savour the moment
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.
Suse
When Susanne Crosby wrote and put on “Waiting for Curry” in the Brighton Fringe Festival, she had no idea that someone from the Kings Head Theatre in London would come to see it. The play was a surprise hit at the Festival earlier this year, enjoyed by audiences and critics alike, so much so that she was asked to put on extra performances.
“I was bowled over by the response during the Fringe” says Brighton resident Susanne who also plays one of the four characters in the play. “People really loved it. It’s amazing to have such great feedback from the audience.” The one act play is about two couples meeting up to have a take-away together, and while they wait for the Curry of the title, they enjoy rather too much wine and relax a little too much, which leads to all sorts of skeletons coming out of closets that perhaps should stay buried.
“It’s a little family comedy drama that packs a punch” says Susanne who founded Twilight Theatre to specialise in new and innovative work. “I’m interested in real lives, not being quirky or clever for the sake of it. What spoke to people about the play is that they recognised the situation these couples are in, and many came and spoke to me after the show about similar things that they had experienced.”
In today’s world where people have different relationships through their lives and often stay friends with their ex partners, attitudes towards each others’ past relationships can be tricky. “People have all sorts of insecurities, and sometimes jealousy of the past can destroy the present. Also, sometimes we look back on point in the past with such rose tinted glasses, and wishing we’d still been with someone else, which can also be so destructive” says Susanne.
Susanne has written 16 plays over the last 20 years, 13 of which have been performed to popular and critical success all over Sussex. Her play “Magpies” won a national award with the Royal Project in 2010. “Brighton is such a wonderful vibrant place to live and be creative, and performing in London is a dream come true” she says. “I always hoped more people would notice and enjoy my stories.” And when she received an invitation from the Kings Head Theatre for Twilight Theatre to put “Waiting for Curry” on there in January she was “ecstatic”. The rest of the cast were equally excited to be taking this hit to a prestigious London theatre whose reputation precedes it. “I was going over my lines again on Christmas Day” says Susanne, “but I was so excited!”
“Waiting for Curry” plays at the Kings Head Theatre 13 and 14 January 2019 7.00-8.00 pm. Tickets are available from the Theatre box office: 0207 226 8561 and on the website www.kingsheadtheatre.com.
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.
Although as Susanne said: “It’s very odd being directed by your husband to play the role of another man’s wife…”
Waiting for Curry.
14-20 May.
www.brightonfringe.org for tickets.
See you there!
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.
Cast:
Looking for solid character actors, one man one woman, to play the two leads characters Emma and Tom. Some physicality required in performance.
Looking for pragmatic and flexible actors to be part of creating these roles in an intimate theatre space.
This is a great opportunity to be part of creating unique theatre.
Further information:
Playing age: 25-45.
The play is one act and is 50 minutes long.
This is an equal profit share opportunity.
Details of the Audition:
Please prepare a minimum 1 minute maximum 2 minutes modern off-book monologue which gives an idea of your emotional range.
You may also be asked to read a section of the script with others. You are not required to be off book for this. This will be given at the audition, however, if you would prefer to read it in advance of the audition please contact below.
Audition date:
Thursday 1st February, 7.45 pm
Sweet Dukebox Theatre, The Southern Belle (formerly the Iron Duke), 3 Waterloo Street, Hove BN3 1AQ
Rehearsals: will begin the following week, to be agreed with cast, some flexibility will be required.
Show:
Thursday 29th, Friday 30th, Saturday 31st March, Sunday 1st April: 8.00 – 9.00 pm.
at Sweet Dukebox, Hove.
Part of Hove Grown Festival.
If you have read all of the above and have any queries, please contact: enquiries@twilight-theatre.co.uk
Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you at the audition!
Hope this year is treating you well so far – and that you have the dates of “The Session” and “Waiting for Curry” in your diary… we will be casting soon, watch this space for more information!