Rehearsals continue

Fionn and Chris rehearsing Chris's story and the story of Zal, photo by Ed Goater

Fionn, Dan and Penny rehearsing Penny's story and the story of Marushka,

photo by Ed Goater

Last Monday, we finished our devising and rehearsing sessions with Fionn Gill - we hope to get-together with Fionn again in April for a run-through of A Spark and a Beating Heart. Next week we have a meeting with the production team and on 6th March we have the day working with British Paraorchestra member, Adrian Lee. Adrian is composing music for A Spark and a Beating Heart around one of the phoenix/firebird myths and will play live with us at Trinity Centre.

It is a busy time but we are very proud of our work and although May is getting closer, we feel we are well prepared for the performances.

Rehearsing the King's Garden scene, photo by Penny Goater

Filming the second part of Chris's story

Chris Wiltshire, Firebird performer, has had a day filming with Frank Spencer at Redweather Studios. He has filmed the second part of his story for A Spark and a Beating Heart - we are trying out lots of different ways of telling our personal stories and the myths and legends of the firebird and phoenix for this performance.

Chris making the film at Redweather Studios, photos by Frank Spencer.

Rehearsals for A Spark and a Beating Heart

We are enjoying our rehearsals with actor Fionn Gill; he has helped us develop the script and our ideas about storytelling for A Spark and a Beating Heart. We are very excited that Fionn will be performing with us; we have never worked this way before and we are learning so much from all the people we are collaborating with on this new production.

We have two more sessions with Fionn before he goes to London to work - next time we see Fionn will be for the performances in May!

Olivia, Brian and Fionn rehearsing the Garden scene in A Spark and a Beating Heart

Photo by Penny Goater, Firebird Theatre

Firebird Newsletter January 2017

Prior to releasing our publicity, we would like to give you the performance dates for A Spark and a Beating Heart. Please put one of these dates in your diary!

In association with Bristol Old Vic, Firebird Theatre will be performing A Spark and a Beating Heart  at Fyfe Hall, the Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, Bristol BS2 0NW on 11, 12 and 13^th May – times to be confirmed.

Firebird is proud and excited to be performing in this beautiful venue, in the heart of the city.

This new production tells the personal stories and collective memories and experiences of the Firebird performers. The experience of the youngest members of the company is very different to those nearing retirement. We use first-hand stories of the Firebird artists (captured through work with local writer Claire Williamson), intertwined with the myths and legends of the firebird and phoenix. The show mixes the personal and the political, telling stories of the past, the present and our aspirations for the future.

Alongside these stories, we celebrate making theatre together over the last 25 years and more; stressing the importance of theatre as a place where people have a voice and can form immediate and important relationships with audiences.

We look very forward to sharing this new work with you.

Other news:

We received 3 year funding from The Odin Charitable Trust, which is wonderful and much appreciated.

Isabelle Sallis and a team from Kingston University are running in the Paris Marathon in April. They are raising money for four charities, one of which is Firebird Theatre. If you would like to sponsor the KU Paris Marathon Team and support Firebird at the same time, please visit. www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/KUParis2017

We made £480 at our Christmas Sale and Auction after the Annual General Meeting on the 10^th December 2016. Many thanks to everyone who helped raise funds by baking, running a stall and/or donating items for sale or auction.  Your help is much appreciated.

More about A Spark and a Beating Heart

MAYK is producing A Spark and a Beating Heart and the Creative Team working with Firebird Theatre are:

Fionn Gill, who will perform alongside the Company;

Adrian Lee, musician from the British Paraorchestra, composing and playing music in the show;

Ruby Spencer Pugh, set, costume and prop design;

Frank Spencer, film and projections;

Chris Swain, lighting design;

Paul Blakemore, photography;

Anna Griffiths, Stage Management;

Gemma Brooks, Production Manager.

The show will be British Sign Language Interpreted and we hope to have an audio described performance too.

Apart from rehearsal sessions, recent work has included voice recordings with Frank, working with Fionn, having a photo shoot with Paul and a Production Meeting before Christmas.

We will keep you updated with all information as and when and we hope we will see you in May, if not before!

Sending our very best wishes for a great start to 2017 from us all in Firebird Theatre

 

Photo of the Paul Blakemore photoshoot from 12th January, photo by Ed Goater.