HAPPY 2016 TO ALL!
2015 was a very busy and innovative year for Gambolling Arena and our actors, with new projects and venues a-plenty. We began in January with a residency at THE HUNGRY MONK in Southport and an opportunity to try out some new work. Our singing waitresses were joined by Erin Alexander whom has since moved on to do her post-grad studies and we wish her success and more success..Look out for this talented young woman…
All good things Italian came from our waitresses and more bookings followed – Rehearsals were simply wonderful; to go to work and find oneself in Rome was just divine, even if in all reality we were just in a dingy rehearsal room. We are performers with great imaginations.
An evening of WEST END MUSICALS followed which was also a great success, to be able to sit with your mates and choose the songs from shows you like the best makes ours a great job (even with the lowly pay) and we will have more of these gigs to follow.
We began a 6 month residency with Southport Pleasureland – Our FROZEN show played to over 6 thousand people and we had real snow! That said personally if I have to hear ‘Let It Go’ one more time I may kill a small furry animal..We followed FROZEN with a Halloween Spectacular ‘Freaky Frozen’ – which again went down well and played to big houses.There are more shows for children and young people than ever before and I am happy to put hand on heart and say here at GA we strive to give a full and entertaining experience – these kids are our audience of the future And am happy to report that we have been offered a 2016 residency, so am always happy when I know I can offer a number of actors work during the daylight hours in order for them to do more ‘Arty’ stuff at night – but we all have to pay the bills.
GA had a successful foray into corporate work with MURDER MYSTERY and THE FAWLTY TOWERS EXPERIENCE…such fun and and more strings to our arty bow.
One of my dreams came true when I adapted and staged Mike Leigh’s ‘ Nuts in May’ an all time favorite of mine and top of my bucket list! And that of many arts students, the show was a resounding hit and we have more dates lined up for the spring and summer.
To end our year we staged ‘Under Milk Wood’ at Xmas, mince pies and mulled wine completed a fabulous night.
On a personal note I started a new role with EDDA a new community Arts Venue in Merseyside – I am their Arts co-coordinator and I love it; good to know there is a salary at the end of each month and I can still pursue all my work with GA.
February 2016, our new adaptation of ‘The Tiger who Came to Tea’ opens at EDDA, such fun to work on and Hollywood music to accompany the piece.
Welcome to 3 new actors, Rebbecca Wooder, Lee Craig and welcome back Tim Brittain and Bon voyage to our Amy Pilson as she sets of on her travels around the world.
Here’s hoping all actors have a successful and rewarding 2016.