Directed by Chris Hill
WHEN DID YOU STOP DANCING? PRODUCTION PARTNERS
SOMETHING QUITE WONDERFUL - GREAT STUFF, VERY MOVING! WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY RACHEL MCBRIDE DIRECTION, DRAMATURGY AND ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY CHRIS HILL CREATIVE MENTORING BY RACHEL MARS DESIGN BY IRENE JADE MOVEMENT BY DEB PUGH OBJECT MANIPULATION BY SAM EDWARDS ASSOCIATE DIRECTION BY ALYX TOLE LIGHTING DESIGN AND STAGE MANAGEMENT BY REBECCA SLACK
GENERALLY AVAILABLE RUNNING TIME 60 MINUTES, NO INTERVAL SUITABLE FOR 14+ THREE ON THE ROAD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOANNE HIGSON
WHEN DID YOU STOP DANCING? Was first performed on the 5th October at Unity Theatre, Liverpool prior to its inagural tour. Audience feedback and production photographs are from that tour.
WHEN DID YOU STOP DANCING? RACH TELLS THE TRUE STORY OF THE DANCING PLAGUE OF 1518 WHILST ASKING WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN WE STOP DANCING TODAY? TOLD WITH A CHARMING MOVEMENT LANGUAGE AND A TEXT FULL OF TENACITY, TENDERNESS AND TRULY TERRIBLE JOKES. ‘A bold and imaginative production’ 8.5/10 Liverpool Sound and Vision ‘When will you stop dancing? is a beautifully constructed performance exploring contemporary ideas about women’s voices and mental health – but it’s much more than that. Through a true story from 1518 the audience is taken on a journey to explore ideas which are just as relevant today leading us through outrage, sadness and laughter. This is a thoroughly engaging performance which feels like a fable for our time’ Katy Taylor. Artistic Director and CEO – Queens Hall, Hexham ‘What a charming, moving and beautifully simple but not at all simple piece of theatre’ ‘Extraordinarily moving. Funny, witty, sad and resonant. Everyone should see this’ ‘A beautiful, honest piece of work ...a bold and uplifting piece’ ‘Perfectly paced storytelling, great movement and a strong message’ ‘Inspiring and emotional’ ‘Loved the show, such storytelling’ ‘Beautiful storytelling, I loved it!’ ‘Great stuff. Loved it & the shoes, the storytelling and the story teller’ ‘Beautifully written piece that celebrates women’ ‘An incredible play’ ‘She utterly captivates the entire audience’ ‘A brilliant one-woman performance from WALBTMT.‘ ‘Loved the show. Such storytelling – plus amazing silver shoes’
TECHNICAL INFORMATION PERFORMANCE SPACE The tour is designed to play end on, but can adapt to other formats if required.
GET IN Get in will take no more than 4 hours, with the get out taking less than 1 hour. We will confirm a venue
Ideal performance space 4m x 4m, with a
arrival time with you nearer the time. We need 1
performance height of 3m.
parking space for a transit van.
SOUND
PERFORMANCE TEAM
We use 2 tracks in the show (details below). We can provide the SFX on CD, USB or other formats
There is 1 performer on stage (Rachel), 1 stage manager and 1 other company member on the road.
if requested in advance. The show is operated by our stage manager, but if LX and Sound operation
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
points are not adjacent we can provide an marked
We ask for 1 venue technician to assist throughout
up script for the venue operator.
our visit.
•
Gotta Work – Amerie – pub Columbia.
RIDER
•
Coffee – Sylvian Esso – pub Partisan.
Dressing room facilities for 2 people.
•
We require an SM58 with a stand and an XLR of
RUNNING TIME
at least 10 Metres to go through the PA System
•
for during the show.
The show running time is 65 mins.
For non traditional performance spaces we will
AUDIENCE WARNINGS
liaise direct with you and adapt to your facilities.
Adult themes and swearing. References and themes
LIGHTING
include depression, suicide and bereavement.
WDYSD has a simple lighting design consisting
No loud noises. No nudity. No naked flame.
of warm and cold face light and top wash. Back
No smoking.
lighting (preferably 3 Source 4 pars), 2 floor lamps
WE BRING
(1k’s or Pars) and 4 specials (3 FOH and 1 USL). We 3 flight cases which form part of the set and which
tour with colour. We will either adjust your standard rig (if applicable)
include All props and costume.
or can send ahead a venue specific LX plan, together
The whole show fits in a small van. Parking space
with pre-rigging notes.
preferred where available.
For non traditional performance spaces we wil liaise
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
direct with you and adapt to your facilities and space.
Matthew Linley (producer) on: 079897 48350
‘It was amazing’; “Beautiful storytelling, I loved it!”
3
BOX OFFICE INFORMATION PERFORMANCE: When Did You Stop Dancing?
stop dancing? And why amidst a current mental
COMPANY: What A Little Bird Told Me Theatre
health climate where suicide is the biggest killer of
SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES: @WALBTMT #WDYSD, @whatalittlebirdtoldmetheatre
those under 45 and depression and anxiety are at all time high, why this is such an important question? A brave and beautiful show that gets audiences
•
Suitable for Studio theatres and non traditional performance spaces.
laughing, crying and dancing.
•
Get in 4hrs, in studio theatres pre rig preferred
ABOUT WHAT A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME THEATRE:
•
3 on the road – 1 cast plus 1 SM.
WALBTMT are a Manchester based company who
•
Production plays end on or in thrust.
are dedicated to increasing female representation.
