PARK FAMILY PARTY
Wednesday, 29 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
A lovely evening on site yesterday, the Park Family party was a chance for Melli, Annabel and I to invite people to the site as many of our trustees and ambassadors had done. We had the largest turn out to date - about thirty people - and it was good to see that we could deal with the numbers. Melli and I each led a tour staggered just a couple of minutes apart and this worked very well. We were pledged some great donations on the night and emails with pledges and promises of cheques are still coming in. Thanks to all our fabulous and supportive friends! I can't wait to throw more parties... but for now it's back to the grind stone, writing more applications to trusts and foundations and chasing up some to whom we already submitted. This is a great milestone and now I know we're absolutely going to do it all!
FRIED!
Tuesday, 28 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
Amazing. What a wonderful feeling! On Friday I wrote, in the blog, about how I had just hosted a tour and meeting with The Garfield Weston Foundation - and how they asked for more information. I didn't write a long blog that night as I had to work on all that over the weekend - I had, as I put it, "bigger fish to fry". Well at one minute to midnight on Sunday night I emailed through the amended business plan, additional figures and supporting statements to the grants officer and at a little after four thirty today I received a phone call to say that we have been awardd £50,000 towards the education floor. Hard work paid off and my metaphorical fish got well and truly fried! We're getting closer and closer to our goal now - and with a fundraising party on site this evening I think we're going to hit the halfway mark of £200,000. Breath for a moment, take a second and then...... continue forward moving up another gear!
THEY GROW SO FAST, DON'T THEY?
Monday, 27 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
This weekend - amongst seeing shows, leading workshops, reworking budgets and general emails - we miracously managed to get to Finsbury Park with the video camera and capture some of the progress on site. We'd been meaning to do this for so long and it's just in the nick of time as in a couple more weeks the top floors will again have changed dramatically. The only down side about the whole thing was that we were so tired it ended up being a rather quick, and possibly less energetic than usual, zip round. Not sure when we'll release Episode 4, we may wait for the next round of filming to add to it. The most important thing is that we've got it - I suppose it's a bit like a baby in its early stages; you want to capture every moment as "they grow so fast, don't they!?"
TRUSTS AND FOUNDATION
Friday, 24 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
I had five meetings back to back today - it was rather 'one-in-one-out'. A hectic schedule but a very good meeting with a large grant-giving foundation to end the day. They've requested some additional information and I'll be working on this over the weekend. So it's a brief one for now - I love you dear diary but right now I've got bigger fish to fry...!
ABIGAIL'S PARTY
Thursday, 23 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
It was a remarkably warm afternoon as the Park team set up for another fundraising drinks party on site – a happy contrast to the previous party hosted in minus one degree weather. Today the host was our ambassador, David Horovitch – fresh from his recent trip to India; a much needed break after a nine month stint at the National Theatre. David’s guests included writer/director Mike Leigh along with actors David Warner, Phil Davis, Sharon Small and others. The party was a great success, Mike was enthused about the space and had many questions. He had lived extremely close by for some years and was keen to see a theatre finally coming to town – as were they all (most of whom were local). Best of all David still had wine left at the end and now wants to do another!
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Wednesday, 22 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
As each hour passes by we grow closer to D-day, the day of the biggest decision this year – to build or not to build (the education floor I mean). We’re getting more money on almost a daily basis. I go to sleep at night and just can’t picture us not doing it. That’s positive energy and that helps; but what helps most is actual hard cash… so on we soldier doing all we can to spread the word and reach more people who can help us.
THE KINDNESS OF FRIENDS
Tuesday, 21 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
I remember many months ago writing a blog entitled The Kindness of Strangers. For those not familiar with A Streetcar Named Desire, I should tell you that therein lies the reference. Today's blog, however, takes a different stance - as it seems that many of the strangers of yester-month are the friends of today...
Since occupying the building some two years ago our presence in the community has been increasing - both quickly and confidently. It has been a pleasure to begin relationships with so many people, relationships that have started out from a tiny seed and are starting to grow into fully blossoming plants. That's surely what Park Theatre's about - nurturing both audiences and practitioners, providing a welcoming environment in which to grow. I remember the first contact from a local resident who works at the Royal Opera House and passes by on the bus on a daily basis, and from another who runs a promotions company and came round on an industry tour, and from the couple who popped their heads round as we were once locking up to ask for more information. All these people are now supporters - in fact one is on our board. I'm proud to have developed those relationships and, as we approach opening and enter the first few years of operation, we must be sure to only accelerate all efforts in this field.
So, whilst we continue to find new supporters from all areas, and strive towards our funding goals, today was a day to remember those who have quickly become friends and who have given us their time and energy. As Melli and her new assistant Amy organised for a group of helpers to stuff envelopes and take to the streets with brochures, I was embroiled in a number of meetings on site led by the intrepid architect Dave Hughes: he who was an utter stranger two years ago and now probably knows me as well as my family - well he should do, he certainly spends more time with me than they do. Then there are all our fantastic ambassadors - one of them went round hand delivering brochures to the shops in Crouch End last week and one called me today to say they'd met some local people on holiday and were telling them all about the theatre!
So here's to wonderful new friends from the last couple of years - and to growing relationships over the next.
With all my love and huge appreciation, Jez x
PROBABLE
Monday, 20 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
A few meetings on site today including a good chat with the General Manager of Improbable and a couple of their associate artists. A company whose work we certainly admire. Let’s hope that, when we’re ready to programme, something fits!
I was advised to check to Peter Hall’s diaries on building the National Theatre - note to self, must buy.
The day ended with a screening of a new Tim Roth film produced by my friend Rupert Jermyn, great to see the rough cut of what should prove to be a great british thriller.
A bigger blog soon I hope - I do have some things I’d like to address (he says, royally) but the midnight hour approaches and I must eat some food then hit the sack. Long day tomorrow - beginning with a meeting at the Capital Club at 9am.
FULL ON FRIDAY
Friday, 17 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
Great day, fab meeting with Tamzin regarding a top secret project that we soon hope to announce! Just gone midnight and have returned from Guildford seeing Terence Rattigan's 'Less Than Kind' which is currently on tour after selling out at the Jermyn Street Theatre last year. This feels more like a tweet - short and sweet. That's 'cause I'm knackered and for Park peeps, there ain't no such thing as a week end! Grrrr.... (but we love it!)
A 'POLITE NOTE'
Thursday, 16 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
For some reason, no matter how clear we think we are, we seem to be with inundated with people trying to “drop in” for either a tour a coffee or both.
Now, to be clear:–
- We do not work from the site office most days; we usually work from home.
- We do not currently live near the theatre.
- No-one is permitted on the building site without an official appointment for reasons of health and safety.
- We have arranged and are continuing to arrange various group tours for both the industry and local residents.
- These are free and everybody is welcome, all you need to do is book.
It’s great that there is so much buzz and excitement driving people through our doors, but please understand that we are often working 16 hour days and aren’t able to down tools for an off-the-cuff meeting, even if we do happen to be there that day. For any enquiries whatsoever please email us. Absolutley everybody who emails us gets a personal response, every time, without fail.
For those interested, the next round of tours will be in April - they will be announced on the website, and via mailout - so local residents please sign up online and industry professionals please email melli dot bond at parktheatre dot co dot uk to be added to the industry database if you aren't already on it. Many thanks :)
THE ARTISTRY OF GIVING
Wednesday, 15 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
Very touched today by an incredibly generous donation. Not just a large amount but a wondefully clever amount too. Just over two thousand pounds - in fact twelve pounds more. £2,012. Get it! I challenge the next donor to come up with something equally as profound! Many thanks to you, dear Friend, and to all our wonderful supporters to date.
And hey, it's an early night. 11.15pm and I'm about to finish the blog and watch a few minutes of TV. Trumpet fanfare please.... ba ba ba baaaaaaaa! (actually when it's written that looks more like a sheep).
PS: Nice little article about Tamzin and us in the Evening Standard today, would scan and tweet etc, but then I'll loose the trumpet fanfare - so... until tomorrow!
SHMALENTINE
Tuesday, 14 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
"Ah Valentine Shmalentine!" he says, the Scrooge of the Romance world. No time for flowers when you're building a theatre.
Actually I did manage the flowers, but it's nearly midnight and once more the Bond workstation is busy through the night.
I'm really excited to have the fantastic video we made with Sir Ian McKellen, Tamzin Outhwaite and Celia Imrie up on the website. Lots of positive feedback and some more donations starting to come in. For those enjoying their valentine's evening and wanting to reward their loved one with something more permanent than roses, how about naming a seat in Park 90 or Park 200?
TAMZIN CAN'T WAITE
Monday, 13 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
Tamzin Outhwaite has been officially inaugurated as an Ambassador for Park Theatre - and a prouder, energetic, more active ambassador we could not wish for!
What most people didn't know is that Tamzin has already been working behind the scenes with me over the past ten days and - as a result - we are about to release a very exciting video within the next few hours! Let's just say she's not the only star of it. So watch this space!.....
We may also have some further exciting news early next week as we are hatching all sorts of marvellous plans. She's already got a date for her party on site and has sent her invites out. Like her, we simply can't wait to get cracking with all these events!
I HEAR A RUMOUR...
Friday, 10 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
"I hear a rumour you're opening with a musical" someone tells me. Of course word spreads like wild fire in our industry so evidently what started as a possibility, a suggestion, a desire is now - in most people's minds - a fact. We may well open withe a musical. It has an inherent sense of celebration about it - which just feels right juxtaposed with opening a new building. The funniest thing is that there appears to now be a sweepstake on which musical it will be! In fact some interesting ideas have come up... so keep 'em coming!
AND AGAIN...
Thursday, 9 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
Sorry to delay but again no time for the clever blog. It's gone midnight and I've just finsihed a one hour phone meeting (great to know that someone else also works late hours). Up at 8am again to start another hectic day...
THE LURE OF THE BED...
