"A unique, special theatre project"
The Black Dog Theatre Creation is a special not-for-profit theatre group set up and run by Alfie James Productions which aims at using performance skills to support people suffering from poor confidence, anxiety and to help to reduce the risk of people becoming isolated. It is also open to those who simply love being creative, learning new theatre skills and staging plays regularly. Now in its sixth year it is slowly growing and is building its reputation as being a wonderful, positive, and successful group. We currently have two groups in Colchester and Camden, London and we often run short bite-size projects in Brentwood and Suffolk. We develop small projects, workshops and performances and work with other artists to offer our members the opportunity to engage in a wide range of artistic skills. Our projects are free to access and open to all.
To find out more about us click here:
CURRENT NEWS
COVID:19 SPECIAL UPDATE
Like many other theatre and community groups, our work has been seriously affected by the current Covid:19 situation. However, we are determined to continue running our projects in order to support local communities and those at risk of suffering from isolation. We have adapted to and continue adapting to the current guidelines and changed our working practice in order to keep both our employees, volunteers, and members safe. All our workshops are continuing to run but are online using Zoom (which is free to use) and we are working towards creating audio plays which can be recorded online.
We know that many of our members are already feeling vulnerable and have additional health conditions. If you need any support in this difficult time, then please do get in touch. We will do our best to help – even if we need to signpost you to other resources. You are not alone! Stay safe everyone!
Alfie James, Artistic Director
AN INSPECTOR MUD MYSTERY: THE MAN WITH NO NAME
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About the play:
Elizabeth has never been able to rest easily since her late husband’s murder several years ago. Now, Elizabeth has pieced together the truth and has lured her closest and dearest friends to her excluded country home with the knowledge that she knows who REALLY killed her husband. But as her hapless group friends arrive and find their hostess has been murdered and that they have been joined by a mysterious stranger, they begin a roller- coaster night where each of them are forced to confess their own guilty secrets. Only then will they learn who the real killer is and the true identity of the mysterious man with no name. This play has more DRAMA than as the House of Commons, more SORDID LOVE TRIANGLES than a Soap Opera and more STIFFS than Madame Tussauds.
We were due to perform this new play live, but due to Covid:19 we were forced to cancel our live performances. Instead, we have created a rather special free audio recording of our play in the style of an old-fashioned Agatha Christie radio play using Zoom. We hope that you enjoy our performance.
Supported by The Arts Council England, Colchester Borough Council, Waitrose Community Matters and Community 360.
Cast:
Mary - Karen Black
Esther - Pauline Pryor
Professor Jones - Timothy Wood
Violet - Kitty Whitley
Hector - Gary Wade
Mud - Charlie Whytock
Tina - Amber Lou Wallis
And Alfie James as "The Tramp"
Written & Directed by Alfie James
To download the PROGRAMME click below:
PUPPETRY FOR WELLBEING
COURSE A SUCCESS
We recently joined forces with The Puppet Soup Theatre Company and Artist Jacob Anderson to deliver a free 3-Week course online via Zoom. The course was designed to use the creative arts to support people stuck at home during the lockdown. Members from both Black Dog groups worked with members of our Story Box and Unscene Women’s group as well as members from The Puppet Soup projects. We even had someone joining us from the US. The project was a wonderful success, and we were taught how to make our own puppets using materials found at home and how to design and make our own pop up theatre model.
“Really enjoyed the course. It was just what I needed right now” (Anna)
“Such a lovely course. It brightened up my day. I thoroughly enjoyed the puppet making” (Nena)
“Such a wonderful group of people, in a warm, friendly and joyous environment. It was the nearest thing to being in a room with people.” (Lisa)
LONDON GROUP CREATES FIRST PLAY
“Loved the sound of the Alice through the looking glass. Well-done to all the cast” (Louisa)
“Aaahh that was absolutely brilliant! I loved it! That was a beautiful, touching and so much fun!” (Dominic)
Despite the Covid:19 virus we were determined to keep our first Black Dog project in Camden going so that we could continue to support our members. We adapted and continued to run our workshops online via Zoom. We recently finished recording our adaptation of “Alice, through the looking glass” by Lewis Carroll. For more information, you can listen to our audio recording here:
Since we began the Black Dog Theatre Creation we have been incredibly lucky to have been supported by the many organisations including:
