Sorry everything has been a bit quiet on the blog over the last few days - we've been working on selecting and programming the shows for BedFest 2013. And at last decisions have been made, which means that we can reveal the line-up:
Opening Gala
ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
Forty-seven years after its world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe, Tom Stoppard's absurdist, existentialist tragi-comedy is given new life on the Edinburgh stage by director John Rushton.
Closing Performance
24 HOUR PLAY
The madness returns to Bedlam in a play entirely written, produced, directed, rehearsed, acted, designed, staged and teched in 24 hours. Last year's was about time-travel, archaeologists and Russian spies. Who knows what may unfold this year...
Charity Matinee
THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD
Devised from the book of tales told to wizarding children all over the world, Bedlam creates a suitably dark show for children. All profits will go to Lumos, a charity which helps kids who are in care.
These gala performances are scheduled with three new theatre strands: New Writing, New Ideas, Modern Classics and The Comedy Club.
New Writing, New Ideas
CANDLEWASTERS
The annual showcase of short new writing returns, with pieces selected by James Beagon and Andy Edwards (who run the Bedlam Writing Workshop).
DIALOGUE
A new work by Rachael Murray, a monologue for two actors.
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY'S WRITING FOR THEATRE CLASS OF 2012*
Some of the best writing from the students of Edinburgh University's new playwrighting course.
(*Working title)
TECHOLOGUES*
A new experimental work where lighting and sound design takes centre-stage.
(*Working title)
TREE-O-LOGS
Three monologues, in which three people take turns to perform, write and direct.
Modern Classics
AFTER THE END, by Dennis Kelly
Produced and directed by Athina Kefalopoulou and Rebecca Bonallie.
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, by Harold Pinter
Produced by Rosie Pierce, and directed by Sibylla Archdale Kalid.
INDEPENDENCE, by Lee Blessing
Produced by Hannah Oliver, and directed by Alex Harwood and Amanda Fleet.
HEDDA GABLER, by Henrik Ibsen
Produced by Dan Harris, and directed by Richard Martyn-Hemphill.
The Comedy Club
THE IMPROVERTS
Edinburgh's resident improv troupe return to BedFest with not just one, but two performances!
WE'VE BECOME MANGO
In their latest show, 'Talking Limbo', from the sketch group that brought you 'Ship of Fools: Children of Twelchford' last Fringe, there are new sketches and new laughs.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
A Dire Chronical from Ian Culleton, the Publicity Manager PART I
Friends, I do not mean to be rude, but drop whatever it is you are doing and focus all of your attention on me.
I hope you are sitting down. If you are not, I will give you a moment to find a chair.
Sitting now? good. Strap in, because I am about to recount to you the story of how I came upon this noble position. It is a tale of intrigue, sorrow, and woe, including cosmic revelations which have made lesser men than myself go babbling mad.
It was in the summer of 1968 that I was first approached about the position. I was sitting in a small cafe in Budapest, drinking my coffee Americano style, which I feel is my duty as a patriot. I was just finishing the Saturday crossword when I heard a man sit down, heavily, in the chair across from me. He wore a long, dark trenchcoat, with wiry spectacles and a ginger moustache which managed to make it almost all the way to his ears before curling up in the most glorious fashion. But that was not what I noticed first, my friends; what I noticed first was the gun he had casually trained on my solar plexus.
I gulped, but before I could make a noise, he hissed at me commandingly from across the table. "Don't make a sound. Your life is in danger. Now, get up. Move to the door."
Having nothing else to do, I arose, the man pocketing the gun but keeping it pointed at me through the burgundy cloth. We moved towards the door and discretely he pointed me down the street to a small park. Behind us, a man in a long-brimmed fedora arose slowly, folded his paper, and moved to pay. The gunman behind me glanced back at him, noting him again. There was a sense of urgency in his desire to leave, and this was not lost on me, for the man in the fedora had spooked me. We moved hurriedly down the street, and as we did... so did the dark figure behind us.
We reached the deserted old park at what might be described the brink of a run, and the mustachioed man whirled violently, making sure there were no witnesses save the flickering street lamp above. Our stalker withdrew from his pocket a Luger and, without delay, fired two shots into the shoulder of the man at my side. Unfazed, my companion pulled out his Beretta and shot his assailant in kind. The man let out an "oof," and slumped back against the wall, his dark coat masking the blood flowing freely from his chest.
