Last night, Richard Loftus’ entry to Menagerie Theatre Company’s One-Page-Play-Comeptition-Athon was performed at Anglia Ruskin Drama Studio (Formerly Cambridge Drama Centre).

Richard wishes to send all his luck to the finalists who will see their work performed again later today. The winner - decided by the audience - gets to donate £250 to a charity of their choice.

From one competition to another, in six days another of Richard Loftus’ plays, Like Leo and Kate, shall be performed as part of The Ovation Awards (UK) at The Pavilion Theatre, Whitby. Call 01947 604855 to book your tickets today!

It seems only fitting that a round-up of Waiting for Wonderland’s sell-out premiere at The Etcetera Theatre, as part of Camden Fringe, should come in the form of a status:

Jason Dowler Was very impressed by Richard Loftus’s “Waiting for Wonderland” last night at the Etcetera in Camden - part of the Camden Fringe - his excellent writing was very well served by his most engaging and charismatic cast of two - I very much hope that the play will have a future, be it at Edinburgh next year and/or elsewhere. Definitely a budding talent to watch.

We’ve arrived in Camden at the @EtceteraTheatre - only one performance left… Make sure you have your tickets!

This week has been one of the most fun, hard working and interesting weeks I’ve ever spent working on theatre.

Obviously getting to be apart of the Camden Fringe festival is great - We are all aware of its growing importance in independent and questioning theatre - not to mention how fun the event can be. At the same time though it is so fulfilling to be involved with a show that is genuinely relevant. If there’s one thing that I hate theatre being - it’s irrelevant - and this play seems to tap into a world that is not only fresh and exciting, but also highly controversial. How far can technology take us before it stops enhancing our human relationships and starts hindering them?

Obviously, as a company we have no idea how the play will actually work on the night - which is why we are are all very nervous about tomorrow! Still, at least we know that we are telling a story worth telling.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous - of course I am! Fingers crossed for a great show, and a good reception.

Wow. Final day.

Well this week has been an absolute rollercoaster. Putting together a show, from scratch, in just seven days was always going to be a challenge. But, it has been a challenge I have relished. Working with good friends, who also happen to be a talented bunch, has been a pleasure and I can’t wait to get on stage and show the audience the fruit of our hard work.  I am nervous, excited, and petrified…

Creative Team

@rjloftus – Playwright

Richard spent time developing his playwriting skills whilst studying at Stephen F Austin State University, Texas under the guidance of Jack Heifner. Graduating from Rose Bruford in 2009, Richard is now employed by The Orchard, Dartford as Marketing & Press Assistant.

Hayley Richards – Director

Hayley has recently returned from Valencia, Spain after performing with Forum Teatro. Other performance credits include: Mary in The Children’s Hour and Miss Mackay in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Whilst studying in Texas she choreographed The Mickey and Judy Project and Waiting for Wonderland marks her professional directorial debut.

Disa Stefans – Assistant Director

Having recently finished a production intern on Punch Drunk’s collaboration with the English National Opera of The Duchess of Malfi, Disa is excited to take on her first assistant-director role for this year’s Camden Fringe. She has trained in her native country, Iceland, at The Reykjavik Academy of Singing and Vocal Arts and in the UK at both LAMDA and Rose Bruford.

Cast

Callum Patrick Hughes as Chris

Callum is delighted to be making his debut at the Camden Fringe festival this year. He has just returned from a year in the US where took part in a New American Playwrights festival working with award winning playwright Barbara lebow, and also played Drum major in Georg Buchner’s Woyzec.  Callum is about to complete his third year’s study at Rose Bruford College, London where he has played many roles including Brown in The Great God Brown by Eugene O’neil, Hovarth, in Christopher Hampton’s Tales from Hollywood, and Kevin in All men are Whores by David Mamet.  Callum has also worked in cabaret with The Shady Dolls as a musician playing drums, Guitar and Bass.  Callum is also a keen writer and whilst in America got to see his play Coffee and John produced in full.  

David Mowbray as Nick

Twenty year old David is from Leeds and is currently training on the American Theatre Arts programme at Rose Bruford College. He is about to embark on his second year at Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and this is his first time at the Camden Fringe. Past credits include several productions of American classics by playwrights ranging from Tennesse Williams to Naomi Wallace, as well as considerable Musical Theatre experience and music writing as a singer and guitarist.

Only one week to wait until Waiting for Wonderland opens at @EtceteraTheatre as part of @CamdenFringe - pretty nervous…

Okay - so not long now til my @CamdenFringe show. Have you got your tickets for Waiting for Wonderland @EtceteraTheatre on 20/21 August?