Monday 7 May 2012

No gamble - some hot tips

Just 8 days of Fringing left and amongst the new shows to arrive in town there are some that have got audiences excited and talking. Among them is Tales from the Blackjack

"..breathtaking****" PublicReviews
"..incredibly engaging.." A Younger Theatre

One actor, three tales, the edge of your seat...

Have you ever wondered how you turn a relatively normal human being into a dependent gambling addict? Then hold onto your seat, as you are taken at break-neck speed through the mysterious and mesmerising world of the casino.
 
Based on an original concept by Richard Holdsworth and brought to the stage by the exciting Bordello Theatre Co. Tales from the Blackjack is "..a fine introduction to a fresh new acting talent" (WhatsOnStage North West), that strips away the glitz and glamour of the gambling superhighway to reveal a harsh reality of debt, dirt and desperation. Join our straight talking croupier as he tells the story of Mary Maudsley, a loose living working class northern lass with an addictive personality, Mr Chang a very unlucky, lucky Chinese American who doesn't seem to mind losing thousands every weekend and Big Bad Baz, a southern gangster with a murderous mind and big secret. All is revealed in 45 minutes of "..thrilling entertainment" (Lancashire Evening Post), which will have you pinned in your seats one minute and on the edge the next.
 
The show was first performed at Preston Tringe festival and has come a long way since its first 25 minute staging above a small pub in 2009. With dates set for The Lowry, Salford and Buxton Fringe’s Underground Venues before jetting off to Edinburgh in August, Bordello Theatre Co. are truly setting their sights high!
 
Bordello Theatre Co. is the professional producing arm of the Lancashire based, award winning, arts company Bluestreak Arts, Bluestreak has a regional reputation for providing high quality, engaging creative activities and events. Over the past three years Bluestreak has produced several theatrical productions including Story to Stage, The Red Shoes and A Christmas Carol alongside summer promenade productions of Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Wizard of Oz in Avenham Park, Preston and most recently a production of Fantastic Mr Fox for the Charter Theatre, Preston. 2010 saw Bluestreak Arts launch Bordello Theatre Co. as a vehicle to take their work nationally and beyond.
 
Tales from the Blackjack was recently performed at The Lowry in Salford in June and will appear at both the Underground Venue at Buxton (17-21 July) and C Central's Blue Room for the entire run at the Edinburgh Fringe; a stark warning to the curious, this is a solo performance which will "..knock your socks off" (Heather Shultz, Preston FM).
Tales from the Blackjack has really hit a winning streak so now is the time to catch this high roller before it hits the big time!

There is a packed programme with up to 30 events to choose from each day. There is still plenty of art to see (and buy!). Finishing today is Teakshow's Twisted Sketches (10-11pm in the Barrel Room) - it would be a shame to miss that. Matt Pritchard's The Man Who Cannot Lose is going down very well with audiences. Arriving in town today for three performances are Bright Cecilia - singing a Byrd mass in Poole's Cavern.

Get your programmes out and plan the next week very carefully - there is much to choose from and much that you'll want to see and hear. Don't miss out.

by Keith Savage - Published 18/07/2010

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