Showing posts with label Take Courage Theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Take Courage Theatre. Show all posts

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

4 STAR REVIEW FOR BARE ESSENTIALS SPRING 2016!


Our first Bare Essentials of the year was another fantastic success. We at Encompass Productions are very appreciative of the fantastic reception the run received and to top it all off, we have a 4 star review from London Pub Theatres!

★★★★ 'Entertaining, compelling pieces of theatre. All involved should be commended for an entertaining evening.'

You can read the full review here.

We have big things planned for Bare Essentials in the future so watch this space! In the meantime Encompass continue to work on our next main house productions as well as other yet-to-be-announced projects. Don't forget you can now follow us on Instagram as encompass_productions. Enjoy the video from the last night of the run and more production photography below!

A video posted by Encompass (@encompass_productions) on




Tuesday, 8 March 2016

BARE ESSENTIALS IS BACK 29 MARCH - 1 APRIL!


London's best reviewed new writing night returns for its first 2016 edition!

‘A critical cornerstone in new theatre writing. Utterly perfect.’ ★★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic

‘Should be applauded. Talented writers, directors and actors.’ ★★★★★ LondonTheatre1

A critically acclaimed series of events staging new plays by established and emerging theatremakers from all around the world... BARE ESSENTIALS showcases high quality theatre at its most elemental - and all for less than a tenner! Expect thrilling drama, hilarious comedies and more, fresh from the pens of award-winning playwrights and the hottest up-and-coming talent. Join Encompass Productions for ‘an outstanding international new writing night’ (London Pub Theatres) and experience stripped-back, bare bones theatre at its best!

PERFORMANCES:
TUES 29 MARCH - FRI 1 APRIL, 7.30PM
TAKE COURAGE THEATRE @ THE AMERSHAM ARMS

388 NEW CROSS ROAD, LONDON SE14 6TY (MAP>>)

Nearest Overground: New Cross (2min walk) & New Cross Gate (5min walk)

TICKETS:
Tickets are £9.50 and are available online and on the door. Book via Eventbrite, turn up by 7.15pm and get the best seats! Please note: priority seats will be released at 7.20pm if not claimed.
#BareEssentialsLDN @EncompassOnline
www.encompassproductions.co.uk/BareEssentials
 
PRESS FOR BARE ESSENTIALS:
'Encompass Productions should be applauded...a talented pool of writers, directors and actors.' ★★★★★ LondonTheatre1
'Consistently brilliant. A critical cornerstone in new theatre writing. Utterly perfect.' ★★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic
'Sheer creativity throughout. Gives new ideas a voice, the best, the brilliant and the diamonds in the rough.' ★★★★ Everything Theatre
‘High quality acting and equally impressive directing panache. A breath of fresh air.’
★★★★ Theatre Bubble
'One of the most exciting new writing nights in London. Repeat audiences and newcomers alike are hooked.' ★★★★ Female Arts

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

BARE ESSENTIALS - CHRISTMAS EDITION 15 - 18 DEC!



London's best reviewed new writing night returns...with a seasonal twist! An acclaimed series of events featuring new work from established and emerging international theatremakers, BARE ESSENTIALS showcases theatre at its most elemental - all for less than a tenner! Performing everything from gripping drama and laugh-out-loud comedies, join Encompass Productions for a night that celebrates the best and worst parts of the festive season!

PERFORMANCES:
TUES 15 - WEDS 16 - THURS 17 - FRI 18 DECEMBER, 7.30PM TAKE COURAGE THEATRE @ THE AMERSHAM ARMS

388 NEW CROSS ROAD, LONDON SE14 6TY (MAP>>)

Nearest Overground: New Cross (2min walk) & New Cross Gate (5min walk)

TICKETS:
Tickets are £9.50 and are available online and on the door. Book via Eventbrite, turn up by 7.15pm and get the best seats! Please note: priority seats will be released at 7.20pm if not claimed. 

