THE OCCASION PRESENTS MARYSHELLEY

Transcription

1 AN OUTLANDISH TRIP THROUGH THE MIND OF ONE OF LITERATURE S MOST INFLUENTIAL IMAGINATIONS. THE OCCASION PRESENTS THEMONSTER& MARYSHELLEY June 1816 the year without a summer. On yet another sun-less day at their holiday villa in Switzerland, Lord Byron challenges his guests Percy and Mary Shelley to each write a ghost story. Two days later Mary, 18 years old and having recently watched her premature baby die, has a waking dream and begins to write a story that will haunt and define her for the rest of her life. THE OCCASION - EXCITING AND ENTERTAINING; CHALLENGING AND DIFFERENT. DYNAMIC TOURING AND INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

2 Stewart Ennis captivating script sparkles, weaving the contemporary with the classical Catherine Gillard delivers a tour de force performance as Mary. Highly recommended. The Reviews Hub MMMM The Monster and Mary Shelley is an atmospheric, moving, and at times darkly comic exploration of Mary Shelley s life. The show provides an exciting and unique approach to Frankenstein and Gothic literature. SO THIS IS WHY YOU CREATED ME? NOT TO SCARE YOUR READERS. NOT TO SCARE YOURSELF. BUT TO SCARE AWAY THE THINGS THAT REALLY FRIGHTENED YOU? SO THAT YOU CAN SLEEP AT NIGHT? A vivid cut-up of psychological light and shade that gets to the dark heart of the creative urge within. The Herald MMMM Incorporating elements of music hall, melodrama, horror and teenage rebellion with a pulsing, contemporary cinematic score, The Monster and explores the life of Mary Shelley the Gothic Girl who electrified the world. Fascinating and hilarious a wonderfully engaging show. The Wee Review MMMM FOLLOWING A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL SCOTTISH TOUR IN SPRING 2018 THE OCCASION ARE NOW EXPLORING PARTNERSHIPS, THROUGHOUT THE UK AND IRELAND, FOR PERFORMANCES IN MAY & JUNE 2019

3 Production Information Suitable for ages 12+ Running-time: 65 minutes Playing space 6m square (no maximum; possible to adapt to more intimate settings) Blackout needed Cost: Prices vary according to numbers and whether the package includes performance, practical workshop and/or Q&A. We are happy to discuss according to the needs of different groups. Audience Comments LOVED IT! Thought provoking, atmospheric, entertaining quality work. Thank you. (The Brunton, Musselburgh) Brilliantly conceived and acted. Very touching really enjoyed it. (Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling) The acting was outstanding and the changes of pace, humour and sense of suspense were stunning. (Byre Theatre, St. Andrews) Beautifully written, masterful performance. Actress held everyone captivated. Great atmospheric lighting and sound (SEALL, Skye) A real tour de force by Catherine Gillard excellent acting. Normally dislike historic pieces draped in modern language and/ or costume but thoroughly enjoyed this. (Universal Hall, Findhorn) A well crafted play, directed and acted superbly lots of content, great staging, lighting, sound etc. (Lyth Arts Centre)

4 About The Occasion The Occasion was founded in 2010 with an aim to create live, accessible, image-based theatre capable of touring throughout the UK and internationally. The company was formed by Peter Clerke and Catherine Gillard, previously Co-Artistic Directors of the Scottish based international touring ensemble, benchtours ( ). Ground-breaking - The Guardian The Occasion is fully committed to widening access and participation in the arts through the provision of high quality work that challenges and entertains audience, participants and artists alike. All further details can be found at THE MONSTER AND MARY SHELLEY was created by Script: Direction: Performance: Sound: Set & Costume Design: Lighting Design: Stewart Ennis Peter Clerke Catherine Gillard Richard Williams Ali Maclaurin Paul D Froy FOR ALL FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: info@theoccasiontheatre.com Tel: Photos: marc marnie & Neil Buchan-Grant Graphic Design: Richard Williams

5 The Monster and Mary Shelley Production Team PETER CLERKE (DIRECTOR) studied at the Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris and was a founder member and Co-Artistic Director of benchtours ( ) directing or performing in all of their productions. Prior to benchtours, work included the co-founding and artistic direction of Lung Ha s and five years at Edinburgh s Theatre Workshop. From Peter was the Artistic Director of Blue Apple Theatre, Winchester, one of South-west England s leading learning disability arts organisations. Peter has directed all of The Occasion s productions to date. STEWART ENNIS (WRITER) has worked with various companies, including The Arches, Oran Mor, Eco Drama, Theatre Urubaru (Finland), Paragon Ensemble, as well as scripting several shows for himself. He was one of the first recipients of the Playwrights Studio IGNITE award and received a scholarship to study an MA in TV Fiction Writing at Glasgow Caledonian University. Originally trained as a performer at East 15 & the Ecole Philippe Gaulier and was a founder member of benchtours. Stewart also scripted The Taking of Zena Charbonne with The Occasion. Stewart has published several short stories, most recently in Gutter Mag and spent 6 years as Creative Writing tutor at Shotts Prison. His first novel Blessed Assurance will be published by Vagabond Voices at the end of CATHERINE GILLARD (PERFORMER) studied at Sydney Acting School and the Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris. She was a founder member and Co-Artistic Director of benchtours ( ), directing or performing in all of their productions. Major roles included Grusha in The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Aase in Peer Gynt and Mother Courage. Previously, she worked for three years as a performer and sign language interpreter with Theatre of the Deaf, one of Australia s leading inclusive companies. Recent major projects include Kill Me Now (Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre/ Philadelphia Live Arts Festival) as well as Apocalypse and The Taking of Zena Charbonne with The Occasion. ALI MACLAURIN (DESIGNER) trained in theatre design in Edinburgh and Croydon and has since designed, devised, facilitated and taught all over the country. Work includes designs for the award winning Shadow Syndicate, Battersea Arts Centre, Hull Truck, Belgrade Theatre in Education Company, TAG, The Traverse, Grid Iron, Scottish Opera, Dogstar, and Licketyspit as well as designing community plays in venues from East End churches to Scottish mansions. She also designed Apocalypse and The Taking of Zena Charbonne for The Occasion. RICHARD WILLIAMS (COMPOSER) began playing guitar, bass and drums at an early age. After a succession of bands that ranged from hardcore punk to jazz fusion, he formed Trip, who went on to be signed by MCA Records and were featured in the Oscar winning Terry Gilliam movie The Fisher King. Recent projects include work with the Midlands-based bhangra collective, The KK Kings and the album Singles Night at the Shooting Gallery by The Cage. He currently writes and performs with singer Sara Fawcitt in the duo, Gracie. PAUL D FROY (LIGHTING DESIGNER) is a professional member of the Association of Lighting Designers working in theatre specialising in dance and drama. He has been re-lighting for the last few years whilst establishing his name in design. He has been fortunate enough to work as Lighting Design Associate to Natasha Katz on The Glass Menagerie (ART & EIF). Re-lights include Let the Right One In & Adam (NTS), Out of This World (V-Tol) alongside design draughting of Grand Finale (Hofesh Shechter Company).