DST FIRST NIGHT
Summer Round-Up 2018
7 DST shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, 3 summer tours of DST productions, tips for freshers and more! Read more inside
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Editor’s Note
{ ISSUE 5 } SEPTEMEBR 2018
Jennifer Baker, First Night Editor Jack Firoozan in Yen, produced by Fourth Wall Photograph by Mari-Liis Douglas
Welcome (and welcome back) to the First Night newsletter! This is my first editor’s note, and I’m very excited to get the year off to a good start! This summer has been one of DST’s busiest yet. At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018, we’re proud to have supported seven shows. Some of our fantastic productions have told us all about it on pages 4 and 5. Over on pages 6 and 7, three more shows explain what it’s like to go on national and international tours with musicals, dramatic plays and an outdoors Shakespeare! The new academic year is about to start, and over on page 9 I’ve compiled some advice for first years wanting to get stuck into some theatre. We also are thrilled to share some words of wisdom from Durham alum Charlotte Peters, now working as a freelance director! Thank you for being part of the Durham Student Theatre community. Thanks especially to all our fantastic contributors this issue! If you’re looking forward to the shows to come, we’ve included a ‘what’s on’ guide on our back page. Get reading and get excited! Happy reading! Jenny
03 MEET THE EXEC/WRITERS Meet our incoming DST president and First Night writers 04/05 A FRINGE-TASTIC TIME Durham does the Edinbrugh Fringe Festival 2018 06/07 DST SUMMER TOURS DST productions go on national and international tours 08 CATCHING UP WITH... A chat with Durham alumn Charlotte Peters 09 TOP TIPS FOR FRESHERS Read our top 10 bits of advice for first years getting involved with DST 10 WHAT’S ON THIS TERM Get excited for our shows happening this Michaelmas term Editorial Team Jennifer Baker Sophie Wright Contributors Kate Barton, Hetty Hodgson, Helena Snider, Andrew Cowburn, Henry Gould, Hamza Rafique, Emilie Harlow, Emily McLean, Rosie Burgering, Jennifer Baker, Sophie Boddington, Francesca Davies-Caceres, Kimran Rana Cover Page Photographs: Luke Maskell and Tristan Robinson in the Revue’s ‘North of the Wall’, photograph by Samuel Kirkamn;Layla Chowdbury and Anusha Persson in Lion Theatre Company’s ‘Marsistan’, photograph by Hamza Rafique; Isla Brendon in Wrong Tree’s ‘Inferno’, photograph by Mark Norton.
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With thanks to... Experience Durham Kate Barton Photograph: Taken by Ed Rees
Meet the Exec Kimran Rana, a third-year English student, talks about being the incoming DST President. What made you want to run for DST President? Kimran Rana (KR): I really enjoyed my time as part of a Theatre Company exec last year, I loved being able to have a say in its direction for the future and felt that I would do a great job doing this for DST as a whole! I feel particularly passionate about ensuring we create a diverse and inclusive environment within theatre as well as carrying on the great work of previous presidents. How did you first get involved with DST? KR: My first show was ‘The Flint Street Nativity’ for Green Door Theatre Company. It was the first time I had directed a show at Uni and it had a cast of 13. I didn’t really know how DST
plan so that members of DST feel supported throughout their time here.
Not only did we get great reviews, I made some amazing friends!
What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you? KR: It goes without saying that the loss of The Assembly Rooms will make sourcing venues a lot harder. However, I think that this brings about an opportunity to use venues that we haven’t before. So whilst it is a challenge, it’s also very exciting!
worked or how to go about running a rehearsal but I had so much support from the Theatre Company exec so I never really felt out of my depth. Not only did we get great reviews, I made some amazing friends!
Do you have any advice for first-years who want to get involved in DST? KR: Get involved and try new things! There are so many opportunities within DST and it would be an absolute shame if you didn’t try a bit of everything. One of the most enjoyable shows I ever did was the first time I acted on stage in 3 years!