#BareEssentialsLDN @EncompassOnline

www.encompassproductions.co.uk/BareEssentials 

PRESS FOR BARE ESSENTIALS:
'Encompass Productions should be applauded...a talented pool of writers, directors and actors.' ★★★★★ LondonTheatre1 

'Sheer creativity throughout. Gives new ideas a voice.' ★★★★ Everything Theatre 

‘High quality acting and equally impressive directing. A breath of fresh air.’ ★★★★ Theatre Bubble 

'Astonishing.Utterly thrilling...unmissable theatre.' ★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic 

'One of the most exciting new writing nights in London. Repeat audiences and newcomers alike are hooked.' ★★★★ Female Arts

Friday, 13 March 2015

STASIS TICKETS NOW ON SALE! - BARE ESSENTIALS REVIEW ROUNDUP



14 - 25 APRIL 2015
 WHITE BEAR THEATRE, KENNINGTON, LONDON

Entering their fifth anniversary year Encompass Productions present the world premiere of Stasis at the White Bear Theatre, Kennington for two weeks from 14 April 2015.

How far are you willing to go to say you’re sorry?

Stowaway Ren is on a Union spacecraft. Mission uncertain. What is for sure, is that she shouldn’t be there. With the whole crew in stasis and only a hologram and the ship’s computer for company, Ren must cope with isolation and depleting oxygen whilst trying to find her way home.

An intimate and bold new vision from Emily Holyoake and Encompass Productions, Stasis is a thrilling science fiction drama with a ‘spellbinding narrative saturated with imagination, sincerity, and humour’ (Impact – preview).

Reviews and press for Encompass Productions:

‘Guaranteed to strike a chord. Impressive...original.’ The Stage
‘Pitch-perfect. Intelligent, stimulating and heartfelt. The sheer beauty blew me away.’ ★★★★★EdFringe Review
‘Accomplishes something original...see this show.’ ★★★★ LondonTheatre1

‘A highly dramatic show with big ideas. Encompass are ones to watch.’
Everything Theatre

‘Visually stunning...genuinely moving and thought provoking.’
A Younger Theatre

‘High quality acting and equally impressive directing panache. A breath of fresh air.’
Theatre Bubble

‘Raw, edgy, with distinctive eloquent performances. Terrific direction...this is real theatre.’ John Foster (BAFTA award-winning writer)

Encompass are a London-based theatre and production company that have been making bold and visually arresting new work since 2010. They explore the psychological and emotional, drawing from cinematic influences to tell stories through heightened reality. Their mission: to challenge, move and entertain.

Directed by Liam Fleming                    
Produced by Jonathan Woodhouse & Liam Fleming
Written by Emily Holyoake
Designed by Sarah Buller
Music and sound by Alex Burnett
Lighting by Owen Pritchard Smith
Associate Producer: Rachael Owens

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Naomi Stafford – Ren
Naomi trained as an actor and graduated from the Poor School in 2012. She also gained a first class degree in Maths from the University of Leeds. She tours regularly with the award-winning Bootworks Theatre Company with A Little Box of Horrors and La Boite Noire. She has also appeared in more classical theatre; as Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard and Olga in The Parasite, an adaptation of Turgenev’s A Poor Gentleman. Most recently she had the pleasure of working with Roundhouse Radio, recording two new radio plays; Tiger and The First Day of the Rest of Your Life. Naomi is the co-founder of The Watermark Collective; a company of actors who provide a bespoke script reading service for new writing of screen, stage and radio.

Ceridwen Smith – The Hologram
Ceridwen trained at Drama Centre London, which included work at Shakespeare’s Globe, London and the Vakhtangov Institute, Moscow.  Since graduating, her work has included Venice Preserv'd (Spectators' Guild); The Wind in the Willows (Lord Chamberlain's Men); The Girl With No Heart (National tour with Sparkle and Dark); Audience with the Ghostfinder (Etcetera); Olga’s Room (Arcola); Rhinegold (The Yard);  Mervyn Peake’s Noah’s Ark (Blue Elephant); The Clockmaster (National tour with Sparkle and Dark) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cochrane). 
Scarlet Sweeney – The Computer (voice)

