No Name Productions
The New Adventures of 'Quincy' Wuthersford
also showing Withering Tights
The Railway Hotel
25th-26th October 2016
The New Adventures of 'Quincy' Wuthersford
also showing Withering Tights
The Railway Hotel
25th-26th October 2016
Southend's newest theatre company are so newly conceived that when I meet up with founder member, Danny Pavitt, he informs me that they have yet to come up with a name! "To be honest", Danny tells me, "I didn't realise just how difficult it would be to put on a production. It's taken a lot of time to organise everything and, to be honest, a name has been right at the bottom of my list." Danny, who has worked as an oil trader for 25 years, commuting to London during the week, has found the time to write a brand new play which the company will be premiering at The Railway Hotel this October. The play has been co-written with Steve Lyons, who Danny met whilst performing with Southend Drama Society and was only finished in April this year. Their aim is to produce and showcase original short plays in the Southend area.
One of the challenges of putting on a play was finding a cast. "I know lots of actors from Southend Drama but I didn't want to take them away from performing in their latest production," Danny confides. "The New Adventures of 'Quincy' Wuthersford is also very different to Southend Drama productions and I have to say, putting on this play has certainly given me an appreciation of the people who run drama societies. They make it look so easy." Friends of friends and an advert on 'Star Now' brought local actors to audition for the play and Danny says he is really pleased with how well they have all worked together.
He adds, "The play's premise is based on the old-style fifties 'B' movies, full of British upper class types with lots of betrayal and deceit - a sort of silly kind of farce. It's very whimsical."
Steve, who is also making his directorial debut with this play, adds with a wicked grin, "It's also perfect for Halloween week because there's a lot of blood in this play and when I say a lot of blood I mean, A LOT of blood!" "Blood guts and boobies" laughs cast member, Samantha Lowe, who is looking rather sumptuous in a shiny black basque and pearls. With that in mind, there is an age restriction of 16+.
One of the challenges of putting on a play was finding a cast. "I know lots of actors from Southend Drama but I didn't want to take them away from performing in their latest production," Danny confides. "The New Adventures of 'Quincy' Wuthersford is also very different to Southend Drama productions and I have to say, putting on this play has certainly given me an appreciation of the people who run drama societies. They make it look so easy." Friends of friends and an advert on 'Star Now' brought local actors to audition for the play and Danny says he is really pleased with how well they have all worked together.
He adds, "The play's premise is based on the old-style fifties 'B' movies, full of British upper class types with lots of betrayal and deceit - a sort of silly kind of farce. It's very whimsical."
Steve, who is also making his directorial debut with this play, adds with a wicked grin, "It's also perfect for Halloween week because there's a lot of blood in this play and when I say a lot of blood I mean, A LOT of blood!" "Blood guts and boobies" laughs cast member, Samantha Lowe, who is looking rather sumptuous in a shiny black basque and pearls. With that in mind, there is an age restriction of 16+.
Back: Ross Howard, Danny Pavitt, Steve Lyons, Patrick Baxter, Nicolas Saxby
Front: Samantha Lowe, Megan Condon
Withering Tights another original script has come from Danny's wife, Paula and friend, Gemma Fiore (also members of Southend Drama Society). Given an opportunity to showcase their work is something that they are really looking forward to. Performing in their own play also makes it easier for them, during the rehearsal process, to make any amendments or changes they feel will make the play work better.
The comedy is based very loosely on Emily Bronte's novel, Wuthering Heights. Paula and Gemma tell me that they came to a decision one day that they must write a play based on Wuthering Heights, having sung the Kate Bush hit record of the same name numerous times on Karaoke nights. The comedy has lots of different quirky characters for the girls to play and influences have come from tv shows like League of Gentlemen and Nighty Night.
"We're big fans of Julia Davies" Gemma tells me, "and so anyone who appreciates her sense of humour will hopefully enjoy it. It's very dark."
The comedy is based very loosely on Emily Bronte's novel, Wuthering Heights. Paula and Gemma tell me that they came to a decision one day that they must write a play based on Wuthering Heights, having sung the Kate Bush hit record of the same name numerous times on Karaoke nights. The comedy has lots of different quirky characters for the girls to play and influences have come from tv shows like League of Gentlemen and Nighty Night.
"We're big fans of Julia Davies" Gemma tells me, "and so anyone who appreciates her sense of humour will hopefully enjoy it. It's very dark."
Gemma Fiore and Paula Pavitt doing their 'thing' in rehearsal for Withering Tights
Both plays are around 40 mins long with an interval between the two which may come as a relief to some audience members, as the company have made this event into a standing one.
"We didn't want to cram everyone in and wanted a more relaxed atmosphere. We thought we'd give it a try and see how it goes," Steve informs me. I better dig out my sensible shoes then. "Well, there will be some seating, if anyone wants to sit down." he reassures me. Phew!
Danny thinks that the performing space above The Railway Hotel is the perfect setting for the company. "It really suits the vibe we want."
Towards the end of our chat I suggest to Danny and Steve that I can't really write an article about a company which has no name.
"Oh, just call us No Name Productions then," Steve replies. "Are you sure?" I reply. "Yeah, that sounds good to me." And so No Name Productions was christened.
If you want to see No Name Productions' shows, then you only have two days to catch them. For a perfect Halloween treat, get yourselves to The Railway Hotel in Southend on the 25th or 26th October. Entry is just £6.00 and tickets can be purchased on the door.
"We didn't want to cram everyone in and wanted a more relaxed atmosphere. We thought we'd give it a try and see how it goes," Steve informs me. I better dig out my sensible shoes then. "Well, there will be some seating, if anyone wants to sit down." he reassures me. Phew!
Danny thinks that the performing space above The Railway Hotel is the perfect setting for the company. "It really suits the vibe we want."
Towards the end of our chat I suggest to Danny and Steve that I can't really write an article about a company which has no name.
"Oh, just call us No Name Productions then," Steve replies. "Are you sure?" I reply. "Yeah, that sounds good to me." And so No Name Productions was christened.
If you want to see No Name Productions' shows, then you only have two days to catch them. For a perfect Halloween treat, get yourselves to The Railway Hotel in Southend on the 25th or 26th October. Entry is just £6.00 and tickets can be purchased on the door.
For more information go to No Name Productions Facebook page