WHAT IS IT: WDYSD is told using 5 pairs of silver shoes, a witty text and a charming movement language. Rach tells the true story of the dancing
AGE RANGE: 14+ RUNNING TIME: 1 hour approx.
plague of 1518 interwoven with autobiographical
SPECIAL EFFECTS: Use of stage lighting and
material to ask when did she, and when did you
sound systems if available.
For further information contact whatalittlebirdtoldmetheatre@gmail.com For booking contact: Matthew Linley Creative Projects T: 079897 48350 E: linleymatt@gmail.com @matthewlinley www.matthewlinley.com
‘Great stuff. Loved it & the shoes, the storytelling and the story teller.’
4
CREATIVE BIOGS
RACHEL MCBRIDE
RACHEL MARS
WRITER/PERFORMER
CREATIVE MENTOR
Is a Manchester based theatre-maker, performer
Is a performance maker and writer with a background
and writer with a background in socially engaged
in theatre, live art and comedy. She makes
theatre, devising and storytelling. The world in which
performance work as a solo artist and
we live often doesn’t make much sense to her so she
collaborates with a range of artists including Greg
explores big questions through intimate work with
Wohead [Story #1] and nat tarrab as mars.tarrab (the
connection at its core. She has created work with
2017 Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award
FUEL, Upstart, The Royal Exchange, Theatre 503,
Winners). Recent work includes Our Carnal Hearts
Andy Smith, Mighty Heart, MBD, Out Of Nowhere,
(winner Total Theatre Award for Innovation 2017),
Colour The Clouds & the BBC. Rachel is the artistic
Roller (as mars.tarrab) and The Way You Tell Them.
director of What A Little Bird Told Me Theatre.
www.rachelmars.org
CHRIS HILL
IRENE JADE
DIRECTOR AND DRAMATURG
DESIGNER
Trained on the MFA in Theatre directing at Birkbeck
Is a Set and Costume Designer based in the
and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
North West. She graduated from Nottingham Trent
He has worked as a director and assistant director
University in 2014, with a First in BA Theatre Design.
with companies including The National Theatre,
Irene has a bold design style with an emphasis on
Opera North, Theatre Royal Bath, Headlong Theatre
character. She enjoys creating playful and transfor-
Company, Bolton Octagon, Birmingham REP, and
mative worlds for the performers. Her recent design
West Yorkshire Playhouse, where he spent a year
credits include O Go My Man and The Memory of
as resident assistant director. He regularly acts
Water (ALRA North), Stan (Art with Heart), Man of
as a mentor for emerging theatre makers, from
Mode (Manchester Theatre School) and Zoetrope
supervising young companies on behalf of the
(West Yorkshire Playhouse).
National Theatre as part of the Connections project,
@irenejadedesign
to advising the creators of a large-scale intergenera-
www.irenejade.com
tional dance theatre piece in Kani City, Japan.
‘She utterly captivates the entire audience.’
5
DEBORAH PUGH
SAMANTHA EDWARDS
MOVEMENT
OBJECT MANIPULATION
Is a Theatre Maker & Movement Director, originally
Is a performer, puppeteer and puppet maker.
trained at École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques
She has had the joy of creating and bringing to
Lecoq. She is a core member of Theatre Ad
life puppets for Mighty Heart Theatre, Badapple
Infinitum, developing & performing original work
Theatre, the Royal Exchange and a long list of
with them since 2007. Recent credits include:
community companies. She has a passion for
An Adventure (Bush Theatre), One Flew Over
bringing recycled materials to life and making
the Cuckoo’s Nest (Sheffield Crucible), A Short
puppets out of everyday objects.
History of Tractors in Ukrainian (Hull Truck Theatre), Translunar Paradise(Barbican & International tour), The Twits (Curve, Leicester), Bucket List (Bristol Old Vic), Light (Barbican and London International Mime Festival), and Ballad of the Burning Star (international tour).
ALYX TOLE
REBECCA SLACK
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
LIGHTING DESIGN/STAGE MANAGEMENT
Credits include: The Extraordinary Tale of Holly
Is pleased to be part of the production team for
Christmas and Aleena’s Garden for Colour
When Did You Stop Dancing as Lighting Designer.
the Clouds Theatre Company, Lowry Theatre
She was also stage manager for the inagural tour.
and National Tour; Boomtown Gals by Joyce
Rebecca is a multi-skilled technician and currently
Branagh Oldham Coliseum and Tour; Orphans
works full-time at the Lowry Theatre, Salford. Her
by Lyle Kessler for Play With Fire at Hope Mill
true passion lies in Stage Management and often
Theatre; Maggie And The Song Of The Sea at The
takes various small scale tours alongside this current
Roundabout at The Lowry; and The Tongue Twister,
position and plans to continue doing so. Rebecca is
(nominated for a Manchester Theatre Award and
working in an area that she is passionate about and
winner of the Equity Vicky Allen Memorial Award)
is excited for any future opportunities that come her
at Re:Play and 24:7 Festival. Alyx is Resident
way in this diverse and wonderful industry.
Director at Colour The Clouds Theatre Company, an Associate Artist Company at The Lowry.
‘A brilliant one-woman performance from WALBTMT. Loved the show. Such storytelling – plus amazing silver shoes’
6
For further information contact: whatalittlebirdtoldmetheatre@gmail.com For booking contact Matthew Linley at Matthew Linley Creative Projects: t: 07989 748350 e: linleymatt@gmail.com @matthewlinley www.matthewlinley.com