News Archive
LOTTA BOTTLE AWARDS 2009
AKA: Best In Film & Theatre At 'Studio (That’s right – the BIFTAS!)
Our annual award ceremony & Christmas bash was held on Friday 18th December 2009, when the following nominees and winners were announced. Thanks to all who helped to arrange everything! All main production awards voted by regular audience members of Studio Salford. Embryo awards decided by the Embryo Coordinators based on their written audience feedback. Outstanding Achievement Award decided by voting members of Studio Salford's Board. Here are the final nominations, with the winners in orange.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - 2009
DARK SMILE PRODUCTIONS (Audio Theatre Production Company)
Previous Winners: SALFORD CITY RADIO (2008), SALFORD FILM FESTIVAL (2007), THE SALFORD STAR (2006), GILES HOWARTH FOR "A YEAR IN THEATRE" - annual compendium of theatre events in Greater Manchester (2005), 24:7 THEATRE FESTIVAL (2004).
BEST POSTER
New Up North Theatre Company for EIGHT (by Ella Hickson)
Tam Hinton for THE TRUTH IS I CAN’T STOP TELLING LIES (by Tam Hinton, Swine Theatre)
Broken Echo Theatre Company for RAVING BEAUTIES (by Dave Simpson)
Anna Levin for MY LIFE’S WORK (by James Allen for Trickster Theatre)
Terry Naylor for WAITING FOR GODOT (by Samuel Beckett for Cul-de-sac Theatre)
BEST SET
Debt Productions, DEAD AT THE CAFE STYX (by Debt Productions)
Trickster Theatre, MY LIFE’S WORK (by James Allen)
Broken Echo Theatre Company, RAVING BEAUTIES (by Dave Simpson)
Cul-de-sac Theatre, WAITING FOR GODOT (by Samuel Beckett)
Mediamedea, THE SEASON OF GOOD CHEER (by Mike Heath)
BEST TECHNICAL DESIGN
Debt Productions, DEAD AT THE CAFE STYX (by Debt Productions)
Trickster Theatre, MY LIFE’S WORK (by James Allen)
Cul-de-sac Theatre, WAITING FOR GODOT (by Samuel Beckett)
Swine Theatre, THE TRUTH IS I CAN’T STOP TELLING LIES (By Tam Hinton)
Mediamedea, PLUS ONE...? (by Mike Heath)
BEST WRITER
Tam Hinton, THE TRUTH IS I CAN’T STOP TELLING LIES (for Swine Theatre)
Rob Johnston, NOW BREATHE OUT (for Breathe Out Theatre)
James Allen, MY LIFE'S WORK (for Trickster Theatre)
Samuel Beckett, WAITING FOR GODOT (for Cul-de-sac Theatre)
BEST FEMALE ACTOR
Jeni Howarth-Williams, PLUS ONE...? (by Mike Heath for Mediamedea)
Denice Hope, THE SEASON OF GOOD CHEER (by Mike Heath for Mediamedea)
Annemarie Bayley, NOW BREATHE OUT (by Rob Johnston for Breathe Out Theatre)
Jo Haydock, RAVING BEAUTIES, (by Dave Simpson for Broken Echo Theatre Company)
BEST MALE ACTOR
James Allen, MY LIFE'S WORK (by James Allen for Trickster Theatre)
Phil Dennison, WAITING FOR GODOT (by Samuel Beckett for Cul-de-sac Theatre)
Clyve Bonelle, WAITING FOR GODOT (by Samuel Beckett for Cul-de-sac Theatre)
Tam Hinton, THE TRUTH IS I CAN'T STOP TELLING LIES (by Tam Hinton for Swine Theatre)
Ian Curley, RAVING BEAUTIES (by Dave Simpson for Broken Echo Theatre Company)
BEST DIRECTOR
Trevor MacFarlane, EIGHT (by Ella Hickson for New Up North Theatre Company)
Chris Neil, MY LIFE'S WORK (by James Allen for Trickster Theatre)
Eric Northey & Julia Nelson, WAITING FOR GODOT (by Samuel Beckett for Cul-de-sac Theatre)
Mike Heath, THE SEASON OF GOOD CHEER (by Mike Heath for Mediamedea)
BEST PRODUCTION
THE TRUTH IS I CAN'T STOP TELLING LIES (by Tam Hinton for Swine Theatre)
MY LIFE'S WORK (by James Allen for Trickster Theatre)
WAITING FOR GODOT, (by Samuel Beckett for Cul-de-sac Theatre)
THE SEASON OF GOOD CHEER, (by Mike Heath for Mediamedea)
Our special little Embryo awards...
BEST POET
GERRY POTTER
EMMA DECENT
TONY WALSH
HELEN BURKE
BEST MUSIC
HOLLY MARLAND
SARA DOWLING
JOHN MACKIE
SOPHIA LOCKWOOD & MICHAEL CRETU
BEST COMEDY
KELLY ROBERTS
TIGHT WOMEN FROM THE MUFFIA
BUSHPIG
GED MURDER THE PUNK POET
BEST FILM
LIVE BEFORE YOU DIE - C/O KINO
FOR A FEW MARBLES MORE - C/O KINO
CAKE OR POO? - C/O KINO
TEST - Michelle Hughes
BEST DRAMA SKETCH
CALL ME - SARAH ADAMS
A DRUNK’S CHIPS - GARY BINKS / CARAVANETTE
HEADSPACE – ROB JOHNSTON / BREATHE OUT THEATRE
DEREK’S BIRTHDAY - GARY BINKS / CARAVANETTE
BEST BAND
DELI BABIES
DR BUTLER'S HATSTAND MEDICINE BAND
SAMSON & DELILAH (EMBRYO 52)
BUSHPIG (EMBRYO 56)
BEST SOMETHING DIFFERENT
DAN FRANK
MATTHEW MCGLONE
THE EXORCIST BY PAUL BLACKBURN & NAT CLARE
KRAZY HORSE
SEPTEMBER '09
Studio Salford are proud to announce that two new theatre companies have joined the fold! Breathe Out Theatre and Swine Theatre now join our other resident companies, Mediamedea and Trickster Theatre. They're all based here - only - at the King's Arms.
Breathe Out Theatre were responsible for the Rob Johnston double bill earlier this year - The Opposite Of Claustrophobic & Now Breathe Out. Swine Theatre were responsible for the one man show The Truth Is I Can't Stop Telling Lies by Tam Hinton.
The four companies now involved are solely responsible for the programming of Studio Salford's output, and one slot remains for a further company to join. The constant to-ing and fro-ing of companies involved ensures that things here in Studio Salford never get staid. You're always going to be pleasantly surprised!
As our new season gears up for blast off, we'd just like to say a huge well done to all the theatre festivals which have taken place over the Summer: 24:7 Theatre Festival, the Not Part Of Festival, the Manchester International Festival, the Buxton Festival and of course Edinburgh, which currently winds down towards the end of this month.
As the fringe theatre baton hurtles through the air, Studio Salford stretch to grab the mantle and deliver some outstanding theatre to you - by total unknowns and some of our favourites we know you love so much!
So... Ship Ahoy!!! The creaking rumbling of the old Studio Salford ship reaches a crescendo as she pulls away from port and prepares for her journey of discovery taking in the lands of new writing, premieres, brand new actors and directors, plus aplenty more before returning to shore and emptying her booty just in time for our Award Ceremony at the end of the year!!!
Welcome aboard! We're going to have a great time... and so are you!
AUGUST '09
PHIL MINNS HITS THE INCA TRAIL
During the Buxton Fringe Festival last year, with Under the Dirt, artistic director Phil Minns, whilst on crutches recovering from knee surgery took inspiration from the rambling hills of the peak district and during the rehearsal process has registered and started his training to trek the Inca Trail to the lost city of Machu and Picchu for Macmillan Cancer Support.
