Photos - A Woman Of No Importance

Hello! It's been a while since my last post and I'm thoroughly settled in Birmingham now. I'm having a fantastic time at Birmingham School of Acting with a great group of people. Last week I appeared in BSA's production of 'A Woman Of No Importance' by Oscar Wilde as part of my 'Page to Stage' project, in which first year students are allowed to appear in performances by the third year actors. I appeared as James, the Second Footman of Hunstanton Chase. It was so exciting performing on the Crescent Theatre stage with a friendly and welcoming cast of third year students. It was even more exciting that in two years time our year group will be performing on the stage!
Here are some photographs taken of me in the production:

 

Keep your eyes open for more posts - Tom's Bedroom will appear here sooner or later!
Thanks for reading!

Video: 'Seascape With Sharks And Dancer' by Don Nigro

In Seascape With Sharks And Dancer by Don Nigro, laid back and liberal novelist Ben rescues the volatile yet vulnerable Tracey from an attempted suicide attempt. The two become lovers and two months later discover that Tracey is pregnant. Special thanks go to Poppy Lloyd and Fliss Goldsmith of Poppies Youth Theatre and Agency for filming and playing the role of Tracey respectively. For more about Poppies Youth Theatre and Agency please visit http://poppies-yta.co.uk/ Thanks for watching.

Coming Soon!

Hello! It's been a while since my last blog post and a lot has happened! I joined members of Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company and Year 5 pupils at a primary school in Littleover in a workshop production of 'The Winter's Tale'. I played Polixenes and Antigonus; the children read the roles of lords, gaolers and attendants and performed a shepherds' dance after one of them chased me across the stage in a bear costume! It was great fun working with the children, who were incredibly responsive to a talk I gave on Elizabethan theatre and well-informed about Shakespeare's life and works.
I performed in the St Benedict's Day celebrations at the Assembly Rooms to celebrate 25 years of St Benedict Catholic School And Performing Arts College and have been busy preparing for my training with the National Youth Theatre in August and for enroling at Birmingham School of Acting in September; I now have a house in Birmingham!
It was my last session at Derby Academy of Acting today after a year with them; many thanks to Neale Birch and Wendy Allen, who run the school, for everything I have learned with them over the past year; I know I would not have been successful with this year's auditions had I not joined their classes, and would recommend them to anyone living in the Derby area who want to develop their acting skills further. For more information about DAA visit http://www.derbyacademyofacting.com/page1.html
I am currently working on several projects to post to my blog; I am exploring Shakespeare's sonnets and hope to film and upload Sonnet 116 very soon, while 'Tom's Bedroom' is still in the process of being rewritten. Hopefully they will both feature on this blog very soon.

Thank you for reading!

Kaleidoscope Players - Fantastic Mr Fox

Fantastic Mr Fox is over now and was an incredible success. We've had some great feedback and responses from audience members who've praised the professionalism and quality of the production. The Derby Evening Telegraph came to visit on opening night and gave the show a fantastic review. This is what they said:

"ROALD Dahl fans will be delighted with the Kaleidoscope Players' version of this much-loved children's classic.
The play sticks very closely to the original and tells the story of the cunning Mr Fox as he outwits three evil farmers.​

A furry tale – Kaleidoscope Players in Fantastic Mr Fox. From left, Ryan Olakunle, Catherine Long, Daisy Chell, Josephine Walker and Toby Bradford as the Fox family.

Toby Bradford was excellent as the elegant and cunning Mr Fox.

