A Lesson from Auschwitz Theatre Review

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Paloma Kubiak

‘Vermin’, ‘parasite’, a ‘flea’ that needs to be exterminated. Those are the vile words that are shouted at the Jew who weeps and repents his actions on the stage.

For we the audience of A Lesson from Auschwitz at Churchill Theatre in Bromley are the next generation of Nazi SS soldiers being brainwashed to treat the victims of the holocaust as worthless sub-beings.

An intimate production by Brother Wolf, the play consists of just two actors: the intimidating Rudolf Höss, played by Eric Colvin as the Nazi soldier, and Abraham Könisberg, portrayed by James Hyland, who barely manages to stand on his feet.

He wears a chalkboard around his neck, etched with ‘Ich Bin Zurük’, meaning he’s an escapee.

Unfortunately, he is now to be punished and made an example of in-front of the roomful of trainee Hitlerites.

It makes for uncomfortable viewing, as the lesson from Auschwitz is actually 25 lashings against the prisoner’s blistering back.

And with each rise and fall of the whip, we’re told that showing sympathy towards the prisoners is a sign of weakness, how no Jew is spared – women and children won’t leave the camp alive and how a ‘genius’ has developed a deadly gas substance which can kill more than 2,000 people per day.

Even better, the healthy Jews will build the contraptions ie the showers, which will ultimately kill their own kind – it’s ‘political hygiene’ at its finest.

The rest, as they say, is history.

It’s hard to find anything enjoyable about this play given the bleak subject matter, and in all honesty, I was relieved it was over after just an hour.

But Hyland, the SS soldier, was convincing as the dominatrix and Colvin pulled on all the right emotions.

We’ve all heard the tales of horror and survival from the camps, but what was different about A Lesson from Auschwitz was how it flipped the norm so it was told from the side of the Germans.

However the tales of death and destruction in Nazi-occupied Poland are retold, the lessons from Auschwitz must live on today so that history never repeats itself.

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary since the liberation of Auschwitz, the play’s dedicated to all the victims – those who were murdered and those who survived.

It’s All Kicking Off by Paul Vates

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Margaret Graham

So, the saga continues. Trying to show how one ‘puts on a play’ creaks ever onwards. At a secret venue, which for the purposes of continuity, we shall call a pub, there was a production meeting where the remarkable Katie Unsworth-Murray produced her design for the set. It literally fits into a shoebox and she has made it all to scale.

(Shoebox design by Katie – including the chandelier)

She even produced a tiny chandelier, which allowed me to inform her that ‘electricity hasn’t been invented yet’. I promised that I wouldn’t mention that to anyone (oops!).

Once you’ve advertised for actors wishing to audition for a production of A Doll’s House, it is only polite to be there and welcome them in. ‘Once more unto the breach’ came to mind as we entrenched ourselves into The Barons Court Theatre. Director Kevin Russell, for New Dreams Theatre, sat me down and gave me a list of names. These people would, at thirty-minute intervals, arrive and audition for us.

If you read my last article about finding the lead actress for the part of Nora (and Alexa Matthews accepted our offer), then you’ll have some idea what Kevin had already had to do to get to this stage.

Even so, a collection of characters wandered in that would have made P T Barnum gasp in horror. Amidst the drunk Irishman, the bizarre Chuckle Brother impression and the born-again Christian seeking new converts, we did manage to find a wonderful bunch of actors, all worthy of the three parts up for grabs. So, the full cast is now complete:

The cast:

Alexa Matthews (Nora Helmer), Paul Vates (Torvald Helmer), Julia Florimo (Kristine Linde)

Brian Merry (Dr Rank), Cathryn Brayshaw (Helene), Ramzi DeHani (Nils Krogstad)

Still at the end of the audition day, we returned above ground, into the light, for a drink in The Curtains Up pub that sits atop the theatre. As we discussed the colourful collection of actors on offer, like a couple of football pundits on a Saturday afternoon, taking into account the results, the teamwork aspects and the skill and style on show, the Irishman shadowed us in between his pints – he had decided to linger for a few when he discovered the bar… For all I know, he may still be there.

