Moments – November 2013
November 18-19 2013, Southbank Group Collaboration
A Friend of a Friend is collaborating with South Bank Group, a collective of new writers from London South Bank University who have come together to produce their short plays at the Chelsea Theatre.
Moments is a student-lead initiative which brings together eight short plays exploring captured moments of conflict: from an intelligence officer struggling with his orders to torture a suspect to two homeless addicts bartering whose turn it is to steal the meat.
Photography by Pete Tweedie
FULL LIST OF WORKS
CAPTURED
Captured is the story of a young British military Captain (Ben Coleman) forced by his superior officer (Major Walker) to interrogate and torture his prisoner (Qaseem Ramzi). Whilst challenging the order he is threatened by the Major. Will Ben go against his moral code to do his duty or will he stick to his principles?
Written by Jack Dowd | Directed by Danielle Byl
Jack, currently aged nineteen, is a second year student at the London Southbank University on a Creative Writing degree course. He was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of eleven. This has not thwarted his passion for writing and his dreams of becoming a successful author. Jack enters competitions regularly and has won two on-line competitions for short stories.
Jack started writing short stories a young age, his oldest works are currently being rewritten in a more mature format. Jack enjoys exchanging ideas and is an active member of on-line writer’s forums. He particularly enjoys writing crime, fantasy and science fiction.
Jack’s long term plan is to find an agent by producing a professional portfolio and to gain experience by experimenting with different forms of writing. Jack’s ultimate aim is to be a successful writer and to see his novels on the best seller’s shelves.
Danielle, a Canadian Theatre Artist now living in the UK, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Distinction) in 2008 from the University of Saskatchewan. Select previous directing credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Check Please!, Blueberry Hill Accord and Ninja Spy R&J (Persephone Theatre – Theatre School) and Bittergirl, Firing Francine (University of Saskatchewan North Studio). As well as directing, Danielle also has a background in: teaching theatre, stage management, wardrobe, front of house, and last but not least, performance. Some performance credits include: The Vagina Monologues (USSU), Elizabeth Rex, The Laramie Project, The Ends of the Earth (Greystone Theatre), and Munsch to the Max, Much More Munsch, Pete’s Birthday (Wide Open Theatre).
CAST
Captain Ben Coleman: Ben Kettner
Ben is a graduate from the MA Acting course at East 15. He has performed widely at various theatres including roles at The Leicester Square Theatre, BAC and Brockley Jack. His has various short film credits, and worked with ASA Productions on a World War II documentary for the Yesterday Channel. He also works as a writer, and is co-founder of Autonomy Theatre Company. His first play, ‘I Have Never’ was performed at The Hen & Chickens in 2011 and was picked up by writer/director Rikki Beadle-Blair and performed as part of Angelic Tales at Theatre Royal Stratford East this year. Contact details: B_Kettner@Yahoo.co.uk / 07866579341 or contact his agent – Mclean-Williams Management: info@mclean-williams.com.
Qaseem Ramzi: Haroon Sadiq
Major Walker: Richard Malado
Richard’s most recent work includes this years ‘Bodies’ A Night of New Writing of Short Plays, at the Horse & Stables, which he performed in ‘Wastes’ as a grave digger, web-series ‘Venus vs Mars’ which he played Venus’s dad, independent film shorts playing characters such as; dad, newly weds in support of gay marriage, the stranger, corporates as the banker, businessman, headmaster, further info, see my spotlight page; 0017-0163-0219
ANDY WARHOL & THE TWINKLY CLIT
A cheeky little play about a woman reminiscing about her time at university. Loosely based in the real world it’s a play that experiments with language (apologies in advance.) Also it’s a comedy. (Fingers crossed!)
Written by Claire Lily Squire | Directed by Jennifer Moule
Born 1992 in Devon. Raised by my wonderful Ma and Pa, (Hi Mum) I attended Okehampton College and there fell in love with drama. I Accidentally lived in Australia for a while and befriended a mad group of artists who helped me decide to move to London and study creative writing. I now attend LSBU and live in London bridge with my besties!