Phil Stanley also gave an eloquent and emotive performance as the narrator and badger, helping to tie together the story.
The three notorious farmers (Barry Smith, Carol Thornton and Richard Hammond) made the performance for me.
They were brilliantly cast to provide the exact stereotypes of the farmers from the story – one fat, one short, one lean, all of whom went down excellently with the audience.
The set was very cleverly designed, making the most of the small space.
I particularly found the cave on the turntable to be very effective.
I was surprised to see music incorporated into the play.
Credit must be given to Ron Newsham (keyboard), who was perfectly in time with the mood on the stage and created a more intense atmosphere.
The simple songs which were included brought the performance together, allowing the chorus to further support the key roles.
On a further note, the younger members in the cast gave a superb performance and they should be very proud.
Kaleidoscope Players should be commended on a high-quality production from all involved. This is definitely one not to be missed – for all youngsters and for those who are young at heart."

You can also read the review at http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Cunning-version-kids-classic/story-12794571-detail/story.html

Thanks to all those people who came to see the show and helped make it a huge success!

Thanks for reading.

Video: Fantastic Mr Fox - Bean's speech

Fantastic Mr Fox is one of the most famous and successful stories by legendary children's author Roald Dahl. In 2001 a stage adaptation by David Wood made its debut. I am currently playing Farmer Bean in Kaleidoscope Players' production of the play and wrote a monologue for Bean to promote the show.

Here, Bean is broadcasting a message encouraging all of the local villagers to join in the hunt for Mr Fox.

I do not own the any of the characters mentioned, they are the creation of Roald Dahl; the above video is a tribute to the characters and the play by David Wood.

Kaleidoscope Players' production of Fantastic Mr Fox is at the Guildhall Theatre, Derby on Friday 17th June at 7:15pm and Saturday 18th June at 2:15pm and 7:15pm. Tickets are from £7.50 and are available from the box office on 01332 255800 or at http://www.derbylive.co.uk/Public_Event.aspx?ID=1111

For more information about the production, please visit http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Kaleidoscope-Roald-Dahl-s-classic-Fantastic-stage/story-12704461-detail/story.html

I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading!

Music Recording: 'Sunset Boulevard' from 'Sunset Boulevard'

Sunset Boulevard (based on the 1950 film of the same name) follows Joe Gillis, a failing Hollywood screenwriter who, while evading agents attempting to repossess his car, stumbles across the home of retired silent film star Norma Desmond. Convincing her that he will write her a film and return her to the spotlight, Joe begins a doomed affair with her, and his friend's fiancee, Betty, which ends in tragedy and heartbreak for all involved.

Many thanks to my good friend Joe Lammond who helped me record the title song. For more from exceptionally talented musician, please visit http://soundcloud.com/joe-lammond

The quality of the video above is not as clear as the original recording, a problem I have been unable to rectify. Despite this, I hope you enjoy listening.

Thank you for reading!

Music Recording: 'Who Am I?' from 'Les Misérables'

'Les Misérables' is the world's longest running musical and has been seen by an estimated 55 million people worldwide. Adapted from Victor Hugo's timeless, classic novel by French composers Boublil and Schönberg, with English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, 'Les Mis' follows the story of Jean Valjean, imprisoned for nineteen years after stealing a loaf of bread. Realising he has been given the opportunity to begin his life anew, the former prisoner 24601 assumes a new identity as Mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer. But he discovers he will never be rid of the shadows of the past when he is purused to the streets of rebellion-torn Paris by the ruthless Inspector Javert and discovers the virtues of compassion, redemption and love through his care of the orphaned child Cosette.

'Who Am I?' sees the tempest within Valjean's skull as he wrestles with his conscience, can he condemn an innocent man mistaken for himself, or must he face his past and return to the galleys with a number and no name?

'Les Mis' remains my favourite musical of all time and Jean Valjean the most emotional and rewarding character I have played.

Many thanks to Joe Lammond who helped me record the song. To hear more from this very talented musician, please visit http://soundcloud.com/joe-lammond.

The sound quality of the video is not as clear as the original recording; something I have been unable to rectify. Despite this I hope you enjoy listening to it.

Thanks for reading!

Music Recording: 'If I Can't Love Her' from Disney's Broadway musical, 'Beauty And The Beast'

'Beauty And The Beast' is a 'tale as old as time', one of Disney's greatest animated hits as well as a successful Broadway musical by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Linda Woolverton.

