Director Susanne Crosby and actor Jordan Southwell had a brilliant time at Gladrags looking for World War One soldier uniforms for my upcoming play “Duty” at the Fringe, plus clothing suitable for working on a farm. Gladrags is like Aladdin’s cave, a treasure trove, filled to the brim with all manner of clothing, sometimes overwhelming and some spaces you can hardly move in! Jordan is one of the actors in “Duty” and was amazing at finding suitable clothing and trying on different sizes and combinations.
It was something else to see him in a First World War uniform.
Even in socks.
Brilliant.
Tickets are going fast – don’t forget to book! Tickets are available on both Brighton Fringe and The Lantern Theatre so if it’s sold out on one, there might be tickets on the other.
The ‘Highly Recommended’ TWILIGHT THEATRE proudly presents DAYS a new eco-thriller comedy-drama set in the all too near future Written And Directed By Award Winning Brighton Based Playwright Susanne Crosby
It’s been a long time coming, but we’re back with something completely different. An eco thriller, with some comedy, set in the not too distant future, in a world running out of energy… watch this space for more…
We were due to be at the Brighton Fringe this May, but sadly the Fringe has been postponed:
We are very sad that this has had to happen but of course we fully support the decision. We firmly anticipate bringing you our wonderful new play in the Autumn when the Fringe returns.
Until then, stay safe and look after yourselves and each other.
Yes we’ve gone quiet – I’ve not been taking a break so much as working intensely on other projects. I’ve fulfilled my childhood dream of directing two plays which I fell in love with at school aged 14: The Corn is Green, and Macbeth. I am hugely grateful to the Southwick Players who indulged my wanting to put on a play set in 1898 in Wales; and to Wick Theatre Company who indulged my Medieval vision of Macbeth in the round. Both were critical and popular hits: The Corn is Green won multiple Arts Council Awards and Macbeth received 4 stars from the Brighton Argus and “Wow!” from audience members.
I’ve also been in three other productions over the last 12 months: “Disappeared”, “The Tempest” and “Therese Raquin”. All three were fun and challenging (not necessarily in that order) and I’ve learned so much – as an actor, as a director, and producer.
Ellen Casey in “Disappeared”
Antonio in “The Tempest”
Madame Raquin in “Therese Raquin”
Sometimes you have to step away in order to give yourself perspective. I have so many more theatrical ideas now to take Twilight Theatre forward through the year and plan for the future. So yes, we have been quiet, but the cogs are whirring. Check out more information, reviews and photos in the link below. Enjoy! Susanne
So we’re very excited about our next play, “Waiting for Curry”, which opens on 14 May and runs until 20 May, as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival.
This play premiered at the Hove Grown Festival in 2017 for two nights and was a big hit (see “Waiting for Curry” previous productions tab). It was sold out with people queuing for returns on the last night and people turned away because there was no room. Fringe Review called it “an excellent play” and classed it as “Highly Recommended”. So this year, with the support of the lovely people at Sweet Venues, we have a longer run in the hope that everyone who wants to see it can get in!
One of the bits of feedback we received over the premiere was that when the audience were packed out, it was harder for people at the back to see what was going on when the characters were sitting down. So, we have a new set. It’s set in two of the four character’s home, so we’ve imagined a breakfast bar situation, where everyone is on higher breakfast bar stools in advance of the curry that they are waiting to take delivery of. We know this staging will make sure that everyone, no matter where you sit, will be able to see everything.
But putting this together has not been without its challenges! All four of the original cast were asked to reprise their roles for this production and all of them agreed. However, with a seven night run, and a lot of rehearsals scheduled, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the two actresses to be part of it, due to family and other commitments. Then one of the actresses landed a role in a shorter run play but one that has the likelihood of becoming mainstream in West End – so both actresses in the end had to sadly pull out. Then, just before rehearsals were due to start, it was clear from being committed to 4 other productions, one of the original male members of the cast would not be able to perform in this either. We miss them and wish them all the luck in the world for their next ventures and no doubt (unless superstardom awaits) we will be working with them again.
Did this send us into a panic? Well, perhaps a little. But there brilliant thing about Twilight Theatre is the amount of talented actors and actresses that we already know and love, ones we know would be perfect for the roles, ones we can call on to ask could they possibly be available for a 7 night run for a brilliant play in the middle of the Brighton Fringe? Yes was the answer. With the writer / director filling the last remaining female role, cast, with 5 weeks to opening night, was set.
Of course with the writer / director (who is also an actress) now being in the play, someone else had to be brought in to co-direct, for perspective and assistance with portraying the overall vision. This is in the shape of the writer / director’s husband, himself an actor / writer / director, and this team is putting together a superb show with very talented actors.
(L to R) Susanne Crosby, Matt Grief, Alex Louise, Alexander Bond
Although as Susanne said: “It’s very odd being directed by your husband to play the role of another man’s wife…”
“The Session” has been a big hit with audiences and critics. It’s the huge success we knew it would be. Thanks to the super talented cast and the really responsive audiences. It’s so fantastic to see the fruits of our labours being enjoyed!
So, we are mid way through the run, 2 nights performed, 2 to go. It’s been challenging getting people out over the long Easter weekend, but the audiences have loved that they made that choice.
Trying to work out which is the doctor and which is the patient has been fascinating for the audiences. Sometimes, just when you think you’ve worked it out, something else happens to make you doubt your decision…
(left to right) Alex Bond, Alex Louise, and Kevin Cherry
Audience feedback so far:
“Loved it!”
“fantastic… so much so that I’m going again tonight”
“Great play”
“Loved it, very tense… wonderful writing”
“fab night”
“Excellent”
“What an amazing, fantastic performance! A brilliantly written script and a very very talented cast. The venue really lends itself to this play and you are completely drawn in to everything happening on the stage. This is an absolute Must-See for everyone, I guarantee you will be glad you did.”
“I watched this little gem last night. It gets the old grey matter thinking. One not to miss. Written by the amazing Suse Crosby”
James Roy, from Meridian FM: “Wow. Cleverly written, brilliantly performed. “The Session” at the lovely intimate Sweet Dukebox Theatre. Get fully immersed in the action whilst trying to work out who is the Doctor and who is the Patient!”
Tickets for Susanne Crosby’s brand new play “The Session” are now on sale.
We at Twilight Theatre are so very excited about all of this.
“Two people in a locked room with one chair. One doctor, one patient – or are they? And who is who? Part thriller, part humour: they try to unravel what’s going on. Each tries to gain the upper hand through banter and even bickering, as if they are married. Sometimes witty; sometimes poignant; always surprising.”
