Olympic Torch comes to the tower

Last week the Olympic torch came through Blackpool. It came to the tower itself in fact and went up to the ballroom. Harry Judd (drummer from McFly) and dancer Aliona Vilani (Strictly Come Dancing Champions) danced with it in the famous Tower Ballroom - where the final of strictly was held. Unfortunately we were unable to witness the dancing itself but us dungeon creatures were there in full force (and full make-up!) cheering the torch as it came down Bank Hey street and then came past the indoor dungeon entrance on it's way up to the tower. 

Judd and Vilani dancing with the Olympic torch.

Mcfly were also performing a couple of days later (along with The Wanted) and we got a great sneaky view from the dungeon staff room! Over the last week or so the stage on the Promenade had also played host to John Barrowman and Elton John (though we weren't allowed a peak at that one ;-p ). We had witnessed the stage being built up bit by bit from the staffroom window over time and now bit by bit it is being taken down again. It must take the work and resources of so many people to do it all.

The stage on the Promenade

McFly 

Sat listening to the end of the concert after work (very sunny!)

Come rain or shine

Last night we performed the Gi60 U.K. Live Edition. It went well and had a packed audience which was great :)

Had to make a last minute change of venue though as the Viaduct Theatre was temporarily flooded due to heavy rain and a drainage problem! So it was transferred to the Crossley Gallery (also at Dean Clough). It was actually a great space to do it in, and although it was sad not to get  chance to perform in the Viaduct, it was great to perform there. The gallery is currently holding Nobby Clark: 20 Years of Northern Broadsides exhibition.

Was pleased with how the performance went and that the audience seemed to have fun watching, I've enjoyed this project and though the rehearsal period was short, I think I'm going to miss it. 

Dean Clough

Performing 'Monster Face'

Performing 'Dowsing'

All the cast performing 'Holiday Season'

Nearly half way through the year!

It’s June! I can hardly believe it’s coming up to half way through the year – seems mad! But there it is.

This month’s been interesting so far on the creative front! Have got involved with Gone in 60 Seconds: One Minute International Play Festival (Gi60) directed by Steve Ansell. Had a week of rehearsals at the beginning of this month and soon will be meeting again to be ready for performing on Saturday 16th. Gi60 is an evening of 1 minute plays, written by many different people from different places in the world, and performed within an hour. It is done here and in New York, 50 original scripts in each location, so 100 in all. This is then all shared on the internet. It’s exciting to be part of a project that connects people from different places in the world by combining the ‘traditional’ medium of theatre along with modern communication of the internet. And been a really nice bunch of people to work with! :)

Rehearsing one of the plays.

We’re performing at The Viaduct Theatre in Halifax which is part of the Dean Clough Business Park – such an interesting location, full of art and feels like a very ‘creative place’ (without sounding like too much of a ponce :P ). As we started rehearsals I thought the venue felt familiar and soon realised I had seen I.O.U Productions perform ‘Waylaid’ in the grounds whilst I was at college studying performing arts. It was a very distinctive piece of theatre in a purpose built dome, with headphones for each member of the audience playing the soundtrack for the entire performance. I.O.U’s latest project is a light installation (to put it very simply. There was a longer collaborative process which led to the installation) at their base at Dean Clough. After rehearsal one day we went to have a quick look!

Before rehearsals began I went to Preston Caribbean Carnival with a friend from work. Really enjoyed it, good music, food, and fantastic colourful costumes and dancing. The girls seem so confident and it was a really good time.

Also paid a brief visit to Bradford to see an actor friend Sid Akbar Ali perform in A Muslamic Love Story directed by Nick Ahad. Really powerful stuff! Was described as a work in progress but was in itself an impressive piece of work that was very moving and emotionally exhausting I thought! Had a cast of just 3 actors, brilliant acting such real moments.

Also still busy working away at the dungeons J But really looking forward to performing in Gi60 at the end of this week.

…I wonder what the next 6 months will hold!...