'If I Can't Love Her' is one of the songs composed especially for the musical. At the end of Act I, the Beast, horrified by his treatment of Belle, laments that he will remain a monster forever and will never discover the beauty of humanity or love, as he believes he is incapable of loving the only person who has ever shown him any tenderness, Belle.

Once again thanks go to Joe Lammond, my good friend who helped me record this song. For more from Joe, please visit http://soundcloud.com/joe-lammond

Unfortunately, the sound quality of the video is not as clear as the actual recording on my computer, something I have been unable to rectify. Despite this I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading.

Music Recording: 'I'd Rather be Sailing' from 'A New Brain'

A New Brain is a moving, heartwarming semi-autobiographical musical by William Finn and James Lapine.
It presents the life of Finn's alter-ego Gordon Schwinn, a talented song-writer with a stalling career writing for children's TV entertainer 'Mr. Bungee'. His life takes an even greater turn for the worse when he is diagnosed with a life-threatening tumor and fluid build-up on his brain. Fearing that all of his best songs are still unwitten, he spends his days leading to his opertation composing.
In this song, his loving boyfriend, Roger, sings with Gordon about the image of spending a beautiful day on the sea and ending it perfectly by Gordon's side.
A New Brain is a celebration of creativity, even in the face of death and the healing power of art, as Schwinn recovers completely and learns how to appreciate life better.

Many thanks go to my good friend Joe Lammond, who helped me record this song. For more from Joe, visit http://soundcloud.com/joe-lammond

Unfortunately, the sound quality of the video is not as clear as the actual recording we made, something I have been unable to rectify. Despite this I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading.

Kaleidoscope Players present FANTASTIC MR FOX!

Hello! Rehearsals for FANTASTIC MR FOX are entering their final stages with a dress rehearsal tomorrow! The Derby Evening Telegraph featured an article about the show in their issue on Friday 3rd June:

You can also read the article at http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Kaleidoscope-Roald-Dahl-s-classic-Fantastic-stage-outing/article-3623188-detail/article.html

Remember you can still get your tickets at http://www.derbylive.co.uk/Public_Event.aspx?ID=1111

Fantastic Mr Fox runs on Friday 17th June and Saturday 18th June at the Guildhall Theatre, Derby. Evening performances 7:15pm, Saturday Matinee 2:15pm. Tickets from £7.50. Group discounts available.

My latest video project, featuring the vicious famer Bean, who is intent on finding Mr Fox, will be uploaded in the next week! Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!

Latest projects

Hello to anyone who may be reading this! I'm currently working on my next video project, 'Tom's Bedroom'. This is a monologue that I devised during a summer course at East 15 Acting School which I am now developing further.
On the surface, Tom Palmer seems to be a thug and a bully who victimises other pupils at school and can often be seen swearing, smoking in one corner of the school field and chatting the latest 'cool' gang lingo to his 'bravs'. However, when he is alone, at home in his bedroom, things change, and the victim appears behind the mask of the bully.

I'm also busy rehearsing for Kaleidoscope Players' production of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox', to be performed at the Guildhall Theatre, Derby from Thursday 16th-Saturday 18th June 2011. I am playing Bean, the dastardly and cruel farmer obsessed with hunting Mr. Fox. Yesterday, I designed the label which will be printed on Bean's Cider bottles:

                   

The show promises to be fun and enjoyable for all ages, so book your tickets now at http://www.derbylive.co.uk/Public_Event.aspx?ID=1111 or call the box office on 01332 255800. Tickets £9, £7.50 concessions.

Thanks very much for reading!

Photographs: Hamlet - Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company (March 2011)

Here are some photographs taken from Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company's recent production of 'Hamlet'. I played the arrogant and over elaborate courtier, Osric, who, in our production, was in the pay of King Claudius through promises of power, land and wealth and would stop at nothing, not even the murder of the prince's childhood sweetheart, to obtain these riches.