Director Jennifer (Washing Line Productions), uses physical theatre, dance and her dictaphone to devise performance. Branded a five star company by the British Theatre Guide, Washing Line Productions celebrate a total theatre, deploying all corners of performance to create a unique visual reality. Her latest show, ‘I Blame a Culture of Crisis’, a verbatim play which spurted the words of teenage Scousers, was staged this year at The Roundhouse and The Kazimier.
Jennifer is appearing as Charlie in the cast of Andy Warhol and The Twinkly Clit.
CAST
Maxine: Laura Buckley
Lauren studied Drama and Theatre Studies (BA hons) at Royal Holloway University of London. Acting Credits include:- Dame Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk (Shooting Star Entertainments), Alice in My Sisters Investigation (Welwyn Barn Festival), Cobweb in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Principal Theatre Company), Ruth in The Hive (Royal Holloway), Izzy in That Face (Royal Holloway), Sister Bernadette in Hushabye Mountain (Royal Holloway).
Charlie: Jennifer Moule
Jodi: Bips Mawson
Rodgers: Ashley Merrat
Fordy: Johannes Lundberg
Eric: Joss Lacey
Joss trained at East15 and is a hard working and motivated actor, facilitator and circus performer. He enjoys the thrill of performing and considers himself an experimental, collaborative actor.
GEEKS
Two aspiring writers who have taken on something that is far too much for either of them to handle effectively and an unlucky lover who is dragged into their escapades. Pressure mounts, arguments ensue and tempers flare – a little bit. It’s easy to forget that it’s hard to take people seriously when they don’t take themselves seriously and there’s very little serious going on today.
Written by Kai Turner | Directed by Danielle Byl
Kai. Tall. Skinny. Hairy. Sometimes a bit funny. That’s all you need to know about the writer Kai Turner. He’s a big fan of comedy and writing and he’s managed to attempt both of them in his creation “Geeks”. You’ll definitely see snippets of good writing and humour and maybe you’ll even enjoy the whole play! This bio was not written by Kai Turner and he didn’t approve of this message.
CAST
Adam: Giorgio Borghes
Giorgio graduated at The Bernstein School of Musical Theatre in Bologna. Is Geremia in “The Beggar’s Opera” directed by Lucio Dalla,in the same year wins the “Teatri Possibili” award inside the Hystrio prize for the theatrical vocation; produces with his own company, Teatri MuTeVoli, the musical “I love you, you’re perfect..now change!”. Takes part in “La serva Padrona” and “Il maestro di Cappella” for the theater LaVerdi in Milano. He works for the Theater Rossetti in Trieste in “Musical StarTS” a musical compilation and works again for Theater Rossetti in Trieste for “Christmas StarTS” a musical compilation of the best Christmas hymns. Is Leonard in the new musical “Vita a Corte” in Bologna based on the life of Mary Antoniette. Works as a perfomer for the Cosmoprof fair during the ceremony “Scent of the night 2012” the world perfume prize and wins also the critic award inside the music contest “Musici e poeti”, Bologna, as a songwriter. In October 2012 moves in London to start a new career and a new life. Works in “Summer Magic” on tour in the south of England and in the short movie “Dilemma” of Ian Tierney.
Anna: Kathleen Douglas
Kathleen, originally from Perth, graduated in 2011 from the inaugural Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Some of her performances at VCA included “Clarice” in Dreamsong, a new Australian musical directed by Michael Gurr and “Anybodys” in West Side Story, directed by Martin Croft. In 2012 she played the role of “Sarah” in the workshop of a new Australian musical, One More Year, and regularly performed around Melbourne with The Improv Conspiracy. Her cabaret, Fancy Meeting You, which she co-wrote and performed in, has played in both Melbourne and Perth. In 2013 she took on the roles of “The White Rabbit” and “The Dormouse” in the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Alice in Wonderland, the equivalent of British pantomimes but performed at botanic gardens in the hot Australian summer. In the Northern Hemisphere Summer of 2013 Kathleen stepped off the stage to assistant direct musicals at French Woods Festival of the Arts Summer Camp in New York before relocating to London. This is Kathleen’s first performance on a London stage. In 2014 she will be performing with Closing the Gap Theatre Company.
