COMING SOON
OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD by Timberlake Wertenbaker
FEMALE TRANSPORT by Steve Gooch
Dates & Venues TBC
The first production, ‘Squirrels’ by David Mamet, sold out in Spring
2006. In November 2006 the company performed ‘The Pinter…Pause’ a series
a short plays by Harold Pinter. They included ‘Mountain Language’; ‘The
New World Order’; ‘One for the Road’ and ‘A Slight Ache.’ Three weeks
later the company collaborated with Arden Theatre Company on an ‘alternative’
Christmas production – two one act plays by Pullitzer-winning American
playwrights. ‘Hughie’ by Eugene O’Neill and ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward
Albee played to sold out audiences in the run-up to Christmas.
2007 saw the company sponsored by Arts Council North East for performances
of ‘The Collector’ by John Fowles (adaptation by Mark Healy) which toured
North East Studio venues (described as ‘one of the theatrical highlights
of recent seasons’). Summer saw David Mamet’s ‘Duck Variations’ playing
at both the Stockton International Riverside Festival and the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival. Reviews of this show described the ‘flawless performances’
and ‘fine acting.’
Following their Edinburgh success, Vivid again decided to challenge themselves
by producing two plays in rep. The ‘German Plays’ season was a huge success
with sell-out performances, work with local schools and colleges and
the world premiere of a new translation of ‘Woyzeck.’ Along with this
play, ‘The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui’ was a fresh, simple take on
the classic Brechtian black comedy. Alison Clark-Jenkins, director, arts
and development, Arts Council England, North East, commented: “As well
as admirably fulfilling their aim of producing professional, clear and
exceptionally well acted work of popular plays and new works, Vivid encapsulates
the importance of using theatre as a powerful educational tool.”
In April 2008, Vivid entered darker territory. Alongside Harold Pinter’s
classic ‘The Dumb Waiter’ was Heathcote Williams’ disturbing one-act
play ‘The Local Stigmatic.’ Performing two classic British one act plays
in one night not only entertained but challenged the audience from the
terrifying final moments of ‘The Local Stigmatic’ to the shocking, unexplained
conclusion of ‘The Dumb Waiter.’
Vivid has received promotion is a variety of publications including The
Guardian, The Crack magazine, Festival magazine, The Evening Gazette
and The Northern Echo. Numerous theatre websites include reviews/updates
of our work including The British Theatre Guide, one4review.com and broadwaybaby.com.
The company also prides itself on sourcing actors for various educational/corporate
work and past projects include work for Teesside University/various local
colleges and photographic projects. If you require actors for a project,
please email the company for further information. Educational workshops
are available all year round on acting/directing/stagecraft. Again, please
email if there are any specific elements you would like to explore.
On top of this work, Vivid’s corporate and educational contracts are
rapidly growing as excellent word of mouth spreads. Although theatre
will always be the basis of the company, Vivid works with artists, teachers
and business people alike. As of this summer (2008) representatives of
the company will be available to travel around the country to work with
schools, colleges and businesses. If you have any specific requirements,
please feel free to email us.
In December 2008, you will be able to access further information on these productions including reviews, posters, performance photography, programmes and educational booklets. Please check back then.
April 2008 – Two Classic British Plays: The Local Stigmatic / The Dumb Waiter.
November/Decemeber 2007 – Two Classic German Plays (in
rep):
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui / Woyzeck.
August 2007 – Duck Variations (Edinburgh Fringe Festival/Stockton International Riverside Festival).
May 2007 – The Collector.
December 2006 – Hughie/The Zoo Story (in collaboration with Arden Theatre Company).
November 2006 – The Pinter…Pause (Mountain Language/The New World Order/ One for the Road/A Slight Ache).
April 2006 – Squirrels.