As an aside, rehearsals have begun on a relaxed basis between Alexa and myself (I’m playing Torvald, her husband). Kevin has taken us through all the major scenes between us, allowing us to get a grasp of the whole thing before the whole company assembles.

(Alexa as Nora – possibly before the unexpected visitor)

It has all gone quite smoothly, apart from when a rat scurried through the room – eye contact that afternoon was at a minimum as every shadow became our rodent critic.

(Alexa – having noticed the ratty critic?)

Now there is only one thing left to do – full company rehearsals!

We’ll soon meet and with a frisson akin to a school playground, we’ll begin assembling the play. Then – and only then – will Kevin utter his trademark phrase: It’s All Kicking Off!

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen will be performed from November 3rd to 22nd at Barons Court Theatre, west London. Call the box office direct on 020 8932 4747 or email londontheatre@gmail.com to reserve seats.

www.newdreamstheatre.co.uk

Facebook: New Dreams Theatre

Twitter @KevinNewdreams

Paddington Goes on Holiday by Paddington (aka David Worsdall)

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Margaret Graham

When my grandpa, who lives in Downley, High Wycombe, told the family that he was going to go to Peru it was suggested that I might go to keep him company. He agreed, but wanted to have a close look to make sure I didn’t weigh too much.I had no idea why at the time.

Anyway, a few days later we finally set off and flew to Lima. Grandpa said I should stock up on marmalade when we get to the hotel because there wasn’t going to be any for a few days. I didn’t like the sound of that.

Then we went to a place called Cuzco where we met local people who were mountain guides and porters and Grandpa had a technical discussion about equipment, medicines and other things. Marmalade was never mentioned.Then off we went.

After two days we reached a very high pass where the air was very thin. I was strangely unaffected but it was a little tiring having to pose for photographs with lots of people who seemed to recognise me including local mountain guides and everybody who had heard about my recent film.

Was this the deepest darkest Peru I had been told about? The scenery was breath-taking. ‘in more ways than one.’ Grandpa said.

After four days we finished the journey and I perked up when Grandpa said there would be marmalade when we got to Machu Picchu

A fantastic train and boat journey then followed which I enjoyed immensely. I met lots more people.

As you know when you are having fun, time passes very quickly and it was soon time to come back to England.

When we got back to the airport we had to go into London to get home so Grandpa took us round to Marylebone to get the train to High Wycombe. The lady behind the ticket counter said ’I am very sorry to tell you but Marylebone is closed for engineering works you will have to go round the corner to . . . Paddington.’

Grandpa and I just looked at each other and laughed. I knew I was home.

Rory Nicole Ogden | Acting Interviews

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Child actress Rory Nicole Ogden has accomplished more since November 2012 than many artists twice her age. In winter 2012, she made the decision to fulfil her dream of becoming an actress and before she knew it, Rory was auditioning for (and getting) small roles in films. Then came a short film called “Just a Kid,” a delightful story about a young girl (Julie) who tries to cheer up her brother after his heart is broken. Rory landed the role, and that began a trend that continues to now.

What made you become an actress?

I fell in love with the idea of being in the movies and TV when I was young. I thought the movie Transformers was so incredible I felt like I had to be in that life. I kept asking my Mother but she thought it was a phase. I never stopped asking so my Mom talked to a friend that is an actress in LA. The friend said to put me in classes and when I realized how much work it really was I would most likely change my mind. The classes were two hours away and once a week for 12 weeks my Mom would drive me down there and sit in her car and wait for me. I discovered that I loved it more than I thought, even with all the work it really takes.

Did you train and, if so, where?

Yes Plaza 7 Agency in King of Prussia PA with a great Improv Instructor Jimmy Carr

My classes taught me about Improv, Slating, Monologues and working with other actors. I didn’t realize there was so much work that went into every aspect of acting but I loved it. I still use the monologue I picked there because it really suits me. One of the important things I learned there is if I screw something up like my Monologue to just go with it, if I don’t show people I messed up they wont know. Its acting right lol!

Career Highlight

I just finished up a project for Cartoon Networks Adult Swim that will be airing in Nov or Dec. It was such a unique experience. They did a 3D scan of my body so they could make an exact replica of my body. Than they made silicone molds of my face to reproduce my face for some neat things they did in the project that I can’t say yet! What other 13 year old gets to do such cool things? Cross your fingers I get to go back and do more.

