Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s Directing MA students are proud to present this repertory of four contemporary plays, realised entirely by graduating students in acting, design, and technical theatre.
Each year Bristol Old Vic Theatre School trains four new directors and designers and offers them the opportunity to launch themselves into the profession with exciting contemporary plays.
Fresh from a four-week showcase at the Alma Tavern Theatre in Bristol, the company of graduating students are delighted to introduce you to their work.
Country Music
By Simon Stephens, directed by Emel Yilmaz
The story of Jamie Carris – a disturbed teen with a history of abuse. Decisions made in youth lead to profound effects later on in his life.
'A thought-provoking director who works terrifically well with actors, drawing from them well-grounded and truthful performances. She has the ability to get right under the skin of a play.' - Jenny Stephens, Director
Cast:
Ali Watt - Jamie Carris
Hannah Edwards - Lynsey Sergeant
Josh O'Connor - Matty Carris
Nadia Giscir - Emma Carris
Orphans
By Dennis Kelly directed by Matt Grinter
Helen and Danny's world is brought crashing down when Liam, Helen's brother, shows up at their home one night covered in another man's blood.
'I have worked with Matt on two occasions and have found him to be bullet-proof and enthusiastic. Next time I have a production about to begin he will literally be the first person I call.' - Chris Jones, winner of the Producers Guild of America Producer’s Challenge.
Cast:
Joshua Manning - Danny
Danielle Collins - Helen
Jack Johns - Liam
The Aliens
By Annie Baker, directed by Edward Stambollouian
When Evan meets professional slackers KJ and Jasper outside the coffee shop in which he works, he is irresistible drawn into their world of magic mushrooms, philosophical musings, and great-bands-that-never-were.
'An acute, bold and searching young director – one to watch'
Andrew Hilton, Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory.
Cast:
Bart Edwards - Jasper
Jack Holden - KJ
Luke Newberry - Evan
Contractions
By Mike Bartlett, directed by Anna Girvan
Emma is a hard-working, just above average employee, faced with a manager hell-bent on unraveling her relationships with her colleagues. Will Emma compromise her whole life to keep her job?
Bartlett's Pinter-esque observations of the constraints within the corporate world are witty, intelligent, and startling familiar. His gallows humour and twists and turns take the audience through the surreal, haunting depths of the human psyche.
'Anna has the ability to think in visual and physical terms about a text, demonstrating a real responsiveness to her actors and an intuitive sense of what makes successful drama.'
William McEvoy, The Stage
Cast:
Dilek Sengul - Manager
Remmie Milner - Emma