noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:14:00 +0000

NEWS

24th July 2017 - Snowflakes

I have just shot comedy pilot Snowflakes and it was an utter joy from start to finish. Such a talented cast and crew and I can't wait to see it in the Autumn.

5th June 2017 - Major Barbara

Rehearsal are under way for the Undershaft Clan! I am playing Major Barbara and am thoroughly looking forward to being back at Shaw's corner (after a break of 7 years!)

The show will run at Shaw's Corner, Ayot St Lawrence, Herts 23rd-25th June at 6:30pm. Tickets are available from the National Trust website or click here

17th May 2017 - The Internet Was Made for Adults

Last year three of my good friends from Nottingham University (and more specifically New Theatre) Emily Francis, Georgina Strawson and Fiona Hamilton and I, decided to create a piece of work. A play if you will.

Since October 2016 we have been busily meeting once and week, researching, sharing, discussing, debating and writing. We have recently joined forces with Director Anna Girvan, Assistant Director Amelia Brown as well as musical director Daisy Boulton and now we have a PLAY!

The working title of Hitting The Wall has now become our company name with The Internet Was Made For Adults as our debut play.

We are now keen to stage a rehearsed reading and details of that will hopefully soon be available.

May 2017 - Ark Management

I'm so delighted to announce I will be joining Ark Management and represented by Sheri Copeland.

30th April 2017 - P&P

And so concludes another absolutely brilliant tour with the Pantaloons! 3 months, 40 shows and immeasurable number of laughs. I have had the inestimable honour of performing alongside the utterly delectable Alex Rivers, the thoroughly ravishing Emily Beach, the ever suave Edward Ferrow and the constantly debonair Tim Phelps. You have all displayed much 'spirit and flow' over the last 3 months and I've loved every minute. Also a huge thank you to the excruciatingly talented Mark Hayward for directing, producing and conducting this rowdy bunch of loons.

Massive thanks to everyone who came to see the show!

March 2017 - Pride and Prejudice Tour

We had a brilliant opening night at The Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury. The Jane Austen Society (Kent branch) were in attendance and gave us a glowing review. Blackfriars Art Centre in Boston, was almost sold out and we rounded off our opening week with two sold out shows in Dilham. Thank you to all our audiences who have been so far. The link for tickets is just below.

Feb 2017 - Rehearsals

We had a fast and furious rehearsal process (12 days) and it was a true delight working with Loons I have known for years but never worked with before! We can't wait to get on the road and unleash the Bennet girls on the British Public.

From left to right

Maryann, Ed Ferrow, Alex Rivers, Emily Beach and Tim Phelps

Jan 2017 - Pride and Prejudice

It is a truth universally acknowledged I have always wanted to be in a stage adaptation of this novel and it is with so much excitement I can announce I will be touring it with The Pantaloons this Spring. I. CANNOT. WAIT.

For tickets and information click here.

Dec 2016 - Pixie about Town

It just wouldn't be Christmas without a Pixie acting as conductor aboard a 1960's Routemaster now would it? Thanks to Spectrum Drama, TFL and Stagecoach.

Nov 2016 - Understudy

When the ever brilliant Kelly Griffiths got struck down with a nasty bug, I was only too happy to go on for her as the Nurse (among other characters) in The Pantaloons most recent production Romeo and Juliet touring until, well, the end of the week. Thank you so much to the amazing cast who supported and guided me throughout and a huge thank you to the wonderful audience at The Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield who were so generous and stuck with us! I'm pleased to say Kelly was back again for their last two performances.

Clockwise;

Alex Rivers, Ed Sheridan, Tim Phelps and Me

Halloween 2016 - The Experiment

I've spent an incredibly spooky week in stunning North Wales performing The Experiment for The Pantaloons at Penrhyn Castle, looked after by The National Trust. To make matters creepier the other members of the cast all felt 'a presence' at some point during the week and I jumped out of my skin on several occasions, despite it being nothing but a shadow or a door creaking. I wasn't brave enough to read about the Penrhyn ghosts, but I know a few of the other actors had a peak. There's a blog run by one of the volunteers and can be viewed here. Hats off to the team of stewards who live in the castle all year round.