Lowest Point

A student film that I did very early in my career. It was a bad production done in a house with a dog that could be smelled 20 feet away and cats and more dust and cobwebs than a Halloween house. We would get there 10 minutes before our call time and the team would show up 45 minutes later. It’s why I very rarely do student films.

Hardest Thing About Being an Actress.

Finding time to practice and learn scripts while having a normal life as a teenager. For adult actors its often their only job but as a student If I miss school for work I still have to make up everything I miss while doing my current work. My Mom’s condition to keep acting is to get good grades. So I don’t have a choice there! I also play Varsity Field Hockey as the Goalie so missing games hurts the team. I also love going out with friends and doing lots of social activities. Twice I have been lucky enough to do roles with my best friend. Most of the time you go on set and you don’t know anyone and that’s tough being a kid.

Do you make enough money from acting, if not, what else do you do?

I have saved some money up for College from acting but I also like to spend it :) I plan on attending NYU or UCLA. To study acting and film making. My passion is gong around to Jacob Whitesides concerts and getting VIP tickets. It’s a good thing my Mom likes Jacob!

Best and Worst audition.

Best

Just a Kid which was my first audition. I had so much fun with the Director Michael Scotti Jr. He was so fun to work with and Immediately felt the character was perfect for me. A week later I was offered the role. The Director later told my Mom the part was down to two people and when he was deciding he got a Thank you Note from my Mom and that sealed the deal!

Worst

I had two worst auditions. Once was for someone I had worked for before who I loved but I went to the audition coming right off the plane from Florida with a case of sun poisoning. I was having trouble talking and I didn’t know why I actually went to the hospital after and my tongue had swollen up with the sun poisoning. Needless to say I didn’t get the part.

The other bad audition I had was the student film I did that was a nightmare. I was put on the spot to tell an embarrassing story and I told a story of my mothers and I could see her turning red while I told it. I don’t think she wanted it told. I must have babbled for 15 minutes. I never expected to get the part but I did.

Advice for other actors.

Make time for all your dreams don’t just make time for acting. Play sports, go to dances and do all the things other teens do. In fact I don’t tell my classmates I act but sometimes it comes out. One time in Computer class we were learning how to use Google and the teacher had us Google the person next to us and my classmate freaked out and began telling everyone when he saw my website and IMDB. Also if you really want to act start with training it’s the most important thing you can do.<

What is the most important thing for actors to do to improve their career?

I think you have to keep learning and doing different stuff. Like I prefer comedy its a lot more fun but I have been doing other stuff so I can show that I can do anything. I don’t want CD’s to look at me and pass on me because they only think I can do comedy.

Role Models

Selena Gomez- I have a lot of respect for her. I always thought she was a good actress. I grew up watching her on Wizards of Waverly Place. It became my favorite show. Selena is also a great singer another passion of mine. Recently she disclosed she has Lupus and it makes me realise what a strong woman she is to be able to do all of the things she does even when she is sick.

Funniest Thing that happened on Set

While filming my first film just a kid I had to ride my bike down the street. The DP, Director and Producer were in a van following me down the street filming me. A person saw this and called the police thinking I was going to be abducted. The police came rushing to the scene. After questioning me and them they realised it was only a film.

Amanda Holden Struggles With Nerves on First Day of Shoot

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Amy Voce

Having last appeared on stage in the nationally acclaimed ‘Shrek the Musical’ back in 2011, Amanda Holden made her long awaited return to the stage in what could prove to be her toughest role yet.

In a behind the scenes video documenting her latest acting role, Holden is seen to struggle with nerves and even forget her lines on two occasions in front of impatient directors.

But as is always the case in show business, all is not as it first seems.

Holden, a mother of two children herself, was actually filming a spoof advert in her latest role as the face of Pebli Town, a revolutionary new pre-school toy that fuses traditional play with the latest technology.

With Holden reciting her lines to a team of directors made up of three children, Pebli Town is designed to give youngsters full control of four traditional play pieces and a physical play board that in turn interacts with a tablet to bring the toy to life.

