Networks Blog Stories Nr. 17: Antonio Ortiz

Networks Blog Story Nr. 17 features Antonio Ortiz, or should we just call him Bananaboy?;) Antonio has already been a star in 11 Networks shows and is about to take part in another production: the upcoming show When I Was Me!


1. What’s your name? Antonio Ortiz Poveda

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name? Tony. Sometimes Nick calls me Bananaboy...

3. How many shows have you appeared in? 11 shows

4. Name them! Dracula, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Scrooge.com, Make a Wish, Ocean Blue, Junior Saves Christmas, Frankenstein, Adventures in Pantoland, Around the World in 80 days and another one I don't remember now. N.B. Ironically, the missing show is Bananas The Musical, Bananaboy! ;)

5. What was your first show? Dracula

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows? When I was doing Dracula, there was a kid, one year older than me, going up on stage (from the office), and he fell down and I fell with him.

7. What is your earliest/favourite/scariest memory of Nick? Favourite: When we sang the main song of Beauty and the Beast together; for giving me the chance, being so young, to do that show… and scariest: Once in Make a Wish I had to go early and he shouted at me, then I came in again saying that a friend had to come with me, then he shouted again..

8. What has been your favourite show to date? Beauty and the Beast.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal? Like I said before, when I sang the main song of Beauty and the Beast with Nick.

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? One of Scrooge.com.

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? Some action film, like Die Hard; it would be difficult but great.

12. Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word? Magic.

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 16: Alberto Ortuño

Blog Story Nr. 16 is about Alberto Ortuño. 16 is also the incredible number of shows in which Alberto participated, and that´s not even including his latest part, a Grease guy in Psychedelic Cool, singing about Beauty School Drop-outs and other cool things... :)

1. What’s your name? Alberto Ortuño

2. Do you have a Networks name? Albert

3. How many shows have you appeared in? 16!

4. Name them! Bamboo Princess, Christmas at the Majestic Hotel, The Fairy Tale Mix, Ugly!, Peter Pan, Prince and the Pauper, Scrooge.com, Make a Wish, My! School Musical, Romeo and Juliet, Robin Hood and the ABBA Silver Disk, Robin Hood: The Prince Strikes Back, Odysseus, Three Princesses in Waiting, Frankenstein and Dick Whittington.

5. What was your first show? Bamboo Princess.

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows? That my mummy and daddy didn’t like me and wanted to leave me there… I suppose L

7. What is your earliest/favourite/scariest memory of Nick? Well I could just answer all of them in one... Craziest man ever!

8. What has been your favourite show to date? Well difficult answer, but maybe Three Princesses in Waiting, ¡In some sports you’re jumping, in some sports you’re…!

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal? Uuuh! Practising Roberto’s, Juan Carlos´ and my dances… :D

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? One of a Robin Hood 1 rehearsal, we look so young and happy... being together doing what we love the most. N.B. Eh, Alberto, this answer sounds remarkably familiar. In fact it´s an exact copy of Diana´s answer to this question... So to change a bit, I´ve added a photo of Alberto as Ugly! ;) Didn´t think you could escape that, did you?!

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? Not now… heyyyy why not do Cinderella?? You’ve never done it before.. :S

12. Finally can you sum up Networks Theatre in just one word? Organised mess. N.B. right, one word...

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 15: Diana Benito

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 15 is about (and it´s about time!) Diana Benito! A Networks Theatre veteran, she is also one of Networks´ biggest (and, dare I say it, loudest! I mean, most enthusiastic ;) fans!! The big question is when, or if, she is coming back to the Networks stage?!


1. What’s your name? Diana Benito.

2. Do you have a Networks name? Caroline was the last one xD

3. How many shows have you appeared in? Well... mmm... let me count them, haha, I think that I've been in 10 shows.

4. Name them! Dracula, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the Seven (adorable) Dwarfs, Romeo and Juliet, Kindertransport, Robin Hood and the ABBA Silver Disk, Robin Hood: The Prince Strikes Back, Cinderella, Odysseus and Dick Whittington.

5. What was your first show? Dracula :)

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows? I thought that learning the script was going to be very difficult for me, but as soon as I arrived home from the first rehearsal I started learning every line and all the songs...

7. What is your earliest/favourite/scariest memory of Nick? Well, what can I say? I've lived through so much with that peculiar man. There was one time when I was talking (once again) and he started shouting at me like he had never done before... I started to cry, but he told me: If I get angry with you it´s because you're so important to me and I want you to improve... I will remember that all my life.

8. What has been your favourite show to date? Well... Each one is special for me in some ways. Robin Hood was one of the most important shows for a lot of peope in Networks, but the one who has brought more to me was Beauty and the Beast; I think all of you know why.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal? Hey! There are a lot! Hahaha. Maybe some moments between shows... Make-up, confessions, nerves, Nick once again telling us: “The last one was ok, but it has to be better and better! You're doing well, downstairs in 5 minutes ”... and especially the sadness that arrives when you know you're going to do the last performance...

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? One of a Robin Hood 1 rehearsal, we look so young and happy... being together doing what we love the most.

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? Be extreme. You know that you have a lot of projects inside you. Don't be afraid to do new things in the new theatre, that will revive and gratify you. P.S.: Count on me for them.

12. Finally can you sum up Networks Theatre in just one word? Glow.

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 14: Manuel García

Manuel García is the 14th subject of Networks Blog Stories! He´s been around for a long time at Networks Theatre and it will soon be possible to admire him in his latest show: Psychedelic Cool!

1. What’s your name? Manuel García López

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name? Raul

3. How many shows have you appeared in? 9 shows

4. Name them! Romeo and Juliet, Make a Wish, Ocean Blue, Scrooge.com, Scrooge, Junior Saves Christmas, Peter Pan, Networks Puppet Factory 4 and Psychedelic Cool.

5. What was your first show? Peter Pan

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows? When I was doing my first show (Peter Pan) and I fell down on my face in the small room...

7. What is your earliest/favourite/scariest memory of Nick? Favourite: When I did my first show… and scariest: When I was late for the first time at rehearsals.

8. What has been your favourite show to date? Scrooge and Peter Pan.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal? Yes, a lot of them, like when I had to sing alone...

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? One of Scrooge...

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? I don’t know... I can’t think of any...

12. Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word? FANTASTIC

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 13: María Ortiz

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 13 is all about María Ortiz. Multiple Alex award-winning and Networks actress from day 1 (of the theatre, not of her life ; ) she, of course, has lots to say about her Networks experience.

1. What’s your name? Maria Ortiz Poveda

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name? Mary, Maria...

3. How many shows have you appeared in? I think 16.

4. Name them! "The Selfish Giant and the Happy Prince", "Millenium", "A Christmas Carol", "Treasure Planet", "Bamboo Princess", "Robin Hood", "Welcome to Sweetville", "Christmas at the Majestic Hotel", "Flight", "Peter Pan", "The Prince and the Pauper", "Beauty and the Beast", "Robin Hood and the Abba Silver Disc", "Robin Hood 2 the Prince Strikes Back", "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", "Frankenstein".

5. What was your first show? "The Selfish Giant and The Happy Prince"

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?
One of my earliest memories of the shows is sitting on the stage with David waiting to be told our role in the play. As we were the youngest students I was afraid of doing something stupd or making Nick get angry with me.

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
Of Nick... I remember him smoking during the rehearsals breaks, and saying “boys, two minutes!” but they always were longer than that.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
I have always loved seeing Nick cry. He has cried at every birthday party we have prepared for him. I like it because we are used to a strong, responsible and sometimes angry Nick, but in moments like those he shows us that he is just like a big baby.

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
Uuu jaja, David and I always remember this moment. It happened many years ago, I think I was eight or nine years old, during the rehearsals of the first show of all. I was kneeling on the front row and we were doing a scene with blue cloth as if it was the sea, and Sharon, one of the actors, was pretending to be a magician. We rehearsed that scene at least five times, and she was always late to enter on stage from the “Small Room”. During one of the repetitions of her entry, Nick took an orange juice and threw it towards the edge of the stage while shouting: “Sharon!! That was late!!”. In the end I was covered in orange juice and Sharon abandoned the show.
Sooo memorable.

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
Without doubt “Robin Hood I”.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal? The best of every show is the public. Watching their faces from the “Small Room” door, hearing them laugh or the applause at the end. It makes you feel complete, satisfied and like you´re flying. They are the real critics of your work, theatre is made for entertaining people, if you don’t do it well, you fail. It’s amazing being on stage and know they are having a good time watching you. It’s just the best feeling I have ever had.

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? Robin Hood 2, Friday, the cast.

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?
I know it’s difficult, but new jokes; most of them have been used in so many shows. I think the subjects and the stories are good, some of them sad, some happy and other ones a bit of singing =), but all of them magical.

12. Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word? Electricity

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 12: Cristina Guirao

Networks Blog Stories Nr 12 is dedicated to La Grande Dame of Networks Theatre, Cristina Guirao! Not only has she given many memorable performances on stage, she´s also always been one of Networks Theatre´s greatest supporters off stage. Here are her memories!

1. What’s your name? Cristina Guirao.

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name? Nick used to introduce me as “the boss’s wife”!

3. How many shows have you appeared in? 8 or 9.

4. Name them!
The first “Xmas Carol”, Cinderella, Ugly!, The Prince and the Pauper, Painting Memories, The Scarecrow Girl, The Secret Garden, Beauty and the Beast... (I think I’m missing an “oriental” one, where I was a Japanese Empress!) N.B. Aladdin

5. What was your first show? The first “Xmas Carol”.

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?
The magical and powerful experience of being immersed in music, lights, acting... in our tiny theatre room, when Nick came to Orihuela with his group, for the very first time.

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
That same first time, when we thought that we had to bring him here, to start the Theatre Program and that we were so sure of his great potential as a future wonderful teacher, with a very little training. As you can see, we were so right and... we made it!

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
Every time he dresses and acts as the Panto Dame: he looks so much like his mom that I can’t help laughing!

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
In the beginning, he could seem really scary when he got mad, especially because we didn’t know him very well yet, and we were not used to it. But later... we know it’s for the best, (and he is getting mellow...)

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
It’s hard to say: I love each one in its own way, but I have a tender spot for the children´s ones.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?I’ve got a special personal feeling for Painting Memories, because I really got inside my character in some ways. But the real memorable (and funny) moment is remembering the amazed look on Dennis’s face when he saw me on the floor after I fell down on stage, while acting in The Prince and the Pauper.

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? (Attach it to the email and we’ll put it on the blog.) There are so many good ones, that I would let you decide. N.B. I´ve attached a photo from Cristina´s last show, The Scarecrow Girl, and one from Aladdin.

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?
Well, I know “somebody” that will be happy with West Side Story music.

12. Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word?
Just one? No way! Adrenaline, excitement, joy, hope, happiness, achievement, growth, emotion, team-work, share, faith... Chapeau!!!!

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 11: Samuel Escribano

Samuel Escribano has lots of Networks Theatre memories to share in Networks Blog Stories Nr. 11! 11 is also the amazing number of shows that Sam has already participated in (including the current Psychedelic Cool of course ; ) And don´t miss the interesting photos Sam chose to be in his blog story (well, they´re hard to miss really : )

1. What’s your name? Samuel Escribano Mateo

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name? Yes, Sam but in the past I was Andrew, I don´t know why...

3. How many shows have you appeared in? 11, counting Psychedelic Cool¡¡

4. Name them! Scrooge.com, Make a Wish, Junior Saves Christmas, Bananas! The Musical, My School Musical, Adventures in Pantoland, Frankenstein, Three Princesses in Waiting, Around the World in 80 Days, A Christmas Carol and the show we´re doing right now Psychedelic Cool.

5. What was your first show? Scrooge.com

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows? Well.. I remember every bit, of every show and I´ll always keep the memories, but the most important thing is that I met a lot of friends that I hope will always be there...

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick? Well I even remember my first day of class jajajaja. He was asking for my name. He said a name and I said yes. That name was Andrew and for many years I ´ve been Andrew. Two years ago I think Nick changed it.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick? I have a lot of them... but I remember when he said that god was an imaginary friend. And every (bad) joke he tells. And when he asked me "do you mind wearing a pink ski suit¿?"

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick? I remember perfectly that during my first show I was so so scared. I was very young, I´m still very young but I think I was 8 or 9 years old... He was giving out the parts and I didn´t know anybody and he looked at me and I remembered I shouldn´t look at him. I was always laughing but inside I was really scared of him.

8. What has been your favourite show to date? Three Princesses in Waiting...

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal? Favourite moment in a show: the song Electricity and in Three Princesses every moment of big Hans and my moments of little Hans. And the Ski Song was great... In rehearsal: when people look at me dancing and they laugh; I don´t know why...

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? N.B. As I said some very interesting photos were chosen by Sam : )



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?
I think he should include heavy metal, jajajajaja. No, I like the productions. I think he did an incredible job for many years. Good things never change...

12. Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word? Home...