Contender Charlie, China Plate and Warwick Arts Centre present
MACBETH – BLOOD WILL HAVE BLOOD
Production Pack
‘I cannot but imagine that Shakespeare himself would have loved this interpretation and that the
visceral, earthy and mischievous re-telling of his story would have delighted him.’
Steve Hawthorne, InSuffolk Review
‘ CELEBRATING THE 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHAKESPEARE’S DEATH
Supported by Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton and funded by Arts Council England.
CONTENTS
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CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
About the show
Brochure copy
Target audiences
Engagement for schools
Feedback
Technical info
Creative team
Companies
Contacts
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THE SHOW
China Plate’s captivating one-man adaptation of Macbeth – Blood Will Have Blood, returns
in 2016 following two incredibly successful UK tours in 2014 & 2015.
Adapted from the original mid-scale production, this new one-man version offers flexible
touring through seamlessly merging live performance with a dramatic on-screen world.
Using razor sharp storytelling and a heart-stopping soundtrack, this new adaptation takes
audiences on a break-neck journey through the blood-soaked world of Macbeth.
The thrilling production, written by Nick Walker for 9-13 year olds, builds on the company’s
innovative approach to putting live narration and modern language alongside
Shakespeare’s classic text – increasing the focus on clear storytelling and accessibility. This
new production has been designed with greater technical flexibilility to enable us to
continue to reach our target audience in a wider variety of locations and venues.
Across the 2014/15 tours the project has been particularly successful at reaching areas of
low arts engagement (particularly with boys / reluctant learners/ and with young people
whose second language is English),
“The show was extremely well presented and brilliantly performed. The surround sound and
quality of composition and sound design was particularly good, serving to enhance the
atmospherics and also inform the story…The pacing was punchy and kept young
distractible minds engaged throughout.” Arts Centre Washington
EDUCATION PACKAGE
An extensive education programme, created by Contender Charlie, one of the UK’s
foremost theatre education companies, accompanies the show. The programme offers
teachers and schools the opportunity to deepen and extend their theatre experience
through a workshop and interactive online resources. For more information please read
page 6.
This project offers venues:
•
•
•
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A stunning and powerful adaptation of Shakespeare Macbeth.
A brilliant introduction to Shakespeare for 9-13 year olds with little previous theatre
experience.
An opportunity to engage wider audiences and to establish/build on a reputation
for promoting top class work for young people.
An innovative 3 tiered education programme
OFFICIAL SHOW TRAILER – Click here.
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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NICK WALKER (WRITER) ON THE PORTER AND THE DRAMATIC ON SCREEN WORLD
“During the writing of the first adaptation of Macbeth, for a cast of 6, it became clear that
the role of the Porter, who navigated the audience through the fast moving plot, was an
extremely exciting and powerful device.
Funny yet deadly serious; charismatic yet shy; subversive yet naïve; untrustworthy yet
sincere. His complicity in the story was both a source of fear for him, but also a gleeful and
manipulative pleasure. The kids loved him.
The strength of such a role made us speculate how far we could push him, and whether he
could hold the whole play on his own. This is what we have written.
He opens the Pandora’s box holding the story of Macbeth and talks to, into, and through
the screen to help the audience feel those moments of danger, temptation, power, despair
and guilt.
It provides an audacious interaction both with an audience and with a dramatic on screen
world, and all those exciting spaces in between.”
TOURING PLANS
Macbeth – Blood Will Have Blood will tour to venues across the UK in autumn 2016.
Please contact Kaya Stanley-Money or Paul Warwick to discuss booking details or for more
information:
kaya@chinaplatetheatre.com / +44 (0)77 4307 2199
paul@chinaplatetheatre.com / +44 (0)79 3269 6879
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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BROCHURE COPY
Contender Charlie, China Plate and Warwick Arts Centre present
MACBETH – BLOOD WILL HAVE BLOOD
Re-invented for 9-13 years-olds Macbeth – Blood Will Have Blood is an accessible and
unforgettable introduction to Shakespeare’s shocking story of ambition, greed and the
abuse of power.
Summoned by the arrival of the audience, a macabre Porter leads us into the dark heart of
Shakespeare's play, offering young audiences (and their families) a glimpse of life under
Scotland’s tyrant King.
Using razor sharp storytelling, a dramatic on-screen world and a heart-stopping soundtrack
this one-man adaptation takes us on a break-neck journey through the blood-soaked world
of Macbeth.
Supported by Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton and funded by Arts Council England.
‘I cannot but imagine that Shakespeare himself would have loved this interpretation and
that the visceral, earthy and mischievous re-telling of his story would have delighted him.’
