'Childsplay' 2012

Youth theatre production of a returning show from 2011 to tour around the UK again for 2012.I was brought in as Costume Supervisor for the 2012 tour.




(photo by Colin O'Brien)

an interactive journey through outdoor games across the ages by Rachel Grunwald and Helena ThompsonDirector Rachel Grunwald, Tour Director Amy Draper, Production Manager Ali Graham, Sound Design Andrew South, Assistant Sound designer Fred Riding, Producer Ivanhoe Norona, Research and Development Helena ThompsonCast Nicholas Ako, Elijah Baker, Sydnee Howard, Greg Sheffield, Glyn Williams

On tour Aug 2-26: Thurs -Sun 6.30pm, Sat and Sun also 2pm In London Sept 6-Oct 14: Thurs – Sun 2pm, Sat and Sun also 5pmChildsplay, SPID’s outdoor promenade, examines the different ways children have played outdoors from the 1950s to today. Marbles, chants and rhymes, make-believe play, tag and ball games are played out with the audience as we ask – have children’s games and imaginations really changed?There are some exciting features about the 2011 production from H and F chronicle and London Councils. It was part of The Independent’s Critic’s Choice in their Childrens’ section and The Guardian also recommended it for viewing, as did BBC news . The show has been funded by Arts Council England to tour UK parks.Audiences will not only be watching or participating in various games but also listening to audio testimonies through headphones. The event is a living drama documentary, surrounding the audience with fictional characters whilst treating them to the recorded views of real ones. This family friendly show is low tech, resilient and suitable for anyone over 7 years old. It is designed to thrive on whatever other activities are taking place in the parks.

Sydney Gardens, Beckford Road, Bath, BA2 6NH Book from The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath on 01225 823409 Cost: £9/ £6concessions, free to residents of a local post code Show times: Aug 2 6.30pm, Aug 3 6.30pm, Aug 4 2pm, Aug 4 6.30pm, Aug 5 2pm, Aug 5 6.30pm

Highgate Park, Moseley Road, Birmingham, B12 0HG Book from Birmingham Rep on 0121 245 4455 Cost: £9/ £6 concessions, free to residents of a local post code Show times: Aug 9 6.30pm, Aug 10 6.30pm, Aug 11 2pm, Aug 11 6.30pm, Aug 12 2pm, Aug 12 6.30pm

Leazes Park, Richardson Road, Newcastle. NE1 4LR Book from Northern Stage on 0191 230 5151 Cost: Free Show times: Aug 16 6.30pm, Aug 17 6.30pm, Aug 18 2pm, Aug 18 6.30pm, Aug 19 2pm, Aug 19 6.30pm Booking opens Aug 1The Aboretum park, Waverley Street, Nottingham NG7 4HF 

Book from Lakeside Arts on 0115 846 7777 Cost: £9/ £6 concessions, free to residents of a local post code Show times: Aug 23 6.30pm, Aug 24 6.30pm, Aug 25 2pm, Aug 25 6.30pm, Aug 26 2pm Booking opens Aug 1

Normand Park, Lillie Road, North Fulham, London, W14 9PA Cost: £9/ £6 concessions, free to residents of a local post code Show times: Sept 6-Oct 14: Thurs – Sun 2pm, Sat and Sun also 5pm Booking opens Aug 1


Childsplay is supported by Arts Council England, H & F parks and culture, and RBKC youth services.

Merchant of Venice- Said Rooftop Theatre

7 July – 1 September 2012

Saïd Rooftop Amphitheatre, Oxford

Performed in an amphitheatre perched above Oxford’s dreaming spires. Under balmy skies and starry nights, Creation Theatre’s open-air productions at Saïd are an essential part of any summer’s day in Oxford.

Set against the backdrop of 1930s Italy, director Natalie Abrahami (Regent’s Park, Headlong, Young Vic) places Shakespeare’s most controversial and human comedy in the multicultural port of Venice. Amid the hustle and bustle of the docks, cultures collide, money talks and debt is cheap… until it’s time to pay. This is the original Italian debt crisis!

A down-at-heel nobleman needs cash to fulfil his romantic ambitions.
His merchant friend takes out a loan to aid him in the pursuit of love.
When the loan defaults the abused Jewish moneylender demands gruesome repayment.
Only the actions of a brave and brilliant young woman can bring the situation back from the brink.

Performed by a troupe of nine actors and musicians the production contains live music and songs.

★ ★ ★ ★ ‘A cheeky, magical and moving adaptation’ Time Out (on Natalie Abrahami’s Pericles).

“The open air theatre… rises above the rooftops and spires of Oxford, and kisses heaven itself.” – Brian Blessed (on the Saïd Rooftop Amphitheatre)

Artistic team

Director – Natalie Abrahami
Composer and Musical Director – Alex Silverman
Designer – Oliver Townsend
Lighting Designer – Ashley Bale
Movement Director – Anna Morrissey
Assistant Director – Miriam Higgins
Assistant Movement Director – Daniela Forbes
Costume Supervisor – Emma Manning
Designer’s Assistant – Grace Irvine

http://www.creationtheatre.co.uk/

The Rover at Hampton Court Palace

Director- Amy Hodge
Designer- takis
Head of Wardrobe- Natasha Mackmurdie
Wardrobe Assistants- Emma Manning and Sharna David
Official Photographer- Bill Knight

Hampton Court- 'The Rover'

Upcoming show happening at Hampton Court Palace, an amazing venue for a baroque and erotic styled show. The costumes are beautiful, coming from 1600's with a contemporary twist.