For more information about Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company, their next production 'Much Ado About Nothing' at the Minack Theatre and Derby Grammar School in August and more photographs from Hamlet, please visit http://www.derbyshakespeare.org.uk/index.htm .

              

  Left to right: as Osric, with Hamlet (Chris Scott) and Claudius (Nick Hallam). Hamlet mocks the King, feigning insanity after killing Claudius' adviser, Polonius. He is unaware that the King's plan to have Hamlet killed upon his arrival in England, and of Osric's involvement in it.

Left to right: as Osric, with Hamlet (Chris Scott) and Horatio (Phil McGough). Hamlet and Horatio ridicule Oscric as he informs them of Claudius' 'wager' with Laertes - a ruse designed to bring about Hamlet's death in a seemingly 'friendly' duel.

The King (Nick Hallam) addresses the court, envouraging them to remember his brother (the murdered King Hamlet) and rejoice in his own marriage to his brother's widow, Gertrude (Jenny Earl).

All photographs are taken by and used with kind permission of Bryan Cleary.

Video: 'Growing Up'

Nigel Jackson is a sixteen year old schoolboy hopelessly infatuated with Emma Logan, a popular girl in his class at school. Returning home after a day of desperate longing, he considers the joys and pains of teenage love.

This is my first video project that I have uploaded. Please watch and I hope you enjoy it. Thank you!

Photograph: Les Miserables

As 'Jean Valjean' in the Robert Ludlam Theatre's production of 'Les Miserables (School Edition)' - June 2009. Living the role of such a strong-willed, tragic character and experiencing his metamorphosis from violent, hateful criminal to compassionate, loving philanthropist and father challenged me more than any other role I had played previously and remains one of my proudest achievements, not least because of the incredibly talented cast, crew and friends I worked with in the production.

Coming soon - 'Growing Up'

Hello to anyone who may be reading this! My latest project 'Growing Up' has been filmed! But, due to some lighting issues, has to be filmed again! Hopefully, I will have uploaded it in the next few days. Stay tuned! Thanks for reading.

Photograph: Othello

Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company's 2010 production of 'Othello'. Set in February 1912 when Italy was at war with the Ottoman Empire. I played one of Othello's sailors (third from left). This was my first production with DSTC and was a fantastic experience, mainly thanks to the talented and friendly cast and crew. For more information about Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company visit http://www.derbyshakespeare.org.uk/

Photograph: Buttons

As 'Buttons' in Kaleidoscope Players' 'Cinderella' - 2007. I enjoy pantomime immensely; there are jokes, iconic character archetypes that are so easy to laugh at and sympathise with, songs and audience participation. All round fun and madness!

Photograph: 'Robin Hood'

A photograph from a rehearsal of 'The Tale of Robin Hood' with Big Adventures Theatre Company - 2008. A thouroughly enjoyable production which involved some tricky fight choreography using broadswords. The fact that I was duelling my good friend Nicholas Baker (above left as 'Robin' alongside me as 'the Sheriff' )made the production even more memorable.

Photograph: The Canterbury Tales

As Nicholas in 'The Canterbury Tales: The Miller's Tale' in 2008. This photograph was taken shortly before the arrogant, womanising Nicholas is subjected to a very painful comeuppance from his love rival - a red-hot poker up the backside!

Photograph: Richard, Duke of Gloucester

Here is the first photograph in my portfolio - in character as Richard, Duke of Gloucester from a 2007 production of 'A Golden Hour of Shakespeare', featuring key scenes from many of Shakespeare's plays.

Hello!

Hello! To anyone who may be reading this, this is my first post on Blogger and first foray into the world of internet blogging! This blog is my place to upload videos, photographs of my work and promote myself as a performing artist. Please come back soon to see my first video monologue - 'Growing Up' - coming soon! That's all for now! Thanks for reading.