Theatretrain Coventry

Either Cate's going back to the Convent, undertaking a life of crime or there's a show coming up! Here's a clue, tickets available at:
https://www.albanytheatre.co.uk/shows/theatretrain-what-a-picture/

War Horse

It’s a wonderful show, and a warhorse in another sense, in that it seems to have been constantly touring since 2007. I’m sure it is helping the finances of the National Theatre. It started life as a book by Michael Morpurgo, and when the National Theatre created the production, they turned to the award-winning Handspring Puppet Company. What magnificent horses they created, and Joey and Topthorn are brilliantly realised, each operated by three actors. There’s even a lovely Goose on a stick that never quite manages to get into the door of the farmhouse.

I originally saw this production about 15 years ago, and if anything, it is better now. The story is sometimes sentimental and mainly casts its characters as goodies or baddies, like the bullying uncle, but once we are into the war, we see that the enemy isn’t always painted as baddies. There is pathos and humour, music and passion. What is outstanding about this current production is the way they use pencil drawings and blocks of colour behind the action. At the back of the set is a large white cloth, but it looks as if it has been ripped from an artist’s sketchbook. So, when you see the fields of the countryside, a town square or the barbed wire landscape of No Man’s Land, it encourages you to bring your imagination to what is happening. That’s clever because you are already imagining the horses and other animals to be real – you build your own picture of it all and enter the world of the story. By the end, many people are in tears.

The afternoon I was there, it was well supported by young people. It’s one of those performances that stays in your memory long after the event. You catch a sense of how the world may have been over a hundred years ago. The main character is Albert Narracott, and we follow his deep love for his horse, Joey. They have little money, but Albert wins a bet from his uncle by getting Joey to pull a plough. Joey and Albert are separated by the war, find themselves in France and after many adventures, even in enemy territory, they are reunited. Although coincidences could strain belief, you go along with it because you also believe the horses and the scenery. It works.

I loved the way they told the story with a narrator talking directly to the audience, sometimes the pencil sketches tell us where we are or the time of year. A folk singer intervenes, and the actors turn objects like sticks into fences or barricades. We are constantly reminded that what we are watching is not real, but at the same time, we believe in it, and we see something deeper about us human beings and how we are with each other.
My grandfather was in the Royal Horse Artillery in the First World War, and I have a photo of him astride a glossy black horse, so I feel a personal connection to the story. You don’t need a connection to be drawn in, though, and the figures speak for themselves. War Horse has played in over 100 cities in 14 countries. That’s 8.8 million people worldwide. Then you could add the number of people who have watched Steven Spielberg’s film. The extraordinary power of story.

🌟 Leadership 🌟

Leadership comes in many forms — supporting others, encouraging teammates and leading with kindness and confidence. 💙
Through performing arts, Theatretrain students develop valuable leadership skills that help them grow both on stage and in everyday life. 🎭✨

Love this Show 🥰

A Story of Our Lives

I often get asked if there is a show that I would recommend in the West End. I saw a show yesterday that was outstanding. As they said they smashed it, nailed it or whatever you want to call it.

The show in question is Into the Woods playing at the Bridge Theatre but transferring to the Noel Coward Theatre in September. It’s a tale that takes well known fairy tales and weaves them together to see if happy ever after is what happens. Spoiler alert. Actions have consequences.

Over the years I must have seen 5 or 6 performances including a lovely one starring our company director Cate in the Belgrade Studio in Coventry. I also remember seeing Nicholas Parsons as the narrator in the 1990s.

Everything about this performance was outstanding. The design, the lighting and the sound were fantastic while the performances were superb. I’m sorry if I sound gushing but I was blown away by the ensemble power of this performance.

The staging was imaginative with minimal props and believable truthful characters. Stephen Sondheim packs a lot about life into this show and the performers squeezed in so much more emotion, particularly through the songs. There was humour, pain, disillusion, hope and joy and ultimately a wonderful earned sense of remaking the world and facing up to misfortune. The audience roared its approval.

Jacob Fowler, our company director at Market Harborough, was on as Cinderella’s Prince. His performance as the Wolf that devoured Red Riding Hood and Grandma was funny, seductive and delicious. He owned the space. As the Prince he carried the bearing and demeanour of royalty but with a twist. As the character says “I was brought up to be charming, not sincere.” Jacob did a great job in bringing out the nuances of the characters he played.

The show won two Oliviers earlier this year (best musical revival and best design) and I’d say it is destined for a sell out run. It’s one of those shows that lives long after in the consciousness. So there, I recommend it.

See you at 10am Folks ready to Rock abd Roll 🎉🎉

Super proud of our wonderful 'Oldies' (aka Group 3 - 13 to 18s) who took part in the LTG Youth Theatre Festival at the Crescent Theatre Birmingham last Saturday as part of the 80th Anniversary Conference. They were lucky enough to receive a short session from the fabulous RSC Practitioner Ian Wainwright and to watch a variety of other young performers from all over the country before taking to the stage to perform five varied pieces of our own in a new space with no rehearsal.
What a privilege it is to work with these fabulous young people. They are a dream to be with and their discipline on and off stage is always exemplary. Congratulations and thanks to them all 🥰

Up bright and early and all set to 'get on the train' and represent Theatretrain at The LTG Conference at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

Good luck to all of our wonderful Theatretrain students taking their GCSE exams over the coming weeks 🍀✨

Remember to believe in yourselves, stay positive and take each exam one step at a time 💙

You have worked so hard to get to this point and everyone at Theatretrain is incredibly proud of you 👏

Make sure you:
⭐ Get plenty of sleep
⭐ Stay hydrated
⭐ Take breaks and look after yourself
⭐ Do your best — that is all anyone can ask

You’ve got this! 💪🎭

💙 No pressure—just a chance to be creative, try new things and build confidence without even thinking about it. Everyone’s just there to enjoy it. 🎭✨,I can just be myself here.

More than just a class… it’s a community ❤️
Theatretrain is where friendships are formed, teamwork is celebrated, and every child feels part of something special. From weekly classes to incredible performance opportunities, it’s a place to belong. 🌟

Find your nearest class: www.theatretrain.co.uk