Steve Hawthorne, InSuffolk Review
‘My advice for those considering bringing their children to see this groundbreaking
production is: kill to get a ticket.’
Roy Leighton, author of Success in the Creative Classroom
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
@youroldchina
Running time
55 minutes (performance)
30 minutes (workshop Q&A)
Age guidance
Most suited for ages 9-13
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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TARGET AUDIENCES AND KEY
MESSAGES / BENEFITS
Macbeth – Blood Will Have Blood has an extraordinary track record for engaging
audiences of all backgrounds, reaching over 5,000 young paople (and their families)
to date across 2 national tours.
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2016 is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death – this is the perfect opportunity
for venues and schools to engage with the anniversary celebrations.
•
Young people aged 9-13. High quality re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic from
established touring companies - specifically adapted as an excellent introduction to
Shakespeare. An unforgettable, accessible, live action and on-screen production.
•
Students (years 5, 6, 7 & 8) – High quality re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic from
established touring companies. An unforgettable, accessible, live action and onscreen production. A perfect introduction to Shakespeare’s work, for young people
to learn from and about, potentially at reduced cost for groups. Workshops and post
show talks also available.
China Plate can provide venues with the following tried and tested resources for use
with schools:
Ø Schools email template
Ø Bespoke schools marketing
Ø Publicity materials
Ø Direct schools letter template
Ø Full education package (as detailed on page 6)
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Previous China Plate, Contender Charlie and Warwick Arts Centre audiences –
revival of acclaimed, sell out production building on success of 2014 and 2015
production and tour. High quality re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic from
established touring companies in a co-production with Warwick Arts Centre. An
unforgettable, accessible, live action and on-screen production. Perfect introduction
to Shakespeare’s work.
•
Existing drama audiences – Quality re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic play
produced by award-winning established companies. An unforgettable, accessible,
live action and on-screen production.
•
Arts professionals – Opportunity to see innovatively re-imagined production of
Macbeth staged on tour. High quality re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic play
produced by award-winning established companies. An unforgettable, accessible,
live action and on-screen production.
•
Existing and potential drama/creative writing/script writing groups – high quality reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic. Opportunity to learn about quality adaptations
of Shakespeare’s work and making it accessible for younger audiences from awardwinning established companies.
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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ENGAGEMENT FOR SCHOOLS
-Performance
-Workshop / Q&A
-Education package including online resources
As part of the experience, each participating school will have access to a unique learning
package. Following the performance, the Porter will lead a workshop / Q&A, which bridges
the gap between the performance and the classroom / online work. a unique form of
experimental learning developed by Ben Walden in collaboration with Mark Rylance and
Richard Olivier. This technique harnesses the power of storytelling and is designed to
enhance and inspire the creative learning of young people.
‘The workshop really helped the children start exploring the personalities and motivations of
the different characters and it really helped pave the way for work in the classroom.’
Participating schools will also have access to an online educational resource specifically
designed to accompany this project. Students are invited into the site via a filmed
sequence where they meet the Porter again. They then revisit key moments and characters
from the play and participate in activities, which explore their key motivations. The range of
activities are designed to be cross-curricular in nature, enabling teachers to use them in
English, Drama, History, PSHE and SEAL units of work. To access these resources visit
www.bloodwillhaveblood.net. An online tutorial is also available by clicking below.
Teacher reactions
‘I spent over a week using the online resources. Pupils loved meeting the Porter again. I
used the character videos to recap plot and support understanding of character
motivations. We then used the website tasks to support writing. I was so pleased to get
descriptive and quality writing from the Macbeth website.’
‘The performance, workshop and resources have had a very positive impact on our
children and it has helped them develop a sound understanding of Macbeth and its
themes, the motivations and personalities of the characters. It clearly motivated them to
write about Macbeth in very creative ways, take part in drama sessions and produce
excellent work about Shakespeare.’
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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FEEDBACK
Teacher Feedback
‘I have never seen staff and pupils so enthusiastic and appreciative. A brilliant experience...
Shakespeare will never be the same again!’
“The use of such varied production elements really captivated the young audience
immediately and set up the story telling effectively.
When I tackle Shakespeare ( and ‘Macbeth’) with my Year 8 Drama classes after Christmas
– the production we saw will be a great learning tool and stepping on point for my pupils. It
has made them realise the versatility of both Shakespeare and also a wide range of
production elements so thank you!”
‘Terrifying. Brilliant. They loved the blood and guts. They now love the story of Macbeth and
know it far better than a lot of adults! Amazing.’
