RESPONSE
The Response events began in 2017 after Blink Theatre were commissioned by Alyth Synagogue to create a piece of theatre to engage the local community. The show was a huge success and went on to be performed at The Courtyard Theatre and The Old Red Lion Theatre, receiving 5* reviews. The Old Red Lion theatre has since become the home of the Response series. The aim of Response has always been to create a platform for emerging and under-represented artists, while offering coaching and guidance from the Blink Team.
response 5: ESCAPE
Tickets are now on sale for Response 5: ESCAPE
17th & 18th April 2021
Response 5: ESCAPE is a collection of monologues written by emerging writers and performed by an all female cast. The show is produced by Blink Theatre, performed by members of The Actors Cove and directed by Lotte Ruth Johnson.
The theme ESCAPE was used as a way to offer writers a joyful and positive writing experience so as to shift focus from the current pandemic. All 12 writers were selected by a team of readers to create a varied and exciting selection of new writing.
Cast:
Francesca Baccarella
Yazmin Belo
Amandine Farrugia
Helena Foster
Kirsty Langley
Rima Nsubugna
Holly Read
Rebecca Robinson
Lucy Sansom
Sharleen Sood
Svetlana Tyan
Manisha Patel
Writers:
Claire Campbell-Collins
Lucinda Coyle
Emma Dawson
Harriet Gandy
Vivian Lermond
Temi Majekodunmi
Ruth Mestel
Peter Preston
Syeshia Sweeney
Darren Smith
Linzi Winterburn
Eva Young
The Creative Team:
Director & Producer- Lotte Ruth Johnson
Associate Producer & Designer- Scarlett Alice Johnson
Associate Artist & Event Host- Adam Courting
Script Readers- Adam Courting, Lotte Ruth Johnson, Scarlett Alice Johnson, Libby Rodliffe, Tiannah Viechweg.
A note from the director-
"I have always been committed to creating a platform for other artists. I've always worked very hard but like any new artist, when I started out I relied on more experienced artists to guide me and give me a step up. I was lucky that this happened and still happens. I wouldn't be where I am without these opportunities and I believe firmly that fostering a sense of community allows creativity to thrive and artists to be braver, especially at the moment. The Response productions give me the same sense of creative development that it offers the writers and actors. It's a professional production with all the rigour and focus necessary, but with compassion at the centre of the work. This is an exciting collaboration which brings together a huge team of creative people to reassure us all that theatre is still very much alive.
The future is definitely brighter, but until then, I hope you'll enjoy this escape. "
Lotte Ruth Johnson
About The Actors Cove-
Lotte Ruth Johnson started The Actors Cove during the summer of 2020 as an affordable actor training community. The aim was to create a way for actors to keep training, keep connecting with each other and continue to practice their craft regardless of the restrictions. The Actors Cove now has 26 members and is growing every day. The company provides coaching, workshops and video tutorials in acting and writing, led by industry professionals who are also experienced and talented teachers.
"Working with Blink Theatre was an amazing new experience for me as I had never had to learn and perform a 10 page monologue before - and didn't know if I could do it but I received so much help in and outside the rehearsal rooms which was extremely useful. I really enjoyed performing new material that had not been seen before and bringing it to life, and I was so inspired by the whole process that I have begun writing my own short play."
Faaiz Mbelizi - Response 3: Reality
"Working with Blink was an amazing experience. The most supportive group of people creatively and professionally. They took a chance on my writing and developed it together in to something really memorable."
Emma Louise Webb - Response 3: Reality
"I had the opportunity to write and perform my own piece in the very first Response evening. It was a lovely collaborative experience; Lotte really listened to what I wanted to achieve with my performance allowed me to explore that, whilst reminding me not to ignore new, fresh ideas that she offered as a director and audience member."
Libby Rodliffe - Response