All of this was quite disturbing to me. I had never seen a man shot before, you see. I gulped heavily, and then managed to choke out, "who-- who are you?"
My companion moved to the body, and kneeling he pulled back the hat. "Davies," he said softly. "I might have guessed they'd send you to do the dirtywork." then he rounded on me, bowing and declaring, "My name is Sebastian King, and I'm here to change your life."
I hope you are sitting down. If you are not, I will give you a moment to find a chair.
Sitting now? good. Strap in, because I am about to recount to you the story of how I came upon this noble position. It is a tale of intrigue, sorrow, and woe, including cosmic revelations which have made lesser men than myself go babbling mad.
It was in the summer of 1968 that I was first approached about the position. I was sitting in a small cafe in Budapest, drinking my coffee Americano style, which I feel is my duty as a patriot. I was just finishing the Saturday crossword when I heard a man sit down, heavily, in the chair across from me. He wore a long, dark trenchcoat, with wiry spectacles and a ginger moustache which managed to make it almost all the way to his ears before curling up in the most glorious fashion. But that was not what I noticed first, my friends; what I noticed first was the gun he had casually trained on my solar plexus.
I gulped, but before I could make a noise, he hissed at me commandingly from across the table. "Don't make a sound. Your life is in danger. Now, get up. Move to the door."
Having nothing else to do, I arose, the man pocketing the gun but keeping it pointed at me through the burgundy cloth. We moved towards the door and discretely he pointed me down the street to a small park. Behind us, a man in a long-brimmed fedora arose slowly, folded his paper, and moved to pay. The gunman behind me glanced back at him, noting him again. There was a sense of urgency in his desire to leave, and this was not lost on me, for the man in the fedora had spooked me. We moved hurriedly down the street, and as we did... so did the dark figure behind us.
We reached the deserted old park at what might be described the brink of a run, and the mustachioed man whirled violently, making sure there were no witnesses save the flickering street lamp above. Our stalker withdrew from his pocket a Luger and, without delay, fired two shots into the shoulder of the man at my side. Unfazed, my companion pulled out his Beretta and shot his assailant in kind. The man let out an "oof," and slumped back against the wall, his dark coat masking the blood flowing freely from his chest.
All of this was quite disturbing to me. I had never seen a man shot before, you see. I gulped heavily, and then managed to choke out, "who-- who are you?"
My companion moved to the body, and kneeling he pulled back the hat. "Davies," he said softly. "I might have guessed they'd send you to do the dirtywork." then he rounded on me, bowing and declaring, "My name is Sebastian King, and I'm here to change your life."
Introduction: Co-Stage Manager
Bonjour!
This is Eleri Boyesen and I'll be co-theatre manager for Bedfest along with the fabulous Clara and Liz. Go girl power! Manager is our name and managing is our game: we aim to keep Bedlam nice and organised during Bedfest so that everyone can find everything they need.
This is my first year at Edinburgh University, studying French and English Literature. I seem to have an affinity for everything french - Paris, patisserie, Debussy, cheese, wine, - and when I'm not indulging in these (when I get the chance, the first one being the hardest to arrange) you will catch me watching Breakfast at Tiffany's or with a good novel in my hand.
I am from Wales and much to everyone's chagrin, I do not have a Welsh accent - sorry to burst the illusion, but I don't have any sheep in my back field either!
Finally, Bedlam is great! It's so great for getting involved and I feel very grateful that I have been asked as a fresher to join the Bedfest team - thanks guys!
Cariad mawr
Eleri x
This is Eleri Boyesen and I'll be co-theatre manager for Bedfest along with the fabulous Clara and Liz. Go girl power! Manager is our name and managing is our game: we aim to keep Bedlam nice and organised during Bedfest so that everyone can find everything they need.
This is my first year at Edinburgh University, studying French and English Literature. I seem to have an affinity for everything french - Paris, patisserie, Debussy, cheese, wine, - and when I'm not indulging in these (when I get the chance, the first one being the hardest to arrange) you will catch me watching Breakfast at Tiffany's or with a good novel in my hand.
I am from Wales and much to everyone's chagrin, I do not have a Welsh accent - sorry to burst the illusion, but I don't have any sheep in my back field either!
Finally, Bedlam is great! It's so great for getting involved and I feel very grateful that I have been asked as a fresher to join the Bedfest team - thanks guys!
Cariad mawr
Eleri x
Introductions - Stage
Hello everyone!
