BITCH BOXER by Charlotte Josephine

Transcription

1 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 1 house and Snuff Box Theatre in collaboration with Richard Jordan Productions BITCH BOXER by Charlotte Josephine Marketing Support Pack

2 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 2 About Snuff Box Theatre Snuff Box Theatre is a multi-award winning, internationally acclaimed collective of theatre makers who thrive on creating new work from a blank page. Founded in 2011, the company has a rich, diverse background in performance and creative play which drives us in the creation of our work. Currently Associate Company at Redbridge Drama Centre, we collaborate with multi-skilled actors (actor-musicians, actor-writers, actor-directors and devising specialists) on each new idea, and there is always a strong sense of ensemble within Snuff Box. Whether large scale or intimate, political or fantastical, we have one singular aim: to tell great stories on stage. Bitch Boxer was Snuff Box Theatre s second show. The first, The Observatory, won several awards including the Scottish Daily Mail/CDS Edinburgh Festival Fringe Award and the NSDF/Methuen Arts/IdeasTap Edinburgh Show Award. They currently have a further piece in development, The Altitude Brothers developed with Redbridge Drama Centre. A note from the writer on Bitch Boxer Bitch Boxer is a play about determination and strength, two aspects of behaviour you d expect from an athlete. However, the play is also about emotional strength, the strength used to fiercely battle on regardless of any obstacles; the strength it takes to allow yourself to let go and be vulnerable. The idea for Bitch Boxer was born out of a rough day at work. I was lugging heavy boxes into a storeroom when a co-worker made a spiteful comment about me not appearing very ladylike; the kind of comment you can usually laugh off or turn into playful banter. Yet for some reason the details found a chink in my armour and the comment stung. On the bus home later that evening I wrote a rant on my mobile phone about how there seems to me to be this pressure on women to be feminine, girly, light and feeble in order to be attractive to men. And yet I know that women have an aggressive side to them, a physical strength and determination, a trait that isn t often socially acceptable to be openly vented. After all, it s not ladylike to fight. By re-writing the rant into a monologue it became very clear to me that this young lady was just that, a fighter. Not only is she fighting the rules set by society of what it means to be a woman, she is also fighting herself; trying to be brave and strong when you really need to allow yourself to let go and be vulnerable is a tough emotional battle. The first draft of Bitch Boxer was performed as a scratch at The Soho Theatre s Departures Lounge Night. Feedback was overwhelming positive so I decided to pursue the piece and develop the work. I think it s vital to really know what you re writing about in order to portray a story effectively. I started training at Islington Boxing Club for research in January 2012 and immediately fell in love with the sport. I have discovered a whole boxing community I knew nothing about, and they have warmly welcomed me with a generosity and kindness that I admit I found surprising for such a violent sport. It is these surprising discoveries about the world of boxing that I find so fascinating; the solid defiance of an age-old art and the infuriating contradictions and controversies of the sport. I never aim to push my opinions or politics on people through my work. For me Bitch Boxer is a personal play, an expression of my own learning of what it means for me to be a woman. Exploring the idea that this woman can openly fight for her dreams, with a fierce determination and strength, showing no fear in an aggressive masculine sport. It is her fear, however, that stops her from openly grieving and being vulnerable enough to allow herself to be loved. Charlotte Josephine, April 2012

