Monday 30 April 2012

Q & A - Black Box Theatre Company

Black Box are regulars to the Fringe and we're pleased that they are here in 2008. They've brought two very different productions - Five Go Mad in Buxton, Again! and an abbreviated version of The Tragedy of Richard III. Both run until 19th July - Five at Nice Venues and Richard at the Pauper's Pit. (By the way if you run them an errand get the milk - you can expect a generous tip by the look of it).

You have played at the Buxton Fringe before why are you coming back?
It’s the water…it draws…me…pulls me …. toward the picturesque Derbyshire village…
It’s the summer, it’s theatre, it’s not the commercial venture that is now the Edinburgh Festival, it’s cute, it’s quaint and it allows me (and Black Box) to stretch our creative muscles

Amongst Buxton’s famous sons and (adopted daughter) are Tim Brooke-Taylor, Dave Lee Travis and Vera Brittain. How do you feel about following in the footsteps of such giants?
Tim and Dave, eh? Wow! Er…honoured. These guys are monoliths in the field of radio and comedy. I’m reeling from the thought of following the footsteps of the Hairy Cornflake – I grew up with him on Radio 1! And the patriotic one from The Goodies (and Just a Minute) – Wow!
By the way, who is Vera Brittain? [See the Altrincham Garrick Society Q & A for an answer to this one].

What reaction do you expect from your audiences?
I feel the audience reaction is directly linked to the weather! In 06 (our first visit) it was glorious and the feeling was very upbeat – as was the reception to the piece we brought (Yesterday – for which Lucy Bromilow won Best Young Performer) in 07 the weather was miserable; as were the audiences (in number) however every grey cloud has a silver lining and the audiences who saw our three offerings were very responsive

5 pieces of fruit and veg a day – what do you choose to eat?
I don’t eat fruit and veg cos there’s no chocolate in them!

Do you have any superstitions or routines that you follow before starting a performance?
I pray for a strong opening from the performers….

Buxton Mineral Water – how do you drink it?
I’d watch for the Noctrin Four if I were you…. (see Five Go Mad in Buxton Again!)

Are there any other performers/artists that you especially admire? If so, who and why?
I admire everyone in the Arts for their sheer tenacity and gall to get off their backsides and put something together in the hope it’s entertaining
After that I admire the talents of a host of performers and artists – too many to name here

What question would you have liked to answer here?
How much is a pint of milk? What is the Meaning of Life? Can you get quicker than a Kwikfit fitter?

What are your answers?
About 90p. 42. The juries out.

by Keith Savage - Published 17/07/2008

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