Cock Tavern Theatre: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
__TOC__ |
__TOC__ |
||
The theatre was founded in January 2009 in the former first floor function room of The Cock Tavern by [[Adam Spreadbury-Maher]], who is currently the theatre’s artistic director. <ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/dec/03/operaupclose-puccini-pub</ref> Resident companies |
The theatre was founded in January 2009 in the former first floor function room of The Cock Tavern by [[Adam Spreadbury-Maher]], who is currently the theatre’s artistic director. <ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/dec/03/operaupclose-puccini-pub</ref> Resident companies [[Good Night Out Presents]] and [[OperaUpClose]] are also based at the venue.<ref>http://www.cocktaverntheatre.com/index.htm</ref> |
||
The theatre won the Peter Brook... Empty Space – Dan Crawford Pub Theatre Award in November 2009 <ref>http://www.blanchemarvin.com/pba.aspx</ref>, just 10 months after opening, where it was praised by theatre critic [[Mark Shenton]]: ''The Cock Tavern, with its tiny auditorium of around 40 seats squeezed into three rows, is a quintessentially cramped upstairs pub theatre. But it is also, thanks to the boldness of its producing team, a newly-essential one, both for restoring some past fringe glories and also moving it boldly forward with new work.''<ref>http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/26108/forest-fringe-scoops-the-top-prize-at-the</ref> |
The theatre won the Peter Brook... Empty Space – Dan Crawford Pub Theatre Award in November 2009 <ref>http://www.blanchemarvin.com/pba.aspx</ref>, just 10 months after opening, where it was praised by theatre critic [[Mark Shenton]]: ''The Cock Tavern, with its tiny auditorium of around 40 seats squeezed into three rows, is a quintessentially cramped upstairs pub theatre. But it is also, thanks to the boldness of its producing team, a newly-essential one, both for restoring some past fringe glories and also moving it boldly forward with new work.''<ref>http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/26108/forest-fringe-scoops-the-top-prize-at-the</ref> |
||
Revision as of 14:28, 27 May 2010
| File:TheCockTavernTheatre.jpg | |
 | |
| Address | 125 Kilburn Road, NW6 6JH London  United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | fringe theatre |
| Capacity | 56 seats |
| Production | La Boheme |
| Opened | 2009 |
| Website | |
| www.cocktaverntheatre.com | |
The Cock Tavern Theatre is a multi-award winning pub theatre located in the heart of Kilburn in the north-west of London. The venue specialises in new works and critical revivals.
The theatre was founded in January 2009 in the former first floor function room of The Cock Tavern by Adam Spreadbury-Maher, who is currently the theatre’s artistic director. [1] Resident companies Good Night Out Presents and OperaUpClose are also based at the venue.[2]
The theatre won the Peter Brook... Empty Space – Dan Crawford Pub Theatre Award in November 2009 [3], just 10 months after opening, where it was praised by theatre critic Mark Shenton: The Cock Tavern, with its tiny auditorium of around 40 seats squeezed into three rows, is a quintessentially cramped upstairs pub theatre. But it is also, thanks to the boldness of its producing team, a newly-essential one, both for restoring some past fringe glories and also moving it boldly forward with new work.[4]
The theatre is frequently noted for the intimate and authentic experience that the backdrop of the upstairs room at the Cock Tavern provides.[5] In the past productions have been staged in the bar itself as well as on the first-floor outside terrace.[6]
Artistic Policy
The Cock Tavern Theatre has a commitment to hosting world premieres and revivals from world class playwrights whose work is considered by the artistic director to be relatively unrepresented within British Theatre at that time.[7] Over the past year the theatre has developed a reputation for imaginative programming and quality productions,[8] and in the future will be presenting premieres by playwrights Edward Bond, Charlotte Eilenberg[9], Jack Hibbard and Nick Ward. Whilst the theatre originally operated as a receiving house alongside its own productions, the theatre is now a fully-fledged production house, and, between its two resident companies, provides all of the theatres programming.
Good Night Out Presents
Good Night Out Presents was formed in August 2008 [10] and moved to The Cock Tavern Theatre following a residency at The White Bear Theatre. The company received its first transfer when Studies for a Portrait, directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher transferred for a month-long run at the Oval House Theatre. [11] A revised production of Studies for a Portrait is currently showing at The King's Head Theatre for an 8 week run, [12] and features music by Boy George written specifically for the production.
Other productions from Good Night Out Presents include Adrian Pagan’s The Backroom, revived at The Cock Tavern Theatre for the first time since the play’s premiere at the Bush Theatre in 1999. [13] The company has also developed a relationship with Nick Ward as the theatre’s playwright in residence, and The Present was also revived at the theatre under the guidance of the playwright in 2009.[14]
OperaUpClose
OperaUpClose had its debut production at The Cock Tavern Theatre with a production of Puccini’s La Boheme, which opened on Tuesday 8th December, and is currently still running at The Cock Tavern Theatre until May 15th making it the longest running continuously performed La Boheme of all time. The production features a new translation by its director Robin Norton-Hale.[15] The production has been particularly noted for its relocation of Act II to the pub area of The Cock Tavern below the theatre, as an alternative to the Café Momus as originally set. The production uses a single pianist over the traditional orchestral configuration, and has been praised for offering tickets at a fraction of the cost relative to other Opera productions at the larger London venues, to which it has been frequently compared.[16] The production will be transferring to the Soho Theatre from July 27th for a further 5 week run, which will be the first Opera to play at the theatre since its opening. [17]
OperaUpClose offers the opportunity for young singers to make their professional debut, and states that it aims to bring Opera to a wider audience by producing new, classic and difficult pieces which have so far been neglected or previously inaccessible. [18]
Artistic director
Adam Spreadbury-Maheris a trained Opera singer. Australian by birth, he came to London in 2005. He made his directing debut at The White Bear Theatre producing three shows as the theatre’s Associate Director. In 2008 Adam founded Good Night Out Presents and in January 2009 secured the premises that make up The Cock Tavern Theatre. [19] In January 2010 Adam was awarded the Fringe Report award for ‘Best Artistic Director’[20], and in March 2010 was appointed Artistic Director of The King's Head Theatre in addition to his role at The Cock Tavern Theatre.
Theatre staff
- Adam Spreadbury-Maher – Artistic Director
- Ben Cooper – Creative Producer
- Matthew Burton – General Manager
Productions
Past Productions[21]
Season 2010
- 10 December 2009 – 15 May 2010, La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini
"achieves the rawest sort of authenticity" [22]
- 30 January - 20 February 2010, Nightsongs by Jon Fosse
"beautiful and detailed...piercing emotional integrity" [23]
- 23 February - 20 March 2010, Much by Hannah Patterson
"sharp and sophisticated direction creates a production that is both polished and pleasingly natural" [24]
- 27 March - 17 April 2010, A Model For Mankind by James Sheldon
"outstandingly good" [25]
Season 2009
- 04 February – 07 March 2009, The Tempest by William Shakespeare
"Shakespeare himself would be at home in this production" [26]
- 12 March – 11 April 2009, The Backroom by Adrian Pagan
"It looks like Good Night Out Productions and producer Adam Spreadbury Maher have a hit on their hands and London has an excellent new small venue in Kilburn". [27]
- 5 May – 30 May 2009, Invisible Storms, a devised piece directed by Jamie Harper
"astounding" [28]
- 23 June - 11 July 2009, Make Mine A Double: Latin! Or Tobacco And Boys by Stephen Fry and Last Drinks by Duncan Ley
"entertaining, provoking" [29]
- 20 August – 05 September 2009, The Present by Nick Ward
"It is an intelligent, moving play that will make you laugh and leave you wanting to see more" [30]
- 08 September - 25 September 2009, Brooklyn by Rose Martula
"nothing short of perfection" [31]
- 29 September – 24 October 2009, Together We’re Heavy by Chris Purnell
"shows great promise from this recently-launched 30-seat venue in Kilburn" [32]
- 28 October – 14 November 2009, Three Minute Hero by Phil Setren
- 17 November – 05 December 2009, Secrets, a devised piece directed by Danielle Coleman
"Secrets comes across as an entertaining and thoughtful production" [33]
References
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/dec/03/operaupclose-puccini-pub
- ^ http://www.cocktaverntheatre.com/index.htm
- ^ http://www.blanchemarvin.com/pba.aspx
- ^ http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/26108/forest-fringe-scoops-the-top-prize-at-the
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/mar/26/the-backroom-theatre-review
- ^ http://www.fringereview.co.uk/fringeReview/2928.html
- ^ http://www.cocktaverntheatre.com/index.htm
- ^ http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8831246620400&title=Make+Mine+a+Double&ref=O
- ^ http://www.alanbrodie.com/clients/client_pages/E/Charlotte_Eilenberg.html
- ^ http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/Good_Night_Out_Presents_THE_PRESENT_At_The_Cock_Tavern_Theatre_81895_20090728
- ^ http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/offwest+end/E8831243333589/Studies+for+a+Portrait.html
- ^ http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27493/spreadbury-maher-is-appointed-artistic
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/mar/26/the-backroom-theatre-review
- ^ http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=206&action=details&show=L01328677429
- ^ http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27519/operaupcloses-la-boheme-to-open-at-the-soho
- ^ http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article6966749.ece
- ^ http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831268313200/Cock+Tavern+Boheme+Becomes+Soho%92s+First+Opera.html
- ^ http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article6966749.ece
- ^ http://www.timeout.com/london/connect/theatre/blog/179/how-to-become-a-rising-directorial-star
- ^ http://www.fringereport.com/10awards.php
- ^ http://www.cocktaverntheatre.com/past_productions.html
- ^ http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article6986795.ece
- ^ http://www.thepublicreviews.com/nightsongs-cock-tavern-london/
- ^ http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/27463/much
- ^ http://worldbbnews.com/2010/03/29/review-theatre-a-model-for-mankind-cock-tavern-london-michael-billington/
- ^ http://mylondonyourlondon.com/?p=255
- ^ http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/off-west+end/E8831237226176/index.php?pg=1135
- ^ http://www.aworldtowin.net/reviews/InvisibleStorms.html
- ^ , http://www.notesfromtheunderground.co.uk/non-fiction/reviews/theatre-make-mine-a-double-fry-and-ley/
- ^ http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/off-west+end/E8831250878332/index.php?pg=1135
- ^ http://www.fringereview.co.uk/fringeReview/3184.html
- ^ http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/25754/together-were-heavy
- ^ http://www.extraextra.org/Review_Secrets_09.html
External links
 | This article about a specific theatre building is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |