Bruise. A drama by John Maguire. Debuting at The Lantern Theatre.

''The Bruises they will fade away, you hit so hard with the things you say.''

Two Gay Males, early thirties.

One Professional, one Writer.

Love and Lust,

Hedonism and passion,

The domestic cycle of their lives.

The usual merry go round of nitpicking, arguing, the making up.

Begging the question, what exactly is love?

And how far would you go to push it?

24th and 25th Feb

£8.00. £6.50 concession.

http://www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk/whats-on/bruise-24th-25th-feb/

Starring:
James Devlin

(The Cubstars (Gay Man Band), Something like a Fairy Tale, For the Best, Ideal, Beyond the Front Line)

Anthony Proctor

(The Last Eden, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Farmaggedon)

Written and Directed by John Maguire

(Heart, Mrs.Bojangles, Mexico)

Book Tickets here.

All images Matt Ford.
Music For Bruise composed by David and Jenny Whittaker. 

Bruise is supported by Broken Rainbow UK, The only charity supporting gay domestic abuse in the uk.

Bruise  = ‘A definition to bruise; to hurt, to pound…. To mark’

The play is set to be an intimate force that allows an insight into not only the physical aspects of gay domestic abuse, but the psychological, the brutal all-encompassing aspects…

Yes I walked in to a door, it didn’t hurt much.

The play breaks down assumptive attitudes, making the audience play its part in the drama.

The play investigates the taboo subject of Gay Domestic Violence, a subject area often shied away from.

Gay domestic abuse needs to be not mumbled, or so nauseatingly ‘generally accepted’, but understood, incorporated, aided.

Bruise is brilliantly clever in the intimacy of the message, something so private, so complex, so misunderstood, it reveals the secrecy behind the act.

It is an intertwining of improvisation and poetic rhythm that beats out a punishing point.

The Lantern Theatre continues to illuminate the Liverpool Theatre Scene.

The future of one of Liverpool’s most dynamic and vibrant theatres has been secured with the unveiling of ambitious new owners.

The Lantern, in Blundell Street, L1, has re-launched under new management. Inside Out Arts is a family run company who are committed to building on the vision of former owners.

In new proprietor, Margaret Connell, The Lantern is fortunate to have found someone who brings a wealth of experience in both the artistic and administrative sides of running theatrical productions.

Our main aim is to provide an affordable and welcoming alternative venue which will serve as a springboard for young performers.  We aim to deliver a broad programme including comedy, cabaret, music and burlesque, alongside an exciting and challenging theatre programme.  We've already had requests from two young companies in London to bring new work to The Lantern for the Spring season.

The new owners are delighted to confirm that Tiny Giants and the Lantern Theatre Company will continue at The Lantern as company in residence. The recent terrifying production of THE HAUNTING identifies the type of high quality theatre that will be staged.  Margaret is passionate about the performing Arts

I enjoy theatre that challenges but also resonates with an audience, good theatre should make you think and feel.   I love Sarah Kane and Edward Bond.  I love political theatre in the broadest sense; my own area is theatre for social change.  Augusto Boal, the late Brazilian Theatre Practitioner is my hero.  Ken Loach is another favourite.

One of my best theatre memories was Diana Rigg playing Medea at the Liverpool Playhouse nearly 20 years ago.  It was one of the most terrifying and moving productions I have ever seen.

An exciting season of productions demonstrates the commitment of the new management to continue the development of the theatre, as well as bringing new energy and commitment.  Theatre that is Challenging, Exciting and Honest.

“The Lantern has all the attributes a successful theatre needs, and brings a different dimension to the culture of the city.  Inside Out Arts plan to make this an essential part of the artistic diversity on offer in Liverpool. We’ll be making good use of the best talent around, on and off stage.”

Local Writer and Director  John Maguire is  thrilled that the space will continue to platform new work.

(Photo Matt Ford)

John directed GRIN PRODUCTIONS original play  MEXICO  by Wes Williams in July and will be returning to the space early 2012, staging  his piece BRUISE.

 The Lantern has a real bohemian charm, a spit and sawdust venue and I am delighted that BRUISE will be staged next year.

Bruise is an explosive piece of writing, exploring the destructive forces that compel two opposing characters to stay united in a complex, bitter, yet somewhere along the lines loving relationship. It illustrates the diverse ways one can be “bruised“, physically, psychologically, mentally and in a way that cannot be explained by mere language.

The Lantern is an ideal venue to stage this intimate and involved piece of theatre.

BRUISE will be staged 24th and 25th February 2012

From page to stage, The story of Slave – A Question of Freedom. The Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

 In 1806 local philanthropist William Roscoe angered the slave traders of Liverpool by speaking out in favour of a bill to abolish the slave trade.

