Katie RavenscroftKatie RavenscroftSarah ThewlesSarah ThewlesFflur EdwardsFflur EdwardsKirsty NicolKirsty Nicol

Dragon’s DenWinter Tream 2008

oThe production took place at the Lakeside Theatre and consisted of a monologue delivered by Harold Thropp,

oThe set was pantomime like, and had both a cartoon and comic feel to it. The set was very cleverly designed, using the prop pieces as re- enforcement of his monologue, seating him in his dingy dressing room getting ready for the last time mirrors how he feels the once sparkling traditions of pantomime are lost and fade over time.

oHeart warming and funny, the production found the audience giggling at Thropp’s flamboyant performance. Sucessfully using the comic pantomime element of a man dressed as a woman.

oThis being a studio space is very flexible what you can do with it, the chairs can be rearranged, making more room for the audience and bring the action closer or chairs can be moved out to allow for bigger set pieces. This particular studio space isn't very big making the experience between actors and audience quite personal. o This idea of having a connection with the audience and getting them involved is something we’d like to explore through further productions and see if its something we would consider in our own.

An appropriate choice for a concert hall, Fame the musical was brought to life through Nottingham Trent University’s own dance troupe. With the space initially being design for concerts and musical performances, the location was ideal to host an all singing, all dancing production.

Taking advantage of the complex lighting and sound system, the musical was performed and received successfully, even though at times the play was less than professional, the audience were able to see past the mediocre acting and singing and enjoy it for what it was, light fun entertainment. Due to the play’s storyline, and the fact most of the audience will have seen the film adaptation meant they could join in and sing along to the songs, by allowing audience participation it made the production more appealing to a wider range of audience because it felt like you were apart of it.

With a seating capacity of 2,499 the space felt more overwhelming than intimate, and occasionally detracted from the action on stage due to the shear size and volume of the place, but allowed for a larger audience. The fact the seats were air conditioned didn’t help, it reinforced the lack of intimacy, making the venue cold and un-welcoming however in the summer this facility I imagine would be welcomed.

The stage also felt too small, often the dancers were cramped up in corners to allow space for the main scenes to take place, sometimes throwing the dance routines into disarray. However the venue has its own orchestra meaning the songs were performed to live music instead of a backing track, this added to the general atmosphere and help create a sense that you really are there and part of the performance.To enhance this performance the stage could be brought further out allowing the actors more room to perform. Bringing the action closer to the audience would give them better vantage points, and would allow for more involvement. I felt the venue was so big that some of the seating was too distant from the stage, leaving some of the audience members isolated from the action, one way to deal with this problem is to limit the number of seats, this however would severely cut the producing house profit but in-turn would ensure that all audience members are able to see the performance clearly and avoid them peering precariously over the edge of the tiers.Another way to enhance the performance would be to use the set to its fullest, only occasionally were the set pieces and props used, most of the action took place on the small space that remained on the floor beneath, again making it difficult for some of the audience members to see the action, and for the dancers to really show off their talents.

Another way to enhance the performance would be to use the set to its fullest, only occasionally were the set pieces and props used, most of the action took place on the small space that remained on the floor beneath, again making it difficult for some of the audience members to see the action, and for the dancers to really show off their talents.

The final way to enhance this performance would to be use a professional dance troupe, instead of amateur, at times the play was lacking real spark and it was hard to identify with characters when the acting was poor and unbelievable, also the dance routines were sloppy and out of time, this could have been due lack of rehearsals in the given space, but then rehearsal time should have been schedule to ensure the success of the performance.

Aptly named ‘The Y Theatre’, Leicester’s YMCA’s performance of ‘Night train’ was thoughtful, provocative and heart warming. Based on true events ‘night train’ was strongly performed using clever lighting and the given space to its full potential.The Y theatre is small but intimate, with an instantly inviting feeling, painted red with white and gold embossing it draws the eye to the relatively large stage.The choice of play couldn’t be better for the producing house, being based on social care, and troubled kids who are down and out, the play focuses on the very people who stereotypically use local YMCA’S.Because the theatre is within the YMCA it adds a whole new experience, the place keeps on running regardless meaning there are streams of people in and out, in- turn this gives the audience both the experience of going to the theatre as well the experience of being in a working atmosphere. Using minimalist set pieces which could be used as numerous objects the props didn’t detract the audiences attention away from the action, leaving them to focus on the narrative and storylines, helping get the intended issues of the production across.The play was well acted and received well by the crowd, being performed in a proscenium meant all the action could be clearly seen, a problem the other venue struggled with, however the seats were not raised causing the audience

at the back to peer over peoples heads, they also did not utilize the tier above, a considerable amount more could have watched the show if this had been open and therefore the producing house would have received an in take of profit.The productions aim was to get awareness of issues young people face, such as teen pregnancy, self harm, and statutory rape, therefore the audience was mainly students from secondary schools on educational trips, however it was also aimed at adults because they too need to be aware of these problems.

AnalysisThis can be achieved quite easily in the theatre, where it can not be achieved elsewhere for example a film does not relate

directly to the cinema it will be shown in.A theatre piece is so much more intimate and involving than a

filmic piece.Seeing a live piece involves the audience much more, you go

to the theatre as much for the experience as to watch the piece.

 o After seeing the various productions and theatres they were performed in, we all felt each had potential. We all enjoyed the three we saw. The monologue in the lakeside performance was interesting and for us the relationship between actor and audience is something we want to explore

o We liked the idea from fame that u could get the audience involved through music and dance and again this is an element within our own production we’d like to pursue.

o The theatre space at the Y was most appealing having not only the theatre experience but that of being in a working environment added to the sense of excitement, we felt the space was versatile, inviting and with a reasonably large stage, making easily accessible to audiences and a perfect place to host our production. 

o Full of character and Charm the theatre at the Y was inviting and intimate, painted in dark red with gold embellishings, its vintage appeal and beg for flamboyancy and indulgence.oAfter seeing Fame we knew we wanted to do something musical, which involved dancing getting the audience participating and having fun. With its large versatile stage it was perfect ito have a production of this sort without distancing the audience or having the action to far down stage. The seats in the stalls are removable meaning if we wanted to bring the action actually out into the audience that again would be possible, making many more idea’s for a unique performance possible.o Feeling the venue was quirky and flamboyant we wanted to host a production that mirrored the theatre space it was in, utilizing the decandent surroundings and the almost burlesque feel.

o Everything about the ‘Y Theatre’ screams indulgence with its red and gold ornate fixtures and an utter sense of flamboyancy. We felt the only performance that would match and enhance its glamour would be to put on a burlesque show, however with a twist, not only would it be burlesque but the audience can get involved having the girls teach them naughty tricks to take back to their partners, ensuring the audience and the “actor” have the connection we so like in Twinkle star.

oBurlesque was a popular style of performance in 1840 through to the 1960s, but faded out, we want to bring this glamour back in our unique performance restoring its popularity and making it more appealing to a female audience by teaching them some pointers that they themselves can use, to make it fun and enjoyable experience. Despite what most people may think it is not a form of pornography,the girls never take part in sexual acts just merely take their clothes off seductively, however the primary attraction is sex but in a more tasteful form. In modern dance and art the human form is widely accepted, why not in burlesque?, the pussy cat dolls have made it into popular culture and they are a well known burlesque dance troupe, so why not bring it back to where it originated, the theatre!

o Burlesque isn’t just one show its many small ones, with lots of live music which makes it well worth the money to go and see. The girls performance normally last the length of song which is chosen because of its relevance to their chosen theme.

o Each girl normally has a theme to a performance which they thought out , whether this be bird of paradise, a take on swan lake or could be just getting ready for a bath. The show normally consist of over the top flamboyant set pieces such, giant hearts, feathers or even oversize champagne glasses and bath tubes, making performances visually stunning.

o The girls in the show aren’t your stereotypically thin, size zero’s, they range from thin to curvacious women making the show accessible to all.

oBurlesque is still growing ever more popular, ensuring our performance will be successful and widely acceptable. With it now being thrown more into popular culture with acts such as the pussy cat dolls a well known burlesque dance troupe making number 1 records and featuring in films such as Charlie's angels it is now more of a recognised art form, and being enjoyed by more and more.

o A classic burlesque show, all dancing all singing with a twist, getting the audience involved and teaching them how to do some moves, the show would not only be fun and enjoyable it would almost be a beginners guide to burlesque for audience members who wish to be taught, the show would be active, with some of the dances taking place around the audience, bringing the action closer to them.. And with live music it would make it a great night out for both mean and women.