“As an actor, it’s not often you’re asked to perform poorly in front of directors that are a similar age to your own children,” said Holden.

“What has impressed me most about Pebli Town is that children are really the directors of their own show. It’s also a toy that allows parents to be more involved whilst accommodating for all key developmental and educational needs a parent would want for their child.”

With four exciting interactive game modes, Pebli Town is designed to help develop children’s problem solving skills and hand eye coordination whilst sparking creativity, imagination and self-expression.

“As a performer myself, I think it’s really important that children are given the opportunity to express themselves and show their creative side at play time,” admitted Holden, who is mother to nine-year-old Alexa and three-year-old Hollie.

“I know from my experiences that children can be incredibly creative if encouraged in a fun way.”

As an established actress, singer, presenter and judge, the daily juggle between career and family life remains an admittedly challenging one for Holden.

“Like every mother, sometimes it feels a little like the time you have to spend with your children is going, it’s slipping away. It’s about finding a balance and making sure you get to spend the right amount of time with your family and my current workload absolutely allows me to do this.”

“It’s scary how quickly your children grow up so its important parents spend as much time with them as possible.”

“Even physically, Lexie went from a size two to a three in two months and she has gone to school with a sort of side, low ponytail and there’s no Alice T-bar shoes anymore, she has got slip on shoes. Because Holly is three and a half and looks up to her big sister, she tries to dress the same and appears more mature than an actual three and a half year old. You can even have a full conversation with her.”

With Pebli Town representing a new age of toys being brought to life through technology, the current trend of parents allowing their children to have unfettered access to their own tablets and mobile devices is growing, with children now spending an average of two hours 56 minutes in front of a screen every day.

According to a recent survey by ComRes, 84 per cent of parents believe there are educational benefits in their children having access to tablets and smartphones, a statistic Holden supports.

“It can only be a positive thing introducing children to technology in a way that is safe, controlled and benefits their educational development,” said the 44-year-old.

“Pebli Town has got the balance right as 99% of all game play is still done on the board so you avoid having your children glued to a tablet.”

As for Holden’s future career ventures for the rest of 2015, her relentless workload doesn’t look as though it will ease up just yet.

“I am filming something for the BBC now and doing a load of stuff for Text Santa. As for acting, there is a possible musical in the running but I can’t tell you too much at this stage. Watch this space!”

JUSTIFIED: THE FINAL SEASON Three Copies To Giveaway | Competition

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Frostie

Witness the epic conclusion to the modern-day police drama when JUSTIFIED: THE FINAL SEASON debuts on DVD Oct 5 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Timothy Olyphant returns one last time as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a man who attempts to bring law and order back to Harlan County. Based on Elmore Leonard’s short story, “Fire in the Hole,” this critically acclaimed series from Sony Pictures Television and Bluebush Productions comes to a head in the series’ final hours with a standoff between Raylan and his longtime enemy, Boyd Crowder, played by Walton Goggins (Sons of Anarchy). JUSTIFIED: THE FINAL SEASON never lets up with its gun-slinging action and renegade style of justice.Available as a three-disc set, JUSTIFIED: THE FINAL SEASON will include all 13 episodes, plus a behind-the-scenes featurette called “Hollywood to Harlan,” giving fans an inside look as to how the writers of Justified did research in Kentucky for the final season.JUSTIFIED: THE FINAL SEASON features an extraordinary ensemble cast, including Olyphant, Nick Searcy (Hawaii Five-0), Jere Burns (Bates Motel), Joelle Carter (Castle), Jacob Pitts (Person of Interest), Erica Tazel (The Office), Walton Goggins (Django Unchained) and more.JUSTIFIED: THE COMPLETE SERIES is also available on DVD October 5, just in time for must-have Christmas gift lists. The box set will include the full 78 episodes with all previously released bonus material, including deleted scenes, commentary with cast and crew and extensive featurettes.

We have three copies to giveaway. To be in with the chance of winning this fantastic prize, follow @Frostmag on Twitter or Instagram, or like us on Facebook. Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter. Or subscribe to Frost Magazine TV on YouTube here: http://t.co/9etf8j0kkz.Then comment below saying what you did or email frostmagazine@gmail.com Competition finishes end of November.