‘I thought the performance was excellent, exciting, interactive and made the story of
Macbeth come to life perfectly. It was perfectly pitched for our Year 6 class, which includes
a majority of EAL children.’
“The students came to the show with no prior teaching of the story and left with a good
grasp of character, plot and main themes. Staff found the performance to be original and
engaging.”
“We found our students talked with energy and enthusiasm about both how the production
was staged and in relation to the Macbeth story. They really appreciated the Q & A at the
end of the performance too.” ’
‘Definitely a positive impact, especially with the boys and reluctant learners. Motivation to
write increased. Quality of all aspects of the curriculum was enhanced. Each class went on
to read other Shakespeare stories after this.’
‘It has really improved literacy skills and the children’s confidence in drama. I have a lot of
mini Macbeths in my class now! They have the confidence to use a much wider range of
vocabulary.’
The use of the Porter as storyteller, narrator and audience guide was ingenious – mixing
contemporary language with traditional Shakespearian to make the production very
accessible for young people.”
“The whole show was gripping and the students were enthralled by the world created on
stage. The text was succinct but gave a strong introduction to Macbeth.”
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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Pupil Feedback
“I really liked the Porters visual effects…I would like to go and watch it again because it was
intelligent and funny.” Alfie
“The special effects that made it look like the Porter was covered in blood were incredible”
Harvey
“I liked the way the actors on the screen timed it perfectly with the Porter on the screen.”
Jordan
“The play was fantastic…I thoroughly enjoyed the play, thank you so much” Josh
“The Porter was funny and good at acting and you guys did a good job with the special
effects and make-up.” Rizgan
“We loved the show. Thank you for letting us come to your fantastic show!” Kian
“Now, the sound effects were amazing, like flying dogs amazing!” Hya
“It was unbelievably fantastic when the narrator was in the screen one minute then bang,
he was on the stage!” Zach
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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TECHINCAL INFO
Venue: Macbeth – Blood Will Have Blood is best presented in a theatre studio space with
raked seating.
Maximum capacity: 130 (on raked seating)
Get in / out: A minimum 3 hour get-in is required to fit up show, followed by a 2 hour get-out
following final performance.
Company on the road: One performer (requiring access to 1 dressing room) and one
technical manager.
The show tours in a transit van.
Playing space: Minimum playing area of 6.5m (w) x 4m (d).
Set: The show tours with a fast fold projection screen measuring 8’ (w) x 6’ (h). This is set on
its legs, and reaches an overall height of approximately 2.75m.
Audio Visual: The show tours with a projector, and mac mini running Q-lab to operate the
video and sound.
Sound: All sound is run via Q-lab on a Mac.
The show tours with a PA, complimented by the venue’s existing rig to supplement this
where necessary.
Further equipment provided by the company includes 5 EM121X speakers, 1 EM118 sub
bass speaker, 2 JBL Control 1s, a sound desk, and all required amps and cables.
Lighting: Use of the venue’s dimmers, lanterns and lighting board is required.
The show requires the use of 2 sidelight booms, 1 set DSL and the other set DSR with the
ability to rig 3 profiles on each.
The lighting rig should consist of no more than 15 units.
Special FX: The show tours with a Le Maitre Pyroflash (cartridge based) pyrotechnic system.
A full tech spec is available up request by emailing kaya@chinaplatetheatre.com.
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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CREATIVE TEAM
Paul Warwick – Director
Paul Warwick is a theatre director and producer. He is Co-Director of China Plate, a company that
producers high quality, exciting and innovative new work that is formally adventurous and narratively
engaging. He and his colleague, Ed Collier, are currently Associate Producers at Warwick Arts
Centre, Directors of Pulse Festival and Artistic Associates at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich. The
company also work with a number of the UK’s most exciting and innovative artists and are currently
creating work with Caroline Horton, Action Hero, Chris Thorpe, Contender Charlie, Dan Jones and
Inspector Sands. In 2002 they set up The John Osborne Arvon Centre in Shropshire and prior to that
Paul was the founding artistic director of award-winning Unlimited Theatre. He is also an alumni of The
Royal National Theatre's Directors Scheme and currently sits on the Board of Dialogue Productions.
Directing credits include Stones In His Pockets (The New Vic); Stormchasers (BBC Radio 4); Macbeth
(Contender Charlie/China Plate/Warwick Arts Centre); Nick Walker’s We Love You City (Belgrade
Theatre); Dwr Caru (Talking Birds); Arabian Nights (The New Vic); Laurel and Hardy (Stephen Joseph
Theatre); Home Street (Stella Quines / Traverse Theatre); Laurel and Hardy (The New Vic); The
Windmill (The Drill Hall); Nick Walker’s The Last Lot (Talking Birds); Evensong (Landscape); Love Letters
(Middle Temple Hall); Promises to Keep (Duke of York’s Theatre) and Static, Clean, Dead In the
Water, Shades, No Brave World, The Dumb Waiter and Uncle Vanya (all Unlimited Theatre).
Nick Walker – Writer
Nick is a writer and producer. He was co-founder of Talking Birds, a Coventry-based theatre
company whose work has been presented across the UK, Europe, and the USA. He has worked with
some of the country’s leading new work theatre companies including Stan’s Cafe, Insomniac,
Debbie Isitt’s Snarling Beasties, NoFit State (on their international hit Barricade), Action Hero, and
Kindle Theatre. His plays and short stories are regularly featured on BBC Radio 4, including 3 series of
The First King of Mars (starring Peter Capaldi), and 3 series of The Bigger Issues. His new Scandinavian
thriller series, Annika Stranded, was broadcast on Radio 4 in Jan 2013. He is director of independent
radio company Top Dog whose series The Music Teacher was nominated for a Writers Guild of Great
Britain award. He is the author of two critically acclaimed novels Blackbox and Helloland. He is
currently working for on a new drama series for BBC1, and on a screenplay with Black Camel
pictures.
CAST
Richard Kidd | The Porter
ON SCREEN CAST
Jack Bannell | Macbeth
Toby W Davies | Macduff
Esther McAuley | Lady Macbeth
Jack Parry-Jones | Banquo
Jonathan Mulquin | Malcolm
Nick Walker | Duncan
CREATIVE TEAM
Paul Warwick | Director
Nick Walker | Writer
Elena Pena | Sound Designer
Chris Whitwood | Touring Technical Manager
Film produced by Iconic Productions
www.iconictv.co.uk
Sarah Belcher, Amanda Lawrence, Giulia Innocenti | Witches voices
FOR ICONIC PRODUCTIONS
Sam Lockyer | Director of Photography & Editor
Diensen Pamben | Lighting & Additional Camera
James Watson | Sound
Juliet Aiyedogbon | Go Pro
Andrew Sones | FX
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
DIGITAL CONSULTANTS | C&T
www.candt.org
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COMPANIES
CHINA PLATE
China Plate is an independent theatre studio that works with artists, venues, festivals and
funders to make original, exciting theatre that plays with form and has narrative at its heart.
China Plate achieve this through three strands of work:
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•
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Developing (artist development and commissioning)
Making (origination and touring)
Programming (seasons, festivals and events)
China Plate are currently collaborating with Caroline Horton, Action Hero, Chris Thorpe,
Contender Charlie, Dan Jones and Inspector Sands.
The company are Associate Producers at Warwick Arts Centre where they develop and
commission new work, Artistic Associates at the New Wolsey Theatre where they are
Directors of PULSE Festival, Programmers of New Directions (the NRTF showcase) and
producers of innovative development programmes including The Darkroom, The Optimists
(producer training) and The First Bite and Bite Size Festivals.
China Plate are Ed Collier, Paul Warwick, Kirsten Burrows and Kaya Stanley-Money. For
more information on China Plate, visit www.chinaplatetheatre.com
CONTENDER CHARLIE
Contender Charlie use the power of storytelling and mythology to enhance and inspire the creative
learning of young people as well as their teachers and school leaders.
The company’s mission is to support young people in the exploration of their emotional development
and creative potential. To support those who mentor, teach or lead students in the promotion of
inspiring, effective and ethical practice.
For more information about Contender Charlie visit www.contendercharlie.com
WARWICK ARTS CENTRE
Warwick Arts Centre is one of the largest multi-artform venues in the UK, presenting,
commissioning and co-producing an outstanding programme of contemporary live and
visual arts. It aims to be a place of artistic adventure for audiences and artists alike and is
one of a small group of significant supporters of contemporary performing and visual arts
outside of London.
Opened in 1974 at the heart of the University of Warwick campus, Warwick Arts Centre is a
distinctive and special place, integral to University life, an important resource for the arts
and for audiences in the region and a significant force in national and international arts
networks.
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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CONTACTS
Kaya Stanley-Money
kaya@chinaplatetheatre.com
077 4307 2199
Paul Warwick
paul@chinaplatetheatre.com
079 3269 6879
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
Twitter @youroldchina
CHINA PLATE
www.chinaplatetheatre.com
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