News

Mayfest is over and we’ve had a couple of days of well earned quiet here, after no fewer than 27 performances in just over a fortnight. Tomorrow things kick off again in earnest as we welcome City of Bristol College to the Brewery with their first and final year students’ summer productions. Kebabylon is not for the feint-hearted. Based on the real-life stories of the late-night inhabitants of takeaway joints, burger vans and their ilk, it’s a gritty and uncompromising look at very contemporary concerns. Please note, the show contains some pretty strong language and content that some may find offensive. This is followed on Saturday night by Gabriel Garcia Lorca’s Yerma, a story of sexuality and longing told with stark storytelling and some beautiful music. City of Bristol run their Foundation Degree out of the TF and, having seen the students gearing up for the end of term, we’re looking forward to seeing what they’ve been working so hard on for the past few months.

Also tomorrow we’re thrilled to be welcoming Antonia Fraser to the TF as part of the Bristol Festival Ideas. Lady Fraser will be in conversation with ex-Director of London’s Royal Court Theatre, Ian Rickson, about her new book which explores the biographer’s relationship with her husband Harold Pinter. Should be riveting.

What’s new?

We’ve been busy uploading some fab new content in the last few days. Fancy something bizarre, insane and a little bit scary? Check out the trailer for My Name is Sue, the cult hit of last year’s Edinburgh Festival which is playing here next month. This genre-bending show about a piano-wielding prophet from Wales promises to deliver an unforgettable hour of comedy/tragedy/music/theatre/cabaret.
Want to find out about our community and youth work in Bristol? You can now watch an excerpt from the puppet mockumentary film Knowledge, made by a group of 9 – 11 year olds from Knowle West last summer under the guidance of local master puppeteers Green Ginger. Keep an eye on the blog for details of our current cultural cohesion project with Ashton Primary School and Easton Primary School.
What to know what we’ve been up to over the last year…? Check out our Annual Report 2010/11 for a stat-tastic account of our development and achievements.

Half-term!

The holidays start early here at the TF, with Angel Heart Theatre’s performances of Hans Christian Andersen’s story The Nightingale here this coming Sunday. With beautiful puppets, evocative shadow theatre and original live music, this is a delightful and engaging show from the makers of last season’s sell-out Oshima and the Big Sea.
Not getting away this half-term? Why not come to the Brewery for a trip to out of space accompanied by Bob, the Man on the Moon! Sixth Sense and Travelling Light’s colourful and utterly charming show has almost sold out several of its performances, so make sure you book soon for a half-term show that’s out of this world. Lovely video-trailer available on the show page.
And… there are still a couple of places left on our half-term Storybox workshop, Where the Wild Things Are. If you’re aged 7 – 11 and want to explore your wild side these holidays then click here to find out more.

And how could I possibly sign off without another mention of Quarantine’s maginificent event-cum-party Susan & Darren, which arrives here next Thursday…? We’re polishing our dancing shoes already and look forward to seeing you there…