What are your plans for the coming year? KR: Overall, I would love to make DST a step closer to representing Durham’s student population by working with other student organisations to encourage diversity and inclusivity. I’m also keen to put in place an active wellbeing
Name: Sophie Boddington College: St. Mary’s Year: 2nd year of Ancient History Describe yourself in three words: Watching Vine compilations. Favourite show last term: Jerusalem by Letterbox Productions. It presented the best of Durham Student Theatre, with a stunninglycrafted set, slick tech, and astounding performances from its lead cast members. I was left amused, shocked, and towards the end, I had a lump in my throat. In a word: unmissable Why should students review for First Night: It’s a great opportunity to get involved with a wider group in DST, learn about an essential part of theatre, and pick up some invaluable writing skills. Plus, who doesn’t want free play tickets?
Photographs (Clockwise): Ed Rees, Francesca DaviesCaceres, Sophie Boddington
Meet the Writers Meet some of the First Night’s contributors
Name: Francesca Davies-Cáceres Degree: Anthropology and Sociology Year: 2nd year Describe yourself in three words: Over the top. Favourite show last term: Eve at Durham Drama Festival 2018! Why should students review for First Night: Being at Durham we’re lucky to have access to such a big variety and outstanding quality of Drama, by reviewing you get to experience productions in a way you’ve never done before. The excellency of drama at Durham make reviewing a great way of gaining experience if it’s something you’re keen on pursuing after university, in addition to it being creatively fun!
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A Fringe-tastic Time Durham Student Theatre took 7 shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018! Here’s what some had to say about their time at Fringe. Alice and I co-directed ‘Crave’ by Sarah Kane this Edinburgh Fringe. The play is tricky to describe. Generally, though, it concerns love, loss, trauma, abusive relationships, paedophilia and mental illness. That being said, the play is about a lot more than just the sum of those themes. The four interlinking monologues reverberate and echo off each other, producing a highly rhythmical and emotional effect for the audience member. My favourite element of the play’s run in Edinburgh was watching the audience reaction to both the exceptionally talented actors and Sarah Kane’s words. All of the reviews highlighted Owen Sparkes’ outstanding monologue. It is this monologue which caused Alice and I to choose the play in the first place, so having people react to it so strongly proved satisfying and strangely cathartic. Overall, the Fringe was a great experience and a steep learning curve for everyone involved. Hopefully we’ll be back there next year!
-Helena Snider
KEITH. is Durham’s newest sketch troupe, created to expand the comedic opportunities available to Durham students. Their inaugural Edinburgh Fringe Festival show, KEITH. presents KEVIN., ran for two weeks as a free show, and we were thrilled to receive great critical and audience acclaim, including two four-star reviews from EdFringe Review, who praised the “silly, surreal and undeniably sharp” sketches, and called the performers “brilliantly ridiculous”. Mungo, Alex and George worked tirelessly to put the show together, and I am so glad that they received the full recognition they deserved. Aside from our show, for us the best part of the festival was the easily accessible comedy - spending time with funny people and appreciating their material is so important in bettering your own. You should always remember, though, that the Fringe works on word of mouth. A shared favourite show of ours, Electrolyte, was billed as a spoken-word/music piece. Without personal recommendations, we wouldn’t have gone, and would’ve missed one of the best shows of the Fringe. Trust the opinion of your friends! -Andrew Cowburn
Having people react so strongly proved satisfying and strangely cathartic. Marsistan is a short play I wrote last year for the Durham Drama Festival. It focusses on the relationship between two British-Pakistani sisters, Nasreen (Anusha Persson) and Aysha Malik (Layla Chowdhury). Their differences alone make their relationship tense, and this isn’t helped when Aysha is selected for a one-way mission to Mars. I’m extremely happy with how successful our run has been at the Fringe. Though our audiences have been on the small side, the play really seems to have sparked conversation between those who have come to see it. Critics have also been very complimentary of the script and performances which has been highly encouraging given that Marsistan is my first play. I’ve loved working with my assistant-director and producer, Anna Haines, who has been an invaluable member of our team. Layla and Anusha have been fabulous to work with and their performances have been authentic and heartfelt – so much so that some audience members have thought they were real sisters! I’m very excited to see where we can take Marsistan next! -Hamza Adam Rafique 4
