The Bookends Theatre Group present 'After the End' by Dennis Kelly

“They were all in the pub when the explosion happened. Louise wakes up to find herself trapped with Mark, who has saved her life. Mark, who has always been prepared for the worst, has everything he thinks they will need to survive; tinned chilli, Dungeons and Dragons and a knife – now all they need to do is to wait until it's safe to go outside. Can they survive the attack? Can they survive each other?"

Written By Tony, Olivier and BAFTA Award winning writer Dennis Kelly, After the End was a play Director Grant Campbell was keen to tackle from first seeing it 6 years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe. Admittedly, watching from an actor's point of view, initially he saw himself on stage but ultimately took the bold decision to make his directorial début with this gritty, dark and thought-provoking piece he'd fallen in love with. Having been involved with The Bookends Theatre Group for a number of years, Grant knew he had the support there to challenge not only himself but also the group's audiences with a play that he hopes will spark debate and conversation. "Written just after 9/11, the play feels like it has even more relevance to today's world. There is that global backdrop of East vs West but essentially it is played out in this microcosm between the two characters."

Actors Eilish Brand and Craig Carter were an obvious choice for Grant to play the two characters, Louise and Mark. Having worked with both on various other productions he knew they were up to the task, allowing him to shift his focus on to the unknown territory of directing. "What has been the most enjoyable and yet the most challenging thing thus far has been taking on this play as a director and not as an actor-although it's helpful to have that perspective. I had such a clear idea of how I thought I wanted to do things before we started rehearsals but I've learned that it has to be about incorporating the actors' ideas as well as your own. Sometimes they'll suggest something that I hadn't even thought of and I love that team effort aspect".

The risk factor in producing After the End comes in the form of the adult themes and content throughout. Keen not to shy away from the physical element, for Grant it's about balancing raw, realistic and striking imagery with the no holds barred text. "There's a distinct turning point in the play where things quickly descend to what you think is the low point, only then to go further. I want to push the boundaries but always with the intent to make things feel visceral but not crude or shocking for shocking's sake" 

Where we see two characters forced in to scenario fraught with tension, the intensity of the classic power struggle is increased ten-fold, leading to exploration of themes of exploitation and retaliation. 

Whilst the audience are being pulled out of their comfort zone, thus too are actors Eilish and Craig who have taken on the gargantuan task of performing a two-hander, where neither character leaves the stage. In addition, the meaty text and themes make navigating the rehearsal process an arduous task at times, Craig explains- 

"The latter scenes are so intense that it has been a challenge to shift from rehearsing those, to some of the lighter content. It's about getting back in to or out of differing mindsets".  For Eilish tackling certain aspects of her character's journey has been an interesting process. "I was surprised at the scenes I found most difficult. When Louise wields her power over Mark, that shift in the relationship is an interesting one to explore".

"This such an important piece of theatre. People can be guilty of surrounding themselves with those who think they same way as them and the play forces you to reconsider what you believe to be so. It about not shying away from the big topics-this is not a fluffy show by any means but we hope people come to challenge themselves."- Grant

You can catch After the End at..........

East Kilbride Arts Centre

Wednesday 27th-Friday 29th September 2017

8pm

£12/10

Website: http://aftertheend.info/

Tel Box Office:  01355261000

**Contains adult themes and content.

Four Fringe Fancies

With a plethora of things to see and do throughout the month of August, the Edinburgh Fringe has something for everyone. Celebrating it's 70th year, this festival as ever will have you spoilt for choice with a variety of venues and locations offering top-notch entertainment for you to check out. For all those heading to the our fair capital city next month I thought it may be useful to point out a few shows that may tickle your fancy! 

WHO? Katie MacFarlane (traditional music)

WHAT? Katie is a Gaelic and Scots singer from Airdrie who is greatly influenced by her connections to North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. She has had a passion for Gaelic and Scots song all her life and has been a semi-finalist in both BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician and BBC Radio 2's Young Folk Award competitions. Accompanied by Chris Gray on piano, Katie's performance ranges from folk and traditional to self-penned songs.

