Storytime for the Hungry
directed by Rachel Baker and produced by Ralph Upton with Claire O'Loughlin
in partnership with New Crossways Community Centre and supported by Creative Communities
performed by Joel Baxendale, Simon Haren, Gareth Hobbs and Claire O'Loughlin
"Best Outdoor," NZ Fringe 2010.
performed by Joel Baxendale, Simon Haren, Gareth Hobbs and Claire O'Loughlin
"Best Outdoor," NZ Fringe 2010.
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Free performances.
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Director's Note
As a very small girl dragged along to the Arts Festival I remember been enthralled and similtanously wrought with laughter as I watched two russian clowns pull a rope from off stage. That was all but it was magic and I wanted it. My curiosity was in that moment born, but apart from an incredible but far too short clown workshop with John Bolton three years ago, this is my first delve into clown.
In pitching this project to the company it seemed fitting for Binge Culture to use clown as a way to try on new shoes for size, however ridiculous. Our purpose was to explore new territory, get back into the rehearsal room and build basic performance skills without the expectations of a big show. It seemed like a decadent request. Let us play for a month. However putting on a red nose and coming onto stage simply to be funny can feel alot like feeding your ego to a bunch of tigers. It requires brutal honesty, boldness and complete trust in your other players. I thank Claire, Joel, Gareth and Simon for riding the beast like soldiers, Ralph for his full hearted support of this project and Jo Randerson for her wonderfull mentorship.
So this porridge and it's accompaniments is a offering ,a response to a month of trying to make each other laugh. Bon Appetit!
-Rachel
As a very small girl dragged along to the Arts Festival I remember been enthralled and similtanously wrought with laughter as I watched two russian clowns pull a rope from off stage. That was all but it was magic and I wanted it. My curiosity was in that moment born, but apart from an incredible but far too short clown workshop with John Bolton three years ago, this is my first delve into clown.
In pitching this project to the company it seemed fitting for Binge Culture to use clown as a way to try on new shoes for size, however ridiculous. Our purpose was to explore new territory, get back into the rehearsal room and build basic performance skills without the expectations of a big show. It seemed like a decadent request. Let us play for a month. However putting on a red nose and coming onto stage simply to be funny can feel alot like feeding your ego to a bunch of tigers. It requires brutal honesty, boldness and complete trust in your other players. I thank Claire, Joel, Gareth and Simon for riding the beast like soldiers, Ralph for his full hearted support of this project and Jo Randerson for her wonderfull mentorship.
So this porridge and it's accompaniments is a offering ,a response to a month of trying to make each other laugh. Bon Appetit!
-Rachel