September Book Picks

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Frostie

Geetu Bharwaney Emotional Resilience.

An intelligent and accessible book. This brilliant book helps you develop your emotional resilience. It has practical steps which are easy to follow and understand, leaving you with the tools to perform at your best. It is all broken down well and is an original, unique book that allows you to prepare yourself against challenging situations. This great book gives you the toolkit to be your best at work.

Pressure, stress and annoying problems are all part of life, especially at work.

By developing your emotional resilience you can be bulletproof, prepare yourself against even the most challenging situations, and focus fully on achieving your goals, getting things done, moving ahead and being the best you can be.

With this comprehensive, practical and empowering guide, you will start feeling the benefits of emotional resilience straight away as you learn to:

· quickly adapt to tricky and pressured situations and get the best from them;

· be at your best all the time by successfully managing your emotions, thoughts and actions;

· handle everyday demands, hassles and annoyances with positivity and confidence;

· realise your full potential – whether on your own or with others.

Being clever, skilled or smart is not enough. To get an edge, stand out and really succeed you need emotional resilience.

Emotional Resilience: Know What it Takes to be Agile, Adaptable and Perform at Your Best is available here.

J.D. Robb Obsession In Death.

Another brilliant crime thriller from J.D Robb AKA Nora Roberts. Entertaining and indulgent. These books are hugely popular for a reason.

A crisp winter morning in New York. In a luxury apartment, the body of a woman lies stretched out on a huge bed. On the wall above, the killer has left a message in bold black ink: FOR LIEUTENANT EVE DALLAS, WITH GREAT ADMIRATION AND UNDERSTANDING.

Eve Dallas is used to unwanted attention. Famous for her high-profile cases and her marriage to billionaire businessman Roarke, she has learned to deal with intense public scrutiny and media gossip. But now Eve has become the object of a singular and deadly obsession. She has an ‘admirer’, who just can’t stop thinking about her. Who is convinced they have a special bond. Who is planning to kill for her – again and again…

With time against her, Eve is forced to play a delicate – and dangerous – psychological dance. Because the killer is desperate for something Eve can never provide – approval. And once that becomes clear, Eve knows her own life will be at risk – along with those she cares about the most.

Obsession in Death is available here.

Helen Oyeyemi Boy, Snow, Bird.

Now out in paperback. this imaginative and original novel is well worth a read. Read our review here.

The fifth novel from award-winning author Helen Oyeyemi, who was named in 2013 as one of Granta’s best of young British novelists. A retelling of the Snow White myth, Boy, Snow, Bird is a deeply moving novel about an unbreakable bond . . .

BOY Novak turns twenty and decides to try for a brand-new life. Flax Hill, Massachusetts, isn’t exactly a welcoming town, but it does have the virtue of being the last stop on the bus route she took from New York. Flax Hill is also the hometown of Arturo Whitman – craftsman, widower, and father of Snow.

SNOW is mild-mannered, radiant and deeply cherished – exactly the sort of little girl Boy never was, and Boy is utterly beguiled by her. If Snow displays a certain inscrutability at times, that’s simply a characteristic she shares with her father, harmless until Boy gives birth to Snow’s sister, Bird.

When BIRD is born Boy is forced to re-evaluate the image Arturo’s family have presented to her, and Boy, Snow and Bird are broken apart.

Sparkling with wit and vibrancy, Boy, Snow, Bird is a novel about three women and the strange connection between them. It confirms Helen Oyeyemi’s place as one of the most original and dynamic literary voices of her generation.

Boy, Snow, Bird is available here.

J.D Robb Devoted In Death

Another entertaining thriller. A must read and destined to become a film (we hope).

It’s a new year in New York city, and two star-crossed lovers have just discovered an insatiable appetite…for murder.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas has witnessed some grisly crimes in her career and she knows just how dark things can get on the streets. But when a much-loved musician is found dead, Eve soon realises that his murder is part of a horrifying killing spree, stretching right across the country.

Now the killers have reached New York, and they’ve found themselves another victim. Eve knows she only has a couple of days to save a young girl’s life, and to stop the killers before their sadistic games escalate. Eve’s husband Roarke is ready to put his brains and his considerable resources behind the search. But even as the couple works closely together, time is running out…

Devoted in Death is available here.