WHEN? 25th of August, 10pm

WHERE? Acoustic Music Centre, Ukrainian Community Centre, 14 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5AB

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY? 

"I love the vibrancy and variety of the Fringe and am so looking forward to bringing to the festival my own interpretations of songs that I enjoy singing along with the soulful piano playing of Chris Gray"- Katie

WHAT NOW?
Buy tickets from https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/katie-macfarlane
http://m.bpt.me/event/2936123

WHAT ELSE? Katie's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/katiemacfarlanemusic/

WHO? Bubbles & Martini (music)

WHAT? Featuring Dean Martin hosting one of his many shows introducing his duet partner for the evening, Michael Buble – a man he’s obviously never met before. These Kings of Swing are separated by time, but now with the magic of this theatre show they are brought together in concert.

Performing all the hits from the era of music that's never going to be forgotten along with a few from Bubles present time!

WHEN? 21st-26th August 19:05pm-19:55pm

WHERE? Venue 53, theSpace, Theatre 2, Surgeons’ Hall, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY? 

"My nan taught me to sing and appreciate this era of music. My aim is to celebrate that music and entertain people the same way I used to entertain her"- Jamie aka Michael Buble

WHAT NOW?
Buy tickets from https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bubbles-and-martini

WHAT ELSE? 

Twitter page: @BubblesnMartini
Website: http://www.bubblesandmartini.com

WHAT? Jay has been called many things in her life, not all of them have been complimentary and only some of them have been true. Whatever she may be - she's certainly a wee besom - but who said that had to be a bad thing? Fed up trying to conform to society’s endless labels, Jay’s decided to turn her back on the anxiety of expectation and frolic in the fun of failure. This is a show for anyone who has spent too long worrying about what everyone else thinks! A hilarious and uplifting hour that doesn't need your approval! (yes it does…..please come.)

WHEN? 2nd -28th August (Not 14th), 8.30pm

WHERE? Gilded Balloon at Rose Theatre, 204 Rose Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AZ. 

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY? 

"Cuddly one sec, cruel the next, this comic will have you open-mouthed in amazement" - The List

WHAT NOW?
Tickets available from http://www.gildedballoon.co.uk/tickets/performances.php?eventId=14%3A1581

WHAT ELSE? 

Box Office: www.edfringe.com 

Twitter: @jayjaylaffs 

WHO? Spilt Milk presents Adulting (theatre)

WHAT? “Adulting (verb): To adult. To do something one would expect an adult to do. To behave in the way one would expect you to when you are an adult. Twenty-five. Quarter of a century years old. I am happily engaged, have a down payment on a two-bed and a glamorous job that takes me from country to country. Oh and I have one pet. Aged ten, this is how I saw my future. In reality, I live at home and have yet to find my soulmate. I attempt to bake. I often date. And I sometimes frequent DIY stores. All before another glass of wine. These are the little ways I try to feel like an adult. I know there are pros and cons to being this age, I just haven’t found out what the pros are yet.” Tony’s quarter life crisis included bleaching his hair then shaving his head circa Britney 2007; Grant rescued all his old toys and gave them refuge in his room to prevent Toy Story 3 from happening for real; Jacqueline wanted to join a band, buy a Vespa and move to New Orleans whilst Catherine watched Clueless every day for a month...Spilt Milk juxtapose their ten-year old selves viewpoint with the sometimes depressing reality of what being twenty-five actually involves, in a funny and irreverent exploration of ‘adult’ life.

WHEN? 4-26th August 2017 excluding Sundays. (4-12th 12.55pm, 14-19th 10am and 21-26th 9.10pm) Week 1 and 3 £9 (£7.00) & Week 2 £7.50 (£5.00)

WHERE? Space Triplex, The Prince Philip Building, 19 Hill Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9DP 

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY? 

"Following on from it's sold out run at the Tron Theatre last year, Spilt Milk's "Adulting" will mark the company's Fringe debut. The show follows all the pleasures and pitfalls of the quarter-life crisis. Interactive elements resonate with a varied audience because at the end of the day we all are, have been or will be adults...sometimes!"