Lee: Ben Kettner
THERE’S MORE THAN JUST YOU
What if you don’t control your actions and reactions in life? What if something else was pushing your decisions in a certain direction? Inside everyone’s mind lives a shadow, there to tell you exactly what you should do. Can you fight it? Or will you be defeated by your own mind?
Written by Courtney Roye | Directed by Danielle Byl
Courtney – Aged 22 – is a graduate of London South Bank University’s Creative Writing degree course. Throughout her life, she always excelled in the arts, leading a choir, taking part in every secondary school show and even had a role in the first UK performances of Disney’s High School Musical.
Despite her love for performing, her heart truly belongs with a pen and paper. Beginning with short stories in the early days, Courtney finally found her niche in scriptwriting.
Unfortunately, during her time at University career, Courtney let everything get out of control, though after a while, she was able to channel all of the troubles and turn them in to pieces of writing. For her, writing is therapy and has helped her through to have a degree under her belt.
After writing a full length musical for her final project, Courtney is hoping to see her name in lights, recognised as the writer of a blockbuster West End musical. To stay in the whimsical world of Courtney, follow her on twitter, @TheOnlyCeeCeeJ.
CAST
Lukasz, Juliette’s Dad, Mr Johnson: Richard Malado
Belliatus, Mrs Johnson: Flaviana Cruz
Flaviana is a Brazilian actress who trained at East 15 Acting School where she received a Master of Fine Arts in Acting after spending time studying and performing at the Globe Theatre as well as GITIS (Moscow) and Bali (Indonesia) . Her recent stage roles include: Yelena (Uncle Vanya); Jane (Vieux Carre); Marmaduke (Orlando); Inquisitor (The Lark); Miranda (The Tempest) and Kalike (Lysistrata) among others. The role of Milena in the short film “The Equation for a Blind Date”. Rehearsed readings include: “Three in a Bed” (as Toni) and “Gaps” (as Amy). This is Flaviana’s first collaboration with A Friend of a Friend. For more information, you can visit http://www.flaviana.com or http://www.spotlight.com/1173-5647-3426.
Juliette, Sally-Mae: Kathleen Douglas
Repo, Jared: Giorgio Borghes
Pugntore, Social Worker: Oliver Callaway
Oliver trained in London at Guildhall and the Hoxton Street Academy. His recent stage roles include: Quince (Midsummer Nights Dream) Rogozhin (The Idiot) Borachio (Much Ado About Nothing), Philip (The Shape Of Things), Tramp (A Dorians Dinner). Tom in the short film Devotion and Charles in Elysium. Radio roles include: Henry Tulmeister-Flankshaw in ‘The Diary Of Edmund Warner Esquire’ and Bruce Wayne in ‘Batman Year 1′.
STEPPING STONE
The play is about two awkward American students, George and Gerold, who have finished high school in Florida and have come to London to study. Both are hoping to find popularity and respect with their fellow students in London. George even finds a girl he likes. But things go downhill when he starts to think his flatmate, Liam Stone, is stalking him. George gets so stressed out by it all, he starts to push others away. But is it Liam Stone whose obsessed with George- or George whose obsessed with Liam Stone?
Written by Matthew Sorflaten | Directed by Dominique Poulter
Matthew is a writer currently studying at South Bank University. He generally prefers to write, dark, surreal stories of the macabre kind, almost always with unexpected twist endings, as well as occasionally darkly comedic pieces. These stories are generally written in the form of fiction books. On this occasion, however, he writes a play that is purely a comedy, if a little surreal, and with a very strange plot.
