Emotion

Having visited the soup kitchen a few times it’s always touched me at how busy it is, tonight was no exception. 

Having spoke to a few of the men and ladies who use the generosity provided I haven’t really ‘connected’ emotionally with any, although it makes you wonder how they cope. 

Tonight I was approached by a guy, who called me by name… It was someone I went to school with. 

Having sat and talked with him. Little, hearing the hand that life has dealt him, I felt such a rush of emotion that I never expected. 

To think how lucky the majority of us are to have loved ones around us, a job, a roof over our heads, no fear of where the next meals coming from. 

I hope my friend stays safe and warm, with these awful nights closing in… 

Many thanks..

Everyone who supported along the journey to Camden and Faversham – thank you very much. 

My family for being there… I just want to make you all proud. 

Elizabeth Cachia, who was absolutely superb in the role of #Alana wonderful to act opposite, someone who not only gives their all but helps to test yourself on the stage – you’re the best, thank you for all your time, effort and inspiration. 
Al Carretta, stepping into the fray when you did, giving the fantastic direction, creativity and feedback, it wouldn’t have been a fraction of the show it was without you. It’s great when someone knows what you’re capable of, they give you the boost when you need it and they believe in it all. 
Everyone involved at the Camden Fringe and Etcetera Theatre. Such a pleasure to be part of something so vibrant, and so pleased to be able to bring a follow up show which lived up to, if not bettered last year. 
The reviewers who gave their time and honest opinions, thank you so much. We appreciate the plaudits but we learn from the constructive comments. 

Ribs and Jude at the HopFestFringe, again great people who put so much effort into their festival, thank you for the change of plan, look forward to returning to you. 
The team at the Arden Theatre, Faversham. What a great little venue. Lovely people who like the inclusiveness that the HopFestFringe brings to them. 

Liz and Darren, and indeed all the team at OBFHTH – who helped so much during the development process.. Sometimes just by listening to me waffle on and hearing how things I was writing were actually happening (as horrible as some of these events were) I’m so grateful to have got to know you all and seen first hand the fantastic work you do. 
Until next time…. Whenever or wherever that may be.. 
#KeepEmPeeled

Reviews

When you take a show anywhere of note the ultimate aims (for me) are the following. 

A) 

getting bums on seats. Nothing has to be a sell out. Nothing can be a sell out, really, if we’re being completely honest. But to me it’s not primarily about the money, it’s about people seeing what you’re bringing to life. To get the interaction of a laugh, a gasp, a moment in time where they are completely with you and belief is absolutely suspended… Having them climb aboard for the ride. Hearing them talk about it afterwards… In the hope that they’ve taken something from the performance where they might be thinking. 

B) 

reviews. We all want our show to be seen by an educated eye. Someone who will come in with an objective view in the hope they will see positives but also the negatives, but put them across on such a constructive way that it can but only help any future developments not only with the current production, but any work that shall follow. 

C)

reputations. The aim is to create the opportunity of having your work out there, people becoming aware of it. The success of a show doesn’t lie in the financial outcome, the proof of it is in the pudding. So when you go somewhere with a reputation for producing consistently great, new, innovative theatre, you want to be able to come away from it saying you played a part in not only keeping the reputation alive, but perhaps even help it grow. 

Of course the reputation you want to build as an individual is a fantastic motivator. There’ll always be detractors – someone who doesn’t believe or support you. Surround yourself with those that do, those with a common aim, and with the determination it will thrive. 

Having been to 2 consecutive Camden Fringes, receiving opening night 5 star reviews for both shows, and another 2 brilliant reviews during the run, you’re on the way to cementing something. You’re getting the chance to be welcomed back in the future with any potential work you may have. 

CAPTIVE HEARTS – 2016

5 shows. 3 reviews. Opening night ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. One of the men it was about, JOHN McCARTHY in attendance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 review. 

HOMELESS COMFORTS – 2017

3 shows. 3 reviews. Opening night ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. Members of the charity you’ve been involved with coming along to watch, ONE BIG FAMILY – helping the homeless.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ review. 

When they mention your research, that the play is ‘grounded in reality’ ‘performances of @PaulBridger73 and @ElizabethCachia are excellent, intelligent, provocative and inspiring’ ‘sympathetic direction, dynamically crafted by @alcarretta ‘ you know you’re heading the right direction. 

HOMELESS COMFORTS – Reviews here: 

https://www.londontheatre1.com/news/179553/review-homeless-comforts-three-way-productions/#comments

https://theopendoorsite.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/homeless-comforts-three-way-productions-camden-fringe-★★★★☆/

http://viewsfromthegods.co.uk/homeless-comforts.shtml

CAPTIVE HEARTS – Reviews here:

https://www.londontheatre1.com/news/144487/captive-hearts-etcetera-theatre/

http://viewsfromthegods.co.uk/captive-hearts.shtml

http://pubtheatres1.tumblr.com/post/149364453752/captive-hearts-by-paul-bridger-etcetera-theatre

Here’s to Camden Fringe 2018! 