Photograph: Taken by Katie O’Toole, Hamza Rafique, Andrew Cowburn
Inferno was a devised physical theatre piece based on Dante’s divine comedy focusing on the Inferno. Inferno calls into question classical ideas of morality and how they clash with out own moral values. Arriving in Edinburgh, the cast and crew got straight onto flyering on the mile in full costume. This was always an interesting time of day as we got a chance to meet other show runners, flyerers and also had a lot of pictures taken by passers by. One of the best things about the Fringe is the sheer amount of theatre that is available and everyone enjoyed seeing shows together and just taking in the atmosphere of the fringe. The top pieces of advice to consider when going to the Fringe would be to use Twitter and Instagram as much as you can, find a simple and engaging angle for your publicity that is consistent amongst all the cast and crew flyering, and in particular make use of the whole group you are with to flyer and cover as much ground as possible in Edinburgh. All in all Fringe is the most amazing experience and I would recommend anyone go even just to visit. -Henry Gould
Taking a show to the Edinburgh Fringe is always hugely daunting, not least because we have never taken one before. However, we are very excited that ‘Yen’ went down successfully, although we haven’t quite recovered on our sleep yet! Now Yen really isn’t the easiest sell. However, when asked to explain what Yen was about, we had to give our much told spiel that ‘Yen is a story of nature and nurture, about two boys, 13 and 16 living in a flat, neglected…’ you see where we go. We were hugely lucky in that word of mouth picked up in a big way and for our last couple of weeks we were almost full. We were very excited to get the nicest audience responses over Twitter, and online and were often approached in the street by people who enjoyed the show. But being at Fringe definitely is not all about the show, because of the nature of ‘Yen’ and because of doing a full run, we had to focus on putting all our efforts into promotion. More than anything, we had an amazing time together, watched some amazing shows and had some of the funniest times. Fringe takes it all out of you, but if you don’t let yourself enjoy it, there is no point - Edinburgh is truly the best place in the entire world to be in August. -Hetty Hogdson
Photograph: Taken by Mari-Liis Douglas, Rosie Dart, Mark Norton
Fringe is the most amazing experience This summer DULOG were transported to ‘Frottage 3’- the setting of the cult, glam-rock musical Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens. We had several performances on the Royal Mile over our run which, along with flyering in costume, was really great for publicity- even resulting in the Space Vixens (Millie Blair, Fizzy Raby and Sas Walsh) being interviewed for Scottish TV! The cast delivered performances with ‘buckets of enthusiasm’ (Broadway Baby), and we managed to get audience members to come on stage and dance at the end of the every show! Along with some great audience reviews, we were fortunate enough to be awarded 5 stars from the Derek Awards along with Elliot Mather, as Saucy Jack, being nominated for Best Individual Performance and Millie Blair, as Jubilee Climax, being nominated for Best Voice. We had a great sense of team-spirit in our cast and prod team and so, despite the lack of sleep, managed to get each other through our 19 performances and, overall, had a completely unforgettable time in Edinburgh! -Emilie Harlow
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DST Summer Tours
This summer, there are 3 DST shows going on tour - all doing exciting things! Emily McLean gets us updated on the progress of Castle Theatre Company’s UK and US tour of ‘Twelth Night’. The cast of Castle Theatre Company’s summer tour are currently taking a well-earned break from travelling, bringing Twelfth Night to venues all over the south of England, and resting up before taking it across the pond to the Big Apple. Every venue we visited this July welcomed us with open arms, providing hospitality and warm praise for CTC. Twelfth Night is a truly joyous play, brought to life by our fabulous cast and crew this year. Director Lucy Knight especially drew out the themes of gender and sexuality, challenging the audience with questions about how aware the characters are of the confusion and trickery that abounds. Does Olivia suspect that “Cesario” is not all that he/she seems? Do our feelings towards Malvolio change when it is Malvolia instead? These questions and more provide a fresh take on the 400-year-old play, contrasting nicely with the traditional costume choices. We opted for a classic, travelling theatre company vibe; while we may be pushing boundaries with our content, at the heart of it we are just actors, presenting a story that has been loved for centuries. Music was also included this year, devised by our amazingly talented musical director, Georgie Proctor. This addition brought scenes to life, achieving a wandering minstrel vibe in-keeping with our classic aesthetic. Unsurprisingly, the “food of love” was a big hit with our audiences.
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It promises to be an absolute whirlwind, and we cannot wait to explore
If you saw us in Durham, you may be wondering if anything changed once we hit the road. While no major alterations were made, once on tour we were able to settle into the material, becoming increasingly comfortable with it as we performed every day (sometimes twice!). We were able to experiment on the road with our own gags and interpretations, not to mention adapting to any unforeseen difficulties. One example that comes to mind is from Elstow Abbey, where, during a sword fight, Toby Belch (Danny Booth) drew his wooden sword only for it to comically droop, having snapped in an earlier scene. Though obviously being constant professionals, the whole cast and audience allowed themselves a giggle before continuing with the scene. Up next is the US leg of the tour. Starting with New York City, we kick off with busking in Central Park, before travelling upstate to Wethersfield Gardens, and over to Long Island and Staten Island before heading down to North Carolina. Here, we’ll be entertained by our friends at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, playing venues around the state for the rest of our time. It promises to be an absolute whirlwind, and we cannot wait to explore. The summer tour is always enjoyable, enhanced this year by stunning weather to accompany our stunning venues. From exploring the historic Beaulieu Abbey to sunning ourselves on the beach, the whole cast were able to appreciate the beauty on our doorsteps. No doubt New York City will provide quite the contrast to the country lanes to which we’ve grown accustomed…
Photograph: Ed Rees
President of Durham Opera Ensemble Rosie Burgering is getting ready for ‘HMS Pinafore’. We are incredibly excited to be opening out London shows of HMS Pinafore next week. DOE has never performed outside of Durham before so we are getting ready for what will be an incredible achievement for the society. The show itself will maintain similar blocking and dancing however we are adjusting the entire performance to a new stage layout! We have lost the proscenium arch of the Assembly Rooms in Durham and are bringing the show closer to the audience in a deep thrust layout. This means that the cast will need to adjust so some audience members potentially being behind their line of sight - a challenge for the short rerehearsal period. We are also welcoming some fantastic new cast members in both solo and choral roles. They will have the enormous challenge of learning the entire sow in just two and a half days! We are certain with the support of our incredible production team and the friendships amongst the cast, we can really have this show looking ship-shape (Sorry!).
This is a hugely exciting opportunity, not just for us
Director of ‘Boys’ Hetty Hodgson travels south for the tour. Ever since I have arrived at Durham I have wondered why CTC have done their Shakespeare Tour, an amazing opportunity to stage theatre on a wider platform, a much larger logistical challenge but an overwhelmingly exciting opportunity, but there is no other platform for touring Theatre. On becoming president of Fourth Wall this year, this was one of my aims. Having directed ‘Boys’ by Ella Hickson with Alice in December last year, we decided that it seemed sad that three shows would be it’s end and not allow us to develop it any further, so we decided to take it on tour. This was initially meant to happen in June, but logistically it make more sense for it to take place in September, hence the gap, but we are very excited to get our teeth back into it, with Tristan stepping in as Timp giving us a fresh new take on the show. Logistically, this has been a huge feat in organizing venues, sorting budgeting, transport, accommodation, rehearsals, rights, the list goes on… However, I am very excited to see how it all turns out, and if all goes to plan, this is a hugely exciting opportunity, not just for us, but something that I hope will be taken on by other theatre companies within DST well into the future. If anyone is around the following venues, we would absolutely love any support that we can get:
Photographs: Mari-Liis Douglas, Ed Rees
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Catching up...
with Charlotte Peters Head of Student Theatre Kate Barton chats to Durham alumn Charlotte Peters. Charlotte is currently Resident Director on the national tour of War Horse and Tour Associate Director on the US/UK tour of Stephen Daldry’s An Inspector Calls. She recently directed the national tour of Birdsong, which came to the Gala in June. Charlotte is Artistic Director of Brickdust and has directed a range of new writing throughout London’s off-West End theatres. Kate Barton (KB): When where you at Durham and what did you study? Charlotte Peters (CP): I was at Durham reading Music (with a couple of modules of English thrown in) in 2006-2009. KB: What was your DST highlight? CP: There were so many highlights! Heading out to the US having organised the first tour of the Ivy Leagues was pretty special - playing A Midsummer Night”s Dream to an outdoor crowd of 350 at Brown was magical. And I’ve never had so much fun directing than when we worked on Guys and Dolls for DULOG at the Gala. KB: What has graduating?
