What Juice Festival ‘Press Gang’ thought…

Below you will find a review by Gemma Hirst, taken from the wonderful Juice Festival blog

Juice Festival’s Indiana Jones and the Extra Chair at Live Theatre – Sat 3 Nov, 6pm

I had had my lunch earlier on in the day, so naturally I was hungry for something a little bit different and boy did I get it at Live Theatre.  I walked in to a whole new dining experience, sat down to a table and was served a starter of poetry servings performed by young writers. Each of the poems were inspired by their own family gatherings, I was particularly greedy and had a tasters from Steven Blackshaw, Ryan Watson and Reece Connolly.

I really enjoyed Stevens’ originality of giving us packages at which I was excited about until I opened it and found it was custard cream a nice change to the tuna sandwich I was eating at the time.

I felt physically sick listening to Ryan’s poem of becoming a man, laying a piece of comedy poo on the table, not sure if I really understood it as there was lot of background noise, I found it difficult to  hear him at times. Reece Connolly’s performance, a poem about his family Christmas experiences made me laugh; it was a party popper rather than pooper that put me in the festive spirit.

After a short interval and some more potato salad, it was time for the main course and thank god I had room because I was nearly full from the all starters. Indiana Jones & The Extra Chair, written and performed by Simon Mole, a poem no a story that dappled in the culinary arts of spoken word theatre. I sat tight and watched and listened as Simon put on a character as Mike who was dealing with his toughest adventure meeting his mum’s new boyfriend and on top of that poor Mike was in the middle of his own relationship crisis.

I truly enjoyed the main course and no salt and pepper was needed.  It was simple setting yet that was all that was needed as Simon Mole’s performance of Mike was outstanding. Mike would imagine himself as Indiana Jones, like he was the metaphor for the perfect man; the man that he wanted to me to prove to his mother that she didn’t need this new boyfriend. Hats off  the chef Simon, his performance was cleverly written. It delved deep into the real life situations that families have whilst sitting around a dinner table. Simon Mole has an eye for the overlooked and this performance was moving and well observed. I felt that I could truly relate to his piece.

After that fulfilling main course I could just about squeeze in some delightful dessert which was tiramisu, talked about the main ingredients of an interesting family meal. Finished my lemonade off I had enjoyed my night of Indiana Jones and the Extra Chair, now where can I leave my tip?

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GUEST POST – Maria Tang: a photographic journal of performance day

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What the audience thought…

Above, a sample of the plates filled in by our glorious audiences on the last Saturday of Juice Festival. Below, a poetic selection from their family gathering ‘top fives’…

Underlying tension and sibling rivalry. Chaos. Too much food.
Nibbles, alcohol, a controversial granny.
One child under a table. Chaos.
Cracker jokes. Drunken parents. Love train/conga
Chaos. Too much food. Arguments over
whether we should read through the rules of the game
before we start (which takes ages!)
or just start and learn as we go along.
Chaos. Not enough chairs. Karaoke.
Christmas presents. Batteries not included.
Grandparents: war tales and medical updates
At least one embarrassing incident
Good company ,Silly games, chaos
Too much food…

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Final preparations – required reading!

Massively looking forwards to the performance events at Live Theatre tomorrow, which are the culmination of our project up here in Newcastle. Rehearsals have been going well, but there is one thing remaining to do – read the Indiana Jones annual from 1990! I’ve included the cover and the first couple of pages below to help you get in the mood too… Hopefully see you tomorrow!

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GUEST POST: Reece David Connolly – “my hero”

“My hero is Bond, James Bond. I just need to hear that opening blast of brass and I see the gun-barrel, the suited-and-booted siloheutte, the spin and that single, fatal shot of that Walther PPK. This man has being single-handedly saving the world from golden-gunned, claw-handed, cat-stroking wrong-uns since 1962 (helped, only occassionally, from the odd hyper-magnetised-laser-equipped-chainsaw-Omega-wristwatch). And I’ve watched transfixed, every time – a million times. Be it Uncle Sean, George, Roger, Tim, Pierce or Dan, I don’t care, because they’re all Bond. My Bond.

