2007

The Edinburgh invasion continues, with another significant contribution from Hurtwood students.

Director and Hurtwood teacher, James Hartman linked his theatre company Eyeball Theatre up with Hurtwood this year to travel north with The Changeling.  On board were three Hurtwood students: - Emma Greenwell, Decima Cardozo and Reef Al Lahiq. These brave three eschewed a summer of leisure in the usual Ibza, for the thrills and spills of Edinburgh and The Festival.  Three weeks hard rehearsal at Hurtwood in July then The Festival routine in August yielded them two excellent four star reviews and the chance to train and work with professional actors.  This was a great learning and confidence opportunity for them all.  They seized it with gusto and have blossomed as performers. All three have decided to return for drama school preparation and audition coaching sessions throughout their gap year.  This is the first collaboration with Hurtwood for Eyeball, but I am sure not the last.  In 2006 Hurtwood sent Tanroh Ishida with his one man show – Raw and Uncooked to the Festival.  Tanroh scooped 2 Critic’s choice reviews and five star ratings… Not bad for an 18 year old!  Tanroh’s year since then has been a whirlwind of success!  In September, he was accepted to train at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  While studying, he was asked to attend workshops by Peter Brook and has since been invited to work for a year with Peter Brook and his company in Paris!!!!

Ex student Tim Digby-Bell formed his own theatre company – Talac and has written and directed his first show Tell for The Festival.  Hurtwood and Central School of Speech and Drama graduate, Julie Taylor joined the company to take a lead role.

Joshua Sasse took a lead role in four starred - Faustus for the Young Pleasance at top venue The Pleasance Courtyard.

Christobel Davies was present with Z Theatre Company,   with hit show,

 ASBO (The Musical) at Venue 45.  The show had a lot of attention in the press and has earned itself commendable three star ratings.

Kate Allan also teamed up with Z Theatre Company in another musical show at the same venue as above.  She took a leading role in Why You’re fat and Ugly and everybody hates You

Emily Altneu currently at Exeter University studying theatre, was one of seven well reviewed performers in Songs for a new World by Jason Robert Brown at Augustine’s

Meanwhile original Hurtwood Theatre student, Paul Sellar goes from strength to strength as a writer. His hit last year Two Graves,went straight into the West End at The Arts Theatre.  Paul has been backed by The National Theatre, The Jerwood Theatre and The Bush Theatre, and is currently with Andy Jordan Productions.  This year’s contribution is also playing at top venue; The Pleasance.World’s End is a show that was first premiered at Hurtwood house ten years ago.  Paul has since revisited this play and updated things.  The piece has been well received gaining four star ratings and is due to go into the West End after Edinburgh.  Paul is also appearing as a stand up comic.   

2006

	Hurtwood Invasion!   This year The Fringe was awash   with current and Ex Hurtwood   students from as far back as   1989. Everywhere you looked   Hurtwood was at it with actors,   directors, writers, translators,   promoters, technicians and even   stand up comedians making   significant contributions to the   world’s greatest festival of   theatre. Current A and AS level students   Josh Sasse, Anna Clarke, Rosi   Ward and Lexi Markey all   auditioned successfully for lead   roles for The Young Pleasance   show The Pierglass This show was  awarded 4 Stars   and played at the Pleasance   Courtyard which is a much sought   after and prestigious venue.
Ex student and LAMDA graduate Adrian   Penkethmade his mark at renowned   Festival venue – The Traverse with his   translation of Onysos the Wild by Laurent   Gaudé.Adrian also designed the sound for   thiswell reviewed, 4 star production. `   Poeticand well perormed` British Theatre   Guide.	Over at The International Festival,   Hurtwood drama teacher and freelance   director Doug Quinn Guided 90 aspiring   youngsters to a 4 star review for his   production of Oliver at The Edinburgh   Playhouse and was produced by Live   Nation Theatricals.
This year Andy Johnson has once more joined forces with Hurtwood teacher and freelance director Esra Hjarlmarssen to work with ex student Tanroh Ishida on his one man show Kyogen – Raw and Uncooked Tanroh’s unusual show was very well received - So well in fact that it was awarded a ‘Must See’ 5 star rating from The Scotsman in their See it, Skip it ratings. This has been a fantastic year for Tanroh who has also gained entry to Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September. Tanroh has been studying the art of traditional Kyogen Theatre since the age of three and has appeared in Kyogen productions across the world including Shakespeare’s Globe and Carnegie Hall. Tanroh was with us for three years and appeared in just about every production going, winning the coveted Cyrano Award. What a year! Awards, Drama school and a top Edinburgh One Man Show…. And all at the tender age of 18. It just goes to show that the sky is the limit if you have what it takes to go for it with us.
	Director in residence Andy Johnson has been to Edinburgh many, many times as a performer, Stand up comedian and director. He has a Scotsman Fringe First for his show See Base of Can; Fringe First Nominations for several shows, including Condition of the Virgin. Last year Andy worked on a collaboration between Hurtwood, LIPA and The University of Nevada to produce the 5 star dance\performance show Rigged at The Pleasance.
On his return from Edinburgh, ex Hurtwood student and general veteran James Hartman will take up a part time position as teacher and director. James earned a flurry of 4 star accolades for his radical treatment of The Tempest with his new theatre company –Eyeball Theatre comprising 12 students from The University of St Andrews. Aemon Ogeana scooped the lead as Prospero in this avant garde and experimental adaptation which keeps the Hurtwood spirit of adventure and experiment in theatre very much alive. `Very entertaining, visually appealing and at times very funny, well worth a visit.`  British Theatre Guide.
	Cambridge undergraduate director Osh Jones picked up 4 stars for his late night Cabaret show Cabaret of Menace.
That’s just a taste of what has been happening for us on The Fringe. It doesn’t really take into account of the rest of the world of Theatre, Film, and TV, performance, dance and music where many of our students are now hard at work. So if you have any news of Hurtwood people you know about or of your own work please update us by sending information to ……. info@hurtwood.net