My name is Liz Mills, and I am going to be helping our lovely Theatre Managers Clara and Eleri during BedFest.
I will mainly be helping with Stage, so I will be around during the Get ins and the Get outs to help your stage managers in any way I can with set and props. I'll probably end up covered in paint, and I might learn to use a saw properly.
Who knows.
When not in Bedlam, I am a third year History student here at Edinburgh. I've done a few shows over the last couple of years, but mostly I spend my waking hours in the library writing essays and reading boring books about history (I shouldn't say they're boring, should I?).
I'm sort of from Sunderland but actually from Aberdeenshire and although Clara and I share a last name we are, unfortunately, not related.
That's all for now!
Liz :)
My name is Liz Mills, and I am going to be helping our lovely Theatre Managers Clara and Eleri during BedFest.
I will mainly be helping with Stage, so I will be around during the Get ins and the Get outs to help your stage managers in any way I can with set and props. I'll probably end up covered in paint, and I might learn to use a saw properly.
Who knows.
When not in Bedlam, I am a third year History student here at Edinburgh. I've done a few shows over the last couple of years, but mostly I spend my waking hours in the library writing essays and reading boring books about history (I shouldn't say they're boring, should I?).
I'm sort of from Sunderland but actually from Aberdeenshire and although Clara and I share a last name we are, unfortunately, not related.
That's all for now!
Liz :)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Introduction: Co-Administrator (the other one)
Salve, amici!
It's the other co-administrator, Seb, here, introducing himself for the world to know.
I don't know why I just used the third person there.
My role, together with Rachel, is to get this festival up and running, from the conception of ideas (way back in September) to the week of the festival itself in January. We're in November now, so that gives us about two months. That's a scary thought. As Rachel has already said, we're the go-to people for any queries about the festival as a whole, especially show and workshop proposals. We're also here to look after the team and make sure that they have the support to do their jobs. Which might mean seeing me do a stint behind the box office or waiting tables in the cafe, but mostly will involve me sitting in a corner answering messages on my laptop.
If you want to know a little about me personally, so you could like, I don't know, not feel intimidated about chatting with me over the festival, here are some things that I am: a second-year Classics student at the University of Edinburgh, born and raised in London. I've been involved in some shows at Bedlam in the past year, but also managing to complete a degree involving two (two!) ancient languages without my brain exploding. I've also experimented with growing a beard, the result of which looked like this...
It's the other co-administrator, Seb, here, introducing himself for the world to know.
I don't know why I just used the third person there.
My role, together with Rachel, is to get this festival up and running, from the conception of ideas (way back in September) to the week of the festival itself in January. We're in November now, so that gives us about two months. That's a scary thought. As Rachel has already said, we're the go-to people for any queries about the festival as a whole, especially show and workshop proposals. We're also here to look after the team and make sure that they have the support to do their jobs. Which might mean seeing me do a stint behind the box office or waiting tables in the cafe, but mostly will involve me sitting in a corner answering messages on my laptop.
If you want to know a little about me personally, so you could like, I don't know, not feel intimidated about chatting with me over the festival, here are some things that I am: a second-year Classics student at the University of Edinburgh, born and raised in London. I've been involved in some shows at Bedlam in the past year, but also managing to complete a degree involving two (two!) ancient languages without my brain exploding. I've also experimented with growing a beard, the result of which looked like this...
I'm also playing a woman on stage in the Edinburgh University Classics Society's upcoming production of Lysistrata - facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/events/287663294685109/?fref=ts - in which the beard may make another appearance.
Keep an eye out for more from me, as I'm sure I'll be on this blog like an actor is onstage. Get it?
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Workshop proposals now being accepted
Want to run a workshop at BedFest 2013? Workshops can be up to 3 hours long, and cover an aspect of theatre. Money for materials can be provided, so you can go all out in creating an awesome workshop. Maybe run a costuming workshop in which participants can create their own costumes over 3 hours? Or building a set? Or physicality and movement? It's up to you.
Also being tested is a new workshop format: the 18-minute workshop. Can you convey an idea in 18 mins? If so, we want to hear from you.
Just fill in this handy form and we'll get back to you asap. The deadline for workshop proposals is Monday 12th November at 6pm.
Also being tested is a new workshop format: the 18-minute workshop. Can you convey an idea in 18 mins? If so, we want to hear from you.
Just fill in this handy form and we'll get back to you asap. The deadline for workshop proposals is Monday 12th November at 6pm.
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