...It's sexy and brilliant. Going to be a truly great experience.


http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/WhatsOn/TheRover


Designed by Takis. Costumes supervised by the incredible Natasha Macmurdie and her assistants myself, Emma Manning, and the lovely Sharna David.

The Receptionist Trailer 2011

Take a look at 'The Receptionist'  trailer for the film soon to be released.

http://thereceptionistmovie.com/

Written, directed and produced by the fantastic Jenny Lu.

Shrek The Musical

Shrek The Musical 2012
Currently working on the guards chain-link jumpsuits. All are made to measure for each part and all chain-link fabric printed in London.

Costume Maker- Charlie Rungen
Assistant Costume Maker- Emma Manning

The Whisper- Clare Smart Photography

Project with photographer Clare Smart to recreate a past image of hers into a new concept.
Image by Clare Smart

This is the original and the starting image. The new photograph will be a spin off of this and soon to be released...

Casting and Equipment

Photographer- Clare Smart
Costume Designer and Stylist- Emma Manning

http://www.claresmartphotography.co.uk/

The Kreuzter Sonata- The Gate Theatre

Currently on at The Gate Theatre in Notting Hill.
Costume Supervisor- Nicola Fitchett
Costume Assistant- Emma Manning

Past

I think it is important to follow a personal journey, having worked my way up from being a studio intern for fashion designers, going onto theatre's, fashion films, photography and feature films.

MARY KATRANTZOU

Mary Katrantzou studio assistant and model dress for London Fashion Week 2009.

Shoe decorator also for the LFW 2009 show.

Back again as a studio assistant at Mary Katrantzou's in 2010. This was more of an experimental position looking into fabric techniques and sampling for the collection.

ADA ZANDITON 2010

Shortly after Mary I went to work with Ada Zanditon, a very different experience.

This was a much harsher working environment (despite being an ethical designer).

There wasn't, from what I saw, much at all ethical. Aside from this, she is certainly an abstract minded and incredibly talented and creative artist.

I helped out with a few pieces which went on to be sold in Belgium. This jacket being one of them.

The Receptionist

So we have just finished filming the trailer for the upcoming feature film The Receptionist. The story portrays the inner workings of an illegal massage parlour through the eyes of an innocent receptionist. Set in present day London it is an accurate account of what happens on (and off) the streets...

It was a great concept to work with and as it is an oriental film it had quite a different approach to costume design and styling. Produced and directed by film-maker Jenny Lu for Uncanny Films Ltd with myself as the costume designer, sourcer and stylist for this production.

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Receptionist-%E6%8E%A5%E7%B7%9A%E5%93%A1/289510961099563?sk=info

Yerma- The Gate Theatre

The production of Yerma has now been performed in Hull, at the Hull Truck Theatre and is now soon to start at The Gate theatre in Notting Hill.



Costume Supervisor - Lydia Hardiman
Costume Assistant - Emma Manning

This production involved more sourcing and breaking down of garments, rather than making. I was shown a lot more techniques into making the costumes look worn and very lived in, learned some great ideas and methods  from Lydia.

Kathryn Ferguson/Charlie Le Mindu collaboration

I just recently helped work on a commission piece of a short film collaboration between new MA graduate Kathryn Ferguson and fashion designer Charlie Le Mindu. I was the wardrobe and styling assistant working alongside Janine Eveson, a fantastic costume supervisor and stylist.

We used pieces from Le Mindu's previous collections, from different seasons. The video has 3 dancers as the actors all of which wore all in one body suits. This made it all very statue-esqe, totally stunning.
Stylist- Janine Eveson
Stylist Assistan- Emma Manning

The film is to be shown in the Pompidou in Paris.

Link to the film can be found here http://www.kathrynferguson.co.uk/films/hymn_/

...

This is what's next...going to be exciting!

Wittenberg

"I do hope we will be seeing Hamlet's sensational tennis outfit, complete with ruff, on the Wimbledon courts next summer."

Sarah Hemming, Financial Times 2011

Finally the professional photos are out...

In this photo I was responsible for the making of the tennis outfit, pretty happy with the outcome :)

Rest of the shots are here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gatetheatre/sets/72157627398637139/

This project was great fun, very intense and hectic but I certainly learnt a hell of a lot about theatre and how it's all done. I was a costume assistant for this production of which I worked very closely with the costume supervisor Sukie Kirk. She was fantastic and idyllic to work for and provided me with so much support and encouragement, I can't thank her enough.

Wittenberg

Go see this.

Photographs are perfect to show off 'nice' things.

Summertime

African horizon? Try High Wycombe...
Everywhere can be beautiful.