Theatre, Poetry and Prose by Simon Paul

Simon Paul - that's me!

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:26:00 +0000

Just a quicky to tell you about a new blog I've set up just so that the World can get a sensible idea of who and what I am. It can be accessed either via my domain: www.simonpaul.net or directly at: www.simon-paul.blogspot.com

The Frog Prince - Coming to a Living Room Near You!

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:34:00 +0000

Thanks to Nicole for getting together the DVD of The Frog Prince of which this is a short trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqw-caAtYYs&feature=youtu.be

Amateur Star Wars

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:30:00 +0000

This is an incredible film, a complete remake of Star Wars by amateur film makers contributing 15 second bits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ezeYJUz-84
Part live action, part animation, part puppets and so forth, it has been put together from a web site called Star Wars Uncut. It is being pitched as an example of crowd sourcing. So far, in just a few days it has had well over a million hits on YouTube. Brilliant.

The Frog Pince

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:28:00 +0000

The final night of the first ever run of The Frog Prince is now over. Aaah!
It turned out to be a brilliant run with audience feedback more than exceeding expectations. As writer as well as director, it was particuarly satisfying to see my work performed and in such a manner that, with an amateur group, was as close to my vision for the show as possible. Just to clarify, in an amateur group, one works with people who choose to come along. One does not have the luxury of being able to cast West End pros. With The Frog Prince, I had the pelaseure of working again with some regular members of Southfields Theatre Group but also some new members of varying theatrical experience. I think for everyone, the experience was a pleasurable one and, crucially, we all learnt a lot and, made new friends in the process.
So, what next? Well, I for one have some other scripts that are works in progress. Not sure yet what the Southfields Theatre Group intends to put on but it will be a dramatic piece round about May/June, another reveiw for charity in the autumn, followed by the next winter panto. What will my contribution be? Not sure yet but what I do know is that I need a rest.

First night nerves...

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:41:00 +0000

After a slow and somewhat nervous start, the opening night of The Frog Prince proved a rip-roaring success. Although audience numbers were slightly disappointing (sign of the times) everyone left with happy, smiling faces. Feedback from a good proportion of the audience was that the show was brilliant - trust me on this, ask them! Three more performances to go and tickets still available: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/19213

World Premier of The Frog Prince

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:59:00 +0000

Yes, tonight, Thursday 19th January 2012, marks the World Premier of The Frog Prince.
Our audience of one, eight year old Ben, rated it 10/10 after watching the dress rehearsal last night. In just under five hours time, it's all hands to the deck, all cooks to their stations and all drivers in their cabs as the curtain rises. Will you be there, or will you be square? Don't miss out on the theatrical highlight of the year: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk

Three Things to Celebrate in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:53:00 +0000

Yes, 2012 is a great year for the UK. During the summer, we shall be watching the Olympics, hosted in London, the best city in the World - probably. Shortly before that, we shall be whooping it up with HM Elizabeth II to celebrate her phenomenal 60 years as sovereign. Finally, this week sees the World premier of The Frog Prince by Simon Paul. Book here: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk
Support your local theatre group at Amdram

The Frog Prince

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:55:00 +0000

My latest script, The Frog Prince will be premièred next week, 19th through to 21st January at St Michael's School, Granville Road, London SW18.
The story has been taken from the traditional frog prince story with elements added from the lesser known story of The Well at the End of the World. Whilst loosely written as a pantomime, it could also be viewed as a straightforward (if such a thing exists) comedy. It is fairly fast paced and has a running joke reflecting the times we live in.
To find out more and to book tickets, go to: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk

Simon's Cat

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:53:00 +0000

No, not my cat but a very witty animation by another Simon.
I can't help feeling that my cat might get up to something like this at Xmas.
Anyway, enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn2h3_aH3vo&noredirect=1

Theatre, Poetry and Prose by Simon Paul: skazography site builds up its content

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:41:00 +0000

Theatre, Poetry and Prose by Simon Paul: skazography site builds up its content

Have fun going round in circles!

The Frog Prince

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:17:00 +0000

The Frog Prince written and directed by Simon Paul of the Southfields Theatre Group will be performed on 19th, 20th and 21st (including a matinee) January 2012 at St Michael's School, Southfields, SW London. Tickets are available through TicketSource.

This is a World Premier containing an array of weird and wonderful characters on their quest for the Well at the End of the World. The production will see a number of new members of the Group joining some of the regulars in an amusing and entertaining romp around the UK. Don't miss it - book now to avoid disappointment.

The Frog Prince

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:43:00 +0000

Coming soon...

January 2012 to be precise.

The Frog Prince

a new pantomime

written by

Simon Paul

directed by

Simon Paul

More information as and when available at:

http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk

skazography site builds up its content

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:46:00 +0000

My photography blog site skazography is now starting to get some content on to it. Take a little look here: http://skazography.blogspot.com/p/photography.html

Classic Books

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:44:00 +0000

I have started a one-man campaign to get people reading classic literature rather than a lot of the drivel lying around as soon as you walk into a bookshop these days. Here is a link to a small selection you may wish to choose from should you be of the same ilk: http://www.skazmanagement.co.uk/simonsclassicbooks

Theatre, Poetry and Prose by Simon Paul: skazography

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:22:00 +0000

Theatre Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:49:00 +0000

For theatre groups, Simon offers a reasonably priced attendance at rehearsals and performances. Getting some good pictures for publicity purposes is essential. You may also want stock pictures of your actors and back stage staff. You will be provided with a one-off disc or USB stick for you to choose to print whichever you please when you please. Special rates for amateur groups who can benefit from making money selling prints to cast, friends etc.
http://www.skazmanagement.co.uk/skazography
http://www.skazography.blogspot.com

skazography is a trading name of Simon Paul

skazography

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:22:00 +0000

skaz - means story
skazography captures your story through our lens

Now available for businesses in SW London. skazography produces high quality digital images of you, your staff and your business in action. Ideal for web sites, brochures, flyers and all your social media requirements.

