Tag Archives: Cat Robey

The Mother Monologues: A Mother’s Day Event | Theatre

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theatre The Hen and Chickens Theatre

 

30th of March at 3:00pm

 

Tickets: £15

 

 

For all the mothers out there!

 

From growing up with a mother, to becoming a mother, to losing a mother, nine writers have written ten personal accounts describing their thoughts and feelings about what ‘mother’ means to them.  Through a series of monologues and duel monologues, this special, one night only event on Mother’s Day, gives a rounded look at matriarchy through the eyes of both men and women in the UK and America.  Sure to make you laugh, cry, or both, The Mother Monologues is a great gift to give your ‘mum’ this Mother’s Day.

 

Writers include, Irene Bradshaw, Mike Carter, Caro Dixey, Serena Haywood, Josephine Keefe, Laraby, Chukwudi Onwere, Sarah Pitard (Artistic Director), and Jonathon West.

 

Directors are Liz McMullen, Sarah Pitard (Artistic Director), and Cat Robey (Production Director).

 

The cast includes Irene Bradshaw, Tim Carey-Jones, Gabrielle Curtis, Rachel Dobell, Dare Emmanuel, Niki Hatzidis, Tim Jones, Laraby, Lee Lytle, Barbara Nicolaou, Rachel Packford, Cherise Silvestri, Jonathon West, and Anne Zander.

 

 

Tartuffe | Theatre Review

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Tartuffe and ElmireSinner or saint, the character of Tartuffe certainly divides opinion.

 

To Orgon, the master of the manor, he is the epitome of piousness, yet to his family, he is nothing more than a vagabond taking advantage of people’s good nature.

 

With his reputation tainted and restored at every turn in the opening scene, the audience is eager to pass their own judgement on Tartuffe but his stalled introduction to the stage acts as a clever device to build the mystery.

 

Orgon’s mind is possessed by Tartuffe and he intends his daughter Mariane to marry him (though she’s already promised to wed Valère), and he even signs over the deeds of his estate to the former beggar.

 

The cheeky glint in Tartuffe’s eyes when he makes his grand entrance further enforces his view of ‘a secret sin is no sin at all’ as he commits the ultimate betrayal by confessing his love to Orgon’s wife Elmire.

 

When the family try to expose his scheming nature, the play comes over a little ‘carry on’ as they hide behind curtains and under tables to catch him out.

 

But once his deceit is unveiled to Orgon, it’s too late as the family’s ordered out of the estate which now belongs to Tartuffe.

 

At each stage, Dorine the maid oversteps the boundaries of her role but gains the trust of the audience as she gives each member of the family honest advice with a touch of flirtatious charm. Played by Katherine Rodden, she was the unexpected the star of the show.

 

Jeremy Gagan convincingly plays Tartuffe and his command of expression in scenes of deceit against those highlighting his virtue are performed with charisma.

 

A modern adaptation by Paradigm Theatre Company of the 17th Century theatrical comedy by Molière, Tartuffe was presented in the intimate surroundings of the Canal Café Theatre in Little Venice.

 Dorine and Mariane

The audience seating area is cleverly used as an extension of the stage, with the characters often mingling among the crowd and eavesdropping on the conversations taking place just overhead.

 

With a comedic value in the form of Dorine, the betrayal of a committed friend and with a heart-warming twist at the end, Tartuffe (artistically directed by Sarah Pitard and directed by Cat Robey) ticks all the boxes. And by no means a criticism, the cast should possess a little more confidence to balance their abilities.

 

Tartuffe runs till Sat 27 Apr 2013, with tickets for the 7pm show Tue-Sat costing £12 and for the 3pm Sat performance, it’s £10. To book tickets, visit www.canalcafetheatre.com and for more information, visit www.paradigmtheatrecompany.co.uk.

Photo credit: Jon Bradshaw


A Woman of No Importance… Or Somewhat Little Importance Anyhow | Theatre Listing

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A new play by Katherine Rodden

Directed by Cat Robey

Unrestricted View

Hen & Chickens Theatre
109 St. Pauls Road
London
N1 2NA

5th – 23rd February 2013
Tues-Sat 7.00pm, Sat 3pm

A Comedy of Manners – Noel Coward Style!
A farcical, witty comedy that observes just how insane families really are behind closed doors – even ones that love each other to bits!