"It's an exciting time getting back on stage and training for the once in a life time experience" he says. Macmillan who looked after Phil's mum in 1996 in her last months while fighting breast cancer have a special and respected place in his heart - "it's a huge personal challenge for me, but the Macmillan nurses, they are the unsung heroes who have massive challenges on a daily basis". You can check on Phil’s progress and support his efforts at www.justgiving.com/philminns.
JULY '09
'NOT PART OF' FESTIVAL
Studio Salford is proud to announce its hosting of the 'Not Part Of' Festival this year at the lovely King's Arms. We wish 'Not Part Of' Festival all the best in the world and are proud to support an event such as this. We're staging a double bill from 15th - 18th July, 2 plays for the price of one. This is a one-off in between our 2 seasons at the King's so be sure not to miss out!.
SEPTEMBER '08
BBC filming
NICO ICON PLAY NEWS
Stella Grundy's NICO ICON PLAY, an exploration into the life and times of Velvet Underground singer Christa Paffgen, goes from strength to strength after its successful debut at Studio Salford, with an extended run at the Lowry in November (see the Out & About page for details). Also for your diaries:
Inside Out Northwest on BBC 1, Wednesday 24th September @ 7.30pm, a 15 minute documentary about the making of Nico Icon.
Tiger Lounge Velvets/Icon night hosted by the cast of Nico Icon Play, Thursday 30th October, 9pm to 3am. Featuring the premiere of Manchester Road Movie directed by Ian Curley,
written by Stella Grundy, and live music from The Velvet Allstars and the Nico Icon Band. Small admission price and very special guest!
www.nicoiconplay.com
DECEMBER '07
A few highlights from the Studio Salford Lotta Bottle Awards 2007 (a.k.a. The BIFTAS)...
Photos by John McElhatton.
Studio Salford Co-ordinator James Foster accepts the Alpha Award
DECEMBER '07
Studio Salford wins The M.E.N. Theatre Awards 2007 'Alpha Award'!
Alpha Airport Shopping sponsor a category designed to encourage new and up and coming talent with financial support. In the past, it has gone to help young actors and to the 24:7 Festival.
This year's recipient was Studio Salford for "their consistent championing of the best and most interesting fringe theatre in the city".
Full details of the awards can be seen at the Manchester Evening News website.
NOVEMBER '07
Congratulations to our In-house Companies Mediamedea & Vista Theatre...
...for successfully qualifying for the Manchester Library Theatre's Best Of Fringe mini festival in Jan 2008. The Game Of Two Halves and Karry Owky will now go on to the main stage at the Library Theatre, Manchester.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER '07
WE'RE BACK!
Studio Salford returns for its second season running again as normal & PACKED with loads of great productions. Officially reopening with our 37th Embryo event on 31st August. Check out what's on.
STUDIO SALFORD GOES TO BUXTON!
"..this is a play which demands for excellent performances, and Trickster Theatre and Vista Theatre provide those in spades... highly recommended." - UNDER THE DIRT
"..perfectly scripted, paced and with real bludgeoning mood swings between humour and frivolity and the darker side of human behaviour... not to be missed!" - THE GAME OF TWO HALVES
"Erin Shanagher inhabits her extraordinary role with real conviction" - YESTERDAY, WHEN I WAS YOUNG
BUXTON FESTIVAL FRINGE REVIEW, 2007
Check out the full reviews.
JULY '07
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT (FIRST SEASON '07)
Due to increasing demand from both the growing number of hopeful participants and the increasing professional organisations wanting to have association with us, we, Studio Salford,
have decided to concentrate the majority of our efforts for our forthcoming season on developing a greater structure and improved systems within our organisation so that we may deliver
a greater quality of service to both of these and an even better experience for you - the audience!
This means that our first season (Feb - Jul) won't be as packed chock-full with excellent treats as normal, but will instead be looking to programme a more improved Embryo for you all.
In fact, we've thrown an extra one in for you (because we know you like it so much).
Our second season (Sep - Dec) is already fully booked and remains unaffected. It is programmed to show a production from each of our excellent and award-winning In-House Companies
based here at the King's Arms as well as the welcome return of the popular visiting company Ultraviolet who last produced the sell-out Get 'Em In! here in 2004,
and open our second season with the eagerly awaited Nico Icon by Stella Grundy about the life and times of Nico, member of the Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol's arts space The Factory.
This and two of our In-House Company productions have now already gone into pre-production phase: Vista Theatre Company currently working on, Karry Owky by Michael Stewart and described as a "pub opera"
and Mediamedea currently working on Beautiful House by Cathy Crabb, a comedy imperceptibly entwined with a greater depth to the story.
You can catch clips of all these and more at all of our forthcoming Embryo events.
Also note that this decision does not in any way affect our In-House Company productions Out & About,
and don't forget you can always join our Mailing List - for regular mailouts about all of our forthcoming shows at Studio Salford,
as well as all forthcoming gigs & events at the King's Arms and its Art Studios, which also go on ahead completely unaffected.
If you have any queries, please use the contact form, or you can use the ever romantic Snail Trail! Studio Salford, The King's Arms, 11 Bloom Street, Salford M3 6AN.
If you are a hopeful participant, please know that your productions are still being considered for the future as our Proposal Team is still in operation.
Please be patient and our Proposal Team will
get to your scripts / ideas and let you know of their decisions in due course. Actors: also note that our In-House Companies continue to consult our casting books as do our Embryo Directors,
so please continue to send in your CVs.
The next Embryo takes place on Fri 13th & Sat 14th April 2007 @ 7.30pm. We really look forward to seeing you there!
JUNE '06
Studio Salford will close for the Summer after Embryo 23 & 24 next week. But don't be disheartened - our In-House Companies are going "Out & About" this Summer sending out the message of your favourite venue (details below). And if that's not enough, pop into the King's to see the regular and one-off independent events that often take place, from gigs to film evenings.
If you want to be kept up to date, even through the Summer, why not subscribe to our monthly email for free detailing ALL forthcoming events at the King's Arms, its theatre - Studio Salford, its Art Studios and its sister pub - Corbieres? To do so, go to the "Contact" page and follow the simple instructions.
If we don't see you at Embryo, from all at Studio Salford - have a super SIZZLING Summer! Back in September. Ta Ta.
Studio Salford - OUT & ABOUT!
MEDIAMEDEA
Taurus Bar in Manchester's Gay Village will host the second outing of The Game Of Two Halves by Mike Heath, after it
sold out at Studio Salford. There was no possibility to extend its run in our space, so all of you out there who missed it - this is
your opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.
Dates: Fri 16th - Sun 18th June @ 8.00pm. Tickets: £6 / £5.
Venue: www.taurus-bar.co.uk.
See our archive for more details of the production itself.
VISTA THEATRE COMPANY
Vista are taking their rather explicit toe tapping extravaganza Silent Joys And Broken Toys onto Buxton Festival this
July after an extremely popular first outing at Studio Salford last month. It will be performed at The Pauper's Pit situated
in the Old Hall Hotel.
Dates: Sat 8th, Sun 9th, Sun 16th & Mon 17th July @ 10.15pm.
Tickets: £6 / £5 Kids & Concs -
07980 292 978 / www.undergroundvenues.co.uk.
See our archive for more details of the production itself.
MEDIAMEDEA
Mediamedea also go "Out & About" with their hugely successful Paperboys in July at the Buxton Festival.
Paperboys won joint Best Production at the last Studio Salford Awards, and Mediamedea won Best Comedy at last year's Buxton Festival
with Moving Pictures, which also came home to pick up a Best Fringe Production at the MEN Awards when it took part
in the 24:7 Theatre Festival. Paperboys will be performed at The Old Club House next door to Buxton Opera House.
Dates: Tue 11th - Fri 14th, Mon 17th & Tue 18th July @ 9.30pm.
