Archive
Ensemble productions & members 1995-2006
In 1995 Lightning Ensemble was founded by Ferne Arfin, Jonathan Dawes, Emma Lewis and Marie McCarthy. It operated as an ensemble company until 2006, when it was decided to restructure the company.
Productions 1995 - 2006
Oct 2006
National Poetry Day
The theme of 'Identity' was chosen by The Poetry Society for National Poetry Day. As part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival, 'under-cover'
actors working as street cleaners, lollipop ladies and waiters performed poems for children and adults in Clapham, Tooting and Balham.
Supported by Wandsworth Arts Festival, Tooting Town Centre Partnership, Balham Town Centre Partnership and Clapham Town Centre Partnership.
May 2006
Sonnets at St George's Hospital
The Sonnets Project' took place in waiting areas and wards of St George's Hospital in Tooting. Actors told sonnets and chatted to patients, staff and visitors. Supported by The National Lottery Awards For All & St George's Hospital
Nov 2004
The Mayday
A site-specific play inspired by the real-life story of a publican from Leeds. Actors work and perform behind a bar in 'The Frog and Forget me Not', Tooting.
The Yorkshire Post, BBC Leeds, South London Press and Yorkshire Television have profiled the hard-hitting story of publican Barbara Forest.
Supported by Wandsworth Arts Festival, Tooting Town Centre Partnership.
June 2004
Losing It
An ensemble drama based on loss. Times Critics choice. Soho Theatre Studio
June 2003
2on2 IN SOHO
Soho Theatre Studio,
Two forty minute plays written by Charlotte Eaton and Sarah Weatherall
Sept 2001
Struck
Finborough Theatre. Devised piece based on fame and celebrity striking at our desire for that moment in the spotlight.
June 2001
3Some in Soho
Soho Theatre Studio, June 2001
Three new-writing plays in a 2 hour production
Dec 2000
Fourplay in Soho:
Soho Studio Theatre.
A presentation of four short plays written in celebration of Lightning Ensemble's fifth birthday. By Erin Courtney, Imogen Smith, Glen Supple and Aileen Gonsalves.
July 1999
Lightning Strikes Old Red Lion
Old Red Lion Theatre. A double-bill presentation, funded by the Peggy Ramsay Foundation. Written by Suzy Almond and Glen Supple.
Dec 1998
Lightning Strikes Oval
Oval House Theatre, December 1998. A devised piece created from a series of workshops exploring the essential elements of storytelling and myth. In collaboration with 'The Way It Is' youth group.
July 1997
Lightning Strikes Soho
Soho Studio Theatre. Supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England. Excerpts from five new pieces of writing by Judy Upton, Dave Wareham, Miroslav Beblavy and Sarah Lonton.
In addition Lightning Ensemble has participated in various exploratory skills exchanges including:
Westminster Prize Project: 1996 & 1997
A playwriting competition organised by Soho Theatre Company in conjunction with Westminster Council. Lightning Ensemble provided actors
and directors.
Lewisham Studio Theatre and The Brit School
Workshops with youth groups based on new writing.
REVIEWS
"Snappy writing, strong acting, gritty direction": Evening Standard
"Intelligent pieces. Go and be challenged": The Independent
"An Intelligent and promising company at work": Time Out
The World Premiere of a new devised play from Lightning Ensemble
"Quirky and surreal. Lightning Ensemble have devised a refreshingly off-beat, topsy-turvy world, where witty observations and deftly absurd
touches are fleshed in clownish style. Enjoyably imaginative"
Sarah Adams, Time Out
"Lightning Ensemble's absurdist devised piece disturbs, amuses and informs. A quirky mix of inventiveness and humour. An engaging climax
in this well thought out piece" Jeremy Austin, The Stage
The following practitioners took part in Lightning Ensemble over the years.
Ben Abell
Scott Adkins
Annie Aldington
Suzy Almond
Cheryl Anderson
John Anderson
Neyire Ashworth
Tracy Bargate
Mike Bernardin
Chris Box
Vic Bryson
Alexis Carne
Erin Courtney
Taryn DiElle
|
Charlotte Eaton
Candice Fisher
Mark Gallagher
Aileen Gonsalves
David Grenfell
Richard Hansell
Belinda Heaslip
Penelope Horner
Shobu Kapoor
Sophie Key
Mark Lacey
Satara Lester
Claire Lichie
Giuliana Lonigro
|
Stephan Marling
Catherine McDonough
John McGraw
Ruth O'Callaghan
Mary Sheen
Imogen Smith
Glen Supple
Rachel Tillotson
Daniel Tomlinson
Maisie Tomlinson
Mario Vernazza
Tat Whalley
Angie Wallis
Kenji Watanabe
|