Sunday 8 December 2013

ENCOMPASS WEBSITE DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE!


After three years the Encompass website is closing...but not to fear! We'll be back in the new year with a brand spanking new one! For now you can follow our latest news on our Facebook, Twitter and blog. We'll have plenty of news coming in 2014, including the latest developments of our new play...

We hope the end of your 2013 is going swimmingly!



Tuesday 27 August 2013

STORMIN' NORMAN OFFICIALLY SELECTED FOR 2013 PORTOBELLO FILM FESTIVAL!


Big news for Stormin' Norman as Encompass' film debut has been selected for the 2013 Portobello Film Festival in London! The film was written and directed by Paul G Raymond and is scheduled to be shown on Sunday 8th September at 'Having a Laugh' which screens the latest and greatest comedy films.

Stormin’ Norman follows Norman (Christopher O'Shaughnessy), a homeless man living in London. We journey with Norman through the ups and downs of his everyday life until he meets Sarah (Eva Lea), a young woman who dares to break the routine. A heartfelt comedy drama by writer-director Paul G Raymond, Stormin' Norman is a moving snapshot of an unlikely friendship between a grieving man and an aspiring musician.

We're very proud to have Stormin' Norman screened at the UK's biggest independent film competition and hope you can join us and say hello!

You can find a map to the event here and a full schedule for the entire festival (running 28 August - 15 September) can be viewed here. You can find out more information on this huge event by visiting the Portobello Film Festival website.

Don't forget you can go behind-the-scenes on the film's blog and also watch the trailer below!





Wednesday 14 August 2013

LIFE IN A SKETCHBOOK - REVIEWS ROUND-UP & PRODUCTION PHOTOS!



Life in a Sketchbook a hit!

Last month saw Life in a Sketchbook hit London's West End at the Top Secret Comedy Club, Covent Garden!





Written by Emma Minihan and directed by Encompass artistic directors Jonathan Woodhouse and Rachael Owens, Life in a Sketchbook was made in association with Pen & Rose Productions and was Encompass' first collaboratively-produced show. It was also a hit with the critics:

Fresh...funny and fast-paced. A true delight to watch.”
★★★★ Official Theatre
"Incredibly witty...strong and intriguing. Funny and engaging performances." ★★★★ Female Arts
Clever. Poignant....hilarious. An hour of honest laughter and genuine entertainment." A Younger Theatre
"A delightful little series of tales...beautifully rounded little fragment of theatre." The Londoneer
"Excellent...splendid style. Well written and funny. It will have you smiling throughout." Everything Theatre
"Enjoyable...really spoke to me. On-point comedy timing. This show is worth seeing." Bargain Theatreland
"Great concept. Outrageous characters and a dose of humour.
The Public Reviews




A massive thank you to all who came and made Life in a Sketchbook a big success! It's certainly been the most fun we've had on any production and we look forward to revisiting the sketchbook again in the future.

If you've enjoyed the wonderful photos above be sure to see the full album on our Facebook page! We'd also like to thank Jack Anthony Ewins who produced the beautiful artwork for the show - you can visit his website here.

Don't forget to give our collaborators on the project Pen & Rose Productions a follow on Facebook, Twitter and their blog too!

THANKS FOR COMING!


Saturday 15 June 2013

LIFE IN A SKETCHBOOK - COMING SOON!


Within the confines of our modern society, sketches of seemingly normal lives play out. But not all goes to plan. The Dreamer dreams, the sofa stirs and the sandwich remains uneaten.

Premiering in London at the Top Secret Comedy Club on July 9th, acclaimed theatre and production company Encompass in association with Pen & Rose presents Life in a Sketchbook. Written by emerging playwright Emma Minihan, the full Life in a Sketchbook is a hopeful prod at the everyday, a casual shaken fist at the accepted norm, and a truth: that it IS possible to watch too much television.

It began with a sketchbook and a hopeful little pencil, thrown together with the inexplicable optimism that the pencil was destined for great things. Many stick men later, the pencil was swapped for a keyboard and life took shape and colour. Life in a Sketchbook is a series of six intertwined sketches that mirror our everyday lives – the people we meet, the situations we find ourselves in and the hopes and desires that define and restrict us. Encompass Productions in association with Pen & Rose invite you to have a flick through these six short plays that take humorous and poignant glances at life. Watch a whole host of curious characters through a pair of their somewhat askew glasses. Will you see yourself within the sketchbook?