Dominique graduated with an MA in directing from the University of Kent in 2008. Since then she has worked both in the UK and the US directing youth theatre, theatre in education and professional theatre. She is a big fan of new writing and has previously directed several pieces, most recently; Duet by Jacy D’Aiutolo and The Answer to It All by Caitlin Ince at the Old Red Lion and Jam by Adam Usden for the Royal Court Studio readings
CAST
Gerold: Chris Chisem
Chris started his training at the International School of Screen Acting and continued his craft at the Actors Centre, London. Previous new writing performances include: ‘Unrealistic Sleep Expectations’ at the Tristan Bates, ‘People Like Us’ at South Hill Park and ‘In the Latter Days’ for the North American Actors Association (N.A.A.A) play reading festival. This is the first time Chris will be performing at the Chelsea Theatre.
George: Andrew Gruen
Andrew, originally from California, holds a BFA in acting and directing from Boston University. US regional credits include Puck (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Cleante (The Miser), and Murmurus (Medea). London credits include The Princess of France/ Sir Nathaniel (Loves Labours Lost) with Grassroots Shakespeare and Officer Youngblood (Shawshank Redemption) with Secret Cinema. He also toured the US with ThreeSixty Entertainment’s Peter Pan, which originated in Kensington Gardens with design by Bill Dudley. Screen work includes Richard Ayoade’s sophomore feature film, The Double and the web series Tony Crow: Change Agent. Look out in early March for his theatre company, Americana Arts’ production of Fat Tuesday, a New Orleans Mardi Gras immersive party in the Old Vic Tunnels. Visitwww.thevaultfestival.com for more details. For a full acting CV, see his spotlight page: http://www.spotlight.com/7818-8948-7603
Liam: Seth Papworth
Cheryl: Lucy Timmons
Lucy graduated from the Oxford School of Drama. She was in a number of short plays with ‘Drywrite’ Theatre Company at the Bush Theatre. She was the ‘House Band’ and puppeteer for ‘Tucked In’s’ production ‘Golden Cowpat’ at the Pleasance, Islington. Rehearsed readings include: ‘After the Party’ with Sean Holmes at the Criterion Theatre and ‘Ripper the Musical’ with Naomi Jones. Lucy was also part of ‘Writer’s Bloc’ at the Old Red Lion, where she was directed by Dominique Poulter. For television, she was the ‘Mother’ in a recent Gumtree commercial and the Nurse in the first episode of ‘Southcliffe’ Warp Films, directed by Sean Durkin. She will also be seen as the ‘Mother with Child’ in ‘Pride’, Proud Films, directed by Matthew Warchus.
Emily: Lauren Buckley
GOLF KILLER
Jeffrey has always been picked on, the mule, everyone dumps work and everything to him. His life has gone downhill, as his girlfriend has cheated on him, his best friend got him fired and he has lost his house. His only solace and passion is golf. An interesting twist of thriller and comedy. What can a depressed man do with a game of golf?
Written by Mikhail Kustov | Directed by Gus Miller
Writing started at a young age for Mikhail, being a passion more than a simple hobby. I began to write poetry and short stories, and soon upped my game to write plays, film scripts and full-fledged novels. Writing this play and seeing this come to fruition is a dream come true is amazing, especially since English is my second language. I see myself pursuing writing plays, screenplay and novels in the future.
Gus’ Directing credits include: Vessel (Edinburgh Fringe – Fine Frenzy); The Comedy of Errors (Fine Frenzy); After the End (NSDF); Flare Path, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Shape of Things, Boys’ Life (New); Speed-the-Plow (Oast); Relatively Speaking (E.M Forster), The Fifth (Short Film – Raindance award-winner). Assistant Directing includes: Feathers in the Snow (Southwark); Carnival of the Animals (Riverside); Little Shop of Horrors (Lakeside, Nottingham). Gus is the Artistic Director of Fine Frenzy Theatre –http://www.finefrenzytheatre.com
Sound and Music by: Christopher Walters (www.christopherwalters.net)
CAST
Jeffrey Black: Freddie Garnett
This Summer, Freddie graduated from the University of Nottingham studying Economics. With the Nottingham New Theatre he took part in four productions playing Lord Fancourt Babberly in Charely’s Aunt, Brindsley Miller in A Black Comedy. One of his biggest loves is incorporating golfing into his life on the stage.