Penrhyn Castle.

We had hundreds of wonderful visitors join us on our Twilight Tour as part of the Halloween Half Term events at the castle. Massive thanks go to our staff and volunteers, especially the zombie volunteers and plants on the tour we couldn't have managed without you!

Me, Neil Jennings and Jennifer Healy

I thoroughly recommend visiting. The house and grounds alone are wonderful, but if Halloween was anything to go, by Penrhyn Castle knows how to put on great activities and events for all ages. For more information click here.

Happy Halloween and goodbye from Dr and Mrs Mortise and Mrs Mason the housekeeper.

Oct 2016 - New Writing Project

I'm thrilled to be working on a new project with my incredibly talented friends Emily Francis, Georgina Strawson and Fiona Hamilton. We all met at New Theatre while studying at Nottingham University. Our newly created theatre collective will meet once and week and we hope to be able to share our work by next summer. I can't wait to see what we create as this project unfolds.

Sept 2016 - Exciting News

Spectrum Drama has a new character and workshop they are creating for the Charterhouse and I will be the lucky actor helping to bring that character to life...

Aug 2016 - Gulliver's Curtain Call

It's been an amazing tour and we've enjoyed our Pantaloon bubble immensely (even though it's been a funny old summer in the wider world) and if ever a gal needed a play satirising British politics and culture to get her through the socioeconomic and political climate it was this summer! Thanks to all of our brilliant audiences, lovely venues, Ross our director, Mark who adapted the novel as well as directed and produced (and generally did everything) Caitlin, company producer and Steve artistic director AND the bloody marvelous loons who toured with me, Hannah, Chris and Ed aka The
Plimsoll.

(From left to right)

Maryann, Ed Sheridan, Hannah Wright and Chris Smart

May 2016 - Gulliver's Travels

I will be on the open road again this summer with The Pantaloons, touring the highways and byways of the UK with Jonathon Swift's political satire Gulliver's Travels. I'm over the moon and can't wait for our opening night in Nailsworth at the end of his month.

For a tickets, information and a venue near you visit The Pantaloons website.

March 2016 - Sketch Shoot

Had a marvelous time today shooting a sketch that Emily Francis and myself wrote a little while ago. The wonderful Jonathan Davenport shot it for us, a big thank you to him! He is the talented chap who edited my showreel. For more information go to his Facebook page.

Maryann and Emily

Maryann

Feb 2016 - Discover with Darwin

I've been lucky enough to spend this week at Down House in Kent, the home of Charles Darwin, looked after by the English Heritage. I have been playing his wife (and first cousin) Emma.

Down House

Education Room

We've had beautiful weather all week and so many wonderful families have taken part in our workshops. Thank you to everyone at Down house for having me, I hope to work with you again!

If you would like to discover Darwin at Down House in the future all the details are here.

December 2015 - Showreel

I have a lovely shiny new showreel. A massive thank you to Jonathon Davenport of JD Showreels fame for making it for me!

Click Here to view my Showreel

November 2015 - Spectrum Drama

I'm so excited to be working for Spectrum Drama, one of the leading companies in historic and contemporary drama in museums, historic houses, corporate events, schools and of course theatres.

Click here for more details of their fabulous work.

November 2015 - Macbeth at Drayton Arms

The fabulously funny and tantalizing true-to-text Pantaloons are back in London town for two nights only. Catch the wonderful touring troupe at The Drayton Arms, South Ken for a dark Film Noir take on the tale. I can't wait.

September 2015 - Shakespearience! is back...

Back Again. Tell a friend! Or thousands. No do.

We will be doing a one off performance at the Redbridge Drama Centre, South Woodford on Saturday 26th September at 3pm.