SHOW DATES: Tuesdays 9, 16, 23, 30 July

TIME: 6.00pm (doors 5.45pm)

VENUE: Top Secret Comedy Club, Covent Garden, London (map)

Previous acclaim for Life in a Sketchbook:

‘A young, talented writer with a strong sense of humour and wit’ 

– What’s Peen Seen? on ‘The Interview’

‘By far my personal favorite. A vibrant energy…hilarious.” 
What’s Peen Seen? on ‘The Sofa’

Previous acclaim for Encompass:
'Outstanding. A creative explosion that'll delight, entertain and move.' 
★★★★★ EdFringe Review
'Rhythm, wit and style. Very funny. Stunning. Impressive' 
★★★★ Fringe Guru
‘A young, hard-working company’ – Broadway Baby         
'Imaginative, bold...visually stunning.’ - A Younger Theatre

Wednesday 29 May 2013

THE EP UPDATE - BUMPER EDITION!

Hello folks!

It's time for a catch up! In this update we'll be letting you know everything we've been up to since our last production Who Is Moloch?, including the celebration of our third year as a company. We'll also look back at the show and give our first little hint as to what we'll be doing next...

IN THIS EDITION...
  • EP turns three!
  • Theory - watch a sci-fi film made in 48 hours!
  • "The Uphill Struggle" - documentary and article on Encompass
  • Rachael Owens becomes Associate Artistic Director
  • New Producers!
  • Encompass lead seminar at Goldsmiths, University of London
  • Lancaster students interview us on the art of successful crowdfunding
  • A look back at Who Is Moloch? by Pamela Carralero
  • Photos galore: The Month of Moloch events, production stills from Who Is Moloch?
  • What are we doing next? Your first clues...
EP turns three!

30 live events, 3 productions and many memories later and Encompass turned three years old on the 25th of April! We'd like to thank everyone who has supported us so far, and promise plenty of great things ahead. This next year is certainly our most exciting yet!


Josh, Owen, Rachael and Jonathan celebrating our three years!
Want to see everything what we've done in our three years? Check out our retrospective photo album Encompass - Our Story So Far...

Theory - a sci-fi film made in 48 hours!

In the near future, the leader of a theocratic political party announces the creation, and widespread distribution through the country's water supply, of AquaPuri 66: a formula which can eradicate every disease known to humanity, but which unknown to any save its Government backers also severely control brain activity, both thought and emotion.

We recently teamed up with Devolutions to help them make 'Theory', a short film made for the Sci-Fi London 48 Hour Film Challenge! Written by Adam Paul Hollingworth and directed by both he and Anis Alamgir, this production felt very "Encompassy" and so we were delighted to be involved. You'll see plenty of familiar faces including Andy Miller, Jonathan Woodhouse, Lily Carrie all from Who Is Moloch? and Christopher O'Shaughnessy (Stormin' Norman). You'll also hear Encompass composer Alex Burnett's haunting score. Check out the film below!



"The Uphill Struggle" - documentary and article on Encompass



"How does a struggling production company become successful?"

We were humbled to be featured in a documentary and article all about the challenges of being an emerging production company. The Uphill Struggle takes a frank and honest look at our highs and lows, our history and where we want to head next. Ever wonder why we're called "Encompass"? Now's your chance to find out!

Click here to see the documentary and read the article

Rachael Owens becomes Associate Artistic Director



Rachael Owens, associate director of Who Is Moloch? and What It Feels Like has been made our new associate artistic director. Rachael is a founding member of Encompass and looks forward to her new role at a very exciting time for the company.

New Producers!



We're welcoming two new producers to the Encompass team, George Calderwood and Sam Holmes! George is a newcomer to EP whilst Sam previously worked as an associate performer and associate producer of the company.

Encompass lead seminar at Goldsmiths, University of London


EP were once more invited to lead a seminar on forming an arts company to Theatre and Performance students at Goldsmiths. This was a chance for artistic directors Jonathan Woodhouse and Rachael Owens to reflect on our three years, the trials, the triumphs and to advise the next generation of emerging creatives. Here's what second year Peer-Assisted-Learning mentor and Theatre and Performance undergraduate Samuel Ben had to say:

"Designed to inspire...brilliant, open and honest. I wish to thank Jon and Rachael for their attendance and hope that their link with the PALs in the Theatre and Performance Department at Goldsmiths remains strong in the coming years."

Lancaster students interview us on the art of successful crowdfunding

Who Is Moloch? had the mysterious United Western Coalition watching over their soldiers...and little did we know that a group of students from Lancaster university were watching us - in particular the Who Is Moloch? crowdfunding campaign on Sponsume! Their economics module on social entrepreneurship meant that they had to follow successful campaigns and we were asked to be a case study. 


You can check out their video interview with Encompass artistic director Jonathan Woodhouse here and their learning pack here. Gain an insight into what crowdfunding is and how powerful a tool it's become!

A look back at Who Is Moloch? by Pamela Carralero


Pictured: the Who Is Moloch? cast, Pamela Carralero (Writer) and Zuri Warren (Director)
Thank you to all who came to see Who Is Moloch? in London! Audience numbers were consistently good and we had a number of full houses, a rarity for any new show in a new venue on the London fringe circuit. The play moved many people and provoked some very interesting debates about the topics of World War III, Shakespeare and literature, psychotropic military drugs and of course who Moloch actually is!

During the course of the run we received positive reviews from several reputable publications:

Haunting...Who Is Moloch?' raises a lot of questions”
What’s On Stage
"Impassioned performances. Dark and complex...innovative."
The Londoneer
"A highly dramatic show with big deas"
Everything Theatre
“Poetic...tragic. Innovative, intelligent and interesting."
Views from the Gods

Thank you to all who helped put this show together (especially our patrons!), and to everyone that came to any of the Month of Moloch events and of course Who Is Moloch? itself! We hope to see you at our upcoming events and productions later this year!

You can listen to two tracks from the critically acclaimed soundtrack by Alex Burnett below:



Photos galore!



Feast your eyes on these photo albums from our Facebook page:

The 24hr StayAwake
Bare Essentials III
Who Is Moloch? Dress Rehearsal Stills
Who Is Moloch? Production Stills
Encompass - Our Story So Far...

AND FINALLY...WHAT ARE WE DOING NEXT? HERE'S A CLUE...



We will be announcing our next production very soon! In the meantime we hope you forgive us for giving you such sketchy details...

Encompass

www.EncompassProductions.co.uk

Follow us:







Thursday 25 April 2013

ENCOMPASS TURNS 3 TODAY!


On this day three years ago Encompass was founded! 30 live events, 3 productions and plenty of blood, sweat, tears and laughter along the way. This coming year will be our most exciting yet - stayed tuned!

To everyone that has supported us throughout our early years...

**THANK YOU!**
With love from all at Encompass Productions

Wednesday 23 January 2013

WHO IS MOLOCH? STARTS NEXT WEEK/ FRI 25 - 'THE DECLARATION' LAUNCH PARTY / THE MONTH OF MOLOCH ROUNDUP

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW
WHO IS MOLOCH? by Pamela Carralero - 30 JAN - 9 FEB

In the aftermath of  World War III, a company of soldiers barricade themselves underground with a sleep-inducing drug and a copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream. As the play sinks into each soldier’s subconscious, their battle to come to terms with their experiences leads them to question: who is Moloch and what survives?

"Who Is Moloch? promises to be one of the most intriguing and impactful productions of 2013"
- The Londoneer (click here for full article)

30 JAN - 9 FEB, 7.30PM (3.30pm Matinees on Feb 2 & 6)
PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT ON THURS 31ST!
Tickets available on door on a first-come, first-served basis

Press Play House
10 Vyner Street, Bethnal Green
London, E2 9DG

Nearest Tube: Bethnal Green
Nearest Rail: Cambridge Heath
Map link: http://goo.gl/maps/ouytO

There's still time to sponsor the show and get exclusive rewards and free tickets! Click here!


COME TO THE WHO IS MOLOCH? LAUNCH PARTY!

To celebrate the launch of our upcoming World War III stage epic ‘Who Is Moloch?’ Encompass have put together the absolute BEST line-up of LIVE MUSIC there is to see in London on a Friday night! And best of all, it’s COMPLETELY FREE!

It’s World War III themed and we’ll have PRIZES for the BEST DRESSED – including tickets to see our show! Feeling a bit wounded from a busy week? Have a drink from the MADD BAR and get a MASSAGE from our qualified professional masseuse!

LIVE MUSIC FROM:






This is the last event in ‘The Month of Moloch’ so come on down to Press Play House on Fri 25 and declare your loyalty to the mission!

THE MONTH OF MOLOCH - ROUNDUP!

Just one of the challenges we were set by sponsors!
From the 3rd - 4th Jan we had our 24hr Sponsored StayAwake, where the cast and crew of Who Is Moloch? were tasked with staying awake for 24hrs and undergoing a series of challenges, ranging from human pyramids, acting out scenes from movies to renditions of Bohemian Rhapsody and a chilli eating contest! We racked up 511 views on our two webcam streams and a lot of you joined us via Facebook and Twitter. The StayAwake fundraised a record amount for Encompass, thank you for your support!