been
your
highlight
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CP: Work wise, my first West End Press Night as Resident Director was a big ‘un, but to be honest, if I’m directing a show wherever and people I don’t know have booked tickets, I still get a serious buzz. KB: What would you say to someone who is interesting in following a career in directing after Durham? CP: Do it! It’s hard - you have to really graft and be prepared to learn and work in all aspects of the industry, both to make a living and gain experience. But if you have a creative mind and you can make your own opportunities and be consistently passionate and full of energy then absolutely do it! KB: What’s the one thing you don’t regret learning? CP: That life is always more important than work.
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KB: What’s motivating you now to keep working in the industry? CP: My achievements so far and a drive to keep moving forward; and the inspiring and empowering women that I’ve met at all levels of the industry.
Life is always more important than work
Interested in finding out more about our DST alumni? Head over to durhamstudenttheatre.org to our ‘Alumni’ pages! Photograph : Taken by Simon Naylor
Top Tips for Freshers
First time at Durham University? Want to get involved in DST? Our editor Jennifer Baker gives 10 tips for first years.
With over 27 individual theatre companies and over 100 shows being produced each year, Durham University has one of the most vibrant student theatre scenes in the country. Here are some of our top ideas to help you get started in Durham Student Theatre, whether you’ve only just arrived or are just looking to start a new hobby. 1. THROW YOURSELF IN AT THE BEGINNING The Experience Durham fair (insert dates and times here) is the perfect place to start investigating how you can get involved in DST. You’ll be able to meet all of the theatre companies that make up our organisation, as well as members of our committee, and find out all about the exciting opportunities on offer. 2. READ THE WEEKLY EMAIL Once you sign up for a DST membership you will receive an email each week detailing what’s going on that week in DST, as well as external theatrical opportunities. It’s also a great way to find out about upcoming auditions and production team applications. To sign up to the weekly email, contact Becky Brookes at student.theatre@durham.ac.uk 3. SEE AS MUCH THEATRE AS YOU CAN DST puts on over 100 productions every year, meaning that there will be at least one new show each week for you to get stuck into. Productions range from Shakespeare to new student writing and from sketch comedy to opera and musical theatre, so there really is something to suit everybody. If you’re particularly interested in writing, a great way to see more shows is to become a reviewer for First Night, DST’s reviewing platform, where you’ll generally receive a complementary ticket for your work. For more information, email Jennifer Baker at dst.firstnight@durham.ac.uk. 4. APPLY FOR A VARIETY OF THINGS, INCLUDING THOSE YOU HAVEN’T TRIED BEFORE Every week, new opportunities are advertised through DST, ranging from technical jobs to auditions to creative design and working on a production team. Even if you would consider yourself an actor, you could discover a new passion by assistant directing a show or learning how to use a lighting desk. The assistant scheme is an amazing way to learn about working on a production team by shadowing and helping somebody more experienced. Many members of DST have never been involved in theatre before arriving in Durham - all you need is a willingness to join in and try something new.
5. DON’T BE PUT OFF BY REJECTION Rejection is a part of life when you are involved in theatre, but don’t let it stop you from trying again. It can be hard to see someone else directing the show you love so much or playing the role you didn’t get called back for, but you’ll soon get stuck into something else that you will love just as much. Many theatre companies will offer you the chance to request feedback on your interview/audition so that you can improve for next time. Never give up! 6. DON’T OVERLOAD YOURSELF There are so many ways to get involved in DST and it can be very easy to sign up for too much. Look after yourself and make sure that you are still leaving enough time for your academic work and for some time off. Try not to end up working on multiple shows at the same time or you will be exhausted! 7. SIGN UP FOR THE DST PARENTING SCHEME In freshers’ week you will have the chance to sign up for DST ‘parents’. You’ll be matched up with older students with similar interests who you will be able to contact with any questions/ concerns you may have about DST. Everybody gets the chance to meet up at the Parent Social at the start of the year, making it a fantastic way to meet likeminded people when you first arrive in Durham. Find out more at the Experience Durham fair, or by emailing Jack Palmer at john.r.palmer@durham. ac.uk. 8. KNOW WHERE TO ASK FOR HELP DST is such a large student organisation that it can feel overwhelming at times. That said, there are always people you can ask for help. If you are involved in a show, your first port of call should be the show’s production team or the theatre company’s executive committee. For any other problems, or issues involving the above people, the DST committee be of both practical and pastoral help, and all their contact details are available on the DST website (insert website here). Remember though, if it is a serious problem the university’s pastoral care system, including Nightline and trained counsellors, is filled with qualified people who can provide much more specialist help. If you are looking for advice about getting involved in DST, why not think about signing up for the parenting scheme (see above)? If you have any issues within DST, please talk to somebody about them - we are here to help! 9. BE KIND AND RESPECTFUL - VALUE EVERYBODY’S WORK While directors and actors spend a lot of time together in the rehearsal room, it’s easy to forget the immense amount of work that people like technicians, producers and musicians put in behind the scenes. Remember that every single person contributes a huge amount to each show, without which it wouldn’t happen - so be respectful 10. HAVE FUN! At the end of the day, we all get involved with theatre at university because we love it. So go wild, learn something new, make lots of friends - it could be one of the highlights of your time at Durham.
