REVIEW: Corona Cutie: A Digital Quest for Love | Spotlight MT

Posted 06/08/202126/01/2022 RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Music, Theatre

6^th-30^th August | On Demand | Fringe Player | Get Tickets

This new musical explores the ordeals of finding love and keeping sane in a locked-down world. It’s created using simply filming and editing techniques tied in with comic book style graphics to ask why pandemics don’t feature in romcoms?

I am a firm believer that if you write a show around current affairs along with what’s trending around you and stick it in a musical you are bound to attract a fringe audience, which is exactly what Spotlight MT has done.

Mom, that one annoying person who’s doing really well in lockdown training for 10ks, constantly meeting mates online and annoyingly optimistic tells their introverted daughter who is living alone and wonders what they can find to do once they’ve tidied their room, to get dating!

There are some catchy songs including ‘Whatever I Say,’ a dark, jazzy look at creating your dating profile and ‘Alive,’ about how it’s okay not to be okay, as long as you stand tall and keep going.

Spotlight MT has developed the perfect platform to showcase this group of new graduates with fantastic voices singing to the great score developed by Lucy Gellar. In a world with limited creative opportunities, they have made their own and show young creatives everywhere that you don’t need to be a film wizard, a sound pro or a costume designer to get your concept across, so long as you have a passionate team to work with.

Graduates should take note that this work was created with the support of the Marian and Charles Holmes Performing Arts Fund, a small funding body from Claremont College where these grads and students have done their training. These funding solutions exist so don’t be afraid to ask your college or university if they have any options you could apply for to help you show off your ideas!

A great work in progress from this inspiring group of individuals. I have no doubt you all have careers ahead of you if this is your beginning!

The Shows Must Go On: Performances in the Pandemic

Posted 26/10/202028/10/2020 RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Entertainment, Funding, Theatre

I’m a Theatre Girl. A bonafide Drama Geek.

I love it, everything about it.

The early arrival, the buzz in the foyer, the glass of wine served in a plastic cup to take into the auditorium, the usher guiding you to your seat, thumbing through the programme as you wait for the show to start, the dimming lights, the interval chatter, the overheard conversations of other show-goers opinions as you purchase your ice cream, the ice cream itself, the bows, the clapping, the cheering, the standing ovations.

I soak up the atmosphere.

It is and will always be the true love of my life.

If there’s one thing I have missed this lockdown it’s going to the theatre!

Thank God the Arts world has stepped up to bring The Shows Must Go On from Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I’m all about musical theatre! And this epic West End fundraiser has kept me going during this pandemic!

Last season saw West End Classics from The Phantom of the Opera to The Sound of Music and more modern classics like Hairspray.

And this season plans to give even more! It opened up with Fame followed by an all-star concert with Michael Ball and this weekend is set to be a West End Performance of Midnight Tango with Strictly stars Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone.

The completely awesome thing is that they are putting on real-life musical theatre shows with most productions that are currently on hiatus in the West End taking part.

Generally, an excellent fundraising idea which has also been utilised by companies like the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic.

But this isn’t limited to theatre companies! The British Museum has released documentary-style films about specific exhibitions Art Galleries have done similar work, with Grande Exhibitions beginning to tour Van Gogh Alive at Birmingham Hippodrome, navigating the storm that is Corona Virus.

Have you got any pre-recorded shows or footage from an exhibition? Considering offering this as content with an option to donate to try and fundraise for your company during these turbulent times.

Last night Some Am-Dram Saved My Life

Posted 30/12/201924/03/2020 RuthEJWestLeave a commentPosted in Creative Industries, Mental Health, Theatre

I know that this blog is primarily about how to apply business skills to your Arts Business, but I will from time to time bring mental health to the forefront of discussion because I think it should be openly discussed and it’s an important conversation.

The Arts Industry is rife with people who struggle with their mental health and (although I will admit that I have no scientific research behind this) I would argue that there are more individuals battling with invisible illnesses like anxiety and depression in this industry than in any other.

Sometimes working in the arts feels like a constant uphill climb. We are encouraged to go out there and live our dreams, but we are never told how hard it is going to be. The hours are long and the pay is often low. Environments can be stressful, and experiences can bend you to complete breaking point.

Now please don’t get me wrong:

I love the arts!

And however much there are times I want to pack it all in and runaway forever Lady Theatre keeps dragging me back! There is nothing like the creative industry. The rush, the excitement and the passion!

A few years ago (without going into too much detail) both my personal and professional life began to crumble and I started to fall apart. I went on long term sick leave with the diagnosis of depression and anxiety and vowed never to work in the arts industry again.

After a year of struggling I couldn’t even bring myself to open my laptop and the idea of searching for a new career made me feel physically sick but I knew I needed to do something, if only to appease my friends and family to show them that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

A neighbour had told me about a charity panto that would be taking place in February called: ‘Goldilocks and the Three Martians’.

“They always need volunteers to help with props and set” I was told. She passed on my details and found out the rehearsal times for me.

So one Friday, when I was having a good day, I decided to push myself to attend a rehearsal. I was instantly introduced to the Head of Props who immediately gave me a copy of the script, talked me through all the things which needed making and invited me for a meal to meet the rest of the crew.

I went, I chatted. I was instantly enveloped into a family of different personalities who had one key thing in common: they LOVE theatre.

Now, a year later, I am the official stage manager of this year’s panto: ‘Sinbad goes Down Under’ and I have been involved in crewing, building and propping the entire amateur dramatics programme in the Solihull Area.

More importantly, I have learnt how to manage my depression and I have remembered why I fell in love with the arts industry.

I used to be quite the cynic about amateur dramatics. Basically, I was a bit of a snob. I felt like there was a strong divide between “professional theatre” and “amateur theatre”. To a point it is instilled in you at arts school that you are somehow better than that, above it.

But there is something beautiful about amateur dramatics though. It is pure and innocent. There is none of the economic politics. Everyone is there because they love what there doing, whether that is onstage or off. They have become an immediate community of likeminded friends.

And they have reignited my desire for this industry and helped me find my way in this beautiful life.

If ever you’re feeling lost in what is often an overwhelming world, I implore you to seek out the hobbyists in your industry! They may not be the most professional, the most innovative or have the highest production values but none of that matters! They are the most positive and passionate groups and they just might relight your fire.