Northern Elastic Theatre Company

Sneak a Peek

Ian Townsend — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:41:06 +0000

It’s really happening…

Attended an event in Oldham, you know, just near the roadworks, which is what Oldham town centre is full of at the moment, to hear extracts of all 10 plays from this year’s 24:7 being read out. Highlighted a few things. 1. The first few pages can really lure you into a play, if they are well written and have intriguing characters and premises. 2. Playwrights don’t have an awful lot of questions to ask other playwrights. 3. Mine sounded OK, although the speeches were random and out of context.

Looks like we’ll be performing at New Century House, venue where we did The Last Chair, still awaiting times.

Still lots of interest from actors, so having a sift through them at some point, ready for auditions next week.

And may have some rehearsal space sorted too.

And a graphic for the programme/flyer.

And my 10 word strapline, if I don’t change my mind again…

All the Bens… and Als and Henrys

Ian Townsend — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:34:50 +0000

The CVs are coming in thick and fast, as word spreads about how good this play is. Or something…

Actually, have had a lot of interest, which is encouraging, and going to have some difficult decisions to make come audition / casting time, but we’ll cross that bridge at some other point. If anyone knows how to contact Russell Tovey, let me know, as he’d be perfect in it.

In other news, had a royalties cheque for Granny… which is always nice, still buzzing from the Final Days… play last week, and starting to think about other work and stuff like that, you know, how to actually earn a regular income. Oh, the joys of being skint.

One of my latest plays, Marjory, Edward & George is also now available to preview and purchase at http://www.comedyplays.co.uk/ Perfect for socities with more mature (60+) actor and actresses, who like a laugh. Still with the Townsend quirk, of course, but not as much effing and jeffing. Or even use of the word fuck

More soon!

“All the Bens” Casting

Ian Townsend — Sun, 06 May 2012 13:17:36 +0000

All the Bens

All the Bens will be part of this year’s 24:7 Theatre Festival in Manchester, 20-27 July. Venue and times TBC.

It will be directed by Martha Simon.

Ben really likes Al, but Al says he’s straight and isn’t keen on being stalked by a gay man he’s just met off the Internet.

Al likes Henry, but not in THAT way. Besides, Al has other things to worry about. Like his girlfriend. And finding a job. And life.

Henry likes numbers, especially the number 7. He’s also just starting to find out about girls. Trouble is, he hasn’t really found out what to do with them yet.

When the 3 of them meet, things just may never be the same again. But sometimes, it’s quite hard to change.

All the Bens, a play for 3 men, is an intimate portrayal and vibrant exploration of loneliness, desire, sexuality, and the number 7.

Contains strong explicit language and some sexual content.

***CASTING NEWS!***

AUDITIONS TO BE HELD IN MANCHESTER ON FRIDAY 25TH MAY.

Characters:

Ben, playing age 27. A bit of a loner, a little trapped as a still-rebellious teenager. Meets other men off the Internet. When he meets Al, he gets a little obsessed with him, and wants to meet him again, perhaps for more than just physical contact. Has strong relationship with his half brother Henry, and confides in him, perhaps too much. Gets into fights easily, which he provokes. Some sexual content in language, and possible nudity or near nudity in one scene, open to discussion.

Al, playing age 27. Charismatic Al enjoys meeting men off the Internet, although he lives with his girlfriend Sara, and would classify himself as ‘straight’. Jobless at the start of the play, he is aware he is approaching 30 and is still waiting for his life to start. Although concerned about Ben’s attentions, he enjoys spending time with Henry, Ben’s half brother, although not in a sexual way. Is often frustrated and angry, more confused than anything else, not facing up to the real issues in his life. His hobbies include shaking and visiting A&E. Some sexual content in language.

Henry, playing age 17, although he acts closer to 7. Henry is Ben’s half-brother, with an unspecified condition and an obsession with numbers, especially the number 7. Scores and measures each part of the day, and enjoys playing children’s games and Carry On films. Also has a temper, and a tense relationship with other people, especially his dad, and the people at the centre he goes to. Doesn’t like to be touched. Is becoming aware of his sexuality, and of girls. Some sexual content in language.

If you are interested in being considered for any of these roles, please email Ian at idt62@hotmail.com with acting CV, photo, and any questions you may have.

Rehearsal Days

Ian Townsend — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:09:59 +0000

Well, we’re putting a play on in a week. We must be mad. Terrific cast though, and we’re having plenty of fun rehearsing with Mark Stanton directing, and Sue Twist and Penny McDonald acting, and me doing my bit too.

Knackered though.

It’s on at Taurus on Canal Street – May 2nd-4th, 8pm each night, and just £5. Be great to see you there, whoever you are.

All the Bens at 24:7

Ian Townsend — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:53:13 +0000

Just found out my play, All the Bens, will be part of this year’s 24:7 Theatre Festival, in Manchester from 20-27 July 2012. Dead chuffed. Watch this space for news of casting and technical help required, and for further updates. Woo-hoo, I believe, is the phrase. x

Claustrophobic

Ian Townsend — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:45:48 +0000

Or, rather, the opposite of, is going great guns at Eccles, Skipton and Manchester, and still 2 shows in Buxton to come.

I’ve been dead busy of late – what about you? I never ask, so what have YOU been up to?

Showroom Dummies

Ian Townsend — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:05:31 +0000

So, it’s February 2012 and I have just completed the first draft of a new play called Marjory, Edward and George. It’s a comedy for 4 more mature ladies and 2 men, about a woman trying to contact her dead husband. To help her seance, she uses dummies to swell the numbers, but she is about to discover they aren’t quite as dumb as she thinks. My mum has read it and liked it, so that’s a good sign. Watch this space…

In other news, doing lots of role play and keeping busy. Money is tight, but we keep hanging on. Be glad of some warmer weather as it’s been frickin’ cold lately.

And RIP Peter Bolger, a theatre friend who has done some great stuff for me – he will be missed. As will Whitney, for all her problems.

Life goes on, eh?

So that was Christmas

Ian Townsend — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:48:21 +0000

Here’s to a great 2012 everyone! Thanks for reading

Ian x

Christmas is Coming…

Ian Townsend — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:39:58 +0000

Another year almost over. Where did 2011 go?

There’s snow on the ground at the moment, so a really wintery feel.

Things are shaping up for 2012 already, so hoping for a good one. Be good to lose a lot of this year, although some good things happened as well (Fetish, Off Cut, Lowry).

See you before Christmas maybe?? x

Advent

Ian Townsend — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:09:21 +0000

The chocolate advent calendars are in place, so it must be nearly December, and thus, nearly Christmas! Where did this year go?

Not heard from the job I applied for, so looks like I didn’t even get an interview. Gutted. More than slightly. Have a couple more weeks of pretty full on work, then it all goes quiet. 2012 had better be good!

Heard from someone in Argentina who is interested in reading one of my plays! Next year has to be the year everything I’ve been working towards comes together. Either that or a lottery win pleased!

Now, where did I put those mice pies?