FLESH (Working Title) will be developed in association with The Royal Exchange Theatre. Funded by the Arts Council England through Grants for the Arts, we will begin a Research and Development period in June to create a script that will be performed in-hand at The Exchange in October.

“It was New Years and I was all ready to go and get lashed.  I don’t know why I did the test then but I did.  I couldn’t wait.  And I thought it was negative and I chucked it but then Robbie looked at it again, he had to get it out the bin, and there was two lines.  Two lines means you’re pregnant.”

FLESH is a new play based on the true stories of young parents. Monkeywood have been working with young parents groups across Manchester, gathering their stories, opinions and insights, to shape a play. This brand new play will be researched and developed by the creative team and written by Sarah McDonald Hughes.

STARS ARE FIRE is a new play by Francesca Waite, which Monkeywood will produce as part of Manchester’s highly acclaimed 24:7 Theatre Festival. This year’s involvement in the festival follows previous successful productions of MAINE ROAD in 2009, which went on to a northern tour funded by the Arts Council England Grants for the Arts, and A SONG FOR THE LOVERS in 2006.

STARS ARE FIRE is a drama about Carly, who, having lost her Mum, moves with her Dad back to his native Northumberland from her home in Manchester. It’s a story about their love for each other and their inability to express it.

The festival runs from Friday 20 – Friday 27 July 2012. More detailed scheduling and casting news will follow soon.

Before all this, we will be finishing our North West and Wales tour of ONCE IN A HOUSE ON FIRE in The Lowry’s Quays Theatre on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 June 2012. Tickets are still available, but hurry as it sold out last time!

During rehearsals for Once in a House on Fire our Sarah unfortunately became quite ill, making the rehearsals and April tour dates impossible for her. We were delighted to welcome Gemma North to play the character of Andrea for the April tour dates. Gemma did an amazing job and has been a real pleasure to work with. She performed as Andrea in Oswaldtwistle, Wales Millennium Centre and Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Sarah has made a very good recovery and we will be thrilled to welcome her back onstage at The Lowry on June 1st and 2nd.

Rehearsal photographs of: Gemma North as Andy; Emily Fleeshman as Laurie/Wendy/Mildred/Mrs Lee; Francesca Waite as Lorraine/Sarah/Tamsyn; Thomas Aldersley as Peter/Mr Lee and Matthew Ganley as Terry.

Directed by Martin Gibbons

Set Design by Lois Maskell

Lighting Design by Tom Dexter Scott

Production Engineer: Aaron Barton-Wells

Company Manager: Miriam Ainsworth

Sarah is making a very good recovery and we will be thrilled to welcome her back onstage at The Lowry on June 1st and 2nd.

We were interested to hear their thoughts and feelings about the production…

What were your initial feelings about the story of Once in a House on Fire?

LOIS: Cathartic and poetic. A harrowing read, but ultimately a story of hope.

MEGAN: I found the story very moving, a real tale of overcoming adversity and strength of spirit! I really like the fact the play is set in Moss side, an area very close to where I live, but sometimes feels like a million miles away. I love plays with strong female characters, which actresses can get their teeth stuck into, and therefore the play appealed to me instantaneously!

What are your feelings about being involved in Monkeywood Theatre’s production of Once in a House on Fire?

LOIS: A privilege! The script is beautifully adapted from the book and it’s great to work with a young and brilliant theatre company such as Monkeywood.

MEGAN: I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved with an established, up and coming theatre company whose work has been of a consistently high standard, and whose values match my own. This will be my first time directing outside of the student arena, and my first theatrical tour, so I am very excited to learn as I go along!

What are your feelings about the city of Manchester?

LOIS: I remember seeing Manchester on television growing up in the south east and thinking ‘that looks like a good place to live’. I now work across the north west and visit the city as often as I can; the city’s wealth of galleries and theatres keeps me creatively stimulated and I love how it can feel small enough and big enough at the same time.

MEGAN: I adore Manchester because it has so many different sides to it. I always say that Manchester has something for everyone- infact a whole scene for everything you could imagine. Whenever you feel you have exhausted one thing, all you have to do is open your eyes and find a whole new avenue of interest to explore!

Before Once in a House on Fire…

Lois is a North West based designer for theatre and performance. Her interpretation of the performance space is realised with considered vision and imagination. Lois was shortlisted for the Linbury Prize for Stage Design 2005 and was a BBC Design Vision 2007 finalist. Recent collaborations include dreamthinkspeak, FUSE Theatre, Action Transport Theatre, COAL Theatre, Royal Exchange Manchester, Octagon Bolton, The Lowry, Lakeland Opera and work on BBC series The Mighty Boosh. Lois’ designs for dreamthinkspeak are currently on display at the V&A Museum London. She is one of 37 designers chosen to represent contemporary performance design in the UK.

Megan Marie Griffith is an aspiring theatre director, having recently graduated from The University of Manchester with a degree in Drama and Screen Studies. The first play Megan directed, This High School Movie is a Play (Gregory Burke) was performed at The Lowry Studio as part of the Shell Connections Festival, and the second, Closer (Patrick Marber) won Best Production at the Manchester In Fringe Theatre Awards. Following her production of Abigail’s Party (Mike Leigh), Megan interned with 24:7 Theatre Festival, introducing her to Manchester’s thriving theatre scene, which she is excited to become a part of.