For tickets and more information visit RDC website or the Playground Theatre Company's website

August 2015 - Much Ado about Endings

I can't believe that our tour has already come to an end. Thank you to all of our wonderful venues, enthusiastic audiences, the Pantaloon big wigs, Mark, Steve and Caitlin, our brilliant director Ross and my absolutely delightful fellow cast members, Hannah, Neil and Chris!

Once a Pantaloon, always a Pantaloon!

July 2015 - Quirkology Series 2

Well they have worked their magic and the little busy elves also known as Daniel Quirke, Johna Davenport and Carl Yates have written, shot and edited this fine series. They have again been nominated for the Raindance festival in the web series category and I just want to share it with everyone!

To watch the series click here

July 5th 2015 - Much Ado at The Drayton Arms

We have had a last minute additon to our whistle stop tour of UK. We will be performing at the Drayton Arms. For tickets and more information visit Pantaloons website.

May 2015 - Pantaloons

It is with great pride and excitement I can announce I will be joining the fabulous Pantaloons on their summer tour of Much Ado About Nothing. I will be playing Hero, Borachio, Verges and Balthasar in this 4 hand production of the much loved comedy.

Click here to visit the Pantaloons website.

I'm a 'Pantaloon' yipee!

May 2015 - Sylock's Revenge and Iago The Villain of Venice

I can't wait to start rehearsals for this exciting project; MFP will be staging a script in hand double bill of David Henry Wilson's plays at the Attic Theatre Stratford Upon Avon from the 6th-14th June 2015.

They are responses to The Merchant of Venice and Othello respectively and pick up the story where the Bard finishes. We will have a very short rehearsal process but I know our fabulous cast, Director Jonas Cemm and Producer Michael Friend will do a sterling job bringing David's vision to life.

27 November 2014 - New Diorama

We are having a rather lovely week in rehearsals as we found out today we have just won the Ideas Tap emerging companies award. We ran around the room for a good 5 minutes before getting back to the matter in hand - Montague/Capulet food fight!

As such we will also be performing the show at the New Diorama on Thursday 18th Dec at 7:30pm.

I will find out about tickets forthwith.

November 2014 - Shakespearience! Tickets on Sale

We will be performing on Wednesday 17th Dec at 7pm at the Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, London.

For anyone who isn't familiar with the show we will be performing 3 Shakespeare plays in an hour in a fast paced, fun packed, family show. The mischievous and irreverent intro to Shakespeare was devised to celebrate the 450th Birthday of the Bard and we would love as many people as possible to support us so please so spread the word and come along!

click here for tickets and more information

October 2014 - Shakespearience!

I am over the moon to announce that Billy's Birthday Bash will, after a small face lift and name tweak, be coming to the West End as Shakespearience! for one night only. More to follow.

September 2014 - Quirkology

I have had such a wonderful time shooting the 2nd season of this fabulous wed series. To watch series 1 and see a teaser for series 2 click here

There are too many hilarious moments to share, and I don't want to give away an spoilers, but here is Paddy probably my favourite member of the Quirkology family!

Paddy at our first read through manning the phones

BriteLite Crew taking a break on set

Caught taking a small nap on set!

August 2014 - Edinburgh

It can't quite believe that Edinburgh is over! It was such a fabulous month and we had so many amazing reviews and support from all our audiences! Thank you to Assembly George Square Gardens and the Bosco tent for looking after us so well!

One of Shakespeare's men backstage

Such pride in our poster - took my 2 weeks to find it!

The twinnys

Our beautiful window seat

July 2014 - Latitude

The Playground's campsite

After Told by an Idiot cream pied us!

All the Playground comapny and co. enjoying the sunshine

June 2014 - Glastonbury

We had such an amazing time at Glastonbury - it was a truly inspiring experience and massive thanks to everyone in the Kids Field especially John who let us share the magical atmosphere of the Story Telling Tent every day!

Me, Emily May Smith and James Rastall enjoying Pyramid Stage after our last show.

Emily Francis, Philip Sarson, James Rastall and Emily May Smith in the Kids Field

The artwork our wonderful audience made with us during our last show in the Story Telling Tent.

June 2014 - Billy's Birthday Bash: Let's Party Like it's 1564

Tis with masses of pleasure I announce I will be performing in The Playground's new production Billy's Birthday Bash: Let's Party Like it's 1564 this summer at Glastonbury, Latitude and Edinburgh Festivals as well as two nights at Earl Haig Hall in Crouch End. Dates and details to follow. Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

6th May 2014 - New Headshots

Here they are...

Photos by Adam Trigg

A massive thank you to Adam Trigg for these fabulous shots. He was so quick, professional and knowledgeable. My photos were online in my own gallery in just two days, with a really easy 'favourite' button I could chose my selected shots ready for Adam to edit them which he did incredibly quickly.

19th April 2014 - New Headshots Session

photo by Adam Trigg

Had a brilliant shoot today with the incredibly talented photographer Adam Trigg. It was a doubles shoot - if you will - Hannah Crighton who has graced the same stage with me at Pendley provided lots of support and hilarity. I would definitely recommend sharing a session for the camaraderie as well as the discount!! We met Adam two years ago when he took production shots (which can be viewed in my gallery!) at the Pendley Shakespeare Festival and we immediately became fans of his work!

photo by Adam Trigg

We shot around Russel Square and UCL on a beautiful sunny but chilly morning. Adam was so relaxed and friendly - he made us feel so comfortable and after chatting about what we wanted to capture with the new photos we cracked straight on with several diverse locations.

photo by Adam Trigg

Can't wait to get the final images!

To check out more of Adam's work (he also does wedding and lifestyle photography as well as Theatre) visit his website and you can also see some of our shots on his blog

Feb 2014 - Billy's Birthday Bash R&D

Well I had a blast playing party games all in the name of Research and Development for the Playground's new show and made my very first balloon animal - I think its a squirrel?

Emily however did make the better baloon poodle and I must bow to her superior skills!

Can't wait to find more out about the show - it's going to be jolly brilliant!

31st Jan 2014 - 'Perfecting the Wave'

I had such an wonderful day thanks to the lovely love Lainey Shaw who suggested I offer my services and low and behold I have been a hair model (can tick that off the bucket list!) for no less than two fabulous period hairstyles!

Creative Media Skills run master classes for profeshionals in the Theatre, Film and TV industries! The week long course 'Perfecting the Wave' was led by the amazing Julio Parodi who has many jaw dropping credits and it was an absolute dream to be a hair model for these incredibly talented ladies on their last day!

First Pascale did a fabulous late 1930's early 1940's up-do with period appropriate volume and a wonderful roll (the likes of which I can only imagine being able to create) and made me feel every inch the Hollywood screen siren!

photo by Mark Fennell

Then after lunch Denise took me back to the 1920's (or maybe early 30's? I had inhaled a lot of hair spray at this point) with waves throughout. I think it's technically a Marcel wave (or Marcelling) as it was done painstakingly with a single curling iron, but I'm still a novice in these matters! Someone has already suggested I always wear my hair this way but seeing as it took a highly skilled hairdresser about 3 hours I think that is rather unlikely!

photo by Mark Fennell

Massive thanks have to go to Mark Fennell, fabulous photographer, who was there to capture all of these stunning hair styles and immortalise them for us in the style of vintage old school headshots!

All the shots are brilliant and feel so authentic but I think my favourite is of Denise just doing some finishing touches on my hair

photo by Mark Fennell

Well that concludes my jaunt into the glamorous world of hair and makeup for film!

Jan 2014

I can't quite believe it's a new year (and I still haven't got used to writing 2014 when dating things) but what better way to kick off than with a day of R&D with the Playground! I can't wait!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...

To everyone and in the words of Tiny Tim... well you know! See you in 2014.

20th Dec 2013 - Massive Thank You

Well that concludes the first full scale schools tour of The Playground! I have had such an amazing time performing and touring. The show was been so well received by the pupils and staff that we can't wait to start work on another project!

We finished the tour today at Karmarama in Farringdon and massive thanks is also due to them for such a warm welcome and the best rehearsal space imaginable! Particular thanks to Harriet Knight - such a pleasure working with you as always!

18th Dec 2013 - Break A Leg!

I was lucky enough to see the fabulous Emily Francis tonight when she went on as Mollie in the Mousetrap! Such a thrill to see one of my best friends and most talented actors I know on the West End stage. Congratulations on a glorious performance!

Dec 2013 - Meet Me In St Louis at the Landor

The wonderful Terri O'Ryan will be performing in the stage adaptation of the fabulous film. It's truly one of my all time favourites and can't wait to see her in it. Break a leg Terri!

29th November 2013 - Festive Baking

Today I am entertaining the cast and company with a festive bake! Sugar after a show is always necessary...

"I'll get about four outta that!"

25th November 2013 - The Tour Begins

Well we are all ready to hit the road in super quick time - first performance is tomorrow and we can't wait!

Here are the dynamic duo of writer and director. Sadly Emily our producer wasn't in the rehearsal space today for a photo opp!

Jim Rastall and Philip Sarson

22nd November 2013 - A Christmas Carol

Rehearsals are underway and I'm having a ball already. True, we have played more four square than is probably healthy but by Jove the creative juices are flowing!

#foursquare

October 2013

I am thrilled to announce I will be performing again in A Christmas Carol, touring schools in London throughout November and December with the newly formed company, The Playground. I will be reunited with Jack Wharrier and working for the first time with Kristian Phillips. Georgina Strawson (currently performing in The Middlemarch trilogy at The Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond) will be severely missed but we will try and carry on!

If you would like to see a taster of the show from last year, have a peak here

Click here if you would like to see some more info about the show including some reviews.

And anyone is interested in booking the show please contact achristmascarol@troupers.org.uk

August 2013 - Pendley Final Week

As we are now in the last few days of the festival (wipes tear from eye) we embark on the traditional country walk and pub lunch!

Cast and Crew PSF 2013

August 2013 - Love's Labours Lost

If there was going to be a feature in Vanity Fair about the production I'm positive this would be the double page spread!

Love's Labour's Lost Cast Pendley 2013

On closer inspection we can see that tragically the feather on Rachel's marvellous hat has almost completely obscured Chania from view...

#feathergate

Here is the phenomenal vintage car that brought the Princess of France (Sarah Whitehouse) and her ladies in waiting Rachel Lea-Gray, Hannah Crighton and myself to the Kingdom of Navare.

The Ladies of France, LLL

And here is our homage to Titanic! When there is a Staircase that fine in Pendley Manor Hotel full use must be made of it!

The Lovers, LLL, Pendley 2013

Me, Hannah and Louise

August 2013 - As You Like It

Our wonderful leads, Rosalind, Orlando and Celia back stage on opening night!

Louise Torres-Ryan, Chris Magee, Hannah Crighton

The Dream Team; Hannah, Jack McMahon and myself.

also known as O'Crihon.

July 2013 - And they're off...

It is such a joy to be back at the Pendley Shakespeare Festival reunited with so many friendly faces and meeting wonderful new members of the company!

We kicked off with a read through of As You Like It in the Rose Garden as per tradition...

but as this year it is an ensemble company performing in both shows, after a musical rehearsal with the superbly talented Tom Recknell, we got straight on with a read through of Love's Labour's Lost in the evening!

With both plays being rehearsed simultaneously we'll all be kept on our toes but it has been really exciting getting LLL on it's feet nice and soon (stripes obligatory!)

Peter Broad directing on the glade stage

July 2013 - Pendley 2013

The day is drawing near!! Very soon I will be returning to Pendley for this years festival! Scripts have arrived in the post and I am furiously reading away! Greedily researching hairstyles and makeup and getting into the period!! Just can't wait to get started! Fingers crossed this good weather continues!

July 15th 2013 - Congratulations!

