Garreth's blog

FREE THEATRE!

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:01:57 +0800

Upstart Theatre Company Proudly Presents
Shakespeare on the Lake: The Tempest
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Lamont

If you have nothing to do this Friday and Saturday night, why not pack a picnic and take a journey to a Magic Isle?

Upstart Audition Notice

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:24:18 +0800

Hi Everyone,

All this info can be found on the audition page but I thought I should highlight that this notice is now up and booking lines are now open.

Cheers,
Garreth

Notice:

Upstart Theatre Company is pleased to announce that auditions for its Shakespeare on the Lake: The Tempest season are now open and will be held at the Blue Room Theatre in Northbridge, Perth.

Upstart News!

Mon, 03 May 2010 13:29:10 +0800

I know, I know, it has been such a long time in between drinks. This is due to the fact that we are understaffed! If you can or would like to help out with the running of Upstart in any facet, please email us at upstart@iinet.net.au

Macbeth Media Statement

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:05:36 +0800

For all those wondering what they can expect if they come to see the GRADS' production, this is the media statement that has gone out:

GRADS OFFER A SCREAMINGLY GOOD NIGHT OUT

Shakespeare’s Macbeth has often been described as a ‘winter’ play, but in The University of Western Australia’s Grads’ new production, director Garreth Bradshaw will make Perth’s autumn heat work in his favour.

I Dare Do All That May Become A Man

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:08 +0800

So, about this curse then?

The curse of Macbeth is so potent that I personally have seen many people, mostly thespians, get extremely offended if you dare mention the play regardless of whether you are inside or outside a theatre. Indeed at one school I was praccing at I witnessed a teacher give one of her students the ear bashing of a lifetime for muttering the name of "The Scottish Play". Surely, with so much belief being placed in the truth of the curse, there must be something to it, right? Here is a list of accidents that I found that have been associated with the play:

Why Are We Here?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:30:42 +0800

Why are we here? Why is it that we are paricipating in the so called "community theatre"? Many say that it is for the love of it, the love of stepping out onto the stage and using amazing words to lift an audience beyond the mundanity of their normal every day life. I see very little of this in the community theatre, what I see is a community devided and a community devided is not a community. Every year the Finley awards cause the same ruckus and every year it's the same bitchy comments which spring to life again.

The Bard in the Valley and other Shakespeare adventures

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:06:15 +0800

You can't help but feeling an amazing power high when you step out in front of a crowd at the Woodlake amphitheatre. At least 100 pairs of eyes all on you, watching every movement, every gesture, every sadistic grin that crosses your lips and what's more you can see them watching. You become suddenly filled with this sense of awe as you realise you have this audience hanging off your every word and sitting snugly in the palm of your hands, ready to go on the journey with you right to its bitter end.

Enter Iago, a sociopath?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:26:40 +0800

Why does he do what he does? Is it jealousy? Lust? Anger? Revenge? Because he can? Love of the moor? Love of money? Is it a class based struggle? Is he what he is or is he what he is not?

Iago is 28, he's a soldier; standard bearer, beserker and personal assistant to the moorish general of the venetian army. Outwardly he is a simple man with simple needs, he speaks plainly and honestly and seemingly would rather destroy himself than see harm come to his friends. Underneath lies an intelligent, twisted and unashamedly evil man; he dosen't seem to have any mental problems indeed he seems to be completely in control of himself and his mental faculties. He goes about doing what he does knowing that it will cause harm and he does it anyway. More than once he refers to making a pact with hell and having an extensive knowledge of demonology, so much so that he feels his actions imitate the demons of hell. When Iago is unmasked at the end Othello refers to him as a demi-devil and the chance to claim reprieve and explain that he has been wronged by Othello because he suspects Othello of sleeping with his wife, a thought which gnaws his inwards like a poison if we are to believe with what he has said earlier, instead Iago bursts out in absolute triumph "what you know you know, from this time forth I never will speak word". Leaving us puzzling, so WHY does he do it?

"Oh look here comes Othello talking crap as usual" ~ E. Blackadder

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:39:14 +0800

Once again Upstart theatre company is pleased to bring you another fine FREE production to Woodlake amphitheatre, Ellenbrook.

To catch up on all the latest news and info make sure to check out our production blog at www.upstarttheatrecompany.blogspot.com it contains lots of useful links like venue maps, online posters and event info.

Have you been taught to be cautious?

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:50:55 +0800

I was just sitting here and wondering to myself, how many of us operate by square conduct? Surely, I can't be the only masonic actor out there. I would also like this opportunity to open a dialogue about freemasonry in general as there is alot of negative press that circulates about it and probably will be alot more soon with Dan Brown's new book being released next week. If you have any questions please feel free to ask them and I will do my best to answer in keeping with the obligations I have undertaken.

When all is said and done...

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:12:48 +0800

So here I am... First read through of "Othello" is on Sunday and I make my return to the stage after some time spent in the Director's seat. I do love directing but by the Gods it'll be nice to focus back on just being an actor; no production schedules to be drawn up, no designers to conference with, no having to re-issue the schedule for the fifth time thanks to my actor's hectic schedules, just me, my script, my fellow actors and a whole world of possibility inside my skull!

For now hath time made me his numbering clock.

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:26:04 +0800

Hello again theatre denziens.

I just thought I'd write a short piece while I wait for my newly learnt monologue to cement itself into my brain. The reason why I am learning this monologue? "Othello", of course. I highly recommend that if you are interested in auditioning that you book a time ASAP. Auditions will be on Saturday the 15th and Sunday 16th of August... That's this Saturday and Sunday. I know i'm biased because it is in some part my company but I can honestly say, as will anyone who was involved last year, that doing an Upstart Shakespeare on the Lake season is a really unique and fantastic experience.

It's (partly) my company and I'll plug if I want to, plug if I want to.

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:49:36 +0800

SO!

Upstart is back for another year of delightful measures! We have big plans indeed. Without giving away too many of our secrets, I can say that you might see Michael Lamont and Myself entered in this year's dramafest flying our upstart flag high!

LIFE OF GALILEO

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:53:41 +0800

Dear readers,

Yes I know its been some time between posts. I thought I should take this opportunity to point out that my new production of Bertolt Brecht's Life of Galileo opens in a couple of weeks. I have a fantastic ensemble performing one Brecht's most interesting plays and I would ask you all to come and see it. This is Brecht as I believe Brecht should be done. All the details can be found here http://www.theatre.asn.au/production/2009/the_life_of_galileo

Brecht, My Brain and the questions no one seems to be asking

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:19:20 +0900

And Barack Obama is now the leader of the free world... Kind of an ironic statement considering that I don't remember participating in a democratic election where I was FREE to choose who the leader of our FREE world would be. Then again perhaps I should remember that Freedom is to Americans as everything else is. Freedom is a commodity to be bought sold and traded. Brecht once said "In america everything is on sale! I'm sure they sell the piss in the urinals" and why should not the same principals apply to freedom.