For Short Theatre Company Back to Local Theatres home page
For Short Theatre Company specialises in innovative, invigorating theatre. popping up and performing in a number of suitable locations, taking the performance out of the theatre and into the world of the play. Open to both new writing, as well as reviving published texts in visceral surroundings, this is a company on the pulse of the new age of exciting theatre.
Established by its four Artistic Directors (Patsy Ferran, Patrick Holt, Matt Jessup and Joe White), For Short is a brand new theatre company which aims to entertain and educate audiences by making the most of what they can get their hands on, something which they hope will be abundantly clear in their ambitious and unconventional staging of 'The Lonesome West' in a disused basement flat in Beckenham. 'The Lonesome West' represented their first production as an independent company. Having first met and worked with each other at the University of Birmingham they were determined to set up the company as a means of braving the theatrical world together. Initially the company was completely funded by its members (who are all in employment or further education). Following the success of their inaugural production, 'Orphans' marks their first following the official announcement of new company patron, Mark Rylance. Rylance is most famous for his multiple award winning role, Johnny "Rooster" Byron in Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem and is considered the greatest actor of his generation. For Short Theatre Company considers it a great privilege to have him supporting the company. |
2013
1-27 July
in a disused courthouse - 3Space Hub Blackfriars at Audit House, 58 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DS |
Review: Another interesting venue - an innovative choice for this play. Based on a novel by Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker under the pen name Robert Traver, it was also a film made in 1959, directed by Otto Preminger and starring James Stewart, Lee Remick, George C Scott and Ben Gazzara.
This production was convincing - both the acting and American accents were credible. Immediately on arrival, the audience became part of the play, being greeted and escorted up the stairs to 'Barney Quill's bar' by one of the cast. 'Barney' served the drinks and, just as we thought we would be going in to sit down, there was a tremendous bang, as the shot was fired, killing the bartender, which was the precursor to the beginning of the play. We were then directed up two more flights of stairs to the 'theatre' and the play began. The in-fighting between the defence lawyer (Benedict Hastings) and the prosecutor (Matt Jessup) was clever and amusing, sustaining the pace, with the judge (Patrick Lannigan) keeping order. Even during the intervals some of the cast mingled with the audience, remaining in their roles, so we had to imagine we were in the U.S. in order to make sense of the conversation! For the courtroom scenes, 8 members of the audience were invited to form the jury but were not expected to deliver the verdict. Interestingly the gender of the defence's psychiatrist witness, Dr Martha Smith, was changed from the original male role (Dr Matthew Smith) in the film, but was played with American gusto and forcefulness by Lara Frances. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, only marred by the thunderstorm, on the final performance of this run, which occurred during the latter part of the play and continued after the finish. Unfortunately this spectator was trapped waiting for a cab for nearly half an hour - but undampened by the experience! This play-goer is looking forward to future For Short performances. |
2012
13 &16-19 May
8-10pm School Yard, Wandsworth |
Orphans by Dennis Kelly
A hard-hitting three-hander. Helen and Danny keep themselves to themselves. But the outside world is about to come crashing into their lives in the shape of Helen's brother, covered in blood. This contemporary suspense thriller takes the audience on a chilling journey through a world just outside the front door. |
2011
30 Nov - 3 Dec
7.30-9.30pm |
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