A huge congratulations to my very talented, wonderful and gorgeous friend Emily Francis who has taken a wonderful leap into acting! She opens on the West End this evening as first cover Mollie and Miss Casewell in Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap! (Dream job for us both being HUGE Christie fans!) Break a leg - I can't wait to see you in the show!

21st June 2013 - Shaw's Corner

We had lovely weather after some rain for the rehearsed reading! I even managed to get a note out of the saxophone! Well done to all of the team at Shaw's Corner who put on a marvellous event and break legs to the cast of Geneva opening this evening!

June 2013 - Buoyant Billions for Shaw Society

I have the pleasure of working with Michael Friend Productions again on a rehearsed reading of a rarely performed play he wrote in his later years. It was written for and first performed (as so often was the case) at the Malvern Festival after the Second World War and originally received mixed reviews! It has all the hall marks of a classic Shaw with a Shavian woman, Clementina, but does feel a little as if he were tired and lacks some of the sophistication of his earlier work.

We will be performing the reading at the Church next to Shaw's corner in the glorious Ayot St Lawrence for the Shaw Society who will be in the village for their 2013 convention.

May 2013 - Pendley Shakespeare Festival 2013

I am delighted to announce I will be returning Tring-a-ling for this years festival! I will be playing Maria in Love's Labour's Lost and Hisperia in As You Like It.

Tickets are available now from the Box Office 01442 820060. Tues-Thurs 15:00-18:00 and online here

As You Like It

Tues 6th Aug 2013 at 8pm
Weds 7th Aug 2013 at 8pm
Thurs 8th Aug 2013 at 8pm
Fri 9th Aug 2013 at 8pm
Sat 10th Aug 2013 at 8pm

Love's Labour's Lost

Tues 13th Aug 2013 at 8pm
Weds 14th Aug 2013 at 8pm
Thurs 15th Aug 2013 at 8pm
Fri 16th Aug 2013 at 8pm
Sat 17th Aug 2013 at 8pm

April 2013 - Trainy!

The fabulous creative team behind troupers, Jim and Phil, have gathered together their pals and we have been furiously workshop-ing ideas for a new Children's show! There is no title as of yet - despite a very confusing nick name for the main character that keeps misleading even those who are devising!!

We have been having all kinds of fun, improving, devising and playing game - the highlight for me was a very elaborate half hour long improvised 4 hand family saga, which actually incorporated tea and cake in character! There's a play in there I know it!

We've also been coming up with some really beautiful tales that would work brilliantly as short stories as an ensemble! I absolutely love working this way - it is so creative and inspiring and I've been finding out a lot about my own process! I love a bit of collective imagination!

19th Dec 2012 - A Christmas Carol

The show went down an absolute storm yesterday with children and parents (one or two jokes particularly well received by the adults!) It is such a joy to perform a wonderful piece of Children's theatre that had such a wide audience engaged from start to finish! A big thank you to Emily Medhurst for making it possible and to JWT, and of course to Phil and Jim for being so inspiring as well as the phenomenal Georgina and Jack for being, not just fabulously talented, but supportive and generous on stage!

Even though it was just for an invited audience I hope in the future we will be able to perform it again for friends and wider audiences!

Merry Christmas and God Bless us, Everyone!

14th Dec 2012 - A Christmas lunch

A cheeky cast pub lunch today in Putney which was rather delicious...

It was pouring with rain so the fire was very welcome!

12th Dec 2012 - A Christmas Stagger

Fun times today as we made it from start to finish...

with several bits in between!

7th Dec 2012 - A Christmas Writer

A true writer musing off into the distance...

3rd Dec 2012 - A Troupers Christmas Carol

After two R&D sessions we finally started rehearsing today and it promises to be a magical piece of Children's Theatre. I cannot wait to for the finished article - but with Jim's beautiful and hilarious script and inspirational direction of Phil, is an exciting start!

Nove 2012 - A Christmas Carol

I am thrilled to be able to announce that we will be again performing a Christmas Show for JWT and can't wait to begin research and development with the creativity and leadership of James Rastall and Phil Sarson! Jim has adapted the well known and loved tale by Charles Dickens and I'm already feeling festive!

August 2012 - Pendley

I had such a marvellous time at Pendely, from Verona set in 1960's Italy to Mesina set in Kent on VE day 1945, twas an utter delight! Will get some production shots on the website soon but for now here is a sneak peak at my outdoor shakespeare extravaganza!

The Much Ado girls, Sarah Whitehouse, Hannah Crighton, Ellie Burrows and Me

our beautiful canal walk

obligatory rehearsal in the rain

learning to drive the beast courtesy of Lee Marsh - a brave man!

Back stage with the Mesina Sisters & co.

Flappy penguins warm up

11th Aug - Last Night

I can't quite believe the last night is already upon us! My three weeks has flown by. Thank you to everyone who came to see the show and of course all of the cast and crew!

the tremendous cast of Much Ado

8th Aug - Much Ado is up and running!

After a few tiny drops of rain yesterday we had a wonderful show tonight! The audience were brilliant - thank you to everyone who came! Tickets still available but booking recommended for the weekend.

oh and here are more splendid production shots from Adam Trigg!

31st July - Opening Night of Romeo & Juliet

Had a fabulous opening night and the photos taken by Adam Trigg Photography last night are absolutely brilliant! Do check them out at here

30th July - Dress Rehearsal

Back stage Romeo and Juliet frolocks!

some of the lovely cast

Dougie Dean, Capulet and his boys

our shared joy at finding out Juliet isn't dead!

23rd July - First few days at Pendley

It is wonderful to be back and straight in at the deep end; after a read through of R&J in the Rose Garden it was straight into a fight call with the brilliant Roger Bartlet our Fight Director (Tybalt's death is going to be magnificent-but shan't spoil it) followed by Lindy hopping for the cast of Much Ado and now I have Boogie Woogie Bugle to learn!

Read through in the rose garden

Drill with Lee Marsh

Intensive Lindy hop with Sarah and Amy

The stands arrive

A peacock of course

17th July - Only 3 days till Pendley...

Have been furiously researching WW2 facts to aid my research for Much Ado!
My character (we have decided) was a VAD Nurse for the Red Cross, so I've been reading lots of fascinating stories from BBC History Archive. A wonderful resource, thank you to the beeb and all the lovely people who have shared their inspiring stories!

Off now to practice my 1940's victory rolls - setting lotion and curlers at the ready!

10th July 2012 - Pendley Shakespeare Festival

I go to Tring to begin the jolly times on the 21st of this month and cannot wait to start rehearsals! It promises to be a fantastic season!

The Pendley Shakespeare Festival is an outdoor, open air (yes, you guessed it) Shakespeare Festival in the idylic grounds of the Pendley Manor Hotel, in Tring, Hertfordshire. (about 45mins from Euston) It is well established for producing excellent shows and has many loyal supporters.

Although the actors are completley open to the elements, the lovely audience do get to sit under cover (although there are a few rows at the front, for the die-hard fans, without the security of canvas) so they are protected throughout!

Tickets are on sale now! They are availble online and there is also a limited telephone service
Mon-Fri, 3pm-6pm 01442 820060.

Romeo and Juliet runs from Tues 31st July- Sat 4th August at 8pm.

Much Ado About Nothing runs from Tues 7th- Sat 11th August at 8pm.

Tickets for both shows range from £22 (£20 concs.) for covered seats and £20 (£18 concs.) for uncovered seats.

Everyone is invited to come early and picnic in the aforementioned beautiful grounds!
There is also a theatre/diner option for ticket holders to eat in the Hotel's wonderful resturant for £27.50.

Do bear in mind it is an outdoor festival and the show will go on no matter what - so bring suncream, blankets and umbrellas accordingly!

for more details see Pendley Shakespeare Festival's website

June 2012 - Forthcoming Performances

I am delighted to anounce I will be returing to the Pendley Shakespeare Festival this summer, playing Hero in Much Ado About Nothing.