Wednesday, 8 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
So much to say today, an amazing day in fact. But too important to ruin it all by exhaustedly blogging now as the lure of bed is too strong. I've been feeling increasingly unwell and run down, my eyes are sore and my head is throbbing. These final few words then to bed and tomorrow another rather epic day... hopefully some more energy, at that point, to share the excitement of the last 24 hours with you all....
STARTING WITH A BLANK SLATE
Tuesday, 7 February, 2012 by Charlie Ward
One of the delights of building a theatre is working from a blank slate. Unlike most capital theatre projects, Park Theatre will not house a company with a previous history: there is no audience to keep and no style to accommodate. Clearly the choice of site influences the size and shape of the auditoria, but at every turn there are small decisions that will affect the Park Theatre experience for actors and audience alike. Many of the decisions are practical, but I've found the last few months creatively stimulating in various exciting ways.
When you start to break down the theatre experience, you become very aware of its ritual components, many of which we take for granted; they're often so ingrained into the status quo that nobody has ever considered changing them. There's a small example of this in today's Guardian Stage Blog, where Lyn Gardner has used Park Theatre as a beacon for open accounting in emerging companies:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2012/feb/07/fringe-theatre-open-accountable
We're not inventing transparency, but we're allying the policy on accounting for visiting companies to the ethos of the building as a whole. It's a small step, but perhaps other venues will respond, and before long that too will become part of the status quo. There are a number of other discussions up in the air about how Park Theatre might do things differently: if you were creating your dream theatre, how would it stand out from the crowd?
THE ROUTE THROUGH...
Monday, 6 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
The route through the lower ground floor is cold and damp, water drips down through cracks in the floor above and steel columns prop tonnes of concrete. This is not the set for the latest low budget horror movie - although it does a very good impression of being exactly that. No, this is the stalls-to-be; and beyond this dark atmosphere a modest but comfortable room awaits, filled with plans and folders, tables and chairs, hard hats and boots. This is the new site office - and the warmth hits you as soon as you enter. So as the February snow melts above our heads we sit inside our very own base camp, mastermind our new state of the art theatre and continue to turn drawings into reality...
I NEED 48 HOURS IN A DAY
Friday, 3 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
It's 1am and I am still working like nuts. I wish there were 48 hours in a day, I simply don't have enough time to get things done. Today was insane. Great breakfast with Tamzin this morning but I've hardly had a second to think about anything we've talked about, let alone deal with all the invites to our upcoming parties. Right... must continue... Dear Friends I shall be back on Monday when hopefully I will be on top of things again, having spent the weekend tackling the mountainous workload infront of me....
LOTS TO COME
Thursday, 2 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
I’ve had a long day today. I’ve travelled from West to North to South to North to West but it’s all been worth it. Dave and I saw the new Bush building earlier – and Steve Tompkins has done a terrific job with the design. It’s not quite finished yet though - they have plans to refurbish and convert other currently back of house spaces into public areas. As for my own wonderful architect, my dream-maker, my Horatio – he’s come up with a potential change to the back of house that reminds me why I love him so. We simply never stop refining, tweaking and challenging each other.
More of this and on the rest of the day anon – as various seeds planted today may soon develop into full flowers and merit a proper announcement. Fast forwarding a few hours and as I leave the Gatehouse – after a very entertaining production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ – I feel the cold air burning my skin. They say it’s due to snow tonight and part of me feels like curling up in bed with a hot water bottle and hibernating. Of course I can’t do that – and I don’t want to really; I’m having breakfast with Tamzin in the morning. All I can say, again, is watch this space!
WHO YOU KNOW
Wednesday, 1 February, 2012 by Jez Bond
There's a great deal of truth in the famous expression 'it's not what you know, it's who you know' . In the theatre industry we often thrive on this; people take cautious steps to appease the people positioned to give them a step up and would make little apology for getting the job through a friend or family member. Of course it's all very well when you're one of those who know people, but for those on the other side of the fence - those, for example, starting out or not in the 'it crowd' it's incredibly frustrating and, let's face it, downright unfair. Now in my own miniscule way I realise that I've played my part in this - any director will tell you they enjoy working with familiar faces and sometimes it's tough to get through the door if you're not known to a particular director or producer. I have always tried to maintain a healthy balance of new faces and to audition a range of performers - and I will indeed strive to continue this at Park Theatre.
What is, however, becoming increasingly frustrating to me now is that it appears the world of fundraising is no different. Obviously individual donors require a personal connection - it doesn't take a genius to work out that Tom Cruise isn't going to give you £10,000 even though "he can easily afford it" and "he supports the arts". But when it comes to applications to trusts and foundations one would have hoped that a strong application could sail through to success based purely on its own merits. In the majority of cases it seems to be not so - we're constantly asked "who on your board knows people in trusts and foundations?" Unfortunately, whilst among our trustees and ambassadors we have a level of expertise and theatre experience of which I am extremely proud, we simply don't have these key contacts. So part of the day is spent writing applications and trying to get across the passion and vision, which is so hard to translate onto paper, to a grant officer - and the other half is spent trying to find a 'way in' to any of these organisations that would give us the all important leg-up. "C'est la vie" say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell!