Welcome to the New Theatre!
Student Theatre @ Nottingham University
The New Theatre at Nottingham University is the ultimate student theatre company: the only completely student-run theatre in England, it is run by a Committee of students that is elected by the members. The New Theatre produces its own shows, and there are productions running almost every week of the University year. Click here for more About New Theatre
Current News:
SU Council Report
December 11th, 2007 adminThe New Theatre has submitted its semester write up to SU Council. For the benefit of pride and accountability, do have a read by clicking here: SU Council Report.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »11 Days of Theatre!
November 26th, 2007 adminThe New Theatre is thrilled to announce that we have just finished eleven straight days of theatre! Proof finished in the New Theatre on Saturday 17th November, and on Sunday 18th, Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down went up in Lincoln Hall Library. It closed on Tuesday, and the following day The Lonesome West started its run in New Theatre. All of the plays were superb. The production team behind Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down did a fantastic job, being the first external production in a make-shift venue in New Theatre living memory. Our thanks go to the SRS Tech, who supplied technicians, equipment and, crucially for every one’s backs, a van.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »Impact and New Theatre Christmas Ball Announced
November 11th, 2007 adminMonday, December 10, 2007 at 7:30pm
It is with great pleasure that The New Theatre and Impact invite you to our Christmas Ball 2007 at the Hilton Hotel. There will be dinner, dancing, an awards ceremony and live jazz. Every one is invited, as long as you are a student or an alumni. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here. Alternatively you can buy them from the New Theatre Box Office or from SU Reception after the 19th November. It’s going to be a wonderful night, and a great way to celebrate all of your achievements this season. Click here to read more about the ball, and click here to visit the Facebook Event.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »AUTUMN season kicks off
October 22nd, 2007 adminThe New Theatre Autumn 07/08 season is underway now, and is all set to be our most successful season yet. Huge interest in the New Theatre was evident at Freshers’ Fayre where we signed up over four hundred new members. A very warm welcome to you all! Many of you turned up to the AGM on Wednesday 3rd October and got busy auditioning for our busiest season ever. Twelve shows were programmed; this should have been impossible, but through some nifty double-billing (A Hallowe’en Double Bill and a New Writing Double Bill), and an audacious plan for a production in Lincoln Hall Library, the New Theatre has managed to meet the demand for shows from its members.
shutYOface, the sell-out Fringe Company comprised of current New Theatre members and New Theatre alums whet everyone’s appetite on Saturday 13th October by performing their 2007 production, The Slippery Soapbox: Spotbanded Skat for one night only. The Season proper commenced on 17th October with Mixed Doubles, the Freshers’ play, which ran for two nights. You can view photos of Mixed Doubles by clicking here.
To view all the shows programmed for this season, click here. If you didn’t get cast, and didn’t come and take part in the Freshers’ Play and still want to get involved, fear not! There are still loads of opportunities to join a Production Team. Please e-mail Sam Morris, our Productions Co-ordinator at sammorris@newtheatre.org.uk to join a production team. There are also plans afoot for the 24 Hour Play. This was due to go up on the Saturday night after Mixed Doubles, but then England went and got into the World Cup Final… It will happen this season; keep checking those e-mails. If you’re not on the Mailing List and would like to be, please e-mail Nick, our Secretary, at secretary@newtheatre.org.uk.
In other news, we are thrilled to announce that we have a new Treasurer! Jackie Lee, one of the Directors of Bouncers and Shakers, stood for the position and won it at the Hustings on Friday. Jackie now holds those all-important purse strings, so if you need to talk about money for whatever reason, get in touch with her. And one more thing. Our lovely New Theatre chalkboard went missing the other day. It looks like this:
If anyone’s seen it, please could you let someone on the Committee know. There will be a reward…
Also, please join the New Theatre on Facebook. The Facebook mailing list is used as well as the main New Theatre mailing list.
FRINGE success
August 28th, 2007 adminThe Edinburgh Fringe finished yesterday, and for all those there from Nottingham it was an enormous success. Through the Looking Glass, the New Theatre’s official production, received very positive reviews. Three Weeks gave it 4 stars and wrote, ‘it is reassuring to see that the future of theatre is in such good hands’ and that ‘it is a rare thing to see this amount of natural talent.’ This positive response from the critics was matched by audiences of smiling people and giggling, occasionally terrfied children. (Was Humpty Dumpty trying to fiddle with Alice, or was that just me?) All involved with the production did a fantastic job, as Three Weeks noticed, noting that the ‘lively script, reinterpreted characters, dazzling costumes and the addition of live music makes for a most moving atmosphere, while the choreography beautifully complements both the musical background and the faultless acting.’ All in all then, a great success.
The other shows from Nottingham went fantastically well. Dearly Deported, by our Business Manager Charlie Brafman, (Ankle Productions) received glowing reviews in the likes of Three Weeks and The Daily Telegraph. Audience numbers were decent and it was shortlisted for the National Student Drama Festival’s Edinburgh New Writing Competition. Three Weeks called it ‘fresh and witty’ and wrote that it was ‘an intelligent and well-performed piece that, though abstract in its production and philosophy, makes the civil liberties debate quite real.’
shutYOface, a sketch comedy troupe comprised entirely of current or ex-New Theatre members hit the Fringe hard with the sequel to their five star 2006 production, performing The Slippery Soapbox: Spotbanded Skat to sell-out audiences. Their audience reviews were all five stars, an almost-unheard of achievement. The press, too, loved the show with Broadway Baby describing it as ‘well written, well timed and performed with great enthusiasm… a huge hit with the crowd.’ shutYOface were performing at Zoo Venues at the same time as rival sketch group The Absynthe Monologues. In a battle to the death, the two groups performed a ’sketch-off’ in an unofficial free show at Zoo. Slippery Absynthe was eventually won by the Soapbox, much to the surprise of the Absynthe people. Their quick-thinking and witty improvisations earned them the laughter of the crowd and a packet of Sainsbury’s risotto as a prize…
TwinSS, by New Theatre President Ali Blackwell (ttproductions.com), enjoyed a short eleven day run at the beginning of the Festival. It sold-out its seventy-five seats towards the end of the run and generated a lot of controversy by having a big Nazi swastika on all the print and t-shirts. Despite this negative vibe (Ali got a death threat) the show was hilarious and very well received by its audiences. Three Weeks and ScotsGay both awarded it four stars with Three Weeks saying ‘ttproductions are a talented bunch who act with confidence and distinction… packed with some truly laugh-out-loud moments… a fantastic production.’
RibCaged Productions’ play Sex for Shampoo, by Owen Phillips, a recent New Theatre alum, also went very well. During their two week run they got good reviews and good audiences. Three Weeks said that ‘the writing is original - funny and sad.’ This was RibCaged’s second year at the Fringe and they came back and lived up to the high expectations after last year’s success.
Bianca Leggett spent the month reviewing for the prestigious Three Weeks magazine. She spent her time dashing madly from one show to the next, and still managed to write intelligent, honest reviews of everything she saw. Her reviews were very well written and a pleasure to read, although I did find her sentences were often rather too long. (Ha! Take that! The actor criticises the critic! Now you know how it feels…) Bianca didn’t just write reviews. An interview that she conducted with one of the stars of this year’s Fringe was published in a full-page spread in one of the weekly printed publications. You can read most of Bianca’s work on this page of the Three Weeks website.
5/5 (NT)
This is the End … my only friend, the END.
June 22nd, 2007Hi guys. Just a note from your outgoing Productions Co-Ordinator extending many thanks and congratulations on behalf of the committee to our delightful members for what has, in my opinion, been the finest year in recent New Theatre history. I have been involved with the theatre for three years and looking back on that time I could list countless improvements that have been made to the building, the sense of community within the theatre and, most crucially, the productions themselves. This year’s committee has worked hard to shake off the cliquey reputation that was prevalent when I first came to the University and I leave the theatre behind confident that we are now a welcoming, fair and unbiased organisation where a Fresher is just as likely to be cast as a wrinkly old third year such as myself. The number of Freshers involved in productions this year has been much greater than in previous years and I have every faith that this will continue in the future, ensuring that the theatre is passed on to people who have an artistic, emotional and loyal devotion to the further development of the company.
This year we have collectively produced more plays than any other year in the theatre’s thirty-seven year history and I think that I speak for everyone when I say that the quality of these shows reflects the deep passions and close friendships of all involved. The successes of our productions in the wider world (two shows at NSDF 2007; the RIDICULOUSLY complimentary Evening Post review of the Seagull; continued presence at the Edinburgh Fringe) shows that what we are doing has a greater purpose than simply the creation of great theatre for our families and peers to enjoy, as we continue to promote the reputation of the University of Nottingham as an ever-growing hub of student dramatics. The New Theatre ‘brand’ continues to garner much respect within the professional world and this will undoubtedly grow in the coming years. I very much look forward to seeing just how far we as a company, but also as a group of friends, can take our little theatre on the hill in the next decade and beyond. With a brand new theatre (The New New Theatre? The Newer Theatre? The Newest Theatre? The New Old Theatre? The Dave Stephenson Theatre?) promised by University top brass following the imminent destruction of our present home, it is clear to me that the next few years will be difficult for the company, yet also incredibly exciting, progressive and fulfilling for all the future students who will be involved in this forthcoming chapter in the New Theatre’s history.
It is emotional for me to write this, as I will never again tread those ever-so-slightly rickety boards that we know and love, yet for so many of you this year will have marked only the first chapter of your own personal adventure. How I envy you. My advice? Continue to progress as a company. Do ANYTHING that you as an individual can to get involved. And, finally, do it because you LOVE it. Continue to make art that you believe in and are passionate about and the results will speak for themselves. I look forward to seeing more and more superb productions in the coming years. And to any Freshers starting this year, all that I can say is MAKE THE MOST OF IT. The New Theatre offers a unique and utterly fulfilling experience to those who embrace it with open arms and for many it will provide the focal point of your University life. Many of you will step onto that stage for the first time next term in a fit of nerves, excitement and adrenaline, yet before you know it you will be taking your final bow and bidding the theatre farewell, thinking ‘Where the hell did my three years go?’ Trust me. I know what it’s like.
I am so thankful to the theatre for all that it has given me and extend my deepest love and gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the progress that I myself have witnessed over the last three years. I have every faith that next year’s President, my good friend Ali Blackwell, will lead by example and create a formidable army of thespians, directors and techies who will continue to fight for excellence on every conceivable level. For myself, and many of my close friends, this truly is the end of something very beautiful. But for the theatre, this is only the beginning…
David Stephenson, June 2007
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »This is the End … my only friend, the END.
June 22nd, 2007Hi guys. Just a note from your outgoing Productions Co-Ordinator extending many thanks and congratulations on behalf of the committee to our delightful members for what has, in my opinion, been the finest year in recent New Theatre history. I have been involved with the theatre for three years and looking back on that time I could list countless improvements that have been made to the building, the sense of community within the theatre and, most crucially, the productions themselves. This year’s committee has worked hard to shake off the cliquey reputation that was prevalent when I first came to the University and I leave the theatre behind confident that we are now a welcoming, fair and unbiased organisation where a Fresher is just as likely to be cast as a wrinkly old third year such as myself. The number of Freshers involved in productions this year has been much greater than in previous years and I have every faith that this will continue in the future, ensuring that the theatre is passed on to people who have an artistic, emotional and loyal devotion to the further development of the company.
This year we have collectively produced more plays than any other year in the theatre’s thirty-seven year history and I think that I speak for everyone when I say that the quality of these shows reflects the deep passions and close friendships of all involved. The successes of our productions in the wider world (two shows at NSDF 2007; the RIDICULOUSLY complimentary Evening Post review of the Seagull; continued presence at the Edinburgh Fringe) shows that what we are doing has a greater purpose than simply the creation of great theatre for our families and peers to enjoy, as we continue to promote the reputation of the University of Nottingham as an ever-growing hub of student dramatics. The New Theatre ‘brand’ continues to garner much respect within the professional world and this will undoubtedly grow in the coming years. I very much look forward to seeing just how far we as a company, but also as a group of friends, can take our little theatre on the hill in the next decade and beyond. With a brand new theatre (The New New Theatre? The Newer Theatre? The Newest Theatre? The New Old Theatre? The Dave Stephenson Theatre?) promised by University top brass following the imminent destruction of our present home, it is clear to me that the next few years will be difficult for the company, yet also incredibly exciting, progressive and fulfilling for all the future students who will be involved in this forthcoming chapter in the New Theatre’s history.
It is emotional for me to write this, as I will never again tread those ever-so-slightly rickety boards that we know and love, yet for so many of you this year will have marked only the first chapter of your own personal adventure. How I envy you. My advice? Continue to progress as a company. Do ANYTHING that you as an individual can to get involved. And, finally, do it because you LOVE it. Continue to make art that you believe in and are passionate about and the results will speak for themselves. I look forward to seeing more and more superb productions in the coming years. And to any Freshers starting this year, all that I can say is MAKE THE MOST OF IT. The New Theatre offers a unique and utterly fulfilling experience to those who embrace it with open arms and for many it will provide the focal point of your University life. Many of you will step onto that stage for the first time next term in a fit of nerves, excitement and adrenaline, yet before you know it you will be taking your final bow and bidding the theatre farewell, thinking ‘Where the hell did my three years go?’ Trust me. I know what it’s like.