Details to follow...

29th May 2012 - Twelfth Night

Another picturesque rehearsal at Strawberry Hill House on Sunday - it was so nice we were outside all morning!

The Show starts at 7pm on Saturday 2nd June at Strawberry Hill House, 268 Waldegrave Road,
Twickenham, TW1 4ST. You are very welcome to come and picnic in the beautiful grounds from 5pm onwards. Tickets are £15 and £12.50 Concession (Child/Student) and under 5's are free.

Tickets are still available from Strawberry Hill House. Book tickets now!

26 May 2012 - Twelfth Night

We are nearing performance - only a week to go! Check out rehearsal photos by the lovely Dan Barry!

Twelfth Night - 15 May 2012

Booking is now open for Twelfth Night at Strawberry Hill House.

To book tickets or for more information check out the website for Strawberry Hill House

Twelfth Night - 1 May 2012

I am very pleased to be playing Maria in Twelfth Night, at Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham on Saturday 2nd June (Jubilee Weekend)

Ticket info to follow.

Easter - 21st April 2012

Thank you so much to everyone who came to see the show in Guildford! We had a really wonderful turn out!

Next stop Broadstairs on Saturday 5th May at 7:30pm. For more info:
http://sarahthorne.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/easter.html

Easter at the Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford - 19th April 2012

We open tonight at the lovely Mill Studio - tickets still available
http://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

In the mean time here are a few Productions shots from Pentameters!

The Easter Lilly

Richard Jackson, Kevin Varty and Karin Fernald

Photos by Michael Friend

Easter Review - 5th April 2012

'Maryann O'Brien, who plays the delightfully simple Eleanora, is beautiful and a constant enchantment.'

Aline Waites, Ham & High, 05/04/12.

Easter by Strindberg - 3rd April 2012

Well, we are well and truly up and running, with a week under our belts! Audiences are getting bigger and better with a wonderful audience last night who were tremendously supportive! Some Strindberg fans I think!

With only two weeks left at Pentameters here's all the ticket info you could possibly need!
Easter is on at Pentameters Theatre, above The Horseshoe Pub, 28 Heath Street, Hampstead, NW3 6TE (Entry on Oriel Place) until 15th April. Tues to Sat at 8pm and Sun at 5pm. No Performance Mon.
The show is 1hour 25mins straight through with no interval (so you can be at the bar with a drink in your hand by 9:30!)

Tickets are £12 and £10 concession (be that Student, over 60 or Equity Member)

To reserve tickets and pay on the door call 020 7435 3648 or if you're local pop in! (Fri, Sat & Sun booking recommended)

Easter by Strindberg - 27th March 2012

Opening night draws near...

Things are taking shape at Pentameters - last night's dress rehearsal went well and one more run this afternoon till opening night tonight!

To reserve tickets contact the box office 020 7435 3648 or for more information about the venue visit www.pentameters.co.uk

Forthcoming Performances

I am delighted to be appearing as Eleanora in Easter by Strindberg with Michael Friend Productions; Performing at Pentameter's Theatre, Hampstead from 27th March, Guildford from 19th April and one peroformance in Broadstairs on the 5th May.

Violet - 12th March 2012

I've just got back from Coventry where I was shooting a short film, Violet, by Medot Films. We shot in 3 beautiful locations, this is Guy's Cliff near Kenilworth.

A fabulous ruin on the bank of a river, overlooking a water mill.

and then in Ashow Village Church, again, near Kenilworth. Both such peaceful and atmospheric locations; an absolute joy!

BSA Production Shots

All my production shots from BSA are taken by Farrows Creative. As they appear in the gallery, they are from, Anna Karenina, Les Liasons Dangereuses and Misalliance. For more information visit farrowscreative.com

Thank you

A huge thank you to Marmalade Whale for designing and building this website! To see more or get in touch visit www.marmaladewhale.co.uk

MaryannOBrien