I have just been for an interview with Martin Berry about a technical assistant role on his upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Lakeside Arts Centre. I should hear back on Monday whether I have the role or not. Hopefully I do because it is a fantastic opportunity to shadow a professional and make some good contacts. Not to mention, the production would be so much fun to work on, it is a fantastic musical. It was mentioned that I could definitely help out with the set painting so that is a bonus and at least I get to be involved somehow.
So, keeping my fingers crossed! It is going to be a long weekend of anticipation.

So Saturday was the final performances of Little Voice at Lace Market Theatre. For an amature production it was just fantastic and deserves to have lived longer than just the week it ran for. Me and the rest f the cast and crew are so sad to say goodbye to it. Who knows, one day it may be resurrected, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

All I have heard is positive feedback so well done to everyone involved. Here is another review from LeftLion magazine:
http://www.leftlion.co.uk/articles.cfm/title/the-rise-and-fall-of-little-voice/id/4280 

So this week The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is playing at Lace Market Theatre in Nottingham. I am supervising the lighting desk for the week and running the desk myself for a few shows. I am having so much fun doing it and learning so much!

I was lighting operator for the opening nights performance and this is the review we got in the Nottingham Post:

 
Review: The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Lace Market Theatre, by Alan GearyTuesday, February 07, 2012

Director Martin Berry gets it very right again with this outstanding production. It's a good play – darker probably, if memory serves, than the 1998 film – and Berry presides over a number of good, sometimes startlingly good, performances.

Lauren McGee, as LV with her little piping voice gets the necessary rabbity shyness brilliantly, and has a great voice for the divas. Her wonderful song medley in Mr Boo's club is a highlight of the evening.

Kareena Sims, as Mari, her coarsely larger than life, over-sexed mother, is outstanding. And Ali Patrick's Sadie, gormless, silent and greedy, is beautifully done. What might sometimes appear to be over-acting in these two parts is almost certainly over-writing by playwright Jim Cartwright.

Small-time agent Ray Say, the cocky, blingy, type, is played superbly by Chris Moseley. He makes Say almost unbearably seedy and pathetic in the bit when his plans have crashed around him and he sings along to It's Over in front of a tacky curtain.

We get a massively cluttered, well-observed set with a free-standing entrance/exit door. The five-piece live band is suitably un-subtle, raucous and nicely over loud – it's a working-mens' club.

You weary at the incompetence and hopelessness of Cartwright's characters. As in some of his other plays, you know they're never going to break out of the imprisoning situation they find themselves in. And there are some deeply disturbing patches in the play, incidentally made more so by the sound effects.

This is an unmissible piece of theatre.

Alan Geary

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice runs at the Lace Market Theatre till Saturday, 11th February

Although lighting did not get a mention I am still incredibly proud to be involved with this production. Everyone involved has been a pleasure to work with and I would like to say congratulations to all of them.

I would say come along and see it, but most of the remaining shows are sold out. But if you can get a ticket, then do it, you will not be disappointed!

So last night I went to the Lace Market Theatre in Nottingham for a volunteer induction evening. Due to my skills picked up at Uni they want me to help out with lighting for the production of Little Voice. In the future I may also be helping out with scenery painting. This seems like an awesome opportunity to pick up some skills,  meet new people and hopefully network with people who may get me into some paid work.
Exciting stuff!

So I picked up this really great book from the library called 'Creature Features' by Randy Martinez. It takes you through step by step how to draw different monsters and aliens. I thought I could do with a bit of research and practice before I attempt the Duke and the Robobabes logo.

I would recommend this book to anyone. I never saw myself as much of an illustrator but this book makes it so simple. Maybe there is hope for me yet with more practice.

Here are some of the sketches I did:

I have been asked by my friend in Canada to design a logo for his band Duke and the RoboBabes, check them out on http://www.facebook.com/#!/dukeandtherobobabes
The theme is Robot-Cowboy which should be fun to play around with. The logo they are using at the moment is pretty basic but gives me a good starting point.

So my secret Christmas project was a sucess so finally I can tell you about it. For my mum for Christmas I painted a portrait of our dog Shep who died over a year ago. My mum was over the moon with it and cried the moment she opened it.