Venetian Blinds

Hello, hello, we're back again! There's a whole new programme, published in the usual space, and the first piece is a stage play originally scheduled for July. It's called Venetian Blinds, and is by Peter McKelvey. Here's the blurb, as written by his own good self:

"VENICE, A PALACE, A FABULOUSLY RICH, GENEROUS, AND ATTRACTIVE MISTRESS. WHAT MORE COULD A PLAYWRIGHT WANT? TALENT? OH COME ON NOW, YES COME ON AND FIND OUT ON MONDAY EVENING AT PLAYER PLAYWRIGHTS".

7.45 at the Phoenix.

Return of Pandora's Boxes

You can't keep a good play down. Barely has the dust settled on the production at the Etcetera when it rises once again from the grave like another sequel in the Friday the Thirteenth series. Put a stake through the play's heart, freeze him in ice - still he comes back.

There have been one or two cast changes - our very own Victoria Johnston takes one of the female leads, and if they had an up to date photo, would be seen here. But otherwise it's the same play. Same director, same script, and same writer. It's a three week run too, so now you have no excuse.

August 30th till September 17th, at the much more use friendly times of 7.30 Tuesday to Friday, 7 on Saturday, and 6 on Sunday.

Country Life - the Reviews

Well that's done and dusted. Thanks to all who came along, and to all those who helped make it possible. Here's some of the reviews:

"The dialogue recalls the understated dryness of Alan Bennett..."

"a sharply acid comedy"

"more twists and blind alleys than by the waterways of Venice".

"Everybody must go and see this thoroughly entertaining production. Now".

Too late! But it may come back. Stay tuned...

Country Life

So here we go. The carnage of the last few days may have put a spoke in some of the Fringe, but there aren't too many shops in Malet Street, which means Player-Playwrights debut production, Country Life, is going ahead. It features Marji Campi, Chris Bearne, and David Forest as the three oldsters fighting it out in Devon. Here's Marji:


And here's Chris:



I'd now show one with David in, but I simply can't find one on youtube. I bet he's in there somewhere, though. Anyway, he's good.

They all are. Good director, good set, good venue. The script isn't so bad, either, though maybe I'm biased. It runs from Monday 15th to Saturday 20th. Do come along. Ten quid for normals, seven for students. Not bad for a full length play. If we break even, then maybe P-P will do this again. If not, well I hope at least some of you come and visit me in my debtor's prison.

Pandora's Boxes and other Goodies

The Camden Fringe is up and running now. Love and Other Games may have ended, but this week there are three openings. the fan & THE STAR & the star & THE FAN, which I mentioned last week, opens at 7 tonight at Rada. Before then, though, is the stage version of Pandora's Boxes, by Denise O'Leary. Last time around it was a radio play. It narrowly missed being put on radio four, instead settling for the unusual surrounds of Resonance FM. Now it's back with the same director, Dimitry Devdariani, but a whole new cast. And it's on at the Etcetera. Four thirty in the afternoon, but we all need an excuse to take the afternoon off, don't we?
Then, for two nights only, comes Eamon McDonnell, in tandem with Tony Kirwood, making his third appearance in three years. This time it's a satirical take on contemporary mores. i.e. a series of sketches. Brokeback Britain starts on Tuesday 9th, again at the Etcetera. Peter Thompson is intending to see all three shows in the same day. Why don't you join him?