19/04/2006 11:54 PM
Hi Everyone,
Just got home after seeing 'Below' by Swamp Fox Productions. Absolutely sensationally powerful piece of theatre.
If you don't know SwampFox it is because you haven't spoken to John Bishop for a while. It is John & Loretta's new theatre company and this is their first production. What a debut!
This isn't meant to be a review or critique of the show but Donna Cohen, Ron Kofler & Keith Hutton were all fantastic. The other debut of the night was the Bakery Theatre. The new little performance space at the 1812. 'Below' was well suited to the intimate space. You should get down to see the show because it is one hell of a ride and because if you love theatre then you should check out the new space as well. Loretta tells me tix are still available especially tonight 20th (opening night) and also sun 23rd but I'm sure they will squeeze you in on any other night they can as well!
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or 9735 2802 for tix. It is inspiring to see this quality of work on a budget (theirs not mine). It has certainly whetted my appetite for doing something at the Bakery.
Oh yeah and Keith Hutton has a bony arse.
Congrats to everyone involved.
Regards
Jim Stewart
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20/04/2006 10:23 AM
Hi Everyone,
I was also at the preview last night of "BELOW" at the Bakery @ 1812. An excellent production which worked very well in this new performance space. I expected it to be good with John and Loretta Bishop in charge and a cast of 3 great actors, Donna Cohen, Keith Hutton and Ron Kofler and it was/is! As they say "you could have heard a pin drop" the audience were so absorbed. With half the audience at right angles it was interesting to look across and see how engrossed they were! A star studded audience!
Graeme Moore, Editor, Theatrecraft
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4/06/2006 9:11 AM
I have just come across your program again from your production of “Below” last month at the 1812 Bakery and on subsequent reading noticed that you had an e-mail address so I thought that I would send you this note. I would like to say how much my wife and I enjoyed the production. It was confronting and stimulating and the production and acting was superb. We had friends down from Sydney staying with us at the time who also joined us. They couldn’t believe the quality of live theatre that we are experiencing in “amateur” productions. We particularly loved the fact that it was a locally written play and that it was confronting. We would love to see more local work replace some of the lighter UK plays that are more commonly put on by amateur groups. I hope that there are more productions coming from SwampFox in the future and that you can put me on your mailing list for notification of events in the future.
Regards Andrew Dilley
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30/04/2006 11:52 AM
Hi Loretta & John,
Just like to say (formally) how much Peter, Robert & I enjoyed last night’s production of “Below”. The set was simple and effective, the acting absolutely superb & so consistent, the ebb and flow, the highs and lows beautifully timed & directed. Some special moments (creative & poignant) that deserve special mention are; a) the boxing sequence and b) Sarah’s conversation with her dad (lighting for both sequences perfect!). But of course it was all marvellous and had the desired effect of taking us all on a confronting & memorable journey.
I was able to catch up with Loretta last night (only briefly) but missed catching up with you John hence this email and as your program encourages feedback here it is.
THANK YOU both once again for a wonderful night of real theatre we look forward with anticipation to the next production.
Janet Fisher, Robert Wilson & Peter
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Wed, 3 May 2006 22:14:11 +1000
Dear John and Loretta,
We would like to, once again, extend our congratulations on your production of “Below” performed at the bakery@1812. We thought it a superbly crafted production, tightly directed and intense, with actors who so perfectly held their characters that one believed in every action. We are regular subscribers to the MTC but have seen nothing on the Arts Centre stages, this year or last, done so well as this production at the Bakery. Best wishes for SwampFox. It is destined for very big things given this start and the passion you both have for presenting quality theatre to discerning audiences.
Kind regards
Steve and Jenny Hobbs
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A message left on answering machine 21/4/06
Hello, my name is Angela. I actually went and saw the production of ‘BELOW’ last night. I need to let you know, I have never been so moved and every bit of my emotion was just hugged out of and drained, and it was the most brilliant thing that I have ever seen.
Thank you very, very much to all of you.
Bye,bye.
