VISION
Tuesday, 31 January, 2012 by Charlie Ward
What's your vision? It's the big directing question, perhaps the big question for leaders of every stripe. We want reassurance that the person we're following knows where the gold is, and has the map to find it. 'Look at this lovely map', the leader says. 'Here we see the pot of gold, and look - here is the rainbow that will lead us to it.'
In the context of theatre, I find the notion of 'vision' very problematic, but it's at the core of everything Jez and Melli are doing at the moment. Because Jordan is a born troublemaker, the tour involves quite a lot of dust, and even more suspension of disbelief. You'd think he was trying to build something. Ultimately Jez relies on his passion and his beloved future present tense to convert a building site into a theatre. His skill at this is not in question, but perhaps it's significant that my determination to worm my way into the Park Theatre family (stalking is the only way), was partly motivated by Jez's humility when it comes to clairvoyance. In his own words, 'we're hoping that the audience will help us to shape what we do and how we do it'.
REGENERATION
Monday, 30 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen” I began “I'm Jez Bond, Artistic Director for Park Theatre”. It’s a title that used to sound alien but now comes as second nature. I’ve given countless speeches at tours, presentations and meetings that I’ve become incredibly comfortable in talking on all aspects of the theatre. Today I was at the Finsbury Park Regeneration Conference addressing forty or so residents, business owners and councillors across the three boroughs of Islington, Hackney and Haringey.
The key topic I was asked to discuss was why, of all the gin joints in all the world, we had chosen Finsbury Park...
There are many answers; the excellent transport links, the current influx of new developments and conversions, the income of classy restaurants, the previous lack of arts provision, the huge number of theatre practitioners. But there’s on other thing that I often remark but rarely expand upon. The hoards of suits exiting the tube station at rush hour.
Ten to twelve years ago I worked as Associate Director at Y Touring Theatre Company - who were at that time based on nearby Lennox Road. What you see now that you didn't see then are the hundreds of young professional couples dressed in suits walking out of the station at rush hour. This change is indicative of an area on the up and this very fact is vital to our success. You see, the trouble with new audiences is that they take years to cultivate. The truth is that without a core audience of more affluent theatre-savvy people, we wouldn't survive.
So how do we reconcile this truth with one of our key aims to pull in new and diverse audiences?
Well unless we have the finances in place to operate with empty houses and to spend vast amounts on marketing to people who won’t even think about coming until long after we’ve chained shut the doors forever, we need to generate some income quickly in order to survive. We need to survive in order to thrive – and we need to thrive in order to invest time, money and a great deal of energy into developing new ways of attracting those who haven’t been to the theatre before.
It’s through our success in generating ticket sales from a ‘safer’ audience plus through finding the right balance in programming that we will begin to address the issue.
People often talk of the negative effects of ‘gentrification’ of an area – and indeed where the wealthier come in, the house prices go up and the poorer are forced out of their indigenous neighbourhood that’s not a good thing. However there’s a balance to be had – one where the wealthier communities and the less advantaged live together, where the more affluent take care of the poorer.
Park Theatre can be a facilitator between the two. It will take years to build but it’s worth every effort. New audiences are key, young audiences are our future and a worthwhile theatre simply must be rooted in the community in which it sits.
CROSSING THE RIVER
Friday, 27 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
A great day today. This morning I started at the Young Vic, where a young and energetic company were presenting a workshop snippet of a new play they had devised. It was very well recieved and had a lot going for it. I found the narrative, the characters and the clever interaction with video to be very well realised and look forward to seeing their developments.
Following The Stage's New Year's party at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane - where I made some new friends and met lots of old - I proceeded back across the river to the Jerwood Space where some practitioners were presenting the beginnings of a show. Again lots going for it, so all in all a very productive day.
WE MADE IT TO 1,000
Thursday, 26 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
Congratulations to the team - and all our faithful followers. Thanks to loads of great tweets and retweets and Friday Follows we made it past 1,000 followers this morning. In fact on Friday we were ranked number 6 in the UK for Friday Follows! That's pretty good going. Plus another 90 or so poured in just in the last few hours thanks to some new tweeters on the case!
MUST FILM
Wednesday, 25 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
So much to do and so little time (so many times have I said that). Desperately need to go to site with the video camera and make a record of the fast changes to the upper floors. The joists are in and in a couple of weeks the framing system that forms the walls goes on. We'll be watertight in the front building before we know it!
JUSTICE FOR A MOVING NIGHT
Tuesday, 24 January, 2012 by Melli Bond
The credits for evening's show gave us many reasons to attend - familiar director, producer, actor and venue; and whilst some might think we would be biased in terms of expectation and enjoyment I can assure you I am very open equally to take each show on its own merit.
