NEXT WEEK Hijinx Theatre celebrate the final quarter of their Silver Jubilee year with the opening of Estella’s Fire. This new play brings together a talented production team with a vast wealth and breadth of experience. They are all well known in the Welsh arts world crossing art forms, genres and scales of production.This visionary team is lead by Rosamunde Hutt (Director), and comprises Louise Osborn (Writer), John Hardy (Musical Director/Composer), Jane Linz Roberts (Designer) and Ian Buchanan (Production Manager). Over the years all have worked together in different combinations on many different projects. Their collective vision and reputation have led the theatre world to eagerly anticipate the opening of the show, which will tour for 10 weeks across Wales and England. The Sherman Theatre’s Artistic Director Phil Clark said: “We're delighted to welcome Estella's Fire in the opening week with this fantastic creative team and celebrate 25 years of important and innovative work. Ros Hutt was Artistic Director of Hijinx when I first started at The Sherman, and I have a great respect for her integrity, commitment and vision." Rosamunde Hutt (Director) worked as an actress and director in Wales for 14 years from 1979. She was first associated with Hijinx in 1985 and went on to direct 11 productions with the company. She then became Resident Director of Theatre Centre, a powerhouse of new writing for young people, and has commissioned over 30 new plays for them in the last 13 years. Rosamunde Hutt said: “I cut my directorial teeth in Wales, nourished by the fantastic work of a variety of Welsh based and visiting companies. 21 years ago Hijinx Theatre gave me my first directing opportunity and it’s a pleasure to be back”. Louise Osborn (Writer) joined Theatr Powys in 1981, where she stayed for fourteen years. Since then she has established herself as a Writer and Director, working in Theatre, Radio and T.V. (having written over 30 episodes for Hollyoaks). Louise is also the new Associate Director of Hijinx Theatre. Louise Osborn said: “Watching all these excellent practitioners at work, it suddenly occurred to me that over 200 years of collective experience and commitment to Welsh Theatre was going into the making of the production – this felt like a very honouring and, at the same time, sobering thought!” John Hardy (Composer) has worked in a wide spectrum of musical genres including opera, classical and contemporary music. In 1994 he won the BAFTA Cymru music award for the Oscar-nominated Hedd Wyn; a second BAFTA followed in 2003, for Fondue, rhiw a deinosors. John Hardy said: “Having gown up in Wales, and worked predominantly for Welsh companies I was delighted to be given the chance to make my Hijinx début on Estella’s Fire with such a fantastic team”. Ian Buchanan (Production Manager) studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and is now teaching in their design department. His association with Hijinx goes back to 1990 when he was Company Stage Manager. He toured extensively with them during the early 1990s, and has returned as Production Manager several times over the years. Recently he became the Production Manager for Music Theatre Wales. Ian Buchanan said: “Having toured nationally and internationally I am very happy to be back in Wales working with Hijinx Theatre, and reunited with Rosamunde Hutt and Jane Linz Roberts”. Jane Linz Roberts (Designer) moves easily between different scales and styles of performance. On tour her innovative designs for new writing have been seen throughout the UK and abroad. She was Resident Designer at The Sherman Theatre during the early 1990s and last designed for Hijinx in 1997. Jane Linz Roberts said: “I was influenced by the French contemporary artist Louise Bourgeois in the realisation of my design for Estella’s Fire. I wanted a bold and brave set which could explore the visual and emotional possibilities presented by the play”. |
| Hijinx Theatre web site: www.hhijinx.org.uk |
| michelle whittick e-mail: michelle.whittick@hijinx.org.uk |
Friday, September 22, 2006 |
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