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FROM THE MILL. XXX

2015!

Sorry we have been a little quiet on here for the last few weeks.

We are currently working on some plans for "Life's Witness" after a fantastic festival in Liverpool in 2014, keep checking to see where and when you can see this play.

Aswell as continuing to develop "Life's Witness" we are also starting to make plans for show number two. All in the very early stages of development but we are very excited and will share any news or developments as soon as we can.

Thank you for all of your support in 2014 and we look forward to an exciting 2015!

From the Mill Theatre Company XXX

Audience comments

4 STARS!!- The Good Review

"A really novel and sweet new piece of theatre from the Manchester-based company ‘From the Mill’...
Solid and convincing performances were given by John Mulholland (Lee) and Jennifer Campbell (J).....
The one who shone through for me though was Tom Hodson (the Interviewer), who provided an almost Jiminy Cricket conscience-like guide throughout the performance. His fixed position and inclusion of the audience really was an anchor that held firmer still as the heat and tension were turned up.....
The intimate venue, small but able cast, simple lighting and minimal set all assembled together to pull in and intrigue the audience. Indeed, the performance’s technical simplicity did not detract in any way from the storytelling, but in fact aided greatly the build-up of the plot....
This ‘newly emerging’ theatre company is worth keeping an eye out for. " REMOTE GOAT

"The performance of Life's Witness was at all times gripping and believable, and the chemistry within the cast could be felt. "

"Our emotions were caught up with the characters and the situation, with a slight underlying feeling at the end of whether all was as it seemed, a true ambiguity expertly delivered. "

Our first review!!

★★★★
Reviewer: Steven Ireland
There’s something very enjoyable about watching a new show produced by a fledgling company. Often, you can feel the sense of people pulling together behind a project they believe in, putting their all into getting the thing out there for people to see. Downstairs in The Bay Horse is an unconventional theatre space but for me this lent a sense of accessibility and informality. I’d be happy to see more plays here.
Life’s Witness is From The Mill Theatre’s first show and focuses on the character of spy novel writer Nathan, played by Luke Helly. Early career success could not be sustained, but with a bright new idea his latest novel has brought him back from the wilderness, and he has agreed to a live, televised interview in which to bask in some congratulations. However, all is not as it seems, both in the nature of the interview, and in the story behind Nathan’s new novel.
It would be easy to over-play the central character, but Helly’s performance avoids histrionics in favour of casting Nathan as a flawed victim of an unforgiving industry and the false expectations brought by instant success. Similarly, John Mulholland as Nathan’s partner and writing protégé Lee is sympathetic but has enough of his own attitude and ambition to keep Nathan from simply being the villain of the piece.
The show’s producer, Jennifer Campbell, and its writer, Thomas Hodson, play Nathan’s publisher and the interviewer respectively; but this is far from a case of a small company dragging in non-acting members to help out. Hodson moves deftly between a fawning Melvyn Bragg and an interrogatory Jeremy Paxman. Campbell is every inch the ruthless industry professional, callously dismissing Nathan one moment, yet prepared to defend him (and her percentage) with all the resources at her disposal when he has a winning book.
Director Onur Orkut allows things to build nicely, as flashback scenes that begin as separate entities start to merge into the interview as the guilt and failure from Nathan’s past close in on him under the questioning of the present. When the crescendo came, and Nathan finally lost his cool with his tormentor, the moment felt a little bit crowded – probably contributed to by the lack of any real backstage area.
It was a privilege to attend this preview. If you plan to attend the Page to Stage Festival in Liverpool next week you could do a lot worse than seek this out. I look forward to seeing what From the Mill produce next.
Life’s Witness is currently on tour in the north west. For dates and information, click here.

Meet the characters!

With the production drawing closer, we wanted to give you all the opportunity to get to know the characters a little bit more! So without further a do...

Nathan: A Cambridge University graduate, Nathan is focused, inventive, charismatic and intelligent. While working briefly in advertising in London, Nathan wrote his first novel: The Conjurer, which was released to critical acclaim. Nathan derives intellectual fulfilment from his novels and believes that the success of the series is based on the public’s fascination with espionage. Nathan is appreciative of the opportunities fame has afforded him and particularly enjoys visiting Asia as well as watching opera. He also frequently visits his family in Peterborough. 

The Interviewer: The interviewer is a bit of a mystery.  Although he is well-known for presenting “Spoken Word”, we are told very little else about him. We don’t even know his name. He is clearly the kind of person that likes to keep the attention on his guests rather than himself. The only clues he gives us about himself are hidden within the lines themselves and in his reactions. We know that he very intelligent, very observant and has a sense for a story.  He likes to do a lot of preparation before an interview and doesn’t like to be caught out. He has not got to where he is by accident.

The Publisher: Known by everyone as 'J', Jessica is a young hard working, ambitious, cut-throat publisher. She has supported Nathan throughout his entire writing career, and has become very fond of him. She protects those who she cares about, and is not someone you would want to cross. While she has a tender side, her work and ambition always takes priority. Failure is not an option for Jessica. She has brilliant instinct and intuition, and you can always count on her to tell you the truth. Most of all, if Jessica believes in someone, she will stand by their side and support them. 

Lee: Lee studied History at Manchester University and, after graduating with a 2:1, he decided to follow his passion for writing and began working on a selection of stories. To support his writing he has worked in a variety of jobs, including as a telephone banking assistant and a barman. He is constantly writing and hopes to one day get a publishing contract.

Hope you enjoyed meeting the gang!

Jenny

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tickets are for sale on Skiddle, please find links to the box office for each performance below!


Sunday 14th September                   6pm                House Liverpool


Wednesday 17th September             9pm                The Bluecoat
                                                                              

Saturday 20th September                  9pm                81 Renshaw St
                                                                             
                                   
Thursday 25th September                 2pm               Treasure House, World Museum Liverpool
                                                                          

Saturday 27th September                  3pm               Treasure House, World Museum Liverpool
                                                                          

We are pleased to finally be able to announce our performances and venues during the festival.


Sunday 14th September                   6pm                House Liverpool


Wednesday 17th September             9pm                The Bluecoat
                                                                              

Saturday 20th September                  9pm                81 Renshaw St
                                                                             
                                   
Thursday 25th September                 2pm               Treasure House, World Museum Liverpool
                                                                          

Saturday 27th September                  3pm               Treasure House, World Museum Liverpool
                                                                          

We will let you know as soon as tickets go on sale.

Exciting times!


TOM
From the Mill