Local Artists Showcase - Sinah Evers

I am pretty sure that the Local Artist Showcase offered something for everybody. It was a night full of music, theatre, dance and poetry.

The night was composed of three parts and the audience moved between the the theatre, the lab and the base. The first part started wish the local choir “Deep Roots Tall Trees” and a song about Corby; how suitable. After a few more songs a silent theatre was performed about Magdalene, showing love for the detail and a surprising expressiveness for being without spoken word. I could literally see the illustrated ant crawl at Magdalene´s arm only because of how she moved her arm and where she looked at. The dancing performance of the “Corby Young Dancers” was followed by one of my favourite performances; “Love Extension”. The short play summarised so many feelings ins such a short spell that it was breathtaking. It took you on a journey of a couple from the feeling of falling in love to silence and a questioning of their relationship. Presented in gesture and poem, requisites and monologues, it certainly was a piece of art. The end of the first part made some more music: “Aranjuez from Guitar” was played by a Guitar, a Saxophone and a harp.

That was only the first part, and the second followed in the lab with more poems, self-written songs, lively played stories and a part of the story of the guitar. But my favourite piece came with part three: back in the theatre the “Impulse Collective” was already waiting to stage their play “Exposed”. It was definitely one of the best theatre plays I have ever seen: surprising, self-confident, thought-provoking and entertaining. But it still was not the last gig of the evening: at the Post Show Party in the base was a duo consisting of a DJ and a person on the treadmill, the heartbeats of the runner where transferred to the computer and played a decisive role for the presented music.

As you can see: the evening was so filled with one highlight following the next that it is not even possible for me to give them all the commendation they deserve. The friend who came with me to the Showcase liked different performances best than me, thus I am sure the variety had to offer something for anyone. Especially if you consider the price-performance ratio: Where else do you get about four hours of diversified entertainment for five pounds?

The Local Artists Showcase gets 3 out of 3 Stars

Glasshouse Review - India Jansons

Being as mad about Kate Tempest as I am, I went into this show with great expectations; 

I wasn’t disappointed! 

This performance was both unique and intriguing, with the second half including audience participation would could be better than watching your friends and family on the big stage?! 

This performance covered some touching topics, issues with sexuality, drug use and most importantly homelessness. I found this to help with teens and even parents struggling with these issues, unlike most performances I’ve seen there was no glitz and glam but it worked amazingly and was just so tense! With only four actors and 5 frosted screens it looked simple but was very effective as it had that boho feel to it.

All in all I thought it was a must see; defiantly has that Kate Tempest twinge to it!

Glasshouse Review by Liam Ferguson

Glasshouse - Liam Ferguson

I went to see Glasshouse with the Young Producers. Kate Tempest wrote the show for Cardboard Citizens. I found it very a interesting drama/forum theatre. 

The best part being the involvement of the audience, of which quite a few took part, myself included. 

Very well put together show.

Overall I would give the show 9 Fergies out of 10.

Glasshouse review - Sinah Evers

Glasshouse review - Sinah Evers

The forum theatre "Glasshouse" was the first of its kind I have ever seen. I did not only watched the theatre itself, I also took part in an workshop that was offered before. 

This workshop showed impressively what family (the main theme of the show) might mean for different people. I also gave you a bigger idea about what "Cardboard Citizens" are doing in their work with homeless people and it was a lot of fun. The concept of having a workshop and seeing a play afterwards to the same topic makes the theme so much more present and lets you think more about the theme than only having one of them. 

But also the play itself was amazing: people who claim theatre is old and dusted and can not stand against new medias as film and TV would change their opinion at least after seeing this forum theatre. The interaction of actors and the audience - who got actors themselves - made it feel unpredictable what would happen next. You really got into the protagonists feelings and into the story. Also the theme was something everybody should be able to identify with - family and conflicts in families.

I went into the workshop and the show with a vague idea about what it will be like and walked out with many ideas and the wish to see a forum theatre again as soon as possible!

I give Glasshouse 3 of 3 Stars