I have had a love of photography for more years than I can remember. Now I am putting it to work for me at the same time making it work for you. Get a new image. Contact me at skazography today.

You can also find lots more exciting creative stuff at my skazography site here: http://www.skazography.blogspot.com

A quick survey

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:10:00 +0000

I would be very grateful if anyone viewing this blog would participate in a quick survey. It only takes a minute and would be very helpful to me. Thank you in advance.
Just follow this link: SURVEY

Grid#Productions Up-date - Gothic Themes

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:08:00 +0000

Things are moving slowly with Grid#Productions but better to be cautious and come up with some real quality than to steer the whole thing on to the rocks.
The strategy will be to focus on productions based on Gothic and macabre tales inspired by the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley and more. The origins of Gothic horror are said to be steeped in Horace Walpole's 'The Castle of Otranto' written in 1764. However, we can probably go back a lot further to unpublished tales, often handed down through the generations in poetic form. However, Walpole's tale was the first published story that spawned a new and exciting genre.
The focus on these tales is because they lend themselves so brilliantly to the dramatic form. With moments of drama, suspense, romance and sometimes eroticism, it is a genre that that has been explored many time, especially in film but perhaps less so in theatre. However, whilst not wanting to jump on the back of the recent production of Frankenstein, audiences are attracted to themes and plot lines that appear to dwell on legend, myth and unexplained circumstances.
Please go to the Grid#Productions site and follow it for up dates as and when they are available.

Pantomime season is looming...

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:07:00 +0000

With pantomime season looming, now's the time to start searching for a script.
The Production Scripts web site has a good choice of original scripts, including two of mine. The first is a simple version of Cinderella which was written for the Southfields Theatre Group when it first formed. The script was written on the basis that the group was new and that most of the founding members had never done any acting, at least since school. It is a very simple production but also very funny.
The second script I have written is Ali the Barber and the Forty Thieves. As yet unperformed, it again has been written with amateur groups in mind.
If you do not care for either of my scripts, you will find a good choice of others at Production Scripts. A good function of the site is that you can purchase reasonably priced read through copies of scripts before you go on to buy performance licences.

RolePlay by Alan Ayckbourn - Latest News

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:26:00 +0000

The first night of Southfields Theatre Group's production of Sir Alan Ayckbourn's RolePlay was a rip-roaring success.
Audience comments included: 'brilliant', 'fabulous', 'the group's best production yet'.
Tickets are still available for tonight, Friday 15th July and tomorrow: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/14633
Or you can call the box office hotline on 07535 117 169. Alternatively there should be a few tickets available on the door. Be a part of our latest success!

RolePlay by Alan Ayckbourn

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:46:00 +0000

With less than two weeks to curtain up, tickets for RolePlay by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by someone called Simon Paul are selling fast.
The production happens at St Barnabus Church, Lavenham Road, London SW18 on 14th, 15th and 16th July at 7:30pm. The play is the third part of a trilogy themed along the lines of damsels in distress. The action takes place in a Docklands flat where a young couple have arranged a dinner party for their respective parents to meet for the first time. Their best laid plans start to go awry when one of their neighbours literally drops in. All good fun.
Go to the Southfields Theatre Group web site for more information: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk

Pantomime season is looming...

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:44:00 +0000

Now is the time that many groups will be considering their pantomime production for the coming winter season. To help you with your choice, here are a couple of suggestions. Cinderella was first performed by the Southfields Theatre Group in January 2009. It received very good reviews and played to a total audience of around 500. It is a fairly traditional take on the story and was written specifically for amateur groups on a tight budget.
Ali the Barber and the Forty Thieves has yet to be performed so why not be the first group to give it a try? It too can be done on a fairly tight budget and it is a very humorous script. In each case, as the author, I will be happy to advise on any aspects of the production of either pantomime and to do any rewrites that might help to produce the show to your needs.

Edgar Alan Poe

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 21:38:00 +0000

There was an interesting documentary with dramatic inserts about the loves of Edgar Alan Poe this evening. It is available to view on BBC i-player until 20:59, Sunday 12th June. The link is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vfhhp/Edgar_Allan_Poe_Love_Death_and_Women/

The programme is presented very well by crime author Denise Mina. It examines Poe's relationships with key women in his life and how they may have influenced his writings. What is obviously poignant for me is my current work in progress for Grid#Productions, a stage adaptation of one of Poe's poems. You'll have to wait and see which one and in the meantime speculate as to which one (or more) of his women inspired the work.

Creating an exciting piece of theatre...

noreply@blogger.com (Simon Paul) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:02:00 +0000

My own experience of writing for the theatre is to think this way. First of all, come up with a clear vision of what the finished production will look like. This is what I am doing for the first show that will be produced through Grid#Productions.
I used the same process with my first piece, Cinderella. Okay, so the story is very familiar. However, I wanted it to be a simple show that could be produced by an amateur theatre group on a very tight budget. In fact most shows can be produced very simply.
Once the vision is there, the rest sort of falls in to place. It is a matter of introducing the various characters and ensuring a good plot line that has a beginning, middle and an end. This is all rather similar when starting a business - putting on my hat as a business adviser for a moment. It's all about that vision of where you want to be. At the end of the day, if you can see the big picture, the detail will fall into place much more easily.