WHAT NOW? 

Tickets https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22spilt%20milk%22

WHAT ELSE? 

Website: http://spiltmilktheatre.co.uk/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiltmilktheatre/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiltMilkGLA/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/spiltmilk_gla

The Braw and The Brave Meet.....Lawrence Crawford

Since starting this blog last year, Lawrence Crawford has been on my interviewee wish list. Despite working alongside each other on the same project for a number of years now, sat in many an-all day meeting together, I had never had the opportunity to actually sit down with him to discuss his work as an actor, director, playwright and filmmaker....until now that is.  

Coming through the ranks of youth theatre, Lawrence remembers a sense of not fitting in at secondary school and it was going to study a BA in Drama Studies at the tender age of 17 at Glasgow's RSAMD (now The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) where he finally felt at home."It was somewhere I could do silly voices, be myself and no one would comment on it". After graduating, he threw himself into acting, constantly commuting back and forth to London for auditions. In 1995 he was cast as a young officer in Bill Bryden's production Big Picnic about young Glaswegian soldiers in WW1. Starring well-known Scottish acting talent such as Jimmy Logan and Dave Anderson, Lawrence recalls the experience with real sentiment, with the attention to detail seeing him trained by an ex-army officer and the grandiose scale of the production being so fondly etched in his memory. However it was the bond formed with his fellow performers and his time spent with Jimmy Logan that made a lasting impression. "One thing he taught me was to let a laugh breathe. He knew about timing. You need to read your audience".The cast held a 20th anniversary reunion in 2015 which was tinged with some sadness at the loss of some their fellow cast members over the years. It is clear his time spent on this particular production has made a lasting impression and he is immensely proud to have been a part of such a large scale, prominent piece of Scottish theatre. 

Despite his success as an actor, which included appearing in the film Bent starring none other than Mick Jagger,  Lawrence found it increasingly frustrating at being typecast as the stereotypical Scottish junkie, young thug, alcoholic or car thief. "As actor you don't have a lot of power. You're reading someone else's lines. You're being told where to stand and what to do by the Director. There is a degree of creativity but you don't really have the power to change things".  It was then Lawrence decided to start making his own work and returned to his studies, this time at RADA in London. An intensive year of studying and working full-time to pay for his bed-sit saw him complete a masters degree in Theatre Text and Performance. Writing and directing, soaking up the London life and culture, after five years in the 'Big Smoke' Lawrence finally decided it was time to return home. Scottish theatre had gone through some significant changes in the time he had been away and he was now keen to get involved in the thriving scene. 

Directing plays for the likes of National Theatre of Scotland, leading adult theatre groups for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, The Arches and Falkirk Youth Theatre, Lawrence over the years has worked with a variety of organisations producing and facilitating. He enjoys devising new pieces with his actors, as well as creating theatre that delves into themes that interest him personally. "When I'm writing I try to imagine someone actually saying the words. I try not to be too precious, so when you hear it read aloud in rehearsals there's room to change things". Inspired by the works of Ken Loach, Mike Leigh and Iain Heggie, Lawrence likes to give some ownership back to the actors but also include his audiences. His 2010 play COMA forced the audience to play the role of the doctor who decided the fate of an unconscious patient on life support. "It's about finding the balance of getting them involved but not to the point where they find that off-putting".

COMA by Lawrence Crawford

In more recent years, love for his homeland and a fascination with some of his Scottish heroes has encouraged Lawrence to produce new work that sheds light on some untold stories. His play Connolly in 2016 about the 'Big Yin' turned back the clock to Billy Connolly's child hood and his life in the shipyard industry. Research is paramount when creating this kind of theatre and this is something Lawrence revels in. "When you find out something you did not know it's exciting to think how you will include it to inform your audience". Currently he is working on staging Alan Bissett's novel The Incredible Adventures of Adam Spark.  Set in Falkirk about Falkirk young people, Lawrence has made it his mission to breathe life in to the adapted for stage version of the novel which to date has never been performed. Tackling themes such as racism and homophobia, set during the Tony Blair/Iraq War years, Lawrence feels such issues are still ever-so current and important for youth theatre to take on . "Alan attended our first read through with the cast. He'd never heard young people read it aloud before. The very people who he'd written it for". 