Tickets: £7 Full / £6 Kids & Concs -
07989 670 137 / www.nicevenues.co.uk.
See our archive for more details of the production itself.
HOPE THEATRE COMPANY
After completing a sell-out run at Taurus Bar last month with their hugely successful Verabatim Theatre piece
Village Voices as part of Queer Up North International Festival, Hope continue to go "Out & About", this time
to the Lowry Studio Theatre with Get Happy by Debbie Soloman. The show follows Judy Garland as she rehearses for
her 1960 concerts at the London Palladium.
"Debbie Soloman gives a captivating performance... mesmerising stuff." - City Life.
Dates: Fri 15th & Sat 16th July @ 7.15pm.
Tickets: £5 / £7.50 / £10 -
0870 787 5790 / www.thelowry.com.
ARTEMIS THEATRE
Artemis Theatre present Relativity by Claire Berry as part of 24:7 Theatre Festival, Manchester this July.
Relativity was the production which got Artemis Theatre voted in by our other In-House Companies, so expect an
excellent production. Keep an eye on our website for further up-dates, or visit
www.247theatrefestival.co.uk.
See our archive for more details of the production itself.
MARCH '06
WELCOME - HOPE THEATRE COMPANY!
In-House Companies vote in new member of the theatre collective here at Studio Salford. Adam Zane is Artistic Director and more information about Hope Theatre Company will soon be posted on the In-House Company page.
Studio Salford - OUT & ABOUT!
PAPERBOYS
24:7 & Studio Salford team up to give you another chance to see the hugely successful, Paperboys by Cathy Crabb which premiered here last November, this time at The Comedy Store!
Come and spend an hour with battling brothers Don and Richard, Don's ball-breaking wife V, free-loading friends Sam & Marie, and Greg the hand-gliding drunken angel, as they grapple with myths, memories, profundity and predictions - just your average night in the local.
Written and directed by award-winning comedy writer Cathy Crabb and starring a cast of award-winning actors, including Neil Bell (Dead Mans Shoes, Ideal) and Jenni Howarth-Williams (Manchester Evening News Best Fringe Actor Award 2005).
Film Premiere - Wed 12th April @ 7.30pm
The premiere of the short film Touched, written by Cathy Crabb and directed by Paul Sapin, starring Neil Bell and Richard Sails. Music by Elbow.
Touched is a short film about the confrontation of a preist (Richard Sails) and a bin man (Neil Bell) who has come into the church he had bitter memories of as a child, which makes him pick at the sores of his past and relealise with his own duties and the respect he now has a man.
Film starts about 8.00pm, with drinks and snacks provided from 7.30pm.
Cathy Crabb and Denice Hope
DECEMBER '05
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS THEATRE AWARDS 2005
WINNER - BEST FRINGE PRODUCTION
Our In-House Company Mediamedea, for Moving Pictures by Cathy Crabb (as part of 24:7 Theatre Festival).
Moving Pictures was directed by James Foster and performed by Denice Hope & Sue Jaynes.
NOMINATED - BEST NEW PLAY
Visiting Company Jelly Shoe Productions for Salford Stuffers by Christine Marshall,
which held its World Premiere here at Studio Salford in June this year, and had already jointly won a Willy Russell Award for writing,
as voted for by Willy Russell & Tim Firth. Salford Stuffers was directed by Christine Marshall and performed by Denice Hope,
Janet Charlesworth, Jeni Howarth-Williams, Rachel Priest & Simon Norbury.
WINNER - BEST PERFORMER IN A FRINGE PRODUCTION
Jeni Howarth-Williams for her portrayal of Ruth in Salford Stuffers.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
NOVEMBER '05
Studio Salford are proud to congratulate and to be part of:
The King's Arms - 2005 Pub Of The Year
Manchester Food & Drink Festival (sponsored by CITY LIFE Magazine)
Thank you to everyone who voted - We're pleased as punch!
