On Beauty in London

Our two previews in London helped to shape the show fit for European export. The set fitted perfectly into both The Harrison and Wilton's and both small venues gave a wonderful intimate feel.

Our preview at Wilton's was the moment we found the play. The audience was fantastic and for the first time the actors had a proper handle on the mammoth script we had tasked them with learning. The Harrison was important to put the work in front of an audience for the first time, but we all felt under prepared and it showed. Wilton's was so much more controlled, the play we wanted to present and it gave us confidence for our forthcoming trip to France. 

Thank you to everyone who came to see our London performances!

Rehearsal Photos: On Beauty

We've been hard at work preparing for our preview of On Beauty at The Harrison pub next Monday. Have a sneak peek at Jasmine Day and George Bull running lines!

On Beauty: International Tour 2013

This year Absent Theatre presents a new full length work by Eleanor Rodda; 'On Beauty'.

The play features an artist who has spent centuries painting every single thing in the world. As she and her companion near the end of their lifetime's work, one thing remains: a blank wall.

The show is directed by Absent Theatre's artistic director Amy Gunn.

We are very excited to announce that 'On Beauty' will be touring theatre spaces in England and France. Following a presentation of a translation of 'Old Rabbis in the Sky' in Avignon last summer, we have been invited to perform 'On Beauty' at Theatre Au Chapeau Rouge in Avignon.

Tour dates are as follows:

Monday 22nd April:
The Harrison Pub, Kings Cross
LONDON
(Show at 7:30pm)

Thursday 16th May:
Wilton's Music Hall
LONDON
(Show at 7:30pm)

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May:
Theatre Au Chapeau Rouge
AVIGNON, FRANCE
(Shows at 8pm and 5pm)

Tuesday 18th June:
The University of Sheffield Theatre Workshop
SHEFFIELD
(Show at 7:30pm)

About the venues:

The first venue, The Harrison Pub, has hosted two of our shows before and we are very excited to return there. We are very grateful for their continuing support of our work and use of their rehearsal space.

Secondly, Wilton's Music Hall has very kindly allowed us use of The Study, a studio space in this historic building. We feel immensely privileged to include this venue in our tour.

The Theatre Au Chapeau Rouge has invited us to participate in their English -speaking theatre festival. We are thrilled to be presenting our work to an international audience and eagerly anticipate the challenge of flying an entire set to another country!

Our final venue is a homecoming for both Amy and Eleanor. Since meeting at the University of Sheffield, and spending many hours rehearsing, performing and attending lectures at The Theatre Workshop, it is a joy to return as alumni to present a professional show.

Tickets:
UK tickets are available on the door on the day of the show and priced £5/4.
Details for Theatre Au Chapeau Rouge to follow.

What's Going On?

The website is all colourful.

What happened to the sombre black and orange?

Well this new face-lift of our blog is in honour of the big news we are announcing TOMORROW!

Come back tomorrow for details of our next project, coming soon!

Absent Theatre x

THIS WEEK: Fragments of an Artist

Fragments of an Artist, a collection of pieces by Eleanor Rodda, is performing THIS Sunday at The Harrison Pub in Kings Cross (postcode WC1H 8JF).

The four-strong ensemble have been hard at work on the collection, each piece featuring the fragility of the artist and it's place in our collective consciousness.

We are delighted to have each of the performers back, as well as stage manager Mariana Gorey, as we have worked with each of them during 2012, Absent's first year. Each of them give outstanding performances and bring their talent and focus to Rodda's scripts, in collaboration with director Amy Gunn.

We sincerely hope you can join us at The Harrison Pub at 7:30pm for Absent's last performance of 2012. As we close our first year of production, we look forward to 2013, bringing a taste of what is to come in Sunday's show.

Absent Theatre

Rehearsal Photos: Fragments of an Artist

Photos from today's rehearsal with Julius de Mattos and Ryan Wichert. The boys are rehearsing 'Service in Ash', a fragment featuring playwright Christopher Marlowe and his lover.

With thanks to Greenwich Theatre for use of their rehearsal space.

Rehearsal Photos: Fragments of an Artist

Have a look at these photos of Rachel Eireann and Danielle McNally rehearsing for three of the four "Fragments" today. Many thanks to The Harrison for letting us use the venue for our rehearsal.

Email absent.theatrecompany@ymail.com for discounted tickets for our new show on the 9th December.