A dark comedy by Alex Brockie

“The balance of humour and pathos is carefully crafted to deliver a powerful emotional hit…

….Alex Brockie is not only a very talented performer but, as the writer and director of the piece, clearly a skilled wordsmith….”

– Kate Kavanagh Theatre Fever 2013

The Inferno Kid is a pull-no-punches play about a former British wrestling star who, at 36, is disabled, destitute and descending into madness. Now the living room of his wife’s council flat is a fitting venue for one final showdown – this time, with the demons of his past. However, with his mind and his marriage on the line is this a match The Inferno Kid can win?

The Inferno Kid is presented by emerging Midlands based theatre maker Alex Brockie. Early audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive and the show is now moving to larger venues. For one night only, with a young and vibrant cast, the Inferno Kid will be performed at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham. This is one performance you will not want to miss.

The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

Friday 24 May 7.30pm

Tickets: £10 | £8 Concessions | http://www.crescent-theatre.co.uk

@infernokid1 / facebook.com/theinfernokid

The Leverhulme Trust has awarded Birmingham Repertory Theatre an Arts Scholarship of £136,950 over three years towards its REP Foundry initiative.  Created under The REP’s new artistic director, Roxana Silbert in January 2013, REP Foundry aims to discover and promote the West Midlands’ most promising burgeoning talent with a group of 18 writers, directors and theatre makers receiving mentoring and professional support from staff at The REP and leading theatre practitioners.   As well as master classes with theatre professionals REP Foundry artists have the opportunity to present work in progress in front of an audience at monthly scratch performance nights.

Jean Cater of the Leverhulme Trust said:
“Arts Scholarships are awarded to support the development of artistic talent across disciplines, by providing bursaries for artists and performers, or by supporting innovative approaches to teaching. At a time when funding for the arts is generally being reduced throughout the UK, these scholarships will make a valuable contribution to the development of the next generation of creative talent.  We congratulate Birmingham Repertory Theatre on their successful bid, which will provide 18 artists with exciting new opportunities to develop their careers in theatre and performance.”

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre said the award will make a significant difference to REP Foundry:
“The Leverhulme Trust’s grant will make an invaluable contribution towards nurturing and developing the West Midlands’ next generation of theatre makers.  With our first 18 REP Foundry artists already receiving professional mentoring and support we are thrilled that over the next three years we will be able to support a further 54 West Midlands based theatre makers.”

The Leverhulme Trust was established in 1925 under the Will of the first Viscount Leverhulme. It is one of the largest all-subject providers of research funding in the UK, distributing funds of some £60 million every year. The Trust’s Arts Scholarships provide funds for three years for training opportunities across the whole range of artistic disciplines in the fine and performing arts, but not normally within universities.

The first REP Foundry scratch performance nights have already taken place with 11 of the theatre artists sharing their work in front of a live audience. Future REP Foundry nights take place on the last Thursday of the month at The Edge, Cheapside, Digbeth until July, and then at the newly re-opened Birmingham Repertory Theatre in October and November. For tickets, costing £5, and further information call 0121 236 4455 or visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk/repfoundry.  Applications for the 2014 REP Foundry scheme will be announced in Autumn 2013.

Fri 24 & Sat 25 May, 8pm | Tickets £12 (£10) | Age 15+ | Theatre

Created, Written and Performed by David Woods and Jon Haynes

As sports world bigwigs prepared to descend on London for last year’s games and bureaucratic busybodies tried to figure out how best to exploit the national fervour, Ridiculusmus created its very own satirical take on it all – Total Football.

Picking over football systems, political wrangling and changing room banter, Total Football tackles the big questions of life – immortality, happiness and why England always lose. From the controversial attempt to create a united UK football team for the 2012 games to one man’s attempts to reproduce when he can’t even explain the offside rule, Ridiculusmus has patched up its metatarsals to examine the melting pot of what it means to be British today.

Building on the Company’s’ reputation for making seriously funny, multi-award winning theatre and masterfully inventive comic writing, Total Football is a wickedly clever, mischievously sharp, and acutely observed meditation on our times.

“Provocative surrealists Ridiculusmus are the last men on the planet you’d want to run your soccer team – which is what makes Total Football so enticing.”

* * * * Time Out London

“You don’t need to give a fig about Football to enjoy this inventive, hectic 70 minute piece… this slice of the absurd has a real lightness of touch.”

* * * * Evening Standard

“his wry look at British Identity through the lens of football is bang on target: droll, daft and deft”

* * * * Financial Times

Dr Frankenstein’s Travelling Freak Show

Wed 22^nd May 8pm

Thurs 23^rd May 8pm

Tickets: £10/£8 conc.

“What does one see, when looking into the eyes of a monster?” 

You are invited to revel in the freakish delights of Dr Frankenstein’s Travelling Freak Show!

Take your seat and observe as a lobster mind reader, a bearded lady and a chimpanzee retell Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein through the debauched and twisted eyes of one cynical raconteur.

Accompanied by an original score composed by Cardiff based band INC.A, Tin Shed Theatre present the darkly comical and sickly twisted, Dr Frankenstein’s Travelling Freak Show delicately treading the line between hilarity and morality.

“One of the most impressive theatre performances I have ever seen…This is Fringe theatre at its best!” 5 STARS, BROADWAY BABY

“Marvelously grotesque and freakishly compulsive” 5 STARS, THE LATEST

Watch the trailer here!

To Book:

Box Office: 0121 200 0946

Website: www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk

For the last twelve months, Neil has worked as Promoter at the Arena Theatre’s sister venue, The Performance Hub, which is based on the University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall campus. In his new role, as well as overseeing the programming and management of the Arena, Neil will continue to be involved in the development of the Performance Hub.

Prior to his job at the Performance Hub, Neil worked as the Student Activities Co-ordinator at the University of Wolverhampton for five years, greatly increasing student engagement in societies and volunteering. Neil has also worked for a number of other venues, including The Moat House Hotel Stafford and Rugeley Rose Theatre, and has toured work to Battersea Arts Centre, Gatehouse Theatre Stafford and Bedlam Theatre in Edinburgh.

Neil has a performance background, gaining a BA (Hons) in Theatre Studies at University of Hull and an MA in Directing for Theatre at St. Mary’s College in Twickenham. Neil founded Violet Microwave Theatre in 2000 and has directed all of their shows to date. Neil was also a founder member of JUICE Comedy and has been part of the team that has turned this into Stafford’s only independent comedy promotion.

Neil Reading says, “’I am delighted to be appointed as Venue Manager of the Arena Theatre and Performance Hub. I am looking forward to working with the team and our partners over the coming months to plan a terrific future for the two venues together, as we continue to develop as a centre for emerging artists and innovative theatre. Through working across both of these venues, we will be able to provide audiences in the Black Country with top quality theatre, dance, music and spoken word.”

Peter Robinson, Principal Lecturer and Head of Department for Leisure and The Arena Theatre, says: “Neil brings a real passion and vision for the future to the Arena Theatre. I’m confident that Neil will build on Kevin O’Sullivan’s 27 year legacy to ensure that in these difficult economic times for the arts, the Arena and Performance Hub continue to thrive.”

We’ve teamed up with some top notch teachers and schools and are bringing them to Birmingham. Focusing on developing skills that support the actor whether they’re a seasoned pro, student, returning to the industry or new like a chicklet. We all know there’s a big pool of actors in the Midlands so what better way to keep the juices flowing than a workshop without the cross country train fare…..Please note: Theatre Exchange is run by volunteers, professional actors, writers and directors….we’ve kept the cost as low as possible whilst keeping the quality high. Hope to see you at one of these launch workshops! ……here goes…

The Actors Temple Meisner Week

Tutor: Gary Condes
Dates: 15th – 19th July 2013
Times: 10am – 4pm each day

Who are the Actors Temple? Browse theirwebsite or watch this.

This week long course introduces you to Sandford Meisners ‘Repetition Exercise’. It’s a simple device that gets your attention off yourself, out of your head and onto the other actor.  This week is for those who want to learn how to live truthfully on stage and screen. You will be confronted by the things that ‘get in the way’ of your ability to relate honestly to yourself and to others. During the second part of the week we will move on to improvisation and what Meisner termed ’The Reality of Doing’. Want to know more about the tutor? Click here!

London has been the home of The Actors Temple for nearly a decade, it’s a place where “students are free to be themselves’ (The Stage, June 2011). 

This course costs: £275 (full)
Equity members: £260
Early bird booking (before 31st May): £255
Recommend a friend and you both pay £250

Book now

Fired Up Theatre and Staffordshire Poet Laureate, Mal Dewhirst, invite artists, actors, writers, musicians, arts development officers, schools, teachers and organisations to an open portfolio development day. If you are interested in becoming part of our two year theatre and performance strategic development plan, which we envisage will increase work opportunities, then come along for coffee and conversation. No need to book an appointment!

Venue: Tamworth Library: 1^st Floor meeting room

You may be aware that Paul, Sam and Jess are handing the Pilot controls over – after many years of hard work – to Jo Gleave & Jo Newman from Tin Box and Independent Producers Pippa Frith & Thomas Wildish. The new team are currently developing a funding application which will cover the next series of Pilot events, until the end of 2015.

