ONE LAST WALTZ - Blog One

A big HELLO from Black Coffee Theatre. 

For the last few weeks we've been working hard in rehearsals on our new production 'One Last Waltz' written by our very own Luke Adamson.

The play is based on Luke's personal experiences of Alzhiemer's disease within his family and tells the story of a mother and daughter as they take a trip to Blackpool to waltz together in the Tower Ballroom. If you'd like to know a little bit more about Luke's inspiration for the piece, you can read more here

We're very happy to introduce our wonderful cast.

Annie Sawle - Alice, Susan Mitchell - Mandy, Andrina Carroll - Georgette

So far rehearsals have involved lots of discussions, moving boxes, tears, laughter, fairy lights and birthday cakes. We've had many conversations about our own experiences of Alzheimer's disease and old age and losing the people that we love. It is predicted that by 2050 almost 1 in 85 people will be affected by Alzheimer's disease or dementia. It's so important that people have an awareness of any warning signs so they can seek medical advice as soon as possible, which is one of the many reasons we have created this show.

However, the play is actually very funny, so we promise it's not all doom and gloom. In fact, there is usually a point around 5.30pm when the rehearsal room becomes slightly hysterical and we know it's almost time to go home and sleep. 

We're very grateful of the support we have received from the Alzheimer's society who have given us advice on the script, been into rehearsals to give us more information about the disease and will be joining us at each performance to be involved in an optional post show discussion about the play and people's personal experiences. If you're interested in knowing more or becoming a dementia friend you can visit their website here.

We must also say a HUGE thank-you to Slung Low for giving us rehearsal space at The Hub over the past few weeks. If you're ever in Leeds and fancy seeing some theatre we really recommend you pay this venue a vist! All the drinks cost £1, even the wine and beer!!

We really hope you can make it along to see the show. If you'd like to check tour dates and book tickets, please visit our website here 

Thanks for reading!

Black Coffee Theatre

Joseph Lindoe on playing Jack

Joseph Lindoe joins the Found cast for the Hope run, playing the enigmatic, mysterious Jack. He talks to us about how he's finding it.

Tell us a little bit about Jack

Joseph Lindoe plays Jack

Jack’s a bit of a mystery really, the play starts with him being washed up on a beach and found by Mark. He’s taken in but is clearly suffering from Amnesia and Trauma, he doesn’t speak to other characters but throughout the play he gradually regains confidence and we are given more and more of an insight into who he is and what happened to him.

What are the challenges of playing a character that never speaks?

Initially you’d think having a role where you have no lines to learn would be a walk in the park. Actually trying to create a well rounded and active portrayal without any vocal impetus is very tricky. There are very few clues in the text about how he’s feeling and what state he’s in, we never hear his side of the story in its entirety which means rather than basing development on facts there are a certain number of assumptions that have to be made. Obviously you want to make the characters journey clear and engaging but with only being able to come across physically there’s a very real danger of “demonstrating” and coming across as kind of surface.

How did you prepare for the role?

Initially I had a look at Amnesia and the different ways it can manifest. In terms of script work I started by going through and getting an idea about what Jack might say/how he might interact if he was able to speak. As well as the direct effects of memory loss his lack of knowledge makes him very unsure of himself and leads to a very nervous and introverted disposition so I had a look at various social anxiety disorders.

How is Jack different to other roles you’ve played?

Well for starters, most characters I’ve played have had dialog! Because of the way he progresses and develops he really is a completely different character at the beginning to how he is at the end. I’ve never really had to show such a huge over-arching change in demeanour like this before, it’s like playing the same character throughout his life as he re-develops.

Are there any similarities between Jack and Yourself? Are there any differences?

Well I talk, A LOT, I’m constantly jabbering on about some nonsense. In terms of similarities with any character you bring characteristics of yourself and we both have this sort of lost puppy quality about ourselves, particularly in his weakest state he feels a lot more comfortable in periods of piece and quiet, something I can absolutely relate to, particularly with our use of loud club music to underline periods of distress.

Anything you’d like to add?

All I can say really is that you will probably never get a chance to see a character that spends 95% of the play on stage and never interacts, it’s a very unique character, one that I’ve had tremendous fun exploring and you should absolutely take the opportunity to see him yourself.

Found runs at The Hope Theatre, Islington from the 24th March - 11th April. Tickets available from www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/found

Elizabeth Hope on playing Kate

Elizabeth Hope is reprising her role as Kate in our London transfer of Found. We asked her a few questions about the role and about being a women in the theatre.

Tell us a little bit about Kate.

Kate is the “new girlfriend" on the scene for Mark. They work together and he has always had a little bit of an infatuation with her. She is probably not the type of girl Mark usually ends up with and is therefore a little harder to read. She is not all she makes out to be!

She’s not the typical ‘Girlfriend character’ is she?

She isn't, hence why I really enjoy playing her! She isn't your girl next door, submissive and all smiling “girlfriend" who is just there as an accessory to the male protagonist of the play. She is ambitious and strong willed and a determined woman just trying to come out on top in a mans world. So to say...

How do you feel about the lack of interesting female roles in the theatre?

I think it is a very prevalent issue and one that one that frustrates me a lot, being  a  young  actress  in  an  industry  already  saturated  with  too  many actresses for very few roles, let alone interesting ones! That is why I am a massive fan of working on new writing and with exciting emerging companies such as Black Coffee. With funding cuts coming out of our ears it is becoming increasingly harder for young theatre makers to find that support  that they need to create refreshing work which reflects the modern world and modern women!

Elizabeth as Kate with Jack Harding as Mark

Are  there  any  similarities  between  Kate  and  Yourself?  Are  there  any differences?

Yes and yes! It is quite a similar kind of role to my usual casting, which leads me to think there is a certain alignment between these sorts of characters and my own personality... I have the feistyness and the ambition perhaps of Kate, but I would like to think I am a little less ruthless and less manipulative!

Anything you’d like to add?

I hope you enjoy the show. It's a great little piece which I think is pretty damn funny and poignant at times. I've had so much fun working on this play and after  touring it  in  the north-east  I  am looking forward to  seeing a  London audience's  reaction.  Support  new work  and great  spaces like  “The Hope” which champions it, and keep an eye for Black Coffee's next project!

Found runs at The Hope Theatre from the 24th March - 11th April. Tickets available from www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/found

Lizzie's Rehearsal Blog

So I've survived my first week! Everyone else's second week, but my first, as I was drafted in last minute. I was definitely quite nervous and apprehensive joining a cast that had already bonded/rehearsed/ate together for a week; would they get my humour, think I am cool? Could I quickly catch up on the work they have already built on. I think I've done ok...

It helps that everyone is absolutely lovely.

It's great to be working with Black Coffee and on such a unique new piece of writing. With Luke and Maria you definitely feel in safe hands. Not literally. Metaphorically. Yes. I love working on new writing and in small casts, so this is ideal for me.

Discovering Kate has been interesting. She is a cunning lady with a ruthless ambitious streak, yet it is important that we see her softer side; finding the right balance and not just making her a manipulative monster. The writing is really naturalistic and I was genuinely really impressed by the cast on the read through last Monday, which made me very excited to get cracking on the script and get into the rehearsal room.

I think we're at a very good stage, with still a week and a bit left of rehearsals. However, I feel we are all slowly morphing a little into our characters, so come show time, heaven knows where we'll be! Probably washed up on a beach, having some proper banter... HASHTAGLovingit.

I am going for a run amongst the cows and countryside now. It's good to be back tup north.

Bring on Newcastle. Whay aye man!

Jacks Rehearsal Blog

Mark Wallace...enigma...romancer...idiot!!!
A character that I sometimes find myself slipping into even when not rehearsing, which is sometimes worrying but at the same time is also a character that is a lot of fun to play with.  His awkwardness in certain situations can be very entertaining & if Luke & Maria would let me I could use those pauses even longer & make it even more awkward; but this is not Pinter this is Adamson!!!


He is the sort of person I wish I could be more like at times, in terms of how he always strives to do the right thing, a  trait I try to have myself but doesn't always happen...hence the word try!!

Rehearsals have been a lot of fun & it is a joy working with the rest of the cast, there is always a lot of laughter & occasionally some inappropriate banter but there is no need to go any further into that!!
Time for me to sign off as myself, Luke & Will are off to get a curry!! I share a room with Will...so tonight will be interesting!

Peace & love people

Jack aka Mark

Roberts Rehearsal Blog...

So we are week two, up in sunny old Stockon, continuing our second week of rehearsals for 'Found' at the Arc Stockton; who might I add provided cake week one, no such luck this week though #justsaying!
Having a week in-between the first week was great to go away from the rehearsal room and have some time for what we'd already roughly set to sink in! Also to learn some lines, not that they are actually all leant yet... Darn V Festival!
I'm playing Brian in the show and I must say it has been a struggle thus far to play the over the top, flamboyant, pretty male, late twenties as he is described, as that is so very far from myself... Who am I kidding, I'm loving Brian and what I have to get my teeth into in the play. In fact the challenge for me here is to play a character so similar to myself, bringing humour whilst keeping it truthful and believable. I have some meaty scenes with some great dialogue, which is what I think makes the play, the writing is very naturalistic and allows us as actors to really put ourselves into the situations the characters are confronted with.
The rest of the cast however are unbearable unfortunately and I'll have to carry the show single handedly! In all seriousness the guys are lovely, Will has even been my personal trainer, helping me whip my flabby bum into shape. Will also handily pointed out whilst on a stroll to Saltburn beach how hard it actually is to skim stones in water, as Jack and I have to do in the play... You see even in our downtime we are working! (Sort of).

So back to the rehearsal room and as I speak, there's an amazingly awkward scene between characters Mark, Jack and Kate going on, amongst lots of discussion about tea making within the play. Oh and I must mention WE ARE HAVING SAND! (now that'll Draw in the audiences, and Luke now it's in writing it has to happen).
Im looking forward to the rest of the week before we head up to Newcastle to our next home at Northern Stage. Right I'm off to shove these lines in me head!

Thanks for reading, 
Rob x 

Rehearsals so far...

Our rehearsal process so far in pictures...

Keep checking in for blogs from each of our actors, coming soon...

FOUND 

Luke in Alnwick 

Maria slacking off... 

The Lads 

Beautiful Alnwick 

Cast trip to Saltburn 

Week One Table Work 

Bank Holiday Rehearsals 

For more news, gossip, future castings and ticket offers please follow @BlackCoffeeUK, sign up to our NEWSLETTER or like us on Facebook!

Thanks for reading,
BCT x