John McElhatton: The play 'Pawn' is much, much more than JUST a comedy and has some intense, serious drama tucked in there"

''Pawn is having a great success between the Audience. The actor John McElatthon reveals us some details about the plot and about his character in the play.

Could you tell us something about your character in the performance?

In 'Pawn' I play Detective Sergeant Cassidy, a police negotiator of limited experience dealing with his first serious incident. A character who is set aside from the main action that's contained within the siege itself…more of a narrator type really who is able to convey his thoughts and frustrations direct to the audience.  I'm on the outside looking in and the other characters taking part in the hostage situation are a joy to behold. Brian, the writer has painted a marvelously eclectic bunch of oddball but believable characters. We've already had the bonus of being able to give this play a run out in public and so I'm confident it works and well worth a watch. It's much, much more than JUST a comedy and has some intense,serious drama tucked in there.

What do you think about the 24:7?

As regards the whole 24:7 festival I'm delighted to be part of it all once again. Having been seduced by it in its 2nd year in 2005  I haven't been able to leave it alone since and feel very privileged to get yet another opportunity to be part of a week that appeals on so many levels.  The continually rising overall quality of theatre, the impossibility of not meeting new people, developing friendships, what it does for Manchester and the theatre network and just THE BUZZ!!   Looking forward to it immensely....and I WILL see ALL the plays!

See you there!

Steve Pearce:'The buzz around the festival was even more vibrant than in past years'

Steve Pearce, playwright and a 24:7 follower, gives us his opinion about some of the performances.

'The Festival kicked off in fine style yesterday and I was lucky enough to see the first public performances of 4 shows: Sheepish, Pawn, Make Believe and The Bluest Blue. I enjoyed all of the shows but the stand-out production for me was The Bluest Blue, a gentle, poignant study of a doomed relationship. Subtly played and beautifully crafted, it was an example of the festival at its best.

The buzz around the festival was even more vibrant than in past years, perhaps because of the unified venue space (generously provided by the Co-op). Looking forward to seeing what else is on offer...'

Some actors and volunteers talked about what means for them the 24:7 during the previews

Brian L Stephens (actor in the play ‘Hatch’)

‘This is my first time here. It’s a great opportunity for us to show something new like this. We think it’s important discussing, we have things to say. One of the best places to stay is the 24:7. We are very happy to be here. The most exciting thing to be in the 24:7 it’s the fact to be with a lot of other people. In a festival like this, that’s exactly what is about. It’s about writers, actors and directors practicing their art.

John McElhatton (actor in the play Pawn)

…‘Especially I like when we’re doing the public preview, people went to watch the plays, and it’s the first time they have the opportunity to watch the show in our space, and it’s quite nerve-racking. It’s nice!’…

Anna Baatz (Front of House volunteer)

I’m helping the main administration coordinator festival. It’s the fifth year I’m getting involved in the festival. I actually produced something twice in 2005-2006 for the festival. But this year I’m just staying involved in the front of house, helping with the volunteering and looking after the guests list for the invited people in the rehearsals. I will also print tomorrow the first reviews. For me being a volunteer means overall helping out and feeling involved in it.

Iona Thonger (Actress in the play ‘The inconsistent Whisper of Insanity)

‘We are looking forward to watching the other plays as well; it’s really exciting.
I went to the big gathering two years ago, and that’s how I met Ian, the director. In the inconsistent whisper of insanity the story is based around my character, Milena, on a journey to meet her guardian. She gets involved with the reds and the whites fighting against each other in Russia in the 1920. But she’s quite naïf, she doesn’t care about politic, only about feelings…’

Baba Israel: "As artistic director the 24:7 is a chance to see work, and that's really important"

Baba Israel, artistic director of Contact and director for the theatre festival “Contacting the World” shares his thoughts on the 24:7 theatre festival, and how the theatre industry in Manchester can be improved.

Festivals like the '24:7 theatre festival' and 'Contacting the world' demonstrate that theatre is alive in Manchester, what could we do to transform Manchester into a 'theatre symbol' like other cities like Edinburgh, for instance?

I think there's always been a strong tradition of theatre in Manchester, with great diversity. From the world exchange to the Green Room, to Contact, to the Library Theatre, to the Theatre Festival 24:7... But the main thing is that people are starting to learn about these other festivals which have been happening for a long time. The good thing is that the City Council here is quite supportive of culture in Manchester, I feel like there's a kind of city will, even in Greater Manchester, there's a push for culture. The main thing is how to improve awareness in Manchester. The real challenge is how to spread to the world about the energy delivered in the festival's project.

What do you think about the 24:7 theatre festival?

I'm excited about 24:7. I went to see a couple of pieces last year, and actually two pieces from 24:7 are coming to Contact. For me that's a good thing that the festival does. It is a platform for plays and new plays, giving them a life. So for me that's quite exciting that two plays from the festival will now come to the theatre Contact. For me as artistic director it's a chance to see work, it's really important.

Imagine you have to convince an sponsor it's worth investing in theatre in Manchester, what would you say?

I would say to sponsors that theatre is one of the great tradition in the UK, but also I would say that theatre in the UK has reached a very exiting point. We have some of the most innovative work happening right now. In terms of new technologies, in terms in new experimental or popular forms. Theatre is also engaging new audiences.

To me it's an investment in tradition, it's an investment in innovation and it's investment in young people, and the ability they have in meaning the experience. Because when you go to the theatre you have to share an experience with your audience, and you have to share the experience with actors, it's based in relationships, and this is very important. In particular in a world that's becoming more mediated. I think the theatre is a very good place for human experiences.

Dream Makers and Dreamers in the 24:7 Theatre Festival

The 24:7 Theatre Festival is heating up its engines. The media launch celebrated on June 15th was a great opportunity to check that theatre in Manchester is alive. As a volunteer at the festival I'm looking forward to being part of the magic. I came from Madrid looking for an opportunity, because theatre can make you believe that anything is possible. I would like to share experiences and what I learn from all the people I've been fortunate to know in this city. I appreciate the difference as a stimulus to get us out of our routine and reality. Theatre is all that and much more. This blog is a call for participation in the festival. Actors, playwrights, producers, journalists, volunteers and spectators can express here their opinions about the festival. A new concept is possible: the Net-theater. Together we can dream and get this festival to become a symbol of the city. This blog is able to attract not only the dreamers but also the dream makers. Welcome everybody. Signed: a festival volunteer from Madrid.