Photograph: Rosie Dart, Samuel Kirkman
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What's On This Term
All ticket listings are at durhamstudenttheatre.org. KEITH. Presents Kevin 18-21 Oct With sketches ranging from absurd, to edgy, to sick-minded, get ready for an hour of insanity and depravity! Foot of the Hill: One Night Only 2 Nov A Cabaret night showcasing a number of talented performers from St Mary’s College.
Aaron 19-20 Oct The life of an 18 year old boy with Prader-Willi syndrome to show that nothing is ever as simple as it seems.
The Durham Revue: Zeitgeist 26 Oct The Durham Revue return to home soil from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for one night only.
Spring Awakening 14-17 Nov A group of teenagers in late nineteenth century Germany grapple with issues of sexuality, andmental stability.
Dracula 15-17 Nov An adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a chilling gothic tale of the battle for power.
A Traveller's Tale 16-17 Nov Durham Opera Ensemble’s first term show presents an opportunity to travel the world through the magic of opera.
Family Circles 16-17 Nov When the three daughters of Edward Gray come to stay , hilarity follows as tensions rise amidst a murder mystery plot.
Life Outside The Diamond 16-18 Nov Following the story of a woman whose partner is indicted and she is summoned to testify against him.
Us/Them 16-18 Nov Scripted drama is blended with devised movement to explore children’s unique reaction to shock and trauma.
Buttered Toast: Stand Up 20 Nov Anyone with a set takes the stage to try and be funny in front of Durham’s brightest and best.
Love and Information 22-24 Nov In this fast moving kaleidoscope, more than a hundred characters try to make sense of what they know.
Aristophanes' Lysistrata 23-24 Nov A battle of words, wills, and buckets of water that will change the future of two cities. Woodplayers' Winter Show 30 Nov - 2 Dec Collingwood's annual winter show is yet to be pitched but promises to be exciting!
Breathing Corpses 24-25 Nov This pulsating drama traces the story backwards after the discovery of a corpse in a hotel room. Killology 4-6 Dec A play about violence, fatherhood, and what happens when popular entertainment is pushed to the extreme.
Every Brilliant Thing Buttered Toast: CRUMBS! 6-8 Dec 7 Dec A play about celebrating all that life This term’s showcase will be an has to offer and the lengths we go to for eclectic mix of pieces created and those we love. performed by a wide range of artists. La Casbah 8-9 Dec Inspired by events of the Algerian War, La Casbah explores the struggle between coloniser and colonised.
DIM Present A Double Bill! 13-14 Dec Join Durham Improvised Musical and Danny Booth for two consecutive evenings of comedy hijinks!
Marat/Sade 29 Nov - 1 Dec Weiss’s bleakly comic masterpiece of the Marquis de Sade’s reenactment of the death of Marat. I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change 6-8 Dec This upbeat and endearing song cycle explores all forms of love and modern relationships they know. Beginning 6-8 Dec A touching story about modern-day interactions between two people, thrown together against the odds.
If you would like to contribute towards the next First Night newsletter get in touch via theatre.coordinator@durham.ac.uk