Theatre credits: As Ye Sow (Pleasance, Edinburgh – Nominated Best Actress by The Stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Awards for Acting Excellence), The Ruth Ellis Show (George Wood Theatre), Blood Wedding (Waterloo East Theatre), Potholes (Theatre 503), Love Vs Hate; Wounds (Tristan Bates Theatre), St George’s Day (New Diorama Theatre), 7 Year Itch (Barbican), Le Justes (Cockpit Theatre – in French/co-directed), Grand Guignol (Etcetera Theatre), Revenge of the Grand Guignol (Courtyard Theatre), We Are Scorned (Bloomsbury Theatre), The Censor (BAC), Mariana Pineda (Arcola Theatre), All Together Now (Barbican), In Camera (Rosemary Branch), Jocasta (Chelsea Arts Theatre), Coffee Cigarettes & Paranoia (King’s Head Theatre). Film: Mother (Contra Image), Keith and Val (Beckton Alp Cinema).

BARE ESSENTIALS - REVIEWS AND PHOTOS


Bare Essentials recently had its most successful run to date with four performances at the Take Courage Theatre at the legendary Amersham Arms, New Cross. On the last night we moved downstairs to the main space which completely filled up with a sell-out audience! Our regular series of new writing events received a number of excellent reviews, see some choice quotes below alongside production photos:


'Build A Wall' by Cary Pepper
'Letting Go' by Rhea MacCallum
'High quality acting and equally impressive directing panache. A breath of fresh air on the fringe circuit.' ★★★★ Theatre Bubble

Read full review >>

'I'll Take a Dozen Accountants...with Sprinkles' by Matt Hanf

'Friend Roulette' by Adam Lowe
'Theatre at its most nude and impactful. Another astonishing achievement. Miss the next Bare Essentials at your peril.' ★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic

Read full review >>

'The Maltese Walter' by John Minigan

'Little Boy' by John Foster
'Encompass Productions has proved again that all one needs for interesting theatre is a great script, a room and actors that are willing to give it their all.' ★★★★ Female Arts


BAFTA-winning writer John Foster - whose work 'Little Boy' was met with unanimous praise - also shared his thoughts on the night as well as his experience of working with Encompass for a second time on Bare Essentials:

'A very rigorous and creative process which makes Bare Essentials very different from the average scratch night...[it] is sustained at another level and provides a proper professional production of a very high standard.' 


We'd like to thank everyone who made this the biggest and best Bare Essentials yet - look out for the next event in June, and see you at Stasis at the White Bear Theatre in next month!

Team Encompass for Bare Essentials February 2015!

Sunday, 1 February 2015

FEB 17 - 20...BARE ESSENTIALS IS BACK! - OUR NEXT SHOW - REVIEW ROUNDUP: THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS PLAY



After their hit run of 'This is Not a Christmas Play' in London's West End, Encompass Productions present the first BARE ESSENTIALS of 2015! An acclaimed series of events featuring new work from established and emerging international writers and theatremakers, Bare Essentials showcases theatre at its most elemental. The diverse range of fantastic short plays include everything from moving drama to hilarious comedies, and at the next event are: 

'Build A Wall' by Cary Pepper
'Letting Go' by Rhea MacCallum
'I'll Take a Dozen Accountants...with Sprinkles' by Matt Hanf
'Friend Roulette' by Adam Lowe
'The Maltese Walter' by John Minigan
'Little Boy' by John Foster

Even the most bare bones performance can be gripping - all you need is a room and an audience!

PERFORMANCES
TUES 17 - WEDS 18 - THURS 19 - FRI 20 FEBRUARY, 7.30PM
TAKE COURAGE THEATRE @ THE AMERSHAM ARMS
388 NEW CROSS ROAD, LONDON SE14 6TY (MAP >>)

Nearest Overground: New Cross (2min walk) & New Cross Gate (5min walk)

TICKETS
Tickets are £8 and are available online and on the door. Book via Eventbrite, turn up by 7.15pm and get the best seats! Please note: online reservations will be released at 7.20pm if not claimed. Goldsmiths University students pay £6 on the door with valid NUS ID!

#BareEssentialsLDN @encompassonline

SPECIAL PREVIEW OF OUR NEXT PRODUCTION FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY!



Bare Essentials is now produced in association with Scripts Spotlight, which features performances of new writing in podcast form. You can listen to podcasts of work previously performed at Bare Essentials by heading to the Everything Theatre website.

SELECTED PRESS FOR BARE ESSENTIALS:
'Astonishing...an excellent collective of actors and directors. Utterly thrilling... unmissable theatre.' ★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic
'Impressed me immensely...Encompass produce theatre of a high-standard with a broad appeal.'
★★★★ Female Arts
'Fantastic. Acting being focused on rather than masked by gimmicks. If you like new writing then this is for you!' - Everything Theatre
'Minimal staging...maximum polish. A great mix of work, Encompass achieved a very entertaining evening.' - London Reviews
'Admirable...a great chance to see a good selection of theatre audiences possibly wouldn’t be exposed to.' - Bargain Theatreland
'Raw, edgy, with distinctive eloquent performances. Terrific direction...this is real theatre.'
- John Foster (BAFTA award winning writer)


NEW SCRIPTS SPOTLIGHT PODCAST: 'SNIPER' BY JOHN FOSTER

Matthew Leigh, Jordan Kouame and Zara Malik performing 'SNIPER' at Bare Essentials
Our latest production for Everything Theatre's Scripts Spotlight monthly podcast is the brilliant 'SNIPER' by BAFTA-winning writer John Foster. The piece was first performed at Encompass' flagship new writing event Bare Essentials.

A killer recounts his motives and the people he killed in this dark, thrilling piece...




'THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS PLAY' - REVIEWS ROUNDUP!

Photo by Sofi Berenger
The dust has settled on This is Not a Christmas Play and the reviews are in! The show also made British Airways' Top 9 London Shows and Vibe Ticket's '5 Christmas Shows to See This Season'. We'd like to thank everyone who saw the show during the festive season and made it such a success - it was quite something to see so many of you! Here's what the critics had to say...

'A British sitcom and a Christmas film rolled into one; humour and a moral message worthy of A Christmas Carol. See this show.' ★★★★ LondonTheatre1

'Neat little production guaranteed to strike a chord...impressive. Funny, original...intriguingly bizarre.' - The Stage

Photo by Sofi Berenger
'Many genuine laugh-out-loud moments...ingenious and often surreal plot twists. Entertaining.'  - Everything Theatre

'An unexpected joy to watch. Excellent...heartwarming.' - Page to Stage

Photo by Sofi Berenger
'Wonderfully comic. A giggly-good evening for all.' - Grumpy Gay Critic

''Dares to be different. A welcome, original addition to Yuletide entertainment in the West End.' - Female Arts

THANKS FOR COMING!



THE CAST AND CREW OF THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS PLAY

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

BARE ESSENTIALS NEXT WEEK AND NOW IN ASSOCIATION WITH SCRIPTS SPOTLIGHT!


Encompass are proud to announce that we are the new producers of Scripts Spotlight with Everything Theatre! Now you can listen to pieces from Bare Essentials in podcast form. We're delighted to be given this opportunity to promote new work to audiences with people as passionate about new writing as we are. Head on over to their website and have a listen to our first performance - the captivating 'Thin Air' by Tom Coash, as performed by Freya Parsons!

BARE ESSENTIALS IS NEXT WEEK!


It's back! After a "very entertaining" (London Reviews) summer event Encompass Productions presents the autumn BARE ESSENTIALS - an acclaimed night of new work from emerging international writers showcasing theatre at its most elemental. The diverse range of fantastic short plays include everything from moving drama to hilarious comedies, and at our next event are:

'Poison' by Rebecca Robinson 
'Rebekah: Female Soldier' by Nicola O’Connor 
'The Art of Tea' by Daniel Damiano 
'End up Like Julie' by Ilan Wachsman 
'Love in Freefall' by Simon Jackson 
'Sniper' by John Foster

Even the most bare bones performance can be gripping - all you need is a room and an audience! Need another reason to be excited? How about the announcement of our NEXT PRODUCTION which will be revealed exclusively at Bare Essentials. It's coming sooner than you think!

PERFORMANCES
WEDS 22ND - THURS 23RD - FRI 24TH OCTOBER, 7.30PM
TAKE COURAGE THEATRE (ABOVE THE AMERSHAM ARMS)
388 NEW CROSS ROAD, LONDON SE14 6TY
NEAREST RAIL/TUBE: NEW CROSS & NEW CROSS GATE

£7 ENTRY ON DOOR - £5 GOLDSMITHS STUDENTS WITH VALID NUS CARD

#BareEssentialsLDN @EncompassOnline www.encompassproductions.co.uk/BareEssentials

Are you a writer with a piece of work you want to see realised at Bare Essentials? Then Encompass Productions want you!

SELECTED PRESS QUOTES FOR BARE ESSENTIALS AND ENCOMPASS:
"Minimal staging...maximum polish. A great mix of work, Encompass achieved a very entertaining evening." - London Reviews
"Admirable...a great chance to see a good selection of theatre audiences possibly wouldn’t be exposed to." - Bargain Theatreland

"It’s great to see acting being focused on rather than masked by gimmicks. If you like new writing then this is for you!" - Everything Theatre
"Moving, entertaining...outstanding. A creative explosion that'll delight, entertain and move."
****** EdFringe Review
"Fresh...funny and fast-paced. A true delight to watch." **** Official Theatre
"The brilliant Encompass continue to push themselves with exciting, fresh material. Great things to come."  **** Female Arts

Thursday, 25 September 2014

OCT 22ND/23RD/24TH: BARE ESSENTIALS - THEATRE AT ITS MOST ELEMENTAL...


It's back! After a "very entertaining" (London Reviews) summer event Encompass Productions presents the autumn BARE ESSENTIALS - an acclaimed night of new work from emerging international writers showcasing theatre at its most elemental. The diverse range of fantastic short plays include everything from moving drama to hilarious comedies, and at our next event are:

'Poison' by Rebecca Robinson 
'Rebekah: Female Soldier' by Nicola O’Connor 
'The Art of Tea' by Daniel Damiano 
'End up Like Julie' by Ilan Wachsman 
'Love in Freefall' by Simon Jackson 
'Sniper' by John Foster

Even the most bare bones performance can be gripping - all you need is a room and an audience!

PERFORMANCES
WEDS 22ND - THURS 23RD - FRI 24TH OCTOBER, 7.30PM
TAKE COURAGE THEATRE (ABOVE THE AMERSHAM ARMS)
388 NEW CROSS ROAD, LONDON SE14 6TY
NEAREST RAIL/TUBE: NEW CROSS & NEW CROSS GATE

£7 ENTRY ON DOOR - £5 GOLDSMITHS STUDENTS WITH VALID NUS CARD

#BareEssentialsLDN @EncompassOnline www.encompassproductions.co.uk/BareEssentials

Are you a writer with a piece of work you want to see realised at Bare Essentials? Then Encompass Productions want you! 

SELECTED PRESS QUOTES FOR BARE ESSENTIALS AND ENCOMPASS:
"Minimal staging...maximum polish. A great mix of work, Encompass achieved a very entertaining evening." - London Reviews
"Admirable...a great chance to see a good selection of theatre audiences possibly wouldn’t be exposed to." - Bargain Theatreland

"It’s great to see acting being focused on rather than masked by gimmicks. If you like new writing then this is for you!" - Everything Theatre
"Moving, entertaining...outstanding. A creative explosion that'll delight, entertain and move."
****** EdFringe Review
"Fresh...funny and fast-paced. A true delight to watch." **** Official Theatre
"The brilliant Encompass continue to push themselves with exciting, fresh material. Great things to come."  **** Female Arts