I am so thankful to the theatre for all that it has given me and extend my deepest love and gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the progress that I myself have witnessed over the last three years. I have every faith that next year’s President, my good friend Ali Blackwell, will lead by example and create a formidable army of thespians, directors and techies who will continue to fight for excellence on every conceivable level. For myself, and many of my close friends, this truly is the end of something very beautiful. But for the theatre, this is only the beginning…
David Stephenson, June 2007
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »6th June - Be there!
May 13th, 2007So it’s nearly time to forget about exams and come party with the wild New Theatre lot on a Boat filled with alcohol, doesn’t sound too bad right? Well, it gets better. You say how?! With many thanks to Emily, our social sec, you are ALL invited to what will be an incredible BBQ before the boat party, during the day, with grill, baps, ketchup and plates/cups provided. And since we didn’t find ourselves a Publicity officer for next year we shall also be hosting the hustings for the position at the same time. So any of you who think you could be an asset to the committee next year then give it some thought! This fun filled day will be 6th June and we shall start the hustings/BBQ at 1pm, the location is to be confirmed but we hope to have it on the grass outside the New Theatre. Also just to clear things up, you can still come to our wonderful BBQ if you’re not attending the Boat Party but to those who are, remember to buy your boat party tickets asap from the SU Box office as you will not want to miss all this fun! Unfortunately I will be involved in Jack and Jill and so won’t be able to get smashed on the boat with you all, but I will most certainly be attending the BBQ and hope to see you all there!
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »Election Results
May 2nd, 2007Well done to everyone who was voted into the new committee, and everyone who stood for a position. Everyone was very impressive, and remember that there will be subcommittes for each role and there is still publicity officer to be voted in so you may still have a chance to be on the committee, and in any case stay involved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are the results:
President: Ali Blackwell
Technical Director: Tammy Ingamells
Secretary: Nick Breen
Production Co-ordinator: Sam Morris
Theatre Manager: Lee Denny
Workshop Manager:Johnny Skinner and Cal Lewis
Costumes and Props Manager: Krystyna Liakh
Business Manager: Charlie Brafman
House Manager: Matt Leventhall
External Events Co-ordinator: Sam Turnbull
Treasurer: Megan Allyse
Social and Edinburgh Coordinator: Tom Warren
UPDATE!!!!
A hustings was held for Publicity Officer on the afternoon of the boat party. Five very strong candidates went for it, and in the end it was Maia Gibbs who got the most votes. It was very close though. Thanks to everyone who came and stood for the position, and thanks to the members who turned up to vote, even if it was the BBQ they were there for…
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »HUSTINGS for Committee 07/08
April 27th, 2007 adminThe Hustings for next year’s committee will take place on Wednesday 2nd June in one of the Concourse Lounges in the Portland Building at 2pm. Click here for more information about the positions and the format of the meeting.
If you are not standing for a position, please come anyway. This is your chance to vote for the people who will be running the theatre next year.
The e-mails sent round about it said that the Hustings would be in the theatre. This is not the case as Colder than Here has quite an elaborate set and the director would rather not have everyone trampling all over it before the first night. Again, click here to read about the positions that you can stand for…
The Constitution has been provisionally re-written, with the Committee positions being re-organised to better reflect the needs of the theatre in the 21st Century. A vote will take place on the changes at the beginning of the Hustings.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments » « Previous Entries Next Entries »Coming Up @ New Theatre:
The Fall of the House of Usher
Wednesday 19th - Saturday 22nd Nov D
Two performances per night beginning @ 7.15
In this adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, Berkoff takes this already horrific legend and explodes it into a gloriously macabre tale of decay and decadence.
Staged in promenade, this genuinely chilling play aims to revitalize the often neglected genre of a theatrical horror whilst maintaining the integrity of a well constructed piece of theatre.
This aspires to be a truly innovative piece which will stretch, twist and push both the boundaries of theatrical convention and the very essence of audience comfort.
The New Theatre: a Student Run Service (SRS). Bigger and better than a society.