3 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 3 The Team Holly Augustine: Performer Holly recently graduated from LAMDA and performed Bitch Boxer as her professional debut to sellout audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This is Holly's first time performing in Australia. Credits whilst training include The Shelter (Natalie Ibu), Some Explicit Polaroids (Selina Cartmell), Much Ado About Nothing (Janet Suzman) and The Accrington Pals (Raz Shaw). Holly was also selected to represent LAMDA at the 2013 Sam Wanamaker Festival at The Globe. Charlotte Josephine: Writer Charlotte is an actor, writer and co-artistic director of Snuff Box Theatre. She trained on the Contemporary Theatre Course at East 15 Acting School. Most recently she performed in Julius Caesar at the Donmar Warehouse and is currently in the cast for Lyric Theatre's 'Secret Theatre'. She wrote and performed Bitch Boxer as part of the Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh Season 2012, which later transferred to Soho Theatre and UK tour. Prior to Bitch Boxer, she co-directed Snuff Box's debut show The Observatory with Dan Foxsmith and found time at the Fringe that same year to perform in her self-penned debut play Perffection at Zoo Roxy, which received a new writing commendation from the NSDF. She is currently under commission at Soho Theatre. Bryony Shanahan: Director Bryony trained at East 15 on the acclaimed Contemporary Theatre course and is co-artistic director of multi-award winning Snuff Box Theatre. Directing credits include Operation Crucible for From Ground Up. Bryony has just won a BBC performing arts grant to work at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. (Finborough Theatre) Chapel Street for Scrawl Theatre (national tour), Bitch Boxer for Snuff Box Theatre (Edinburgh 2012/Soho Theatre/National Tour) The Altitude Brothers for Snuff Box Theatre (Redbridge Drama Centre/Pulse Festival/Brighton Fringe Festival), You and Me for Little Soldier Productions (Greenwich Theatre/Blue Elephant Theatre), The Lift for Five One Productions (Etcetera Theatre), Babies for Little Pieces of Love (Southwark Playhouse). Assistant directing: The Gruffalo's Child for Tall Stories (national tour) and Bound for Bear Trap Theatre (Southwark Playhouse/national tour). Bryony is also a guest director at East 15 Acting School and was recently short-listed for the inaugural Royal Exchange Theatre Hodgkiss Award. Daniel Foxsmith: Music/Sound Designer Dan is an actor and writer, and founded Snuff Box Theatre. He has worked with acclaimed companies Bear Trap Theatre (Bound), Tall Stories (Mr Benn, The Gruffalo) and Pants on Fire (Pinocchio). He has toured extensively across multiple continents and was part of award-winning show Bound, which won the Holden Street Theatres Award in 2010 and garnered a host of international awards including a Scotsman Fringe First and Best Performer at Adelaide Fringe The same year Snuff Box won the NSDF/ Methuen Edinburgh Award and the CDS/Scottish Daily Mail Edinburgh Award with debut show The Observatory, which Daniel wrote and co-directed. Daniel is also a guest director at East 15. He was shortlisted for the Royal Exchange Theatre Hodgkiss Award 2013 for new piece Weald. Seth Rook Williams: Lighting Designer Seth studied Lighting Design at Wimbledon College of Art. His recent designs include; Romeo & Juliet (Leicester Square Theatre) and The Great Gatsby (King's Head Theatre & Riverside Studios) with Ruby in the Dust; Tame Game & The End is Near with Bloom! Dance Collective (European Tour); The Observatory (Underbelly, Ed. Fringe), The Altitude Brothers (National Tour) and Bitch Boxer (Soho Theatre & National Tour) with Snuff Box Theatre; Bound with Bear Trap Theatre (National Tours & Southwark Playhouse); You and Me with Little Soldier Productions (RichMix &

4 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 4 International Tours); Vieux Carré, (Charing Cross Theatre) and Quasimodo (King's Head Theatre) and Tosca (Soho Theatre) with Theatre/Opera Up Close. Seth also works regularly at the Place, Euston where he lights various productions for the London Contemporary Dance School. At this year's Edinburgh Fringe, Where The White Stops with Antler Theatre & Boris & Sergey Perilous Escapade with Flabbergast Theatre. Laura Elliot: Producer Laura joined Snuff Box as creative producer in 2013 following producing the national tour of Bitch Boxer and Chapel Street. Prior to joining Snuff Box, Laura founded Scrawl Theatre, and produced their inaugural show Chapel Street as part of the Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh Season 2012 and the Bush Theatre's RADAR 2012 Festival. Alongside her producing work, Laura is the Programme Manager for Warwick Arts Centre. She has also previously programmed and produced for artsdepot, was a Development Events Assistant at the National Theatre, and a marketing assistant for Jo Hutchison International. Richard Jordan Productions: Collaborative Producer Richard Jordan is an Olivier and TONY award-winning producer. Described by the Stage Newspaper as "one of the UK's most prolific theatre producers" and named seven times in their annual list of the Top 100 UK theatre professionals, his London based production company enjoys relationships with many of the world s leading theatres and has produced over 180 productions in 19 different countries including 60 World Premieres, and 59 US, UK, Australian premieres by both new and established writers winning a variety of major awards. He has enjoyed a long association with the Edinburgh Fringe winning seven Scotsman Fringe First awards, two Herald Angel awards and four Total Theatre Awards. In 2009 Richard was a finalist in the first-ever British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur Awards. With Snuff Box Theatre he has been the collaborative producer of Bitch Boxer since Spring 2012 which recently completed a successful UK tour and London season.