Stephen Augusta: Jon Cottrell
Jon graduated from University of Kent a year ago. Theatre credits include Dr Faustus in Dr Faustus; Larry in Closer; Mark Renton in Trainspotting; Valene Connor in The Lonesome West; Donal Davoren in Shadow of a Gunman; Brindsley Miller in Black Comedy; B in Crave; Konstantin in The Seagull; John in After Miss Julie and Bob Gould in Speed-the-Plow.
Directing credits include Speed-the-Plow; A Lie of the Mind and Oleanna.
Jeremy Liddle: Will Randall
Will studied Politics at the University of Nottingham and featured in multiple productions for the Nottingham New Theatre. Credits include: ‘A View from the Bridge’ (Eddie Carbone), ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (Oberon/Theseus), ‘Charley’s Aunt’ (Jack Chesney), ‘The Pillowman’ (Ariel) and ‘Eight’ (Danny). Will also performed in ‘Beef’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2011 which received a 5* review from the Edinburgh Reporter.
Lillian Liddle: Charlie Barnes
Charlie is in her final year at East 15 Acting School training on the World Performance BA. Theatre includes: Blue Fields, Urubhangam (Clifftown Theatre), Waiting For Godot (Gateway Studios), Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’be, Dancing With Auntie, The Admirable Crichton (all Central Studios), Crazy For You (London Palladium), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Basing House), The Full Monty (Reading Hexagon). Charlie has also appeared in a number of short films.
FILLETS AND BROWN
A short play about two lovers trying to make ends meet; with their bartering, their concern for each other and their jealousy much like any other relationship. Except these two lovers are homeless heroin addicts trying to find a way to get their next fix.
Written by Matthew Huggins | Directed by Matthew Huggins
Matthew is currently studying for a degree in Creative Writing at London South Bank University. After a successful career in politics and business, producing major events and conferences and niche publishing, he chose to begin writing full time. He is a published author with his memoir ‘I’ll love you if…’ and has ghost written several books. Fillets & Brown is his first play, which he also directed. Matthew is also the co-producer for ‘Moments’.
CAST
Snot: Michelle Murray
Michelle recently graduated from University of West London in Acting (BA hons). Theatre Credits: Daphne in Salsa Slur, Rebecca in Ashes to Ashes, Mary in The Bald Soprano, Cassandra in Agamemmnon, Irina in Three Sisters. TV and Film Credits: Model in Electric (London College Of Fashion), Witch in The reigning Of The Moth (University Of Westminster) Tina in Hostel (G7 Film Productions).
Scooter: Oliver Callaway
OUT IN THE OPEN
Out In the Open is a play about two friendly neighbours having a drink in their back gardens. However as the play continues we start to suspect that something more sinister and revealing is going on. How friendly are friends?
Written by Oliver Gallaugher | Directed by Dominique Poulter
Oliver is a writer currently studying at London South Bank University. He has written short stories and screenplays for film and the stage ranging from the dark and sinister influenced by Harold Pinter, to comedies which laugh at life.
CAST
Steve: Simon Milteman
Simon graduated from The Poor School earlier this year. Professional credits include: Buckingham in Richard III, Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing for Tremor Cordis.
He is also the co-founder of The Canting Crew – a theatre company formed from recent Poor School graduates. Productions include ‘Dracula’ and ‘Night of the Vampire’, but he is eager to avoid type-casting as one of the undead.
Mick: Kevin Mathurin
Kevin has appeared in theatre productions as Eddie in Willy Russell’s ‘Stags and Hens’ (2008), R.P. McMurphy in ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (2009), Terry in ‘A Consumer’s Dream (2010) , Danny Marshall in ‘Monostereo’ (2011), numerous commercial features for Sainsbury’s (2002), Macmillan Cancer Trust (2012), Ford Focus, Ronseal, Asda (2013), and the feature film ‘Ghosted’ with Art Malik (2010).’ This year Kevin filmed short film ‘Terminus’ directed by Emmy – award winner Kevin Thomas and written by David Thewlis.
Mary: Lucy Timmons