Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Bridge Company Continues Its Unique Partnership With The BRIT School With Two Brand New Commissions What Was Left & The Sandman.
Plays Explore Issues at Centre of Young People’s Lives- Mental Health, Sex and Trauma
What Was Left
Written by Molly Taylor | Directed by Matt Hassall
The Sandman
Written by Harry Blake | Directed by Jennifer Fletcher in collaboration with the Company.
Southwark Playhouse, London. 14th June – 29th June 2019
BOOK TICKETS https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/
Running Time: 1 hour 15 mins | Suitable for ages: 14+
The company is generously supported by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation.
WORLD PREMIERE
For the second consecutive year, recent graduates from The BRIT School return to Southwark Playhouse with two brand new commissions exploring issues at the centre of young people’s lives: sex, mental health, trauma and fierce fashion.
The BRIT School, the UK’s leading and free performing arts and technology school, will team up with award-winning playwright Molly Taylor and Director Matt Hassall to premiere the play What Was Left which will also run in rep with a brand new musical The Sandman written by Harry Blake and directed by Jennifer Fletcher.
Simon Stephens, Producer of Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Bridge Company says, “We are thrilled to be able to commission two brand new pieces and extend the opportunity to involve more young people than ever before. We are excited to have found a home for this work at Southwark Playhouse which has such a fantastic reputation as a venue for the UK’s most innovative emerging companies.”
What Was Left presents a year in the life of three siblings who are learning to survive in unknown territory, struggling with trauma and mental health as the world around them is falling apart.
Loosely based on the short story by E. T. A. Hoffmann, The Sandman features fierce fashion, jump scares, the supernatural and a bold contemporary score in the story of a nightmarish character from childhood who steals people’s eyes and stalks a talented young artist who is about to start university.
Both shows are produced through the School’s unique training initiative entitled Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Bridge Company, which creates and presents dynamic, socially relevant work in a professional context, serving as a link for young actors between education and professional practice. The course is two days a week allowing students to secure paid employment from a part time job in conjunction with their training. Alumni include; Jake Davis (Black Mirror, XY), Eric Abrefa (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Julie, A Taste of Honey – National Theatre), Jovian Wade (The First Purge, Doctor Who, Eastenders) and more recently, Rhianne Barreto who won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting for her performance in Share at Sundance Film Festival.
-ends-
ABOUT AND EDITORS’ NOTES
Molly Taylor is an award-winning playwright and theatre-maker from Liverpool.
Her one-woman production Extinguished Things enjoyed a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018, and won a Critics Circle Award at the Adelaide Fringe 2019. Last year she wrote Cacophony for the Almeida Theatre Young Company (19-25) which had a sell-out run in July 2018, and transferred to The Yard in February 2019.
Molly has worked extensively in the participatory sector, making original performances inspired by the everyday, most recently Philoxenia (Bush Theatre), made with a 20-strong community company, ranging from 10 – 86 years old, and See Me Now (Young Vic), a daring show made with and performed by male, female and transgender sex workers. Recent plays include; Shell and Davey at the Start and the End (VAULT Festival), And Yet it Moves (Young Vic Taking Part), My Desert Island (Old Vic New Voices), Love Letters to the Public Transport System (National Theatre of Scotland), Make We Waka (Lagos Theatre Festival).
Matt Hassall is a theatre director who is originally from Manchester and now based in London. He is a Resident Director at the Almeida Theatre and was the Young Company Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre from 2014 - 2018, seeing the company win School of the Year at The Stage Awards in 2018.
As director his work includes: Mixtape, We Were Told There Was Dancing (Production of the Year nominee in the Manchester Evening News Awards) and The Factory (Manchester Theatre Award nominee) all at the Royal Exchange Theatre, then The Ballad of Rudy(New Wolsey Theatre), Be/Longing (Hope Mill Theatre), Shooting the Messenger, The Delegation and I Forget Your Name(Take Back Theatre), The Burnley Buggers Ball (Touring, Inkbrew Productions) and In My Bed (24:7 Theatre Festival - MTA nominee for Best Fringe Production). Matt has also made work with Contact Theatre, Bolton Octagon Theatre & The Lowry.
As Associate Director: Queens of the Coal Age (Royal Exchange Theatre and New Vic Theatre), Nothing (Manchester Theatre Award Winner 2017) and Brink (Royal Exchange Theatre). As Assistant Director: Shadowlands (Chichester Festival Theatre) and All I want is One Night (Royal Exchange Theatre).
Matt is also a facilitator and practitioner. He has worked as an Acting Tutor at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and is an Artistic Associate of the National Youth Theatre.
Jennifer Fletcher trained in Dance Theatre at LABAN and has since worked as a Choreographer, Director and Theatre Maker in Opera, Theatre and Film. She continues to direct productions for the two companies she co-founded (The Mostly Everything People and NOVA) that are presented internationally. Both work with multiple disciplines and methods of combing text, movement, live music and language.
Movement/Choreography credits include: Much Ado About Nothing & The Tempest (Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre); As Long as the Heart Beats (National Theatre Wales); Outlying Islands (Atticist Productions); Thor & Loki (Harry Blake/Vicky Graham Productions); Secret Seven (Storyhouse); Rapunzel (Cambridge Junction); Jason & The Argonauts (The Unicorn), Beggars Opera (Storyhouse); Dido and Aeneas (Bath International Festival/RCM); Wind In The Willows (The Lord Chamberlain's Men). In 2017 Jennifer was selected by One Dance Uk for the Choreographer’s Observership programme.
Jennifer has been Associate director for Semele (RWCMD/Mid Wales Opera), Rehearsal director for The Deaf & Hearing Ensemble and is currently Associate Director for Don Giovanni (Longborough Festival Opera).
Harry Blake is an award-winning composer and writer. He has currently writing music for the stage adaptation and UK tour of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and earlier this year created music and sound for Wild East at the Young Vic. In 2017 he was appointed Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer at West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Harry's musical Thor & Loki premiered at Edinburgh and HighTide festivals last year to rave reviews and sold out houses (**** The Independent, The Scotsman ‘musical theatre Valhalla”). Other credits include: The March on Russia (Orange Tree); Ode to Leeds and Rudolf (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Blush (Soho Theatre and tour); Her Naked Skin, Night Must Fall, Hedda Gabler and Bike (Salisbury Playhouse); Septimus Bean, Jason and the Argonauts and The Snow Child (Unicorn); MEGABALL (National Theatre Let's Play); Rapunzel (Cambridge Junction); The Secret Seven and The Beggar's Opera (Storyhouse Chester); The Graduate (Leicester Curve and tour); Manga Sister and Rhinegold (The Yard); Paradise and The Glass Supper (Hampstead); The Island Nation (Arcola); Casa Valentina (Southwark Playhouse); P'yongyang (Finborough) and To Dream Again (Theatre Clwyd).
THE BRIT SCHOOL
The BRIT School was set up in 1991 and provides a free education and vocational training in performing arts, media, art, design and technology for 14-19 year olds. Since then over 9,000 students have passed through its doors including global talent ranging from Adele, Katie Melua to Jessie J, Ella Eyre and Loyle Carner and 2019 hotpicks Freya Ridings, Jade Bird and Octavian; to actors such as Tom Holland (Spiderman), Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife) and Ashley Thomas (24:Legacy).
The BRIT School is a non-fee-paying State School and students are selected on aptitude and commitment to the arts regardless of background, additional educational needs, diversity and income. It reflects the diverse demographic of talent that represents Britain today and launches careers of talented young people who face financial hardship and would not otherwise afford a comparable arts training. Students who have completed two or four years of education at The BRIT School (internal students only) can apply for The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Bridge Company after Year 13.
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION:
The Foundation was founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1992 to promote the arts, culture and heritage for the public benefit. Since inception, Andrew has been the principle provider of funding for all its charitable activities.
The Foundation believes that in order to retain vibrancy in the arts, it is imperative for young artists of all backgrounds and abilities to be nurtured and encouraged. The Trustees have been delighted that the Foundation’s support has in turn encouraged other individuals, organisations and public bodies to support these and similar projects this year and hope that this trend will continue for the future.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation generously support the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Bridge Company, which provides performing arts training for young people who might not otherwise be able to afford specialist tuition. The BRIT School has a wealth of original talent and we train responsible citizens to work in the creative industries.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
14 June – 29 June
Southwark Playhouse
77-85 Newington Causeway
London
SE1 6BD
8pm|3.30pm (Previews £14, £22 Full Price, £18 Concessions)
Box office: 020 7407 0234
@swkplay
@TheBRITSchool
@BridgeTheatre_
For further information and interviews please contact:
Alexa Cruickshank
Director of Communications, The BRIT School
T: 020 8665 8621 | E: acruicks@brit.croydon.sch.uk
CAST LISTS
What Was Left
Written by Molly Taylor
Directed by Matt Hassall
Designed by Naomi Kuyck-Cohen
Lighting Design by Ben Pickersgill
Sound Design by Tom Parkinson
Cast
Amaia Aguinaga
Beth Wilmott
Daniel Pinto
Eden Rickson
Elle Slater
Frances Gillard
Harmony Nanton
Isobel Fairchild
Joe Garwood
Mason Clarke-Whale
Milo Couchman
Natasha Thurrell
Roseby Franklin-Denyer
Sera Mustafa
Tara Korda Kolar
DATES
What Was Left
Saturday 15th June 8pm
Monday 17th June 8pm
Tuesday 18th June 3.30pm
Wednesday 19th June 8pm
Friday 21st June 8pm
Saturday 22nd June 3.30pm
Tuesday 25th June 8pm
Thursday 27th June 8pm
Saturday 29th June 8pm
The Sandman
Written and Directed by Harry Blake and Jennifer Fletcher in collaboration with The Company
Music and Lyrics by Harry Blake
Choreography by Jennifer Fletcher
Designed by Naomi Kuyck-Cohen
Lighting Design by Ben Pickersgill
Musical Direction by Jamie Noar
Cast
Brady Isaacs
Callum Edwards-Manning
Harrison Fennell
Holly Mowatt
Jessica Thompson
Jimmy Chambers
Kira McGovern
Lauren Price
Leah Musisi
Marie Beall
Matthew Paraskevas
Meg McGrady
Oliver Cartwright
Ruby Dollner
DATES
The Sandman
Friday 14th June 8pm
Saturday 15th June 3.30pm
Tuesday 18th June 8pm
Thursday 20th June 8pm
Saturday 22nd June 8pm
Monday 24th June 8pm
Tuesday 25th June 3.30pm
Wednesday 26th June 8pm
Friday 28th June 8pm
Saturday 29th June 3.30pm