3 hours to go

And that’s it for another years performance at the brilliant Camden Fringe. 

8.30pm tonight at the Etcetera Theatre, Martin and Alana’s stories come alive for the final time. 

Having received positive feedback from audiences and critics alike, it’s been a fantastic experience and can’t wait to show it to some more people tonight, and hopefully indeed in the future. 

A massive thank you must go to our Director, Al Carretta, who pulled this all together and helped create what it’s become today – ‘a compelling watch.’

And to Elizabeth Cachia, playing the role of Alana with such empathy, humanity and style, we’re forever grateful. 

Here’s to the final moments. 

http://www.etceteratheatre.com/details.php?show_id=2549

Find some Shelter from the Camden rain, step inside the Etcetera (above the Oxford arms) and watch this tale of humanity unfold in front of you. 

Tickets available on the door, cash payments only. 

Two down…

…one to go!

Wednesday 9th August – Homeless Comforts closes at the Etcetera Theatre, 8.30pm. 

From the euphoria of receiving an opening night ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review 

https://www.londontheatre1.com/news/179553/review-homeless-comforts-three-way-productions/

To awaiting another review from Monday going online, we had a third reviewer in Tuesday. 

The excitement and anticipation of waiting to see what they made of it is up there with receiving feedback from the audiences. 

We do what we do, to entertain, to provoke thought. Make people leave after the experience, hopefully taking a little with them to think about, talk about and maybe look at how they react to things we see in everyday life, in this case the issue of homelessness. 

But we also want reviews. The chance to see what a critique likes, or what works, as much as what could make it better. 

When you receive such a well crafted review it only reinforces why we, and I in particular do this. 

It’s for the love of producing something different, unique, and to have that sense of pride in sharing it with everyone who was on the journey, who supported it and being thankful for having a creative spark. 

Here’s to closing night. 

8.30pm Wednesday 9th August, Etcetera Theatre (above the Oxford arms) Camden high street. 

Tickets available on the door or online: http://www.etceteratheatre.com/details.php?show_id=2549

Opening night review

Speaks for itself. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://www.londontheatre1.com/news/179553/review-homeless-comforts-three-way-productions/

Tuesday 8th August, Wednesday 9th August 8.30pm. Etcetera Theatre. Camden Fringe  

Cometh the hour..

It was back in January, the 1st be precise when the application to be part of this years Camden Fringe was submitted. 

Those nervous moments wondering what the venue applied to would think of your work before heading back from them. 

I was lucky my one and only choice was to return to the wonderfully atmospheric, intimate surrounding of the Etcetera Theatre, following our successful debut there last year with Captive Hearts. 

So by 20th January when I received the email offering a slot I was understandably happy. 

Within a few days of negotiating dates and times, it was confirmed – Monday August 7th – Wednesday August 9th at 8.30pm, Homeless Comforts would enter the theatrical world. 

That day is upon us… And cometh the hour 

http://www.camdenfringe.com/show.php?acts_id=924

6 days….

….and counting, until Homeless Comforts hits the stage. 

Gearing up for the last few days of rehearsals, the excitement, the nervousness… The nervous excitement. It all begins to kick in from this moment. 

The pride in having a new play, something to challenge an audience, to leave them thinking while watching and after on their way home has and always will be the force which drives me. 

The added bonus of such an intimate setting as the #EtceteraTheatre only works as an added bonus.

Anyone watching will almost feel like they are catch up on the action, going through Martin and Alana’s lives as they play out before them. 

Opening night, Monday 7th August, 8.30pm at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden – see ya there!! 

YouTube trailer

If you haven’t already catch the trailer for the upcoming play @Homelesscomfor1 

August 7th – 9th, 8.30pm

Etcetera Theatre, Camden 

If it doesn’t rain…..

We’ve basked in the beautiful sunshine a while now – that all changed from yesterday. 

Hearing the rain batter down on my conservatory roof all last night and this morning, you can’t help but think how cold, wet and broken the homeless must be feeling. 

Sleeping bags that will be useless now, due to the conditions. 

Some are lucky enough (if there is such a phrase to use) to have the shelter of a small tent. 

While we go about our daily lives, spare a thought for this part of our society that we deem as equivalent as a drowned rat. 

Nobody should be living on our streets, not in this day and age, in this country, or even this world of ours. 

Homelessness isn’t invisible.