Thinking about coming to see our show at The Kings Arms? Have you seen the trailer for The Distance Between Stars. Take a look…
To see the dates and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website.
David plays Elliot in our upcoming production of The Distance Between Stars
David Bresnahan
Why did I get involved with the show? I saw the casting opportunity on Casting Call Pro and I had an idea of who the character resembled. As an actor I think it’s important to be able to watch people and pick up on little idiosyncrasies to uncover the small truths of their personalities. Doing this I was able to get a clear understanding as to who Elliot was in the early readings of the script.
What I like about it is… It relates to everyone, one way or the other. I believe that each and every audience member can relate to difficult times in life and in this case it’s caused by loss – another experience most will have felt.
My main reasoning for enjoying the script is the thrusting together of two people in the face of the difficult lessons life has given them.
In some respects both Elliot and Daisy work as councillors for each other, a mutual understanding builds a strong bond between the two through the piece. I also felt that the grief isn’t solely related to the deaths of Annabel and Calum, but the loss of a life they expected to unfold in the future.
The unfortunate events are the sole cause for Elliot and Daisy to come together and this creates an opportunity for two people to be united and therefore love is able to triumph.
Why did I want to work for Organised Chaos? I knew a couple of other actors who said they’d worked for Organised Chaos and had nothing but good things to say. I also knew Gayle from a production of The Breakfast Club back in 2008 so being able to work with her again was a nice little bonus.
What has the process been like so far? It’s been strange if I’m honest. I’ve found over my time working on the fringe that each and every production is different for it’s own reasons – be it through genre, who you’re acting opposite, who has written the script or who you’re being directed by. Tony (our director) has been very open about his methods and is very keen on creating three unique shows. The idea of us going on stage and simply playing is something that really interests him. For me I almost feel a little bit naughty going on stage and doing almost anything I like. But at the same time there is an unbelievable amount of liberation to our rehearsals. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever worked with a director who’s been keen on giving us that much time and space to play in. Overall it’s been a great experience that I hope results in a fantastic production!
To see more information on the show and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website – http://www.organisedchaosproductions.co.uk
Dave plays Mr Birzoni in our upcoming production of The Distance Between Stars
David Bresnahan & Dave Jordan
My first encounter with Organised Chaos was chaotic to say the least. A few hours spent with a writer to be performed 24 hours later at the 3 Minute Theatre, what a great experience!
I was over the moon to be cast as Mr Birzoni in Organized Chaos’ latest production The Distance Between Stars. With a great cast,creative team and writer.
Looking forward to final rehearsals this week, everything is coming together for the Kings Arms.
To see more information on the show and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website – http://www.organisedchaosproductions.co.uk
Mary plays Helen/Annabel in our upcoming production of The Distance Between Stars
Mary Hooton
When I got the call from Organised Chaos to step into the breach and play the role of Helen/Annabel in Steve Timms ‘The Distance Between Stars’, I readily agreed as I had been lucky enough to help with the read through of the script at an earlier stage. I have worked for Organised Chaos on two previous occasions, ‘Chaotic Combinations – Duologue’, with the winning entry ‘Hilltop’ written by Organised Chaos alumni Michael Rumney, and most recently in the ‘Perspectives’ series with ‘Century’s Sisters’.
The company has a long history of mentoring and encouraging new work, from writers, directors and actors, with shows covering a variety of themes, and ‘The Distance between Stars’ is no different. Steve’s script gives so much for an actor to work with, creating a past family history, which affects the present, and also looks to the future. My own performance history covers everything from musicals to mask work on a canal, so I was pleased to work on a naturalistic piece for a change!
Without giving too many spoilers, I feel the subject covered in the show, was something both I could connect with personally and will also prick the conscious of the audience. I have found some great starting points to create a fully rounded character in the script. The language was also very life-like, I almost knew how the conversation would flow between Elliot and Helen before even reading it. ‘The Distance Between Stars’, ends with a positive tone, but without making the characters perfect, just human, and I hope we do it the justice it deserves.
To see more information on the show and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website – http://www.organisedchaosproductions.co.uk
Thinking about coming to see our show at The Kings Arms? Have you seen the featurette for The Distance Between Stars. Take a look…
To see the dates and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website.
Demi plays Daisy in our upcoming production of The Distance Between Stars
Demi Jo Franks
“I am an actress who lives for the transformation; someone who really enjoys going from playing a sophisticated American Lawyer one minute, to playing a Columbian Cleaner in a detention centre the next. Variety and diversity is what excites me the most.
I have never come across a play like Steve’s, let alone a character like Daisy. The everyday feel of the text juxtaposed next to the unusual, unconventional and ‘alien’ (pun intended) plot/setting is something that Steve has coincided so well.
As an actor one of the biggest challenges is to be ‘ in the moment’ – which means not getting caught up in the concept of the piece and just simply being/reacting to what is happening at the present. There is a very real, normal, conversational feel during most of the scenes even though the subject and overall topic is something quite obscure and to explore and play this ‘realness’ has been a breath of fresh air.
Each character has their own personal struggle and it really has been enjoyable to play around with this in rehearsals and see when and how my character feels about different things at different times. This changes every time we rehearse as it would in real life.