Shoot From The Hip! in an improvised rap battle...
On the 10th Jan Metro and Londonist recommended Shoot From The Hip! hosted a night of improvised comedy in aid of Who Is Moloch? at The Horse, and what a night it was! Our side-splittingly funny chums have a  FREE weekly show in London's West-End at the Top Secret Comedy Club - go check them out!

Facebook: ShootImpro    Twitter: @ShootImpro

Freya Parsons & Owen Collins perform 'The Sofa' by Emma Minihan
On the 16th Jan we hosted Bare Essentials III: The Emerging Artist Showcase at Press Play House. Our third Bare Essentials event brought together an eclectic mix of talent including guest artists including the Wind-up Collective, Natalie Penn and performance poet Toby Wheeler. Encompass performed the work of playwrights Robert Wallis and Emma Minihan, previewed Who Is Moloch? and had a surprise screening of our short film Stormin' Norman, which What's Peen Seen? said was "heartfelt; hence the plight of London’s homeless resonated on the tube home afterwards". You can read the rest of their Bare Essentials III review here.

What's Peen Seen? are also running a competition to win two tickets to see Who Is Moloch? - find out more here!

We hope to see you all at 'The Declaration' Who Is Moloch? launch party this Friday as our 'Month of Moloch' events finally draw to a close. But don't forget...Who Is Moloch? arrives next week! Grab your tickets while you still can!

See you soon!

Encompass

 #molochiscoming

Facebook/Twitter/YouTube: /EncompassOnline

Thursday 3 January 2013

NOW STREAMING LIVE: THE 24 HOUR SPONSORED STAYAWAKE

The Month of Moloch is here! We've got four fantastic events in the lead up to the world premiere of Who Is Moloch? by Pamela Carralero, starting with today's 24 hour StayAwake at Press Play House!

24 Hours. No Sleep. We're taking on a bunch of crazy challenges of endurance throughout the period. What do you want to see us do? SEND YOUR CHALLENGES to events@encompassproductions.co.uk or tweet us @WhoIsMoloch #StayAwakeLive - and of course you can now buy tickets for Who Is Moloch? by clicking here!

WATCH THE LIVE WEBCAM STREAMS BELOW!


Live video for mobile from Ustream
Broadcasting live with Ustream

Tuesday 1 January 2013

WHO IS MOLOCH? TICKETS NOW ON SALE! / PROMOTIONAL TRAILER / SPONSOR US! / BARE ESSENTIALS III / MESSAGES FROM THE FUTURE


Encompass Productions is a non-funded collective of artists, and like many arts organisations we currently run as a non-profit. Whilst at many times this can prove challenging, the good news is that we get to put on a wide variety of exciting live events to help fund our work! Why not sponsor us a few pennies and help us realise the ambitions of our incredibly exciting show? Click here!
TICKETS NOW ON SALE!!!
Tickets are now on sale for Who Is Moloch? by Pamela Carralero!

World War III. Trapped underground with a sleep-inducing drug and a copy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a company of soldiers fight to survive the terrifying reality of war as their grip on reality is put to the test. Who is Moloch and what surives?

You can purchase tickets from the Who Is Moloch? website or directly via Press Play House.

BARE ESSENTIALS III: THE EMERGING ARTIST SHOWCASE AT PRESS PLAY HOUSE


For our third showcase the line-up of talent is our most exciting yet and we at Encompass Productions will be previewing a scene from Who Is Moloch?, as well as performing a selection of pieces submitted by up-and-coming writers!

So if you're looking for a cracking night or are an artist yourself, come along to Press Play House and support emerging talent!

"Events that nurture and celebrate new talent, instead of feeding it to the sharks" - Eat Culture Magazine

@EncompassOnline     #BareEssentialsLDN

TICKETS AVAILABLE TO BUY ONLINE OR ON DOOR

MORE INFO ON THE MONTH OF MOLOCH EVENTS (3rd Jan - 10 Feb): www.WhoIsMoloch.co.uk

MESSAGES FROM THE FUTURE

These two videos have cropped up online, apparently from the end of the year 2018...


Unusual occurrences can sometimes come in threes, so we'll keep an eye out if we receive anything more! Whatever it is, there are definite connections to 'The Daily Reverie' newspaper we received in late November last year.

Don't forget the Sponsored 24 hour StayAwake is this Thursday at Press Play House and also streaming online from the Who Is Moloch? website. The team are looking for challenges to do in that time, so why not email us or tweet @WhoIsMoloch #StayAwakeLive - they'll need all the help they can get!

Moloch is coming...so make sure you do too!

 #molochiscoming

Facebook/Twitter/YouTube: /EncompassOnline