We were interested to hear their thoughts and feelings about the production…

What were your initial feelings about the story of Once in a House on Fire?

LOIS: Cathartic and poetic. A harrowing read, but ultimately a story of hope.

MEGAN: I found the story very moving, a real tale of overcoming adversity and strength of spirit! I really like the fact the play is set in Moss side, an area very close to where I live, but sometimes feels like a million miles away. I love plays with strong female characters, which actresses can get their teeth stuck into, and therefore the play appealed to me instantaneously!

What are your feelings about being involved in Monkeywood Theatre’s production of Once in a House on Fire?

LOIS: A privilege! The script is beautifully adapted from the book and it’s great to work with a young and brilliant theatre company such as Monkeywood.

MEGAN: I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved with an established, up and coming theatre company whose work has been of a consistently high standard, and whose values match my own. This will be my first time directing outside of the student arena, and my first theatrical tour, so I am very excited to learn as I go along!

What are your feelings about the city of Manchester?

LOIS: I remember seeing Manchester on television growing up in the south east and thinking ‘that looks like a good place to live’. I now work across the north west and visit the city as often as I can; the city’s wealth of galleries and theatres keeps me creatively stimulated and I love how it can feel small enough and big enough at the same time.

MEGAN: I adore Manchester because it has so many different sides to it. I always say that Manchester has something for everyone- infact a whole scene for everything you could imagine. Whenever you feel you have exhausted one thing, all you have to do is open your eyes and find a whole new avenue of interest to explore!

Before Once in a House on Fire…

Lois is a North West based designer for theatre and performance. Her interpretation of the performance space is realised with considered vision and imagination. Lois was shortlisted for the Linbury Prize for Stage Design 2005 and was a BBC Design Vision 2007 finalist. Recent collaborations include dreamthinkspeak, FUSE Theatre, Action Transport Theatre, COAL Theatre, Royal Exchange Manchester, Octagon Bolton, The Lowry, Lakeland Opera and work on BBC series The Mighty Boosh. Lois’ designs for dreamthinkspeak are currently on display at the V&A Museum London. She is one of 37 designers chosen to represent contemporary performance design in the UK.

Megan Marie Griffith is an aspiring theatre director, having recently graduated from The University of Manchester with a degree in Drama and Screen Studies. The first play Megan directed, This High School Movie is a Play (Gregory Burke) was performed at The Lowry Studio as part of the Shell Connections Festival, and the second, Closer (Patrick Marber) won Best Production at the Manchester In Fringe Theatre Awards. Following her production of Abigail’s Party (Mike Leigh), Megan interned with 24:7 Theatre Festival, introducing her to Manchester’s thriving theatre scene, which she is excited to become a part of.

What were your initial feelings about the story of Once in a House on Fire?

EMILY: I felt it was both heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time. I adored it from the first 35 page free download on my ipad! It’s a really captivating and cathartic story with a huge strength to the characters in the face of adversity.

MATTHEW: I felt both angry and inspired by it. Angry at the seemingly helpless scenario of 3 sisters, who through no fault of their own find themselves caught in a cycle of domestic violence in an environment meant for stability and nurture. I felt inspired by the humour, survival and eventual escape – for me, the triumphant outcome being the pinnacle of the story.

What are your feelings about being involved in Monkeywood Theatre’s production of Once in a House on Fire?

EMILY: I am so excited to be working with such a creative team, especially taking on the challenge of performing a piece of work not only so close to your hearts, for obvious reasons, but that has been so highly acclaimed the first time round.

MATTHEW: I feel privileged to be part of such an important, well written play with a strong, provocative and real story.

Manchester is so central to the story of Once in a House on Fire. What are your feelings about the city?

EMILY: I have always loved Manchester and, despite living in Lancaster for three years and travelling the world for 6 months, I have always and will always consider Manchester to be my home.

MATTHEW: Manchester is my city of origin and my haven. Great music, football and stories. We occasionally fall out but always kiss and make up in the end!

And here’s what they did before they worked with Monkeywood…

Emily has worked as an actress from the age of 11, beginning her career at The Library Theatre, Manchester in Neil Simon’s Jake’s Women where she played the daughter to real life father David Fleeshman.

Emily graduated in 2008 with a degree in Theatre Studies from Lancaster University. Television credits include: Shameless, The Royal, Doctors and Jimmy McGovern’s The Street.

Emily appeared in The Crimson Retrubution as part of the 24/7 theatre festival and together with her mother, actress Sue Jenkins, has launched the Manchester based Drama Academy, The Actors’ Lab.

Emily has recently finished filming Series 3 of Jimmy McGovern’s Moving On.

