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September / October 2010 News
 We asked Michael why he thought he was a good casting choice and just what his 'personal touch might bring to the role:"I think I bring to the table an eagerness to learn and a willingness to listen. I like supporting other actors on stage by using physicality and expression to indicate my engagement in the scene while not necessarily having any lines to speak. This is my ultimate goal as an ‘Elemental’ in this production. Moreover, I have some experience creating and performing vocal masques, speaking as a chorus, and using physicality in symbolic ways, all of which I think will be particularly beneficial when the ‘Elementals’ act together as one." Read Michael's bio here: Read more of Michael's thoughts in his Malfi Journal page here:
![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/3/Y-1OWfzLmPJf7lVCrAZF3A68247/GW210H264 "[Untitled]") The final in our first round of special workshops took place tonight and yet another high profile theatre scholar was on hand to share a little magic with our cast! David Latham is a Director, master teacher and actor who has worked in Canada, Australia, U.K. and the U.S. He has been a special consultant to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for over a decade and we were lucky enough to have him in our space for an evening of instruction and exercises all focused on the what is referred to as "neutral mask". For two hours, David opened the minds and hearts of our cast by having them inhabit/become/experience and filter emotions through very special theatre masks. The respect given to the masks and the process for donning and removing them was a fascinating ritual in itself and only made the masks seem even more magical! Another absolutely amazing evening of study and consideration and we want to thank David for his time and the care with which he treated all of our people! Margot Stothers, the actor portraying Elemental 'Viola' had this to say after her evening with Mr. Latham: "Wearing a mask I felt a power in being invisible, but I could see the shape of everyone's bodies more clearly when they were wearing masks. thank you David Latham."
![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/3/yNo_PH2jkdPZS6q_LyGWZw66819/GW214H266 "[Untitled]") The second in our ongoing series of special workshops took place tonight and yet another high profile theatre scholar was on hand to share a little magic with our cast! Janine Pearson is a 21 season veteran of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and is their Head of Voice and coaching. She is considered among the very best in her field and is in constant demand at the very highest level of theatre arts everywhere. She also happens to be a great and long-time friend of our director and it was that incredible dedication to our creative captain that compelled her make the drive down to Londontowne. For two hours, Janine put our cast through their paces exploring the art of voice. I wish you could have heard the noise generated in that room! Incredible! Thank you very much Janine and of course, Bernard Hopkins! (photos to follow)
 As part of the many very special events that our Director, Bernard Hopkins has arranged for our cast, last night the first of a series of workshops took place, instructed by none other than Stratford Festival (and soon to be Broadway!) star Sara Topham! For two hours she helped our cast explore the art of movement. It was amazing! (*photo gallery to follow!)Note the FaceBook status comments by some of our cast following the workshop! Aimee O'Beirn needs to think about this. I have a lot of half formed thoughts. Thanks for an amazing workshop, Bernard Hopkins and Jordan C Morris! Chris Kevill Wow. First Malfi workshop done. Wow. Margot Stothers breathing and stretching and making noise and shapes but not setting down why or how it felt in a grammatically correct sentence soon to be edited. aaaaah.
 This busy young man impressed our Director by squeaking an audition in between two performances of The Merchant of Venice at UWO one Saturday. A bold and confident move. He may be a relatively new face, but we think you'll agree he's a great choice for our romantic lead. "There is something transitory, momentous, and very special about theatre that you cannot quite establish in other artistic mediums. In an age where value is largely based on monetary exchange and commoditization, an art form that eschews these impulses axiomatically becomes very personal and intimate in a manner one cannot establish otherwise." Read Adam's bio here: Read more of Adam's thoughts in his Malfi Journal page here:
 With a final draft of Mr. Hopkins' adaptation well in hand, I was able to sit with him and determine just what props and additional details we would need to perform his vision of the script now in our 1930's setting. The first attempt at a complete "Master List" of props is now up in the Production Design section and you can see it here. We'll add photos of each as we fabricate or collect everything required.
 Jordan's initial model attempts were always meant to be simply a catalyst for discussion and a very early step in the design process. After photographing it and sending detailed notes to Technical Director, Rodel Manoy, (an actual pro in the field of set design) then improves upon our design in every conceivable way and has sent back these incredibly detailed renderings of a Malfi set concept.Check out Rodel's Malfi Design Blog Here Now it's on to the next step: Can we build it? Are there changes required? What about the painting/dressing final details of it etc, etc. But this is a HUGE step!
![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/cWAT_teLiMGSzmLHVxqN6g92003/GW244H324 "[Untitled]") The ELEMENTALs concept is clearly a very critical one that we need to execute well. This concept is one of many that our Director, Mr. Bernard Hopkins has conceived for his unique adaptation of the script. Up until now, the physical look of the 8 Elementals has been conversational. Designer Jordan Morris created 2 very crude thumbnails earlier in the week and after initial feedback from our director, decided to roll up his sleeves and create a more detailed design study to stimulate further conversation and a explore a clearer idea of what the creatures might look like. He's created three drawings like the one to the left and you can read his thoughts and ideas about them in the Elementals Costume Design gallery. Click here
![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/wowcY-ON892pBZ3Orr2vsQ78455/GW407H228 "[Untitled]") After whipping up a paper model of the Palace Theatre Stage, Jordan next creates a crude interpretation of what our director has been visualizing complete with little paper dolls of every member of the cast. It's a useful start to the process of creating a complete design. You'd think he had a lot of spare time or something. (You'd be wrong!) Check it all out by clicking here UPDATE: After initial feedback we altered the stair design.
 We are actively seeking the best possible candidate to take on the critical position of Stage Manager. If you are interested in joining one of the most unique and talked about productions of the season and would enjoy working alongside some of the most celebrated theatre scholars of recent history, read our help wanted notice and then get in touch with us IMMEDIATELY! We need an SM ASAP!
![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/OCpWQ5DdcLzRJrbS6p0j6w68978/GW458H257 "[Untitled]") Final draft of script? Check!Costume plot complete? Check! Props 'wish list' complete? Check! Now let's get on with playing with hot glue, paper and scissors for Pete's sake! MODEL TIME! The Set design page is now open and we've just completed our simple paper replica of the Palace Theatre. Check it all out by clicking here
![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/Z194hwYxWl_wn996P3tuTw7836/GW161H242 "[Untitled]") With a very taut final draft of the script now complete, Mr. Hopkins and producer/designer Jordan Morris have gone through the text line by line and created a complete costume and prop 'wish list'. Jordan's original concepts held up pretty well, but some changes were required and it's also become obvious that some additional pieces will be needed. A couple of the original ideas Jordan had no longer suit the evolving character interpretations, so we needed some new ideas. The updates for every single character are now online: Check them all out from this page oooooooohhh. Masks...... I loooooove masks... :)
 All the way from Chapel Hill North Carolina (originally) Sarah Stanton really stood out during the audition process. She brings a wealth experience in classical and contemporary theatre both academically and from direct involvement in productions. We can hardly wait to meet her Julia!"Theatre is something everyone can touch. It is anything we want. Theatre can be an escape, a distraction, a calling. It is visceral. It is truth. It is the experience and exploration of human depth. Theatre can be a chance to create a community. It can make us consider or reconsider. It is relevant and timeless. And most of all, theatre is what we make it, whether we are directors, actors, techies, audiences, or anyone else." Read Sarah's bio here: Read more of Sarah's thoughts in her Malfi Journal page here:
 Our friends over at Out Of Sight Productions are looking for their first full-length play which will be produced for a February 2011 run! 7 actors of both sexes from age 16 to 40-ish are required. click here to read the entire press release.
 As a member of the innovative VERVE THEATRE company, Aimee has garnered a reputation as a brave performer, but she is also well known for her warm and generous personality. Both qualities willbe a great asset to our team and we can't wait to see what kind of magic she creates as Arancia! "I would like to give (our audiences) something to think about instead-about the way they interact with people and how they make their choices. I would like them to remember how hard it is to love someone, and how much harder it can get when there is selfish or arbitrary limitations set on such a small and precious thing as love. ." Read Aimee's bio here: Read more of Aimee's thoughts in her Malfi Journal page here:
 Sarah E. Abbot has been cast in a role traditionally played only by male actors. It's a radical choice -the only role we've altered in this way- and we're quite excited by the possibilities. A single choice like this has a cascading effect on every other character in the script and every other performer in the cast. It cannot be a "stunt" for the sake of novelty. It has to be treated with absolute care and respect and we needed someone with the skill, dedication and insight to see it through. Read all about Sarah's previous experience and just what we saw in her that makes us absolutely certain she'll deliver that magic we need to make our Delio come to life and enchant our audiences. Click through to visit the Sarah E. Abbot profile and Journal pages
 We've now loaded the entire final draft of Mr. Hopkins' new "Elemental" draft of The Duchess of Malfi. Take a read, enjoy and don't hesitate to share your thoughts. You can read the entire thing by chapter right here:
 Our 'Little Website That Could" has just passed the TWO THOUSAND visits mark. Not too shabby. As we move forward, there will be an even greater attempt to create more for our visitors to see, hear, read and take an interest in. We will be loading the site with all our "DVD Extras" so to speak and much more interesting content is on the way. Thanks to everyone who has taken an interest in what we are up to so far. We promise it's only going to get more interesting from here. More soon!
Our Director, Mr. Bernard Hopkins has completed a new adaptation of The Duchess of Malfi which will be the script we will be performing this coming February. This new draft will be kicked around a bit and proof-read for a time, but we will definitely be posting the entire 2010 draft on this site in the near future! We're getting closer, folks! |
* Farhi Holdings is a proud sponsor of the London Community Players production of The Duchess of Malfi  Our stage production is Executive Produced by the London Community Players and will run at their home venue, The Palace Theatre in February 2011 .  ![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/2/BNNCtgKXY1Y7ErEj-drbYg22699/GW127H59 "[Untitled]") |
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