Actor Interviews: Rakesh Dasgupta

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Frostie

What made you become an actor?

It all started while I was in school. I never really had any friends to talk during my school days. I was experiencing domestic violence almost everyday; I could not find anyone to listen to me. I was getting bullied at school. All these experiences started giving me depression at that age and I was so helpless. But I always loved to watch movies and I liked portraying those characters I saw in the movies. Its hard to explain but when I used to portray the characters in front of the mirror I used to (kind of) become those characters from within which helped me for that short span of time to forget everything surrounding me. I found this to be a very helpful technique to stay away from my depression and the unwanted ambience. As time progressed, I just got hooked up with this acting.

Did you train and if so where?

Sounds weird but I must say my initial training started in front of the mirror. Being a commerce graduate I never had any formal acting qualification. Until 2013 when I started taking informal acting and accent removal classes in Sydney with some of the experienced actors.

Career Highlight

Instead of taking names of some of the projects that I have worked on, I would like to consider my career highlight to date being given the opportunity to go to Hollywood and perform in front of the film directors and casting directors. Also getting representation offer from one of the leading agencies in USA during my first week in Hollywood was something completely unexpected. (Well its a different thing that I could not accept the offer for having no work rights in USA)

Lowest Point

Those first days in Sydney when I did not have a place to live and was visiting Salvation Army to ask for food as I didn’t have any money with me. I don’t want to speak too much on my lowest points in life as I think people who want to pursue acting, want to become actors and have big dreams would get discouraged and scared listening to my past. So I would prefer to keep this point short.

Hardest thing about being an actor

1. Getting job – you can be an acting degree holder from the best acting university in the world and you might have the best acting talent but you might not get any acting job. If you ask me why, I don’t have that answer. It’s the way it is. 2. Uncertainty of the future – as an aspiring actor you never know where you will end up in the next 5 or 10 years time; you can end up with stardom or you can just end up with nothing. 3. No financial security – In the early stages of acting career, it does not pay you much, if at all to make both ends meet. It’s very likely that you might just end up with one meal a day as that’s all you would be able to sometime afford being an aspiring actor.

Do you make enough money from acting, if not, what else do you do?

At this stage of my career I do not make enough money from acting to pay all my bills. As such I have to do other stuff like working in supermarkets, gas stations, doing gardening work etc etc. I prefer these kind of odd jobs instead of a full time desk job because they provide flexibility to attend auditions and shoots.

Best and Worst audition

Best audition – When I had four days time to practice my lines which is quite unusual to get such a long time to prepare a script. I knew my lines and moves to perfection and was very satisfied with the way I performed in the audition room. The casting director appreciated my performance and I was so convinced about getting that role but guess what, I didn’t get the role.

Worst audition – I was driving to this audition and my car broke down in the middle of the highway. I had to get my car towed to the nearest gas station and then I got a cab and was able to reach the audition venue just on time. It was summer and I was profusely sweating. I went to the audition room and I couldn’t recall half my lines; I left the script in my car which made me look so unprofessional. I came out from the audition room dejected with no hope. Two days later my agent informed me that I got that role.

Advice for other actors

Firstly you should only pursue acting if you enjoy the actual art; If your reason to pursue acting is to become famous, you got a bad news coming – you are in the wrong business. Do not have a back up option because if you have a back up option you are basically preparing for failure. Acting is a business in which ‘YOU’ are the product that you sell, so maintain yourself (a good physique is always an asset in the acting business). When you are an aspiring actor you will get naysayers coming by default who will tell you that it cannot be done – just ignore them. Most importantly, you have to honestly believe in yourself that one day you will become a successful actor; Well, if you don’t believe in yourself, who else will.

What is the most important thing for actors to do to improve their career?

Practice Practice Practice! Practice your art, work on your art whole year, not just two days before going to an audition. Doesn’t matter if you practice lines in front of the mirror in your room, in the middle of the beach or in an acting school, but do something everyday to improve your confidence level.

Role Models

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Dwayne Johnson, Johnny Depp

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