5 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 5 Marketing Copy Company / Credit Show title house and Snuff Box Theatre in collaboration with Richard Jordan Productions present BITCH BOXER by Charlotte Josephine Long copy (150 words) Meet Chloe, 21, from Leytonstone. She likes the simple things in life: cherry sambuca, hairbrush-in-the-mirror karaoke and winding her Dad up. Oh, and she s a boxer. London, Women will step into the Olympic boxing ring for the very first time. And it s in Stratford. Down the road. As Chloe trains for the fight of her life, she is left winded by two life-changing events. In a man s world, can she prove she s still worth the title? Fighting fit from critically acclaimed sell-out runs in London and Edinburgh, Bitch Boxer is an exhilarating and award-winning new play by Charlotte Josephine, brought to you by one of the UK s fastest rising companies - Snuff Box Theatre. Bitch Boxer was originally cultivated at Soho Theatre Writer s Lab and was first presented as part of the Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh Season 2012, in partnership with the Underbelly, supported by IdeasTap. "A terrific little package" Lyn Gardner, The Guardian "Sweat-slick and tough, yet sweet and gifted with terrific timing" The Times "Sparkily written, feistily performed" London Evening Standard Medium copy (100 words) Meet Chloe. She likes the simple things in life: cherry sambuca, karaoke and winding her Dad up. Oh, and she's a boxer. London, Women step into the Olympic boxing ring for the first time. In a man's world, can she prove she's worth the title? An exhilarating five-star sell-out hit by Charlotte Josephine, brought to you by award-winning international touring company Snuff Box Theatre. Bitch Boxer was originally cultivated at Soho Theatre Writer s Lab and was first presented as part of the Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh Season 2012, in partnership with the Underbelly, supported by IdeasTap.

6 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 6 Short copy (50 words) London, Women step into the Olympic boxing ring for the first time. As Chloe trains for the fight of her life, she s left winded by two life-changing events. Can she prove she s still worth the title? An exhilarating five-star sell-out hit from award-winning international touring company Snuff Box Theatre. Photography credit (if applicable) Age suitability Running time Online links (Twitter, hashtag, website) Further Information Alex Brenner 14 + (strong language) 50 minutes Video Material: Interview with Charlotte Josephine: Trailer (to be edited with relevant venue information) Further press: Unmissable ThreeWeeks Phenomenal A Younger Theatre Astonishing Broadway Baby Exhilarating Quotidian Times Highly recommended British Theatre Guide OUTSTANDING SHOW Utterly spell-binding...one electrifying and amazing hour Fringe Review Exudes the intelligence and bottled-up energy of one determined to prove to the whole world she s worth something The Stage

7 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 7 Online Marketing Hashtag: #BitchBoxer Website: Video Trailer (to be edited with relevant venue information) Interview with Charlotte Josephine: Content to Share: Production Images Rehearsal Images (Coming in late January) Press Quotes Audience/Twitter Quotes Audiences Audience quotes Bitch a reminder of why live theatre is so important. Everyone NEEDS to see flawless theatre that captures something powerful and true. #BitchBoxer. Stunning, a brilliant education on storytelling. BitchBoxer utterly gorgeous show - honoured to have such phenomenal new taking Really enjoyed #bitchboxer great show to connect to a younger audience too. Good to see new current #bitchboxer thought provoking, amazingly engaging piece of theatre. Thanks for a great night Greatly inspired by STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING and get tickets BitchBoxer this - exciting times for UK theatre Target Audiences People interested in: Contemporary, devised and new writing theatre Acting and Training Physical and Dynamic storytelling Sports and Boxing Studying theatre Theatre and Performing Arts

8 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 8 Live Performance The Olympics Sucker Punch Beautiful Burnout Pedestrian You re Not Like The Other Girls Chrissy Bryony Kimmings Ursula Martinez Cinema Million Dollar Baby GirlFight The Fighter Fishtank Raging Bull Chariots Of Fire Selling Points Critically acclaimed show from young fresh talent Socially relevant. The 2012 Olympics were the first time in history when women were allowed to take part in the sport of boxing. Contributes to the celebration of the rich sporting culture worldwide. Entertaining and accessible for both theatre and non theatre goers, as well a young people seeing work for the first time. High quality and focus on acting Multi-award winning company that have been praised for their ambition and theatrical style Press Quotes "A terrific little package" Lyn Gardner, The Guardian An involving drama from a young company to watch The Telegraph "Sweat-slick and tough, yet sweet and gifted with terrific timing" The Times "Sparkily written, feistily performed" London Evening Standard Unmissable ThreeWeeks Phenomenal A Younger Theatre Astonishing Broadway Baby Exhilarating Quotidian Times Highly recommended British Theatre Guide OUTSTANDING SHOW Utterly spell-binding...one electrifying and amazing hour Fringe Review Exudes the intelligence and bottled-up energy of one determined to prove to the whole world she s worth something The Stage

9 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 9 Box Office Information How long is the performance? 50 minutes (no interval) Are there any lighting or strobe effects? Flashing disco lights Recommended age limit 14 + (guidance only - occasional swearing/adult content) Is there any music or song? Yes Lose Yourself by Eminem, Only Girl in The World by Rihanna, and God moving over the face of the Waters by Moby. How many performers are there? One What does the set look like? Just one gym chair on stage. Where can I find out more about Snuff Box Theatre Company? You can visit the company s website - Who are house? house is an initiative supported by Arts Council England designed to support venues to increase audiences and improve the range, quality and scale of theatre presented across South East and Eastern England.

10 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 10 Bitch Boxer Template Press Release #BitchBoxer house and Snuff Box Theatre in collaboration with Richard Jordan Productions present BITCH BOXER by Charlotte Josephine On <INSERT DATE, INSERT VENUE NAME> will present Bitch Boxer, the phenomenal five-star sell-out hit from award-winning international touring company Snuff Box Theatre. After the incredible success of women s first ever entry into the boxing event at the London 2012 Olympics, Bitch Boxer invites you ringside to follow Chloe Jackson. A young prospect training for her final bout that will win her a place in Team GB and chance at Olympic glory. But as Chloe prepares for the fight of her life, she is left winded for two life-changing events; the discovery of first love and the sudden death of her father. Can she still prove she's worth the title? Boxing is a subject rich in literature and art, and there s no doubt of the exciting drama and the zeitgeist nature of capturing the 2012 Olympics. However unlike most sports dramas Bitch Boxer is unique, giving voice to a young woman in this male-dominated sport. A pumped up underdog full of heart, the central focus of the piece is actually not in the ring but on Chloe s emotional battle within herself. Cultivated at Soho Theatre s Writer s Lab the play is a personal piece for writer Charlotte Josephine, an expression of her own learning of what it means to be a woman. Exploring the idea that Chloe can openly fight for her dreams, with a fierce determination and strength, showing no fear in an aggressive masculine sport. It is Chloe s fear, however, that stops her from openly grieving and being vulnerable enough to allow herself to be loved. Josephine pulled no punches in her research, training extensively with Islington Boxing Club throughout the show s development. This not only gave the piece its critically acclaimed authenticity but now sees Josephine fully trained as an amateur boxer alongside her work as a writer/performer. I discovered a whole boxing community I knew nothing about, and they warmly welcomed me with a generosity and kindness that, I admit, I found surprising for such a violent sport. I fell in love with it. Charlotte Josephine 2012 This new piece won both the Soho Theatre Young Writer's Award and Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh Award in 2012 putting Snuff Box Theatre and Charlotte Josephine on the map as some of the fastest rising talent in the UK. An intensely physical five star performance from young performer Holly Augustine saw the piece win a further award in 2013 and a transfer to the Adelaide Fringe in We are delighted to invite our audiences ringside to experience the unmissable. A wide selection of images and quotes are available for press use. Notes to editors Snuff Box Theatre is a multi-award winning, internationally acclaimed collective of theatre makers who thrive on creating new work from a blank page. Founded in 2011, the company has a rich,

11 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 11 diverse background in performance and creative play which drives us in the creation of our work. Currently Associate Company at Redbridge Drama Centre, we collaborate with multi-skilled actors (actor-musicians, actor-writers, actor-directors and devising specialists) on each new idea, and there is always a strong sense of ensemble within Snuff Box. Whether large scale or intimate, political or fantastical, we have one singular aim: to tell great stories on stage. Bitch Boxer was Snuff Box Theatre s second show. The first, The Observatory, won several awards including the Scottish Daily Mail/CDS Edinburgh Festival Fringe Award and the NSDF/Methuen Arts/IdeasTap Edinburgh Show Award. They currently have a further piece in development, The Altitude Brothers developed with Redbridge Drama Centre. Performer Holly Augustine Writer Charlotte Josephine Director Bryony Shanahan Designed by Seth Rook Williams Original Music/Sound Designer Daniel Foxsmith house is an initiative supported by Arts Council England to improve the range, quality and scale of theatre presented across the south east of England. Tour Schedule MAY 2014 Monday 12 th CANTERBRUY Gulbenkian 7.30pm Tuesday 13 th OXFORD The Old Firestation 7.30pm Wednesday 14 th STOWE The Roxburgh Theatre 7.30pm Thursday 15 th BRIGHTON The Old Market 7.30pm Saturday 17 th HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Old Town Hall 8pm Monday 19 th SHERINGHAM Little Theatre 7.30pm Tuesday 20 th NORWICH The Garage 7.30pm Wednesday 21 st BURY ST EDMUNDS Theatre Royal 7.30pm Thursday 22 nd HARLOW Playhouse 7.45pm Friday 23 rd NEW MILTON Forest Arts Centre 7.30pm Saturday 24 th DIDCOT Cornerstone 8pm

12 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 12 Bitch Boxer Template Mail Out - for audience database of venue Dear theatregoer, Re: Bitch Boxer by Charlotte Josephine, presented by Snuff Box Theatre in collaboration with Richard Jordan Productions Snuff Box Theatre s five star sell-out hit Bitch Boxer has arrived in (INSERT TOWN) and we invite you ringside to experience the unmissable. Bitch Boxer is the story of Chloe, a young boxing prospect training for a spot in Team GB in the London Olympics The first ever Olympics to allow female boxers to compete. But as she prepares for the fight of her life, she is left winded for two life-changing events... In a sport dominated by men and in a world unprepared to see two women fight in the confines of boxing ring, can she still prove she s worth the title? Bitch Boxer has won three awards since its debut at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe and wowed audiences and critics across the UK, London and Australia, putting Snuff Box Theatre on the map as one of the UK s fastest rising young companies. Comments include: Everyone NEEDS to see flawless theatre that captures something powerful and true. #BitchBoxer. Stunning, a brilliant education on storytelling. #bitchboxer thought provoking, amazingly engaging piece of theatre. Thanks for a great night Greatly inspired by An involving drama from a young company to watch The Telegraph Unmissable ThreeWeeks Phenomenal A Younger Theatre "Sweat-slick and tough, yet sweet and gifted with terrific timing" The Times Exudes the intelligence and bottled-up energy of one determined to prove to the whole world she s worth something The Stage Cultivated at Soho Theatre s Writer s Lab the play is a personal piece for writer Charlotte Josephine, an expression of her own learning of what it means to be a woman. Exploring the idea that this woman can openly fight for her dreams, with a fierce determination and strength, showing no fear in an aggressive masculine sport. It is her fear, however, that stops her from openly grieving and being vulnerable enough to allow herself to be loved. Snuff Box Theatre is a multi-award winning, internationally acclaimed collective of theatre makers who thrive on creating new work from a blank page. Currently Associate Company at Redbridge Drama Centre, we collaborate with multi-skilled actors (actor-musicians, actor-writers, actordirectors and devising specialists) on each new idea, and there is always a strong sense of

13 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 13 ensemble within Snuff Box. Whether large scale or intimate, political or fantastical, we have one singular aim: to tell great stories on stage. We are pleased to announce that Bitch Boxer will visit (INSERT VENUE NAME) on XXX. Book early to avoid disappointment through the following link: (INSERT LINK) or call the Box Office on: (INSERT NO) TICKETS: (INSERT PRICE) #BitchBoxer Website: Thank you for your time, Regards

14 Snuff Box Theatre/Bitch Boxer Marketing Pack 2014 Page 14 Tour Schedule MAY 2014 Monday 12 th CANTERBRUY Gulbenkian 7.30pm Tuesday 13 th OXFORD The Old Firestation 7.30pm Wednesday 14 th STOWE The Roxburgh Theatre 7.30pm Thursday 15 th BRIGHTON The Old Market 7.30pm Saturday 17 th HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Old Town Hall 8pm Monday 19 th SHERINGHAM Little Theatre 7.30pm Tuesday 20 th NORWICH The Garage 7.30pm Wednesday 21 st BURY ST EDMUNDS Theatre Royal 7.30pm Thursday 22 nd HARLOW Playhouse 7.45pm Friday 23 rd NEW MILTON Forest Arts Centre 7.30pm Saturday 24 th DIDCOT Cornerstone 8pm