OCTOBER '05
The King's Arms has recently regained its Entertainments Licence. Thank you to everyone who has supported the pub and its theatre over the last couple of months and to all promoters & producers who have had their work affected for their patience and understanding. As from NOW the pub has its licence and we are working on our schedual of performances for the rest of the year. The pub will also be up and running once again with its wide variety of regular nights and one-offs.
SEPTEMBER '05
The King's Arms has been nominated Best Pub of the Year by City Life Magazine's Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2005. We were nominated last year also - but after all the problems we've had, this year we think we definitely deserve it! To vote visit www.foodanddrinkfestival.com/vote/pub_of_the_year.asp, click on The King's Arms, then come back to our site - it's as simple as that!
AUGUST '05
King's Arms shortlisted for City Life Pub Of The Year 2005. Issue out now.
Congratulations to In-House Company Mediamedea for winning best Comedy at this year's Buxton Festival with Moving Pictures.
In-House company Dark Profit have now changed their name to Artemis Theatre
MAY '05
Studio Salford - OUT & ABOUT!
Congratulations to Mediamedea for jointly winning the £100 prize at Slamchester, Manto Lounge for Cathy Crabb's piece, Drunken Straight Girl In The Village. Slamchester was an evening of Poets & Performers doing their stuff with a three minute window in which to perform. Hosted by Chloe Poems as part of Queer Up North International Festival.
Congratulations to Salford University Music & Media Department for raising £465.00 with Studio Salford on Tue 17th May, for the disadvantaged student Paul Brotherton who is still in hospital unknowingly without a home. Special thank-you's go to performers of the night; Mary Routh, Greg Kelly, C. P. Lee (The Human Canary), John Scott, Debbie Saloman, Bill McCoid, Johnny Adams, Nikki Woods, Mediamedea, Lee Antley, Cathy Crabb, The Human Pin Cushion and Robin Ellis for his painting done live on the evening. Studio Salford Volunteers: Lisa Stephenson, Arron Bleakley, Killerchimp, John Scott, Sue Womersley and James Foster, and finally the organisers, Bill McCoid & Mark Frith. Donations can still be made in cash or cheques made payable to Adelphi Night Out by handing in or sending to Mark Frith, Salford University Media & Music Dept., Adelphi Campus, Peru Steet, Salford 3.
Studio Salford - OUT & ABOUT!
APRIL '05
CONGRATULATIONS - DARK PROFIT! - one of Studio Salford's in-house companies, who raised £1,350 during their production of The Vagina Monologues on 8th March (International Women's Day) at the Frog & Bucket Comedy Club. 90% of the proceeds go to the Manchester Rape Crisis centre and 10% to the Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI)
DECEMBER '04
STUDIO SALFORD AT THE KINGS ARMS FOR ANOTHER YEAR
We are at the King's for another year at this brilliant pub - real ale, real people. Cheers to everyone at the King's Arms for all their help & support : Mike, Dave, Jon, Ken, Rose, Justina, Jackie, Aaron, Petra, Becks, Katie, Chris, Julia, Maccy, Polly & Jo. It's been a great year - always a pleasure!
Thanks to all our volunteers: Alan Gray, Alice Bate, Barry Thompson, Cathy Crabb, Ken Norbury, John Scott, Jo Wynne-Eyton, Julia Nelson, Leanne Stephenson, Lesley Eastwood, Lisa Stephenson, Lynne Roden, Phil Minns, Sue Womersley, Wendy Gallagher.
Thanks to all at: 24:7 Theatre Festival : PANDA (Performing Arts Networking & Development Agency) : CIDS (Creative Industries Development Service) : Salford Hundred Venture : University of Salford : Chapel Street Business Group : Salford City Council : Salford Advertiser : City Life : Metro : Press Association : A4E : Arts About Manchester
Thanks to our in-house companies: Cul-de-sac Theatre / Dark Profit / Hit & Run Productions / Mediamedea / Vista Theatre Company
And a special thank you to all who encouraged its set-up: Willie Longmore, Jonothan McGrath, Mark Bishop, Denise Vernon and especially Mr Neil Bell.