Matthew trained at Mountview and is Joint Artistic Director of Happystorm Theatre. Theatre includes: Much Ado About Nothing (Demi-Paradise), The Blonde Bombshells Of 1943 (No.1 National Tour), The Crypt Project (Happystorm Theatre), Strawberry Jack (Paradise Heights), Macbeth (Pendley Shakespeare Festival), Snow White (Preston Charter Theatre), The Duchess Of Malfi (Globe Theatre, Sam Wanamaker Festival), Romeo And Juliet (Royal Armouries, Leeds), The Laramie Project (Hope Theatre). Matthew won MTA’s Best Studio Performance 2011 in God Wept And The Devil Laughed (Come As You Arts). TV: Accused (BBC), Emmerdale (YTV), Waterloo Road (BBC), Hollyoaks (Mersey TV) and The Bradford Riots (Channel 4)

We’re thrilled to welcome back Monkeywood stalwart Tom Aldersley, as well as our fabulous set and costume designer Lois Maskell. Mim Ainsworth will continue to keep us all organised in her role as Stage Manager and we monkeys will resume our previous roles – Martin as Director and Sarah & Francesca as cast members.

We’ll be sure to update on rehearsal progress on Facebook and Twitter, as well as the site.

We’re all very much looking forward to working with these two talented actors!

Monkeywood Theatre are looking to recruit an Apprentice Assistant Director (AAD) for their forthcoming rehearsals and tour of Once in a House on Fire. The role will be an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or an individual at an early stage in their career who can demonstrate a commitment to directing.

The AAD will shadow the Director (Martin Gibbons) and assist the company, while being supported to direct the cast through some rehearsals. This will offer an excellent opportunity for the AAD to develop their skills with a theatre company, whilst also providing vital support and flexibility for the rehearsals and tour.

This will be a voluntary intern position and, as such, the successful candidate will be paid expenses only, of up to £20 per day.

In the first instance all applicants must be available for the entire rehearsal and performance dates.

Production dates

Rehearsals:

21st March 2012 – 17th April 2012 (part time to the equivalent of 2 weeks)

Performances:

Brewery Arts Centre (Kendal) – Wed 18th April 2012

Action Transport (Ellesmere Port) – Thu 19th April 2012

Oswaldtwistle Arts Centre – Sat 21st April 2012

Wales Millennium (Cardiff) – Tue 24th April 2012

Aberystwyth Arts Centre – Thu 26th April 2012

The Lowry Quays Theatre (Salford) – Fri 1st & Sat 2nd June 2012

Applications should be made by email to info@monkeywoodtheatre.co.uk, with the subject heading AAD Application. Please include a CV and cover letter highlighting your suitability for this position and commitment to directing. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 15^th February 2012 at 12pm.

Once in a House on Fire

Written by Sarah McDonald Hughes, based on the memoirs of Andrea Ashworth, Once in a House on Fire is an extraordinary story about ordinary people. The play has recently been nominated for Best New Play and Best Studio Performance in the Manchester Theatre Awards.

Martin Gibbons

Martin’s directing credits for Monkeywood include: Once in a House on Fire, Last Orders and Maine Road. He also directed Animal Companions for JB Shorts 6. Before moving to Manchester, Martin directed numerous productions including Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead andThe Glass Menagerie in his native North East. Martin is also a Casting Director and has worked on hundreds of productions including commercials for Nike, Morrisons, VW and Vodafone, music videos and the acclaimed Chris Morris film Four Lions.

We are currently casting for the re-tour of the critically acclaimed Once in a House on Fire. If you are interested, suitable and available for either part, please email your spotlight link or CV and photo to info@monkeywoodtheatre.co.uk by Friday 3rd February 2012. Please indicate clearly which part you wish to be considered for in the email subject. The audition will take place at The Lowry in Salford Quays on Tuesday 7th February 2012. Unfortunately we will be unable to respond to any unsuccesful applicants.

Various (Lead) (Female, 4 – 50)

The play spans several decades and we are looking for an exceptional actor who can play from age 4 to 25 and other adult roles.

A good Manchester accent is required.

We would need the actor to live in or have a base in North-West England

Height: Any

Agreements: Equity Minimum

£400 / week pro rata.

Terry (Male, 28 – 39)

A difficult and violent character who is not without charm and charisma.

A strong actor with a good Manchester accent.

This character may double with smaller roles.

We would need the actor to live in or have a base in North-West England

Height: Any

Ethnicity: Any

Agreements: Equity Minimum

£400 / week pro rata.

Production dates

Rehearsals: 21st March 2012 – 17th April 2012 (part time to the equivalent of 2 weeks)

Performances: Brewery Arts Centre (Kendal) – Wed 18th April 2012 Action Transport (Ellesmere Port) – Thu 19th April 2012 Oswaldtwistle Arts Centre – Sat 21st April 2012 Wales Millennium (Cardiff) – Tue 24th April 2012 Aberystwyth Arts Centre – Thu 26th April 2012 The Lowry Quays Theatre (Salford) – Fri 1st & Sat 2nd June 2012

Written by Sarah McDonald Hughes, based on the memoirs of Andrea Ashworth, Once in a House on Fire is an extraordinary story about ordinary people. The play has recently been nominated for Best New Play and Best Studio Performance in the Manchester Theatre Awards.