Networks Blog Stories Nº. 29: Mirte Terpstra

Well, if you thought the blog was just for "famous" Networks Actors you'd be wrong! This week the pleasure (or is it pain?) of the Blog goes to Mirte! She has made such an immeasurable contribution to the theatre in the second half of the life of our fifty shows! Most importantly as archivist, photographer, video maker, friend. We sorely miss her around the building. But she's threatened...erm..promised to be back to see the shows! We look forward to seeing you soon Marte,,Morte, Myrete...now how do you say your name?

1. What’s your name?
Mirte

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name?
No. Well, I suppose everyone always pronounces my name differently, so there are many variations ;-)

ED: FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T REALISED MIRTE IS FROM THE NETHERLANDS.

3. How many shows have you appeared in?
Eh, none! But let´s count how many shows I´ve helped with… 22!

4. Name them!
From Cinderella 2006 up to and including Who Shot The Sheriff? Do I really have to type them all out? :-)

ED: HERE THEY ARE. Who Shot the Sheriff? When I Was Me. Psychedelic Cool. Scrooge – The Musical, A Christmas Carol – The Panto, Distant Thunder, Around the World in 80 Days, Three Princesses in Waiting, Frankenstein, The Happy Prince, Adventures in Pantoland, Dick Whittington, Remembrance, Bananas! The Musical, The Scarecrow Girl, Odysseus, Junior Saves Christmas, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, My! School Musical, Robin Hood II – the Prince Strikes Back, Make A Wish and Cinderella

5. What was your first show?
The first show I saw at Networks was The Prince and the Pauper, and the first show while I was working at Networks was the second Cinderella 2006.



6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?
The first show I ever saw at Networks was The Prince and the Pauper! The atmosphere in the theatre was great and I was especially impressed by the two main actors* =). They’ve grown a bit since then! ;-)

But the first show at Networks while I was working there, was Cinderella. I remember I was almost dragged into the theatre to see the dress rehearsal (I was with my mother, who was visiting me) because the actors needed an audience. We were calmly watching the first part of the show and then all of a sudden the Ugly Sisters appeared out of nowhere (well, they were actually fighting about who could squeeze through the door from the office first). It was hilarious and we couldn´t stop laughing. We had a great time.

*ED: JOSE MANUEL MARCOS AND ALBERTO ORTUÑO PLAYED THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER RESPECTIVELY.

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
On stage in The Prince and the Pauper.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
Just seeing him in rehearsals, working with the actors, making corny jokes or jokes only I (and Dennis) could understand. In the theatre he´s really in his element, it really is his life and that´s amazing to watch (a play in a play) =)

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
Well, “scary” is a big word. But I do remember one time he got angry with me. It was during a rehearsal of Dick Whittington. Nick and “the guys” were practicing the choreography for “Nine to Five”. It was very funny and I was laughing a lot. Nothing new there, I thought, but apparently Nick thought I was laughing AT them and not WITH them. :-( And of course, I would never laugh AT anything in rehearsals! ;-)

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
That´s an impossible choice. A few of my favourites are: Dick Whittington, When I Was Me, Robin Hood 2 (unfortunately I didn´t see the Robin Hood and the ABBA Silver Disc “live” at Networks Theatre), The Scarecrow Girl and The Three Princesses in Waiting.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
I have so many memories… I can´t just choose one. In general I loved going to the rehearsals and watching the shows and the actors evolve. I especially liked the “smaller” shows because the cast was literally smaller and as a result the rehearsals were a bit more intimate. I especially liked the rehearsals of Remembrance/Distant Thunder, The Scarecrow Girl, Dick Whittington and The Three Princesses in Waiting… Oh, and my goodbye was pretty special too! =)

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?
There are so many pictures! I´ll choose the one of the 50th show dinner because (almost) the whole Networks family is in it.

IMAGE FROM THE FIFTIETH DINNER CELEBRATION JUNE 2010.

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?
A good theme for a kids' show could be King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Monty Python style, perhaps. Alice in Wonderland? Some more of “Nick´s heavy ones”, haha. I don´t know, it´s hard to come up with ideas, isn´t it Nick?! ;-)

12. Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word?
I wanted to write “Absolutely Fabulous” but I know there´s a very strict one word limit ;-) So I´ll go with Fabulous (as in: fable= a legendary story, so: to all the legendary Networks stories!)

ED: THANK YOU MIRTE.

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 28: Luis Gómez

It's the turn of Luis Gómez to do the blog. Luis has been acting in Networks Theatre for seven years. He's often played lead roles, Peter Pan and Ebenezer Scrooge amongst others, and he has made a great contribution to the theatre. He's currently rehearsing for the panto Aladdin. Memorably, this year he played one of the five central characters in When I Was Me. His performance as Luke, a boy with anorexia, was widely praised. It's also just been announced that he will play the Sheriff of Nottingham in next year's highly anticipated Robin Hood!

1. What’s your name?

Luis Gómez

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name?

Ken

3. How many shows have you appeared in?

I think 9

4. Name them!

The Fairