already began to rise from the dark recesses of this fair city. Today our performance venues were selected and as Daniel noted “shit, I thought we’d have more trouble”. Yet these things come in threes, so there is still a good healthy fear towards to the future, but who knows.
Daniel and I had our first radio show this week. Hopefully, soon I will work out how to post a link. Amongst much mumbling and a little sullen drunkenness our natural distaste for all popular culture prevailed as we appeared secular and suspicious to the few people listening. I fear Daniel is wasted on radio, arriving in full cravat, shined shoes and tailcoat (suffering in the glorious summer heat). My thanks goes out to Lian for setting the slot up. And as we fell through the tragic miscommunication and obscure references of interview, I believe that at least one of us will have appeared likable. The question is, between the two of us, the mike and the four walls, which presented a greater humanity and stage presence, is debatable.
As for now, we draw in with furious laughter and a little well warmed optimism. I have even stopped my drinking for this. When a performance takes precedence over physical health well, we may just have something. Yet there is nothing to give us a steady heart yet, but what has occurred is a regrouping of the blind united front. We appear to be in control again, apt as we are, at the illusion. Soon, when it is all completed I will be able to post a list of venues and dates and with the next entry I will give a little information on another member of the cast, the wonderful Hanna Holiday. Until then, it leaves me only to say, that as Daniel and I hack away at the fireplace front with drunken saws and rotten wood (red nails etc) we have nothing of this day to fear, except for Daniel’s script typos. I leave you with our current favourite (which sadly will not be repeated within the performance). We will “revenger” ourselves soon.