We’d really like to hear from any artists or companies who are interested in being a future Co-Pilot.

What Co-Pilots Do:

• Work closely with the Pilot team to select the work that will be shown
• Work with artists selected for the event, in the run up and on the day, to help create a successful and exciting event
• Work with the host venue for the event, in the run and on the day, to create a successful and exciting event
• Co-host the event on the day

What Co-Pilots Get:

• An opportunity to gain experience in programming
• The opportunity to develop new relationships with artists
• The opportunity to develop a relationship with the host venue
• A small fee

If you think you might be a future Co-Pilot, please send us a brief (informal) expression of interest by email, to info@pilotnights.co.uk (with Co-Pilot in the subject header) and tell us:

• A little bit about you company or your artistic practice
• What you think you’d get from being a Co-Pilot

This is an informal expression at this early stage. We want to understand the level of interest, and breadth of artists/companies who might be interested in getting involved. Detailed conversations will happen further down the line, once funding has been secured. We hope to have a really diverse range of artists and companies to help us create an exciting programme across the next two and a half years, and ensure Pilot is extending it’s reach as far as possible. We’re intending to submit the application mid-June, so please do let us have any expressions of interest by Mon 3 June.

And don’t forget, the next Pilot Night is on Thursday 16 May @AE Harris Birmingham; we hope to see you there. For more details visit: www.pilotnights.co.uk

Breaking the Silence is a unique one day empowerment programme, designed to protect young girls at risk aged 13 and upwards from sexual abuse and exploitation. It is currently touring schools and community organisations across the UK between March and July this year.

Empowerment Expert & actress Tonya Joy Bolton says,

“Girls affected by sexual violence and abuse often self-harm. Their experiences almost certainly impact on their studies, their attendance and their emotional health. More confidence, improved self-esteem and better social skills can all help young people recognise and respond appropriately to the threat – and the reality – of sexual abuse. But they can only learn how to protect themselves if we give them the space, the time and the support they need to improve their communication and decision-making skills and help them address important issues such as family difficulties and conflict.”

The programme begins with a live performance of “Hidden” – a new inspirational and hard hitting one-woman play about the challenges faced by a teenage girl unaware of the dangers she faces. Chante feels misunderstood by grown-ups, hates school and longs to be a pop star. Just when her dreams seem about to come true, she discovers something that will change her life forever… The play is written and performed by Tonya Joy Bolton & directed by Jon Trevor and provides an excellent starting point for discussions, debates and exploration.

“Breaking the Silence” utilises effective ways of removing ‘barriers’ and dealing with sensitive issues. It helps girls make long-lasting positive changes for their future by equipping them with strategies to protect themselves both physically and emotionally. As a result, the girls develop in confidence and are therefore better able to deal with conflict and adverse social situations.

Breaking the Silence is an ICU Transformational Arts workshop sponsored by The Brook Advisory centre. ICU is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers innovative programmes, books and performances which empower young people to break destructive behaviour patterns and unlock their potential.

Suitable for 13+

“The girls really enjoyed the day. The play & workshops brought out key issues which impact on our girls on a daily basis. It certainly gave them a sense of empowerment and understanding around the issues discussed on the day. I have already spoken with a student who felt overwhelmed by the day as it made her understand herself more and realise she may have been tempted to make the wrong choice.” Mrs Julie Perkins-Health & well-being co-ordinator at Handsworthwood girls school, 2/05/13

 “I enjoyed the play because it was so emotional and unique. It really spoke to me reminds me to be strong.” Hannah, aged 13

“I have learned a lot about respect & relationships. Boys should respect me for who i am and i shouldn’t suffer in silence.” Stacy, aged 15

“The performance was awesome. Really deep and moving. It touched all the issues that teenagers face. I will remember it for the rest of my life!” Manpreet. Aged 16

 “The messages that it inspired in me were to never let anyone judge me or use and abuse me. I am much more than that.”Jeanette, aged14.

To book an empowerment day or Live performance, email Tonya Joy Bolton attonya@icu-transformational-arts.comor call her on 07969 472 392.

21 sons lost in battle
A nation’s betrayal of its hero
A family broken
Titus will have his revenge

Michael Fetinman makes his RSC directorial debut with Stephen Boxer as Titus and Katy Stephens as Tamora.

Find out more

£15 tickets* for Titus Andronicus

A limited number of £15 tickets are available to book online for Titus Andronicus on 20, 24, 25, 27 & 28 May in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Buy tickets
*Terms and conditions apply. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer available on selected performance date and time only.