The Blog is back after the summer break! And back with a long-awaited contribution from designer, actor, costume maker, prop-maker and problem solver Dennis Carpenter. His creative skill is stamped on every single Networks production. As an actor he's played villain and Dame, as a designer he's painted Rainforests and Palaces, as a costume maker he's made Ball Gowns and Togas, as a Prop Maker he's made icebergs and scrolls. I could go on and on and but let him tell you more...
1. What’s your name?
Dennis Carpenter
No
IMAGE FROM THE FIRST PRODUCTION OF UGLY, DENNIS PLAYED DRAKE - MAY 2004
3. How many shows have you appeared in?
14 but have worked on 53
STAGE DESIGN FROM DRACULA - JUNE 2004
4. Name them!
As an actor: Two Princesses in Waiting, Cinderella (Buttons), Last Panto in Little Grimley, Painting Memories, Aladdin (Abanazar), Ugly, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Muddles), Prince and The Pauper, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella (Ugly Sister), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, (Wicked Queen), Dick Whittington, A Christmas Carol and Aladdin (Widow Twankey.)
IMAGE FROM ALADDIN - NOVEMBER 2003
5. What was your first show?
The Two Princesses, I played a messenger. I entered to give the Two Princesses a message and had a heart attack and died.
ED: Two Princesses in March 2002 was Dennis' first acting role. As a designer or prop maker we need to go back as far as December 1999 when he made a model of Titanic and an Iceberg.
DENNIS HAND MAKES APPROXIMATELY 100 COSTUMES A YEAR.
6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?
My earliest memories are of watching the younger kids shows in December and June, and thinking how wonderful it was that these little kids have the opportunity to take part in something like this.
7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
It is seeing someone who is passionate about theatre and the possibilities doing theatre can give you, personally giving you more confidence and socially to be more extrovert.
STAGE DESIGN FROM THE FIRST FAIRY TALE MIX PRODUCTION - DECEMBER 2003
B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
When he wore the short blue wig playing the part of dame in Dick Whittington, during the dress rehearsal I couldn't stop laughing.
"THAT" BLUE WIG FROM DICK WHITTINGTON - NOVEMBER 2008
C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
The scariest memory of Nick has to be when he was dressed in the very bright 1960s style costume from one of the pantos, it was awful but fantastic at the same time.
DENNIS ARE YOU LAUGHING? IMAGE FROM DICK WHITTINGTON - NOVEMBER 2008
8. What has been your favourite show to date?
It has to be Last Panto in Little Grimley.
COSTUME DESIGN FROM PSYCHEDELIC COOL - MARCH 2010
9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
There are just too many to choose from, but one does stand out more than any other. It was during a performance of The Prince and the Pauper May 2005, and a scene between Cristina (sorry to remind you of this) and myself. Well, Cristina was due to enter and then we would say our lines and job done, but as she entered she missed the step onto the stage and fell over, disaster, what do we do? Luckily she got up and we managed to get through the scene.
Also very quickly, I remember playing the Wicked Queen in Snow White and after a costume change and a bit of a long break between scenes, I sat in the office and had taken off the high heeled shoes and put my more comfortable trainers on, yes you can guess what happened next, I entered on stage with the correct costume on, but wearing my trainers.
10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?
This was a fun show - Beauty and the Beast. It's always fun to play the baddie!
Image from Beauty and the Beast - November 2005
11. Are there any ideas you’d like to give Nick when he’s planning productions. Stories or subjects that you think might make good shows?
Any shows where I get to put on a fabulous frock has got to be the best idea!
IMAGE FROM ALADDIN - DENNIS AS WIDOW TWANKEY - NOVEMBER 2010
12. Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word?
Enchanting, infectious.
ED: That's two words but thanks anyway.
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