And so tonight we saw 'Execution of Justice' at the Southwark playhouse. A well done piece of theatre - Joss Bennathan directed this large cast and gave, essentially a court room drama a very punchy and well paced delivery. I'm pleased to say I wasn't put off by the accents - as often happens to me seeing American plays here in London. A pet peeve really as I don't understand why Americans aren't cast more often? They live here, work here and are good. So thankfully this production has American actors as well as Brits with good ears!
An enjoyable evening though an upsetting story - that's a good night at the theatre. Make me cry, make me think make me laugh; whatever it is please make me do something, that's why we go isn't it folks? That's why you'll come to the Park - that's certain.
BIG TRIP FOR BIG MEN IN BIG SOCIETY
Monday, 23 January, 2012 by Melli Bond
It's only for one night but packing to stay away is still something that takes thought - mainly because I remember how cold it is 'Up North'! Going to Leeds you would think I was heading for some unheard of town or half expecting a wild journey as I rationed my water and covered up with my huge blanket/scarf/rug - a very snugglish item.
On arrival to the theatre there were all sorts of people inviting me in - it did suddenly feel like I was on a journey back in time to 1910. Big Society, directed by the lovely Rod Dixon of Red Ladder, had a great mix of Variety Show songs and dance with the truth of backstage both in the characters' personal lives and in the politics they lived and breathed - which reference very nicely our own modern issues.
My journey in time continued to the next day where I met up with my university friend from Hull - and we realised that we had both a lot to catch up on and further years of companionship ahead.
I also had coffee with Rod and John of Red Ladder and hope that we will develop a strong working friendship in the years to come...
What a great journey! Big laughs. Big fun. Big Plans!
INCREASING OUR PROFILE
Friday, 20 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
The team as a whole decided recently that we should really have at least 1,000 followers on Twitter so we've been undertaking some hardcore 24 hour profile raising via our respective tweet decks - encouraging people to retweet and 'friday follow' us. The good news is that it's been working very well indeed. Whilst last night we had a mere 650 followers, now as I write this it's closer to 800. Please continue to spread the word and let's hit the big 1,000. Onwards and upwards everyone! Thanks for your support :)
MANIC THURSDAYS
Thursday, 19 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
Meetings on site, meetings off site
Meeting with a prospective new board member, meeting with some more local actors
Meetings on the ground floor, meetings on the roof
Just another manic Thursday.
EVENING STANDARD
Wednesday, 18 January, 2012 by Nouska Hanly
An exciting few weeks...!
Following our first fundraising party hosted by Sean Mathias and attended by Sir Ian Mc Kellen, Rupert Everett, Matthew Kelly, Michael Pennington and David Parfitt, the Evening Standard has published an exclusive on Park Theatre, published in today’s paper. Other coverage includes my own piece on the party published here on www.offwestend.com
Its great to be able to assist in getting news of the theatre ‘out there’ into the public domain, especially knowing the amount of work, effort and passion invested by everyone involved.
The Evening Standard exclusive reflects the fantastic endorsements the project is receiving from the UK theatre industry’s most well respected and best loved stars, among them Sir Ian McKellen and Celia Imrie, who have backed the plans wholeheartedly.
Aside from launching the Park in the press, the exposure will hopefully help raise the remaining £300,000 for the Education Floor and, as the article says "put theatre back on the map in Finsbury Park!"
INTERVIEWS
Tuesday, 17 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
I was interviewed by The Evening Standard today, they are writing a story which will go into tomorrow's paper. I have also been approached by a magainze who want to do an article. Nouska Hanly, our Associate, has been really fantastic in getting the word out to the press following last week's fundraising party. Loads more to do today, watch this space...!
SLEEPING DOGS
Monday, 16 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
I spent the day helping a great friend of mine, playwright Brenda Gottsche, with her latest production 'Sleeping Dogs'. The play tells the story of a man who has led a double life of sorts and whose family is coming to terms with the revelation. I have known Brenda since I directed a production of The Fulham Jesus, her first play at Barons Court Theatre (and subsequently worked on three further productions with her there and at the Old Red Lion).
Today I helped the team by providing audio recording and editing facilities (my sideline) - as some of the play is set in a radio studio and some of the callers will be pre-recorded. A fun day, therefore, with a lovely mix of actors and creative team dropping in throughout the day.
Sleeping Dogs will be playing at the intimate Baron's Court Theatre from 1st February. Apparently the pub upstairs have refurbished and the food's good. We're going to make a night of it!
DAVID HOROVITCH
Friday, 13 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
We're very excited to introduce our newest Ambassador, David Horovitch. We are thrilled to have such a wonderfully experienced and accomplished actor on board.
Melli and David met when working together on Caryl Churchill's Serious Money for BBC Radio. David lives locally and was extremely excited to hear about Park Theatre's plans. Suffice to say that once he stepped inside and took a tour he was hooked.