Connolly by Lawrence Crawford

In storytelling Lawrence recognises the weight of responsibility that also comes with his work. As a filmmaker he recently had the opportunity to give a voice to those who at one time were silenced by their circumstances. His film The Kids Aren't Alright tells the harrowing stories of four young girls from Ayrshire who have lived through parental substance abuse. Involving the young people in every aspect of the creative process was critical as Lawrence was adamant that they were comfortable with any decisions made. "In capturing their stories I knew I had to start with a blank page. It had to be told by them". From holding auditions to editing, the young people were given the chance to contribute at every stage, giving them some ownership over a situation they previously had no control over. A screening was held in January of this year and the film has been greatly received. Tackling such a difficult subject matter was a challenge but one which Lawrence was very keen to undertake, in a bid to encourage other young people suffering in silence to speak out. Plans to share it with youth groups and schools across the country are underway and there is hope that it's message of hope will resonate and reassure young people in similar circumstances. 

The Kids Aren't Alright by Lawrence Crawford

Working as a freelance artist Lawrence finds it imperative to constantly challenge oneself in order to make work that is both fulfilling and inspiring. "It's about putting yourself out of your comfort zone. Giving something of yourself when you're asking others to do so".Collaborating with songwriters and choreographers allows him to not only bring his vision to life but to also see how things look from another creative's perspective and to continually reevaluate his decisions. With experience comes confidence but Lawrence isn't one to rest on his laurels. Having several strings to his creative bow and always looking to challenge himself, his most recent project, making a film about his father's battle with Dementia, may be his hardest but most rewarding endeavour yet. "I feel it's helping me to deal with the situation". Never one to pigeonhole himself, Lawrence believes that as an artist your journey is more important than the destination. "Don't give up, keep on setting yourself goals and don't compare yourself to others" are his mantras and they are clearly serving him well. Famed for his distinctive, very dapper sense of style Lawrence is keen to put himself out there in the hope that others will feel more at ease in expressing themselves through drama. "If wearing a silly shirt breaks the ice, I'm more than happy to get teased". 

First single you ever bought?

"We are Glass by Gary Numan. It was a 7" single from Woolworth's. I used to buy one every week and I still have them!"

Favourite film?

"One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. I have a theory that actors are at their best when they're still hungry and for me, that was a role Jack Nicholson was born to play. He was an unknown and at an age where most actors have given up. The actors had spent time in mental institutions to prepare for the film and I think you see that"

Biggest pet peeve?

"Ignorance. Any kind of isms. I hate to see videos of terrible things happening on public transport with people standing by and not intervening. You have to question why we live in a society where we're happy to stand by and film these sorts of things"

I'm happiest when....

"When I'm around people I love"

Best invention?

"Electronic music. I used to be a DJ and I'd have to carry my entire record collection to gigs. Now you can store 1000s of albums on a laptop!"

Favourite song lyric?

"John Lennon "a working class hero is something to be". If the common man likes you, you're doing alright.I guess it's because something else that I'm passionate about is that the arts should be accessible to all."

The Braw and The Brave Meet....Ryan Moir

Photo by Scott Cadenhead

Meet Ryan Moir, a Musical Director, Composer and Performer from Largs. Coming from a very musical family, it’s no wonder he has fashioned himself an extremely successful career in directing musicals, youth theatre productions and pantos, as well as producing, composing and performing with his very own children’s theatre show, The McDougalls. From day dot Ryan was pinning up bed sheets as backdrops and charging his parents 50p to come see his shows. His love of music began at a young age and Ryan fondly recalls many a Hogmanay party at his Granny McDougall's house where everyone had a chanter, accordion or mouth-organ in hand or ‘took a turn’  belting out an old Scottish tune. He was destined to play an instrument but he explains, he didn't quite follow the family tradition,

“Every male, for generations, on my Dad’s side of the family have all played the bagpipes….I remember my Granda sitting me down when I was about 11, trying to get me to do scales but I wasn't really that interested”. His love of music saw him producing umpteen shows in his bedroom and back garden, his siblings and cousins in tow, with their parents being coerced into forming an audience on the sofa bed or garden bench. “There’s many a home video where I'm taking a strop because they aren't taking it seriously enough. This one time it started to rain halfway through our magic show and I was absolutely raging that they were all getting agitated, telling us to ‘hurry up!’”