The Show
Lauren, an emotionally unstable actress in her late twenties is having a career crisis, a mental breakdown, an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and an even less healthy relationship with her parents! When her mother turns up at her door Lauren is forced to play middleman in her parents’ relationship. As an unlikely day of events unfold we see Lauren reach her breaking point.
The show is written by and stars Paradigm Artistic Associate Katherine Rodden, who most recently toured Europe and Japan playing Bianca in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. Press for Rodden’s work includes:
“Katherine Rodden showed great talent playing both the roles of Bianca and Grumio. Bianca was delightful and had the audience in laughter and the tough Grumio was urecognisable as the same actress.” (www.lokalkompass.de, ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, 2012)
“Leventon was of course excellent and Rodden had no trouble whatsoever in standing up to the challenge of shining opposite such an established pro.” (***** RemoteGoat, Paradigm Benefit Show, 2012)
The director, Cat Robey, is Paradigm’s Resident Director and has been working freelance since graduating from Goldsmith’s university eighteen months ago. Nominated Best Director by the Off West End Awards for ‘Ondine’ in early 2012, she most recently directed “Freedom, Books, Flowers, and the Moon” with Paradigm at the Waterloo East Theatre. Press for Robey’s work includes:
“Cat Robey’s direction really flourishes here. The relationships and the connections were magnificent to watch.”(***** RemoteGoat, ‘Freedom, Books, Flowers, and the Moon’, 2012)
“What was explored was done so with excellent wit and insight and director Cat Robey manoeuvred the cast of actors through this complex maze of emotions with a beautiful subtlety.” (Suite 101, ‘The Inappropriateness of Love’, 2012)

“A play is only as good as its director, and Cat Robey must take a large amount of credit for this magical piece of theatre.” (Frost Magazine, ‘Ondine’, 2012)

“Cat Robey’s direction encouraged high stakes, and a gradual build towards a thoroughly gripping climax.” (Frost Magazine, ‘As Fate Would Have It…’ 2011)

Cast & Crew

The cast includes Paradigm Artistic Associate Katherine Rodden. From outside of Paradigm, the cast includes Alan Booty, Rachel Dobell, Matt Houlihan, Patrick Neyman, and Keith Wallis.

The production team includes Paradigm Artistic Associates Adam Foley (Lighting, Sound & Projection), Hollie Perniskie (Costume Design), and Paradigm’s Artistic Director Sarah E. Pitard (Set Design). Resident Director Cat Robey directs.

The Company
Paradigm Theatre Company, created in January 2012, is the only fringe repertory company in London. Besides producing 4 shows per season, Paradigm pulls from the same body of actors, directors and writers (Artistic Associates) in order to produce each piece. Paradigm also holds yearly season auditions where we bring in cast members from outside of the company. The ethos behind this is that none of us in the company will ever go more than a year without any artistic work, something that has become quite common for artists in the current economy, whilst also providing a platform for other emerging talent.
Paradigm recently produced a benefit show, staring Sylvia Syms, Annabel Leventon, and Dudley Sutton:
“A brilliant evening of entertainment with acting, directing and writing that displayed absolute class. The honourable ethos of offering a creative platform is simply not ambitious enough. This isn’t just a platform, it is a new and exciting theatre company that offers an opportunity for audiences to be thoroughly entertained.” (***** Remote Goat, 2012)
Paradigm was founded by Artistic Director and Resident Playwright Sarah E. Pitard, who most recently wrote ‘The Inappropriateness of Love’ and ‘Freedom, Books, Flowers, and the Moon’ for Paradigm. Press for Pitard’s work includes:
“Pitard’s dialogue has a remarkable ear for Wilde’s nuances… it is difficult to distinguish between repurposed text from the stories and Pitard’s work. It’s elegant, subtle and perfectly suited to the stories.” (Views From the Gods, ‘Freedom, Books, Flowers, and the Moon’, 2012)
“Sarah E Pitard’s specialty is in her dialogue, which is heightened (as it ought to be in comedy) without sacrificing much in realism.” (The Londonist, ‘The Inappropriateness of Love’, 2012)
The company produces 4 shows a year: 1 classical and 3 new writing pieces (one of which is an adaptation). ‘A Woman of No Importance… Or Somewhat Little Importance Anyhow’ is the 3rd show of the current season. The theme of this season is ‘The Many Faces of Love’ exploring all different types of love, whether it’s love and attraction or love in its purest, most unconditional form. Each play will bring to the audience a glimpse of what it means to live for love, be deceived by love, be disgusted by love, and love with so mighty a heart that even death can’t destroy it.
The 1st production of the season, ‘The Inappropriateness of Love’ by Sarah E. Pitard, ran at the Hen & Chickens Theatre for the month of September 2012 and enjoyed rave reviews:
“The Inappropriateness of Love exposes the vulnerability of the heart through thoroughly convincing acting and scenes… It’s well worth seeing” (Frost Magazine)
“This theatre company could soon surprise and indeed come to occupy the stage of London’s Royal Court.”(PlaysToSee)
‘Freedom, Books, Flowers, and the Moon’, our 2nd show of the season by Sarah E. Pitard, played at the Waterloo East Theatre in November 2012, also to rave reviews:
“The performances were exceptional, Cat Robey’s direction once again excelled itself and Pitard’s writing never ceases to enthrall … deeply moving, very real and incredibly enjoyable.” (***** RemoteGoat)
“We are faced with the awful and disturbing question – how does one measure love – and are forced to question ourselves and our selfless gestures in this world.” (***** Last Minute Theatre Tickets)
 The Theatre 
The Hen & Chickens Theatre is a beautiful intimate venue with 54 individual raked seats in a black box end on space. It is upstairs in the cosy Victorian pub the Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar on Highbury corner.

This wonderful venue has been established for over 30 years and has an excellent reputation for new writing and comedy. Unrestricted View, the resident Production Company has been producing shows and programming visiting companies for the last thirteen years. Unrestricted View is run by actors for actors, to provide a supportive artistic environment to explore and create.

Paradigm Theatre Company presents The Inappropriateness of Love | Theatre

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Paradigm Theatre Company presents

The Inappropriateness of Love

By Sarah E. Pitard

Directed by Cat Robey

Unrestricted View
Hen and Chickens Theatre
109 St. Pauls Road
N1 2NA
London

4th-29th September 2012

“Look… I, um… I had a good time with you…In fact, I had such a good time…that I’m inviting you to be my plus one to the wedding. What do you say? Come with me?”

The Show

The Inappropriateness of Love is a dark comedy about six interconnected people, trying to figure out who they are and where their place is in the game of love.

Scooter, a 30-year-old computer programmer, has recently received an invitation to a friend’s wedding. He really needs to find a date! Like a good son he occasionally calls on his mum for help, who is busy taking care of her husband with Alzheimer’s. There is also Zoey, Scooter’s best friend, an archaeologist on her way to Turkey to find some peace and quiet. Next there is Jessica, a therapist who is attempting to put her life together after a messy divorce with Darren. Darren is an older man, who doesn’t know who he is, or what or whom he wants. He is dating Stephanie, Scooter’s colleague, a naïve young woman looking for the perfect man.

The Inappropriateness of Love is Paradigm’s first full-length production, written by Paradigm’s Artistic Director, Sarah Pitard:

“…Pitard’s own piece of new writing, ‘3 X’s The Charm’… was a brilliant start to the evening and gave a great first taste of what Paradigm Theatre had to offer.” (*****Remote Goat, ‘3 X’s the Charm’, 2012)

2013 Off West End Award Nominated Director Cat Robey is a founding member of Paradigm, who previously co-founded LittleBerry Productions in 2011, a company committed to providing a platform for emerging talent and working with new writing. For Paradigm, Cat most recently directed 3 X’s the Charm and a scene from A Woman of No Importance…or Somewhat Little Importance Anyhow for Paradigm’s Evening of Words and Wine Benefit Show. Freelance, Cat most recently directed Award Nominated production Ondine at The White Bear Theatre, London. Press for Cat’s previous work includes:

“A play is only as good as its director, and Cat Robey must take a large amount of credit for this magical piece of theatre.” (Frost Magazine, ‘Ondine’, 2012)
“…Incredibly charming and engaging as a play, imaginative, surprising and, at times, profound; qualities which Cat Robey’s confident direction brings out.” (****Exeunt Magazine, ‘Ondine’, 2012)
“Cat Robey’s direction encouraged high stakes, and a gradual build towards a thoroughly gripping climax.” (Frost Magazine, ‘As Fate Would Have It…’ 2011)
“This taut drama… captures your attention from the outset. The chemistry between the actors is electric and the performances are remarkable.” (*****BroadwayBaby, ‘Feathers’, 2010)

The cast includes Jonathon West, Cheska Moon, Phoebe Batteson-Brown, Lee Lytle, and Gilly Daniels. Press for the cast includes:

“Phoebe Batteson-Brown drew my eyes whenever she was on stage and although her parts were small, they gave indications of a much larger potential.” (Frost Magazine, ‘Ondine’, 2012)

“Cheska Moon and Jonathan West were excellent in portraying the subtle changes between scenes and both brought vast amounts of charisma and comic timing to the roles.” (*****Remote Goat, ‘3X’s the Charm’, 2012)

“…In a cast full of testosterone, Cheska Moon gives an excellent manipulative and sexy performance as goth queen Tamora” (The Londonist, ‘Titus Andronicus’, 2010)

“Gilly Daniels as the nurse is an unstoppable force and accounts for at least three of
the strongest scenes in the production.” (The Times Colonist, ‘Romeo and Juliet’)

The Company

Created in January 2012, Paradigm Theatre Company is the only fringe repertory company in London. What that means is that besides producing four shows per season, we pull from the same body of actors, directors, and writers (our Artistic Associates) in order to produce each piece. We also have yearly season auditions where we bring in cast members from outside of Paradigm to provide a platform for emerging talent. The ethos behind this is that no member of the company will go more than a year without any artistic work, something that has become quite common for artists in the current economy.

The company produces four shows a year: three new writing pieces (one of which is an adaptation) and one classical play.

Paradigm recently produced a benefit show, staring Sylvia Syms, Annabel Leventon, and Dudley Sutton, to raise funds for the forthcoming season:

“A brilliant evening of entertainment with acting, directing and writing that displayed absolute class. The honourable ethos of offering a creative platform is simply not ambitious enough. This isn’t just a platform, it is a new and exciting theatre company that offers an opportunity for audiences to be thoroughly entertained.” (*****Remote Goat, A Night of Words and Wine Benefit Show, 2012)

More information and full company details, please visit: www.paradigmtheatrecompany.co.uk

To purchase tickets online for The Inappropriateness of Love, please visit:

http://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/page/more-info.php?id=1265