I have the films, the books, the comics, posters, collectibles and postage-stamps. Even the aftershave. How to even put into words my love, respect and awe for 007 of Universal Exports, London. Licensed to Kill and Wisecrack. An ageless legend that has been a constant, and always there for me, martini in one hand (shaken, not stirred) and an exotic girl with an unlikely name on his arm, while the Aston purrs in the background.

I can’t wait to introduce my own children to my hero, and let them dive into his world. Meet men that have metal-mouths, cars that spit out goons, where every pool has a complimentary shark and every elevator a triggered trapdoor.

I have many heroes, but Bond has been, and will always be, the best. Because, of course, nobody does it better.”

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Introducing #5: Steven Blackshaw

Hi Steven, thanks for joining us for this final blog-post in our mini-series introducing the local writers we’re collaborating with for the project up here in the North East. I’m hugely looking forward to performing in Newcastle for the first time this week, have you got any performance experiences in the area that particularly stand out?
One of my best performance experiences was when I performed as part of a student festival in my mid teens. The experience was fantastic because I performed on the Theatre Royal stage in Newcastle, which is something (growing up in Newcastle) that is amazing to actually do when you see real productions on there yourself. With it being part of the festival too, there was a great audience of excited participants, families etc., so the buzz of excitement was brilliant and I had a lot of fun performing.

Great stuff, can’t wait to see you do your thing at the events for this project on Saturday! Our plan with the blog is give people a little taster of what they might expect from you at the performance events, so maybe you could tell us the tagline for your piece, and even treat us to a little extract?
Ok, so the tagline is: “It all starts with the opening of the packet, and winning has never tasted so satisfying.”

and here’s a little quote from the piece:
“The day started like no other. The cool, brightness of the early morning sun washes the room with a haze of bright light. The soft, fluffy, dark green carpet nestled between my toes as I walk towards the phone.”

Intriguing! Sounds like a domestic setting then – maybe the family home? On that note, another thing we’re asking you guys is what’s the speciality dish when your family get together?
It would probably be a meat based dish of delight. Usually pork chops, with Sunday roast inspired vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. Perfect any day of the year.

Ha ha, nice one – a popular choice! Final question then, who was (or is) your childhood hero?
I was just like many young kids when it came to action heroes. With things like Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles particular favourites (and to which I’m sure is true with regard to teenage mutant ninja turtles!). But, my hero as a kid has to have been Spiderman. He was just fantastic, what he stood for, how he flew around the city but ultimately just because he is so cool.

Quality, thanks man – consider yourself introduced!

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Introducing #4: Reece David Connolly

Hi Reece, let’s get straight to it with the title and tagline for the piece you’re writing for the project – the performance events are kicking off a week tomorrow and we want to make sure people are suitably excited!
Right, well my piece is called ‘The ManHunt’ and the tagline is:
‘Someone is Missing…and the Mini-Fridge is Running Low’

Brilliant, enjoying the collision of high octane Hollywood action vibes and family-based banality! Even the first draft you wrote for this piece was absolutely quality, you’ve got such a natural spring in your words- what got you started writing to begin with?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write, or want to write. It’s always being something I’ve done, whether in crayon, pixels or ink, and I feel I always will. There’s something so special in words, and making stuff out of them for people to laugh at, cry at, remember and enjoy. I’d love to be a writer professionally one day, when I grow-up a bit, and have people reading my stories. Hopefully!

Growing up  is not always necessary for people to want to read or listen to your stories! I say listen as well because at the events for this project you’ll be reading your work to our guests live – when you have most enjoyed performing before?
My favourite experience so far of performing has being, without a doubt, up at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I went twice, with two different musicals, this year and last as part of a school theatre-troupe. It was just incredible, too much for words, to be there at the heart of something so exciting and vivid and alive. I’d love the future to take me back there, many times, one day.

Inspiring stuff man, keeping my fingers crossed for you! What else is important to you in this big wide world?
For me, above writing and performing, my family is my life, and whenever we get together its something to enjoy. It’s a chance for my Mam to roll out her famed Roast, which is already a staple of my week. Legions of Yorkshire Puddings smothered in gravy, a patchwork spread of allotment-vegetables and all crowned with great, generous helpings of beef, because it HAS to be beef. Delicious!

Quality mate, thanks for bringing it back to the food because that’s a big part of the events at Live Theatre too – those lucky folks who come along on the 3rd will get treated to a range of snacks and tasters as well as the performances, can’t say fairer than that really!

http://www.live.org.uk/whats-book/indiana-jones-extra-chair

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Introducing #3: Maria

Hi Maria, loving the photo – you always have great hats! Really excited to have you involved with the project – as with Ryan lets start at the start – what made you want to write initially?
I assume I started writing due to the realisation that real life is nothing compared to worlds where exciting things happen all the time, and it’s even better when YOU get to pick and choose ANYTHING that can happen. Maybe I was just power-hungry at a young age…

Any writers, poets or otherwise, that you particularly admire?
My favourite poet might be E. E. Cummings, though my opinion fluctuates between his work being quite profound and stimulating, to simply ridiculous so that it is just comical.

There’s definitely a liberal helping of comedy in your piece for the show, what’s the tagline?

“Grandma’s Soup: Where do the boundaries of politeness lie?”

Ha ha, nice! Finally, but perhaps most importantly, what is your family’s speciality dish/meal when it’s time for a get together?
My Mum’s classic Miscellaneous Cheese Bake will keep you on your feet with the endless surprises in store, if you dare to venture beneath the cheese…

Brilliant, thanks for that!

To find out more about the event that Maria, Ryan and the other local collaborators will be performing at, head to this page on the Live Theatre site:
http://www.live.org.uk/whats-book/indiana-jones-extra-chair

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The best pub in Newcastle?!

An important thing to do on arrival anywhere new is find a decent pub. Last weekend Kirsten from Apples and Snakes North East took me to what she claimed to be ‘the best pub in Newcastle’ – The Cumberland Arms. I did indeed love it, immediately sensing a friendly vibe, and an atmosphere that was homely and chilled whilst managing to promise potential lively-ness to come! It was my first time in Ouseburn so I tried a beer with a similar name and wasn’t disappointed – good local ales are essential and these guys had a decent range. Boxes one and two, ticked.

At the bar we also discovered the delights of a Welsh Egg – basically a scotch eggs but in a cheesey potato shell instead of a meat one, always impressed by a bar snack I’ve not seen before!

Anyway, although I rated the Cumberland, my point is that it would be foolish of me to rush to judgement so quickly, especially when we’re back up for a good few days next week – any comments on other pubs that do decent solid food and a range of beers would be much appreciated!

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Introducing #2: Ryan Watson

Welcome to our mini-series introducing the brilliant local writers we’re collaborating with on the project. First up, Ryan Watson…

Hi Ryan, first up, and crucially of course, what would you say is the ‘speciality dish’ for you family gatherings?
My Nan’s dinners. They usually involve Gravy and chicken/beef, the best mash potato EVER and Yorkshire puddings. Pickled Onions on the side too. Celery sometimes makes an appearance.

After our first workshops at the weekend it’s clear you’ve got a real talent for writing, what got you started?
I’ve always been really into my TV shows, since Thomas the Tank Engine and Power Rangers and I’ve always been half in my own little bubble world. Then I discovered Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and a writer called Neil Gaiman and they inspired me to try and write my bubble world down and see if anyone likes it.

Nice one, what elements of this ‘bubble world’ will you be shedding light on in your piece for this project? Actually don’t give too much away, just the title and the tagline you came up with in the session will do!
Well it’s called ‘The Wedding Present’ and the tagline is:
‘The family’s here. Mum’s getting Married. Growing up’s never smelt so bad.’

Good stuff – does what a tagline should, I want to know more! Maybe just a little excerpt?!
Here goes…
‘I’m the cool guy in the suit, I’m Don Draper.
It’s up to me to save the day.
I take off my jacket. I roll up my sleeves
just to show it I mean business, just to show it who’s boss.
And I walk in there. A peg on my nose and a bucket of water
are my only weapons, my only defence in this great battle.’

Great man, thanks, hopefully that will have whetted a few appetites to the point they want to hear the full piece at the event!Finally, then who’s your hero?

My Hero has to be Batman. Any Batman. Except George Clooney.

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