The pool of life had grown rich in its principal role as Britain’s main slaving power.  It’s hard to believe that in the progressive modern world this diabolical way of life still exists. However, Mende Nazer’s harrowing story, “SLAVE” , tells us otherwise.

Mende Nazer had her childhood ripped away from her one harrowing evening when raiders swept through  her tranquil Nuba village, slaughtering the adults and rounding up the  children of the village.

Mende was sold to a wealthy Arab family who lived in Sudan's capital city, Khartoum. She was subjected to appalling physical, sexual, and mental abuse. She had no rights, no freedom, and no life of her own. Her captor labelled her as YEBIT, a girl worthy of no name.

Seven years after she was seized and sold into slavery, she was sent to work for a diplomat in the United Kingdom. In September 2000, she made a dramatic break for freedom. 

This thought provoking biography highlighting the power of the human spirit has now been transferred to the stage in an adaptation by Kevin Fegan and Caroline Clegg for Feelgood Theatre. It arrives at Liverpool's Unity Theatre,  Tuesday 4th –Sat 8th October 2011.

FIRECRACKER had the opportunity to discuss the origins of the play, the evolution from page to stage with director Caroline Clegg,

In 2005 a friend of mine gave me the book Slave by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis which was to change both the course of my professional life and my perspective on freedom forever.  As I read, tears of sadness and rage fell from my eyes and by the last chapter, I knew that I had to take action.  

Like many people I believed the slave trade had ended 200 years ago, but as I read more, I realised that the abhorrent trade in people is now more widespread than at the height of the transatlantic trade, with up to 27 million people enslaved or in forced labour around the world.  Mende’s story had been the catalyst to remove the blinkers from my eyes; it was as if her voice had woken me with a violent scream which now echoed the silent scream of millions of others.

As a director, the way I can hope to make a difference is by telling the story and so the journey to put Mende’snarrative on stage began.  Having worked with Feelgood in Africa over the last ten years creating shows infused with the exquisite sound of African drumming, a capella harmony and dance, I felt stylistically that I was on familiar territory – in Slave I could hear the rhythms, sense the heart beat of the earth in the Nuba culture.

I first met Mende in a coffee shop in Queensway and we talked nonstop for three hours.  Mende had never been to the theatre and I tried to articulate how I would dramatise her life on stage.  Sitting there with the most inspirational woman I have ever met, I was struck by what I was asking of her – to trust me, a complete stranger with her story, her ‘voice’.   She told me that she wanted us to speak out to help others.  

Storytelling is at the heart of the Nuba culture so we began with their oral tradition, telling a story around a fire.   It was important to celebrate Mende’s family life and culture, to allow the audience to appreciateMende’s deep loss at being denied the right to be with her people. The Nuba songs, music, dance and visual imagery are all natural elements in their daily life and, therefore, in our show. Mende’s narrative is a dark and tragic tale, but it is also full of beauty and joy.

The theatrical adaptation of Mende’s tale illustrates the impact of theatre and how it can transfer negative experience into a life lesson that also celebrates the power of the human fighting spirit. FIRECRACKER will be attending.

SLAVE is at The Unity Theatre Liverpool Tuesday 4th –Sat 8th October 2011.

Book tickets for Slave at the Unity Theatre.

Apocalyptic Fashion Theatre.

Words John Maguire.
Photos (not including flyer) Matt Ford. 


Last night FIRECRACKER attended theatre at THE KAZIMIER, the World Premier of The Last Eden, an original science fiction play written by Maria Swisher and directed by Tana Sirois.

The Last Eden is the story of a young girl, a resident of a harsh concrete dystopian future, who makes the ultimate sacrifice in order to embark on a journey in search of the last place on earth where trees still grow.

Exploring the notion of man as a storytelling beast, the piece cleverly interweaves live action, multi-media, lighting and bio-mechanical choreography, theatre as it should be raw and passionate.

The imaginative use of space is captivating and the set consisting of pallets and debris transforms The Kazimier. The creative use of costume makes you feel like you are in an Apocalyptic Fashion Show.

CLICK HERE to see pic in detail. 

 

At the core of this ambitious multi sensory experience is an evocative soundscape, a stunning original soundtrack performed (and DJed) live by Thomas Ashbrook; whose band 6ix Toys headlined this August to 20,000 spectators at the Liver Building’s 100^th Anniversary concert at the Albert Dock, Liverpool.

Playwright Maria Swisher said:

“Eden is a show about storytelling, that’s what we’re interested in. Creating new ways to tell stories with sound, music, movement, words, and image. Audiences demand to be stimulated now more than they ever have before. To keep up, we’ve got to be willing to change what we call theatre.”