When I saw him at the bar at the National yesterday night, after his production of Grief, he was already handing out development packs. Now that's commitment to the cause! Welcome to the team David - we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship together! Read all about David here on our Ambassadors page.
LONG LUNCH
Thursday, 12 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
A lovely long lunch at the Soho Hotel today. The food was delicious and Simon and Brendan from the aptly named Feast - who treated us to this meal - were excellent company. I fondly remember the chocolate mousse with passion fruit coulis and honeycomb crumble, after which I could eat no more! That's not the whole day but a great portion of it - which is unusual, as time-wise lunch is a luxury we can't often afford.
PARTY NUMBER ONE
Wednesday, 11 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
Hosted by our fabulous Ambassador, Sean Mathias, a dozen industry professionals gathered on site for a glass of wine and a tour this evening. The afternoon had been spent preparing the top floor of the site, clearing, tidying, setting up tables and sofas, softening the lighting, applying some fragrances, candles and arty touches all of which combined turned building site reek into building site chic.
And so at 6.30pm on the rooftop of a former Finsbury Park office block gathered some of the finest performers, directors and producers including Sir Ian McKellen, Rupert Everett, Mathew Kelly and David Parfitt. Sean gave a marvellous speech after which I delivered a talk and tour of the site - add to this some glasses of wine, some homemade Park popcorn (courtesy of Director of Development, Annabel Topham) and you have the recipe for a great night. Indeed it was - and with pledges of support and donations this was a terrific kickstart to our series of small fundraising parties...
TIME
Monday, 9 January, 2012 by Melli Bond
Minutes... Hours...Weeks... Years
Sitting on hold for 20 minutes.
Waiting on the platform 5 minutes.
Taking the meeting's minutes.
Walking my Mastiff for 1 hour.
Planning the party for 3 weeks.
Having a dream for 12 years.
Building a dream for 2 years.
Time to share the passion and the excitement...
Every minute.
PRIVATE READING
Friday, 6 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
This afternoon I attended a closed reading of an exciting 'new' play that Sean Mathias is directing. I use new in inverted commas as it's actually an old play by a playwright now sadly passed away that was never completed beyond a first draft - so it's been an interesting process for Sean and the team as to how to take this draft towards a production-ready script. Hopefully I'll be able to write more about it further down the line - and indeed perhaps Park Theatre may even be able to get behind it. That's just a teaser for now...
DIFFERENT WORLDS
Thursday, 5 January, 2012 by Melli Bond
After a morning working my day job I went to work... to my other day job. I'm an actress a well as creative director for PARK and today was a fun acting day! December saw me playing (amongst other things) a Latin American character speaking Spanish speaking (yes I am bilingual) and some very fun health and safety issues on location. Now I understand David Cameron's urge to rid the UK of extraneous health and safety! But today from the safety of the studio I was hurled up into the air, kissed a sexy guy, drank some crazy potions and got thrown out of an exclusive club onto my ass - only to bounce up again! Don't you LOVE cartoons.
BEING SCOTTISH
Wednesday, 4 January, 2012 by Charlie Ward
One of the recurring problems of being Scottish is that I've never learnt the rain dance. In balance it's probably a good thing, as my dancing is easily mistaken for a crude and unpredictable form of primordial warfare. A rain dance from me would most likely induce a climate catastrophe that would make even The Weather Girls blush. Which is why I have decided to launch an appeal to all of our supporters to slip on their meteorological dancing shoes and help us shape the weather. Next Tuesday is our first on-site fundraising party, and as Jordan has failed to deliver a roof two months early, we are seeking a balmy thirty degrees on the mercury and a nice crimson sunset to put our guests in the giving mood. I'm prepared to offer bonus points to any dance that can deliver a sign from on high that now would be a good time to support Park Theatre. So don your sombrero and shake out that old Hawaiian bird skirt: it's time to rock.
DEVELOPMENT PACKS ARRIVE
Tuesday, 3 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
The development packs arrived in the post today and look great!
It's taken a long time to get here, through tweaks, tweaks and more tweaks. But it's important to get everything just right - and we have.
Time to start getting them out there now - through parties, through ambassadors, through trustees, through people in the local community. If any readers fancy picking up a few and distributing to their friends, colleagues and neighbours that would be wonderful. Please get in touch...
2012: THE YEAR STARTS HERE!
Monday, 2 January, 2012 by Jez Bond
It's a bank holiday Monday here in the UK, but for the Park Theatre team the second of January means the first day of the most important year ever. There's lots to be done and we have a strong feeling that this year may just go by quicker than ever. Whilst most start back on the 3rd the team have already put in a few good hours today.
Tomorrow we are expecting delivery of our development packs back from the printers and the giant task of reaching our goal towards the education floor kicks up a gear. You'll all be hearing from us very soon indeed!