Something that I have taken and learnt from this play is that feelings, whether good or bad, just… Are!
One should never try to justify or
judge themselves or others because they ‘should be’ feeling a certain way. There is no ‘should be’. People react differently to different things and it’s not society’s job to cast judgement.
It has been an absolutely pleasure working with and getting to know all the cast and creatives who are all slaving away tirelessly to bring Steve’s vision to life!
WATCH THIS SPACE.”
To see more information on the show and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website – http://www.organisedchaosproductions.co.uk
Mary Hooton, David Bresnahan, Demi Jo Frank, Antony Bowers-Smith
Demi Jo Franks, David Bresnahan
David Bresnahan & Dave Jordan
To see more information on the show including more rehearsal photos and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website – http://www.organisedchaosproductions.co.uk
Ian is the dramaturg for our upcoming production of The Distance Between Stars
I’ve known Steve’s writing for a long time, so was delighted to be able to work with him on his latest piece, especially one so interesting, dark, intriguing and poignant.
It was great to see Steve respond to my thoughts and questions about the initial draft, and the way he took my comments on board. While never suggesting what he SHOULD do with his own play, I did try to make him think about the way certain characters behaved, and worked with him a little on the structure and meaning throughout.
In later drafts, it was a case of tidying up some of the relationships, and thinking more about the central story. Again, Steve responded brilliantly to this, and was very open to discussions and looking how the play could best be developed.
It’s really important to build up trust with a writer, which may mean facing some harsh decisions about lines, plot points and, especially in some cases, characters, but I think it’s great to be challenged in this way and to be open to outside thoughts, to get the very best play you can.
I am looking forward to seeing how it all comes to life in performance
To see more information on the show and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website – http://www.organisedchaosproductions.co.uk
The Distance Between Stars will open at The Kings Arms on 19-22 November before embarking on a tour in the spring. Here are our five reasons to see:
The Distance Between Stars. Image by Chris Oldland
1- Pick of the best
Last year we ran a script call for scripts never seen before on stage and from the many scripts we received The Distance Between Stars was chosen:
Elliot is on the mend from a nervous collapse. Big sister Helen worries about him; she wants Elliot to stop eating junk food, and start participating in the world. Daisy and Elliot were patients in the same hospital. Daisy wants to let go of her troubled past. Lonely neighbour Mr Birzoni wants a love affair. All are looking for something to believe in. Just when life starts looking up, Elliot’s obsessions steer him in an unexpected and dangerous direction.
2- New and Emerging Talent
Organised Chaos is all about showcasing some of the amazing new and emerging talent in the Northwest – this show does exactly that with some great characters to be portrayed. The cast includes David Bresnahan “Elliot”, Demi Jo Franks “Daisy”, Dave Jordan “Mr Birzoni” and Mary Hooton “Helen/Annabel/Alien”. Behind the scenes we have the writer Steve Timms, the director Antony Bowers-Smith, stage manager Chris Hall and designer Hannah Rowe with the award winning Ian Townsend supporting with dramaturgy of the script.
3- Organised Chaos
Following a number of top reviews and sell out shows this production will be Organised Chaos’ fourteenth since we started in 2009 – during this time we have showcased a lot of new talent to Northwest audiences – actors, writers, directors, designers to name a few of the roles involved in making a show a reality. In 2012 our production of AfterWords won Best New Writing at The Buxton Fringe Festival.
4- Well known writer
The writer, Steve Timms, has written a number of plays performed in Manchester: Everyone’s Paranoid (Contact rehearsed reading), Detox Mansion (24-7 Festival), Lovesick (24-7 Festival), and Temp/Casual (24-7 Festival, and Contact Theatre)
5- Dark comedy
The Distance Between Stars is a new play about grief, extra-terrestrials and ginger custard.
To see more information on the show and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website – http://www.organisedchaosproductions.co.uk
Antony is the director of our upcoming production The Distance Between Stars
First rehearsal with David Bresnahan (Elliot) and Demi Jo Franks (Daisy)
The rehearsals for The Distance Between Stars has been interesting so far.
Sadly I have been away working for a week and a half since the auditions which hasn’t helped with continuity. Then we had to find a replacement actor which was traumatic for a day or so.
Luckily Mary Hooton has agreed to play Helen/Annabel/Alien and her first rehearsal was on Monday last. A very good rehearsal for someone coming in later than the rest but Mary took it in her stride and I am very pleased that she is now on board.
Our previous rehearsals have been going well but I am now looking forward to working regularly and consistently with the full cast. David Bresnahan, Dave Jordan and Demi Jo Franks are all working well and progressing with Steve Timms’ words and characters.
The groundwork has been done on the majority of scenes and then we can start to work more closely on the detail that this story demands.
There has been great support from the production side of Organised Chaos Especially from Chris Hall the Stage Manager and Hannah Rowe our Designer lots of great ideas and organisation.
Antony has also made the radio transmitter to be used in the show:
Radio transmitter
To see more information on the show and book tickets for The Distance Between Stars, visit our website – http://www.organisedchaosproductions.co.uk
Organised Chaos Productions 