 The Last Eden is a piece of theatre with two goals: Firstly, to create an innovative, multisensory experience which stimulates young audiences to re-define the theatrical event. Secondly, to confront the frightening future that generation faces in the wake of global warming, pollution, and the destruction of the planet.

The play runs: September 19-22^nd at The Kazimier, Liverpool.

To book tickets click here. 

Cast includes Nicola Wilson, John Purcell, Helen Foster, Danyel J. Roberts, Anthony Proctor, Derek Barr, Lewis Bray, Sean Benedict, Carolyn Grimshaw, Sam Meisner, Tia Konsur, Kieran Parrott, and Kelly Sparrman.

New blog update 22 Sep....  

The Firecracker Studio was ransacked by the cast of The Last Eden, before last night’s performance.

We were privileged to pick the mind of costume designer Miriam Spring Davies.

Miriam graduated in fine art and is a recent L.I.P.A graduate with a passion for fashion, influenced by which is easily identified in the look of the production. She cites her influences as stemming from the world of fashion and particularly Alexander McQueen.

Although the costume designs in the script were very specific, she was allowed the freedom of coming up with her own interpretation and taking on board the ideas from the actors as they found their individual characters.

The creation from costume sketches to construction was a hands on affair. The whole ensemble, even the lighting designer got involved, as they all had to be completed in just four weeks.

The materials were sourced from recycled materials and this make do and mend attitude was in keeping with the plays theme, focusing on the environment.

Miriam and all involved with the process have succeeded in creating an

Androgynous Apocalyptic Nightmare.

A dystopian world imaginatively brought to the stage but one that could be soon so so familiar.

Mexico at the Lantern Theatre Liverpool. Grin productions.

"Mexico is a dark drama exploring the tense relationship between a Mother and an unhinged daughter."

Sometimes your shadow doesn’t look anything like you, according to writer-director, John Maguire, a line he often cites from one of his own plays.

This is a key theme that John explores in the new play he is directing at The Lantern, Liverpool, Mexico, by Wes Williams Friday July 29^th and Saturday 30^th 2011.

Over the last few years John’s passion for Fringe Theatre has developed.  In June 2010 he became involved with Write Now, Liverpool’s International One Act Play Festival, directing his self-penned piece, Heart

‘Small drops make the Mersey and the odd shopping trolley’.

 John returned to the Liverpool Actor’s Studio in April of this year, directing a romantic comedy MRS BOJANGLES by Steph Blakeborough.  

Delving further into Johns love of theatre,

I value fringe theatre as its one of the rare places that artists can spontaneously create. Performance is becoming so fabricated and constructed to the point of ridiculousness, emotion by numbers. The restrictive nature of fringe theatre means that in order to entertain, a tale has to be told in an imaginative clear manner, no room for gimmickry. Lack of resources is the ingredient that creates. It forces you to be clever, to dissect problems instead of throwing cash at them. There is a definite buzz around fringe productions and it's the spit and sawdust venues that are particularly wonderful electric. Liverpool audiences are particularly amazing, as they have what I call the Huckleberry Finn trait, telling it how it is……if they don’t like something, they are not afraid to tell you.

John is an experienced actor in his own right, most recently performing Shakespeare last September in Hamlet in the North West of England, with a season finale in Civitavecchia, Rome.

 I understand actors, their needs, feelings, paranoia, as I have been one of those energised, skilled fragile beasts.

The play Mexico is a dark drama exploring the tense relationship between a Mother and an unhinged daughter. An explosive tango ballad between the two. However, it's the brother who never actually occupies the stage that is the primary focus of the action.

After directing a comedy I felt compelled to try something in complete contrast. The main thing that attracted me to this piece was the dynamic use of language between the characters and also the things they don’t say that speaks volumes.

John constantly analyses his craft and feels that Fringe theatre is one of the best places to experiment. He believes in consistently improving and is always thinking of the next project.

Any director/writer indeed an artist constantly develops. No one is ever completely really happy with the end product, whilst you have a momentary fleeting appreciation, an artist can always spot grounds for improvement. Graft equals Craft.

After Mexico, John will be developing a self-penned play BRUISE, touching on a range of issues from domestic violence to social isolation via the internet.  The play will be a hard hitting autopsy of an explosive relationship. Bruise is an explosive piece of writing, exploring the destructive forces that compel two opposing characters to stay united in a complex, bitter, yet somewhere along the lines loving relationship. It illustrates the diverse ways one can be “bruised”, physically, psychologically, mentally and in a way that cannot be explained by mere language.

Words Rita Tannet. Pictures Matt Ford. 

Mexico- 29th & 30th July 2011. 7.30pm

Box Office: 0151 703 0000

www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

57 Blundell Street Liverpool.


Click here to book tickets.