Ryan admits studying an instrument or learning to read music wasn't something he was that keen to pursue but he had such a thirst for music, he’d return home from youth theatre rehearsals, only then to sit in front of his Casio keyboard for hours figuring out how to play the songs he’d been taught to sing, as well as recording tunes he’d composed on his cassette player.  Eventually going on to study Music and Theatre Studies at Glasgow University, Ryan continued performing and creating work outside of his course. “If I think back, from the age of 17, I was probably trying to build up a career for myself”. Never wanting to be pigeon-holed, Ryan actively sought out opportunities to work with different people and organisations, tapping into other aspects of the theatre other than music. His ‘variety is the spice of life’ energy saw him start to work as a freelance artist after graduating as the next natural step for him to take, seemingly unfazed by the uncertainty of going solo. “I think I’d find it quite odd now to go work for someone else. I like the freedom…creating your own destiny!” 

The McDougalls. Photo by Laura Robbie 

Two years ago Ryan formed The McDougalls, the family friendly, interactive musical touring company who have enjoyed huge success from the outset. “Originally it started as a one-off show we created as part of the children’s’ summer programme at Irvine Harbour Arts. Instead of putting on your usual workshops I came up with the idea of making a show aimed at preschoolers”. Ryan explains that although he is Artistic Director, it is very much a collaborative effort from all involved. Home town friends of his, Ruaridh Forde and Colleen Garrett, join Ryan and his sister Angie Moir on stage as up to 10 different characters in the McDougall Clan and behind the scenes they all have an input in to the creation of each production. “Everyone has a voice and a responsibility. Everybody wants it to do well”. From Ryan’s point of view there’s a reassurance of working so closely on something he’s so passionate about with people he knows well and trusts. Ruraidh and Ryan attended the local youth theatre together and after years of putting on shows together at home, Angie was bound to end up alongside her brother on stage. The emphasis is on fun and making things magical as the McDougalls take children and adults alike on various exciting adventures with Max, Mollie, Maisie and Auntie Aggie. Plenty of madness, mayhem and sing-along moments ensue and their sell-out performances in theatres, schools and arts centres across Scotland prove how entertaining and engaging their shows are. The company’s creative process is one which everyone is invested in “After pinpointing the big moments and a loose structure, as the musical element is so strong, we tend to figure the songs out first and then write the dialogue to link them all”. Although they set aside time to brainstorm and work collaboratively on each project he admits, “it’s a bit of a messy process…I don’t think there’s a linear process to anything. We know when the deadline is and we've just got to get it all done”. Although essentially a children’s show, entertaining every single audience member and providing a family experience is at the heart of what the company aim to do, ”Music is a great way to span the generations…it’s got to be of a standard so that the adults can appreciate and engage with it too”.

In establishing your brand comes the conflict of taking every opportunity offered and the possibility of compromising your artistic integrity in doing so. Ryan wants what they have created thus far to continue to go from strength to strength and has a clear vision of how that can happen without jumping through unnecessary hoops, altering their act for that chance of that one-off gig. “There’s no harm in being picky about what you take on if it means you’re protecting your brand. Making decisions not to do certain things, from a financial point of view, in order to stick to what you’re ultimately aiming to be is something you become savvy to over time”.

With the expanding success of a company comes the need but uncertainty of inviting other creatives or specialists to help raise ‘your baby’ and help bring the vision to life. “Initially when you’re starting something you’re frightened of involving other people….but now we’re working with students and graduates and we’re getting work that is good quality, affordable and giving them the experience and a good opportunity”. Ryan’s ability to be so hands on with every aspect of the company and the shows they produce is the key to their continued success and although he claims “I’m not particularly phenomenal at anything but I like to have an interest in various different things” arguably this is what makes it all work. His passion, determination and the sheer enjoyment he gets from creating something he feels is his is the driving force behind it all. Supported by his fellow performers and collaborators, Ryan is someone who is keen to support others in gaining experience wherever possible. Having been a youngster grabbing every opportunity presented to him he recognises the importance of opening the doors to fellow young creators. “We recently realised that everyone working on The McDougalls, from the cast, to lighting and sound are all under the age of 26”. Ryan is not one to rest on his laurels, he acknowledges that certain pitfalls of putting your work out in the world are inevitable but what motivates him is the responsibility he feels to keep to going even when things are challenging “If I don’t just go for it I know I’ll let down other people. When you've put so much work in to step one, it would be daft to just give up on it”

As if all that wasn’t enough to contend with, Ryan also runs Largs Youth Theatre, with 150 children between the ages of 3 and 18 attending classes every week. As well as acting, singing and dance tuition, the chance to delve into other mediums such as film making is also offered to aspiring creatives. Ryan over the past 3 years has also taken on the role of Musical Supervisor for some of Coventry based theatre company Imagine Theatre's productions, creating all the tracks, writing band parts and sourcing musicians for their annual pantos in various UK venues. It’s evident that he is hungry to work and engage with others and his talent, professionalism and work ethic serve him well. For someone so busy, spinning plates effortlessly left, right and centre, is there even time to reflect or allow self-doubt to creep in? “I’m always anxious about starting something new. Even when you know it’s going to be fine, you tend to lean towards that Scottish pessimism of expecting the worst but it doesn't hold me back….then in the end you’re often pleasantly surprised!”. Ryan is confident in his work and isn’t fazed by trying new things or asking for what he needs. That ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get’ attitude aligned with his positive outlook and friendly demeanour allows him to achieve his gaols and press on.  

 I had the pleasure of working with Ryan for the first time this summer on ATG’s Theatre Royal, Glasgow’s Stage Experience 2016 production of The Wizard of Oz and immediately warmed to his super friendly, laid back approach. I felt welcomed and supported by Ryan from the outset, as someone new to the organisation (Ryan also delivers weekly classes at the theatre) and thoroughly enjoyed a crazy-busy two weeks piecing together a full-scale production (starring 75 children and a real live Toto!) with him and the team. Ryan is a grafter in the truest sense of the word but he’s unassuming and appears to take everything in his stride. Going above and beyond the call of duty to produce the best work possible is an intrinsic to what he is all about but when you’re motivated by such love for what you do Ryan explains “you just kinda get on with it” 

What are you listening to?

“At the moment it’s all children’s songs…one’s from all over the world as I’m prepping for the McDougall’s Christmas Show ‘Chaos at Christmas’”

If you could have an unlimited amount of something, what would it be?

“Time! Everything is so fast paced-I’d like longer to think about things, reflect and plan.

Also time to be able to switch off”

Favourite word?

“Yes! I like yes people!”

Last film you watched?

I recently saw the new BFG film and really enjoyed it!

Biggest pet peeve?

“Waiting on people! Oh and people sauntering….I'm not a saunterer!”

Best song lyrics?

“’Let it Be”-I've always been a big Beatles fan.

Life motto/mantra?

“Just get on with it!”

Favourite musical?

From a sentimental point of view I would have to say,’Oliver’.  I played the part of Oliver when I was wee and it takes me back to that time whenever I hear the music from it”

Favourite place in the world?

“I like Scotland. Driving about in my car, I like looking at all the hills and the nice scenery….all my best ideas come whilst I'm driving around in my car!”

If you could do one thing to help the world, what would you do?

“Get them all singing! It’s the power in that 1 or 2 minutes of singing a song where people can forget all their worries. I'm not saying it’ll solve the world's problems but it can for that 2 minutes”



Be sure to get your tickets for The McDougall's fun-filled, magical festive production, 'Chaos at Christmas'.

On from 15th December at Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine