On Saturday, I took part in Red Handed Theatre’s Garden Party, held at the utterly gorgeous Culpeper Community Garden in Islington.
The event was to raise money for the gardens as well as for The Belle’s Stratagem (writen by Hannah Cowley this is the first production of the play in 150 years) which is being performed from the 6th September at The Southwark Playhouse, Directed by Jessica Swale.
The gardens are in the heart of Islington, a 2 minute walk from Angel Tube Station and provide a tranquil oasis and an environmental community project. Its a real maze of trees, plants, ponds, lawn, covered walkways and surprises and a treat to be asked to design for.
The garden party was a celebration of both these places and events and was designed to create a positive, community driven ambience of live music performances, a vintage market, interactive art, instillations, games, tea, cake and wine.
Myself and Susan Allen provided the art and instillations around these themes to encourage participation and self expression as well as investigating welcome/unwelcome space.
Our pieces included a giant human sized nest for tea and social relaxation, a series of door instillations which called for the viewer to investigate and explore, a wishing line, large mural completely designed by the audience and a grotto in which to draw, contemplate and exhibit.
The key to these pieces is self exploration and participation to create a shared community experience for participants.
A really positive day, which hopefully raised a lot of money for these very good causes. I particularly enjoyed watching families work together on these projects and sharing their creative skills. It was also a very useful day in learning how to design and run large scale art projects in the incredibly unpredictable summer weather!
And 10 minutes later there was a coat in the road, seems that Chiswick is giving away free clothes
I’ve just finished a pencil and charcoal commission of two dogs! If you, or you know of anyone who is looking for some artwork (for themselves, as a present, a mural in your home/garden) then please do get in touch. I can work in a range of media and subjects and can create something tailored to your needs!
Email me on sarahelaines@gmail.com if you have any ideas or would like to see examples of previous work or look at the artwork link on this website.
Thanks! x
This month I have been working on a comedy for The Sitcom Mission, in association with Hat Trick productions (them that do ‘Have I Got News For You,’ ‘Room 101’ and a trillion other things!)
The piece I have been involved in is called ‘Psyched’ written by the wonderfully talented Richard Smith, focusing on the adventures of a fraudulent psychic
“Madam Dubois is a clairvoyant with no mystical powers. Her readings are mostly based on the research, stalking and the technical wizardry that her monosyllabic assistant, Ashlack, is responsible for. After being upstaged by The Great Dandini at a local psychic fayre, Dubois seeks revenge by any means necessary. Compromising Dandini’s integrity is the only answer as Ashlak and Dubois put their sadistic plans into action.”
A very funny piece and a wonderful cast to work with. It will be showing again at The New Diorama Theatre in Euston in July, along with other comedy sketches, Edinburgh previews and sitcom premiers.
Spent this morning at The Young Vic Library in Waterloo. Such an inspiring and positive way to start the week. I’m currently running it whilst Jemma is away in New York and I really enjoyed myself this morning. I find it a hundred times easier to be organised there than I ever do at home! Plus you get cheap, very good coffee!
If anyone is a member of the Young Vic Network, the library is yours to use, and it really is a fantastic resource, I picked up a book to remind me how to be a theatre director today! But its also great when you need to research plays, genres and don’t want to buy everything…use it!
I just wish they had air conditioning in the Young Vic Office, it resembled a sauna today.
Email is youngviclibrary@googlemail.com if you want to get involved.
A Civilians Guide to the Theatre is a new blog with some very interesting and thought provoking entries - reviews, discussions and recommendations. Do have a look, definitely a cut above a lot of London theatre blogs.
Directed ‘Conversion’ by Sebastian Gillies at Theatre 503. We decided to go out into Falcon Park to rehearse as we were being a little too loud in the theatre! A lovely farcical piece on property, ownership and the echoes of the past on the living. We performed with only a key, an empty bottle of coke and a pair of pants!
Huge thanks to Alice Knapton, Robert Ashford and Thomas Kirkin (and a very giggly audience!)
Directing a play called ‘Conversion’ by Sebastian Gillies at Theatre 503 on Monday 9th May. http://www.theatre503.com/
And the second was ‘The King and The Minotaur,’ a pop up Labyrinth Gallery in a beautiful disused barn near Kings Cross. http://www.thekingandtheminotaur.com/
Initially quiet, eerie and confusing, the space was transformed into a dark carnival with dancers and a brass band, ending up with gin cocktails and a bonfire. Lots of inspiration for my new project, ‘Lost and Found’
Working on a proposal for an interactive instillation and went on a research day to two wonderful galleries and exhibitions. The first was The Parasol Unit http://www.parasol-unit.org/ and ‘I know Something About Love’ which runs until May 22nd.
From the V and A Lates night back in March. A red carpet experience where members of the public (and Judy Dench who had a walk of our carpet) were made to feel like superstars. Thanks to Half Cut and Foxed Up Theatre for making it all happen.
