Issue #03 - Friday 5th August - FREE
BEING JOHN
‘FLYERER’ MALKOVICH
A-Lister joins the flyering throngs at Courtyard
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THE GRADUATES
ROSE BRUFORD’s CLASS of 2009:
AWARD WINNING OVID’s Hotly-tipped Body METAMORPHOSES RETURNS of Water launches
Ovid’s Metamorphoses (Left) and Body of Water (Above).
2009 was a great year for Rose Bruford Graduates. Last year, Pleasance hosted Pants On Fire’s highly acclaimed Carol Tambor Award-winning show Ovid’s Metamorphoses. This year, Ovid’s Metamorphoses returns from international touring to join company friends Made From Scratch and their new show Body of Water. Hannah Pierce, how’s your Ovid’s Metamorphoses year been? Insane. Acting in it at Edinburgh 2010 was a complete dream. The trajectory and pace of successes was bizarre. Since then we’ve had a run in Croydon, New York and then all over the UK. We did about 100 dates in total. It’ll be fantastic, if emotional,
to finish it off at Pleasance later this month. Meanwhile, Body of Water is just beginning its journey. Producer Molly Nicholson, how are the two companies related? M: We’re all Rose Bruford graduates of 2009. There are about 13 different departments there so there’s a huge pool of talented writers, actors, directors, scenic artists… Plus it’s a beautiful grounds and something of a creative paradise within the cultural adversity of Sidcup. It’s no coincidence that we two graduate companies work so well alongside each other. H: In fact, a lot of us, including myself, are working on both. So what will Body of Water
offer audiences? M: A London squat party goes out of hand after being advertised on Facebook. Suddenly it’s massive. In the flat live a whole range of young 20-somethings dealing with the world in all but the most direct ways. Storytelling is at our heart, but we’re addressing the issue of a young generation who are growing less and less accustomed to face-toface contact. Connections through technology, from phones to twitter have radically changed the way we communicate. H: There’s a moment in the play which is pivotal. Two characters are slightly older, and the one of them who enjoys fishing gives the other his catch. It draws focus back to the basic human interaction of “here’s some food”. You’re preaching moderation, then? H: Not preaching, just
proving some insight into these changes. Having an awareness of what we stand to lose. Plus, as well as the downsides there are numerous positives. Are you on facebook? M: None of us can go back now, communications have changed. So yes. In fact we’re conducting loads of exciting marketing on social media. But we’ve also pledged to spend one festival day without communications. Hannah, following Ovid’s Metamorphoses’ success last year, what are your hopes for Body of Water? H: It’s a totally different show. I think it would perfectly suit a London run, being so grounded in the young community of that city. Body of Water, Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29Aug 15:25. Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Pleasance Dome, 19-28 Aug 12:15.
BEING JOHN ‘FLYERER’ MALKOVICH John Malkovich and Julian Sands yesterday hit the Royal Mile and Pleasance Courtyard to flyer for their show, Celebration of Harold Pinter. Festival goers were delighted to see the Hollywood A-Listers hit the streets, even on a typically dismal Edinburgh day. Malkovich is directing Sands in the show which features reflections, commentaries and anecdotes of the Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter’s life. “A celebration of Harold Pinter is not so much to do with his plays but to do with his poetry and life” explained Malkovich to Pleasance Courtyard guests. “Julian is one of my oldest friends, someone who I really love. He stepped in when Harold’s illness wouldn’t permit him to do this recital of his poetry in London. Julian sent
me a CD which I listened to several times. I thought we could work it up into a small theatrical piece.” Malkovich is at Pleasance for a few days, while Sands will be staying to perform the show until 21st August.
Pleasance “seems a very nice venue”, commented Malkovich, “and we’re ready to go.” Julian Sands in a Celebration of Harold Pinter, Pleasance Courtyard 4-21 Aug 15:00
John Malkovich pitches his show at Courtyard(Above), A hillbillie (Below).
SKODA, RAIN, FRANCE: SOME THINGS ARE STUCK WITH A BAD REP. PLEASANCE SHOWS DARE TO SPEAK OUT...
IN DEFENCE OF... LUTON
Luton is often given a hard time in the media. In 2004 it was branded ‘Britain’s Crappiest Town’ and ever since we can remember it seems to be the butt of everyone’s jokes. Luton is known for little more than EasyJet airplanes and religious extremism. However, How It Ended Productions means to promote a town that, in fact, thrives on diversity and continues to breed a strong artistic community. Luton sits in the heart of the East Region: a region full to the brim with artistic integrity and innovation. The Hat Factory Arts Centre, UK Carnival Arts and Luton Library Theatre continue to produce high quality art and seek to engage new audiences. And it’s not all concrete tower blocks and beaten up bus stops y’know. Luton is surrounded by its
fair share of green. Wardown Park is beautiful, four seasons round and its quaint museum gives an insight into Luton’s astounding history. Come to Luton. Find out for yourself. Or get a glimpse of it at this year’s Fringe at Waterproof. Waterproof, Pleasance Dome 3-29 (Not 16), 13:30
HILLBILLIES
America is a relatively young country. In the hills of the Appalachian Mountains the first Appalachian settlers were mainly from Scotland - known as the ScotsIrish. They settled in the hills, near the rivers, in land that reminded them of the lochs and mountains of Scotland. The ancestors of those people are known, locally and abroad (positively and pejoratively) as hillbillies. You can’t have hillbillies without the hills. Andrew Jackson, Elvis Presley, and
John Wayne were Scots-Irish. They were known as tough guys, known for defending what was theirs. From Cry of the Mountain, “You know, one of the myths of Appalachia is that depravity, you know, deliverance, wrong turn will get you killed, and such. And one of the other myths is that nothing has changed in 200 years. Granny’s still on her porch for 200 years. Hasn’t even taken a pee yet!” Hillbillies tell funny, touching stories. The banjo is just part of who they are. These are people who are often pushed into the back waters, but are fighting to have their stories told. Cry of the Mountain, Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 14:15
PIMP YOUR POD FOR PLEASANCE PLeasance’s free iphone app streamlines your festival
220 Pleasance shows can make choosing a tricky task. Our printed programmes feature all your need-to-know info, but how about trying a programme that works for you? Pleasance’s iPhone app turns your portable into a Pleasance Programme that intelligently searches for your perfect show. After downloading free from the App Store, the Pleasance App will greet you with the shows On Now according to time. Looking for something specific? The keyword-sensitive search function will provide all the info within seconds. Or stuck for ideas? Look no further than Shake-ToSearch, providing show suggestions at the flick of a wrist. Once you’ve found your favourites, bookmark them and find all the necessary details. Download free from iTunes. (While you’re there don’t forget Pleasance’s free Top10 Podcast too.)
Presented by one of our comedy acts and featuring their special guests, including:
Joe Lycett, Matthew Crosby from Pappy’s, Jeff Leach, Katherine Ryan, Tom Price, Dan Clark, Kate Copstick and a regular daily message from Angelos Epithemiou. PREVIEW EPISODE 1 PREVIEW EPISODE 2 David Mitchell reveals Best of the 2010 top tips for performers festival to get you in heading to the Festival the mood for 2011.
@ThePleasance #pleztimes (NEWLY SHORTENED! Use it to get featured here.) RT @sarsbars89 Flyering in the rain drowns your soul. But frowns are turned upside down at the mention of @SoldPlayEdFest book now!! #pleztimes RT @AsherTrelevan John Malkovich is flyering people in @ThePleasance Courtyard. #Plez11 http://t.co/KR9PNK7” RT @fringebiscuit @ThePleasance Dome toilets are looooovely. Just saying. #edfringe RT @jaberwocky2011 Spotted: the White Rabbit having lunch off the Mile @SpotTheRabbit #waitingforalice #pleztimes http://yfrog.com/kl75mkqj
FRIDAY 5th AFTER HOURS Pleasance Dome 00:40 MARKUS BIRDMAN, IMRAN YUSUF, BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS, FACE, GARETH RICHARDS, PHIL NICHOL AMUSED MOOSE COMEDY AWARD SHOWCASE Pleasance Dome 16:00 TOM DEACON, NATHAN CATON, IAN SMITH, CARLY SMALLMAN, ROMESH RANGANATHAN, JOEY PAGE, MAX DOWLER, GUY MANNERS
CHORTLE PRESENTS: FAST FRINGE Pleasance Dome 18:40 SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD (MC), SEGUE SISTERS, JIM SMALLMAN, HARDEEP SINGH KHOLI, SEYMOUR MACE, ANIL DESAI, NAZ OSMANOGLU, LUKE WRIGHT, MORGAN & WEST, TOM CRAINE, CAREY MARX, RANDY, ISY SUTTIE ROB DEERING’S BEAT THIS Pleasance Courtyard 23:00 James Acaster, Charlie Baker, Howard Read, James Redmond
STORYTELLER’S CLUB Pleasance Courtyard 22:00 Musical Storytellers: Helen Arney, James Sherwood, Suitcase Royale, with Sarah Bennetto & James Dowdeswell THE SHOWCASE SHOW Pleasance Courtyard 13:10 John Lynn, Andrew Bird, Hannah Gadsby, Danny Ward, Tom Binns (as Ian D. Montfort) VIVE LE CABARET Pleasance Courtyard 22:30 Des O’Connor, Sarah-Louise Young, Ria Lina, Chris Martin, Morgan & West, Edd Muir of Frayed Knot Circus, Hustle, Mat Ricardo, Gypsy & Viva - The Vive Showgirls.
Please note that all line-ups are subject to change. Check the Box Office for the latest information.
FUNDRAISING FOR THE PLEASANCE You can support us in a number of ways:
1. Adopt a Pleasance cobblestone
2. Become part of “Pleasance History”
3. Simply donate your own amount
Famous for its cobbled courtyards, the Pleasance is the bedrock of great theatre and comedy. You can look after these very foundations by adopting your own pet cobblestone! We promise to provide you with regular updates on how it’s getting along.
We would be delighted if you joined our celebrity alumni on this extraordinary 231-ft long ‘Bayeaux-esque Tapestry’, charting the history of the world according to the Pleasance. You will also receive a very beautiful portrait. All we need is a passport photo! And if you don’t have one immediately, it doesn’t matter, because you can always send it to us later!
TEXT: plez33 to 70070 (for any amount up to £10) BY TELEPHONE: Please call us on 0207 619 6868 ONLINE: Please visit www.pleasance. co.uk/islington/support-us IN PERSON: Complete the Gift Aid form on the back of the Fundraising leaflet and drop it into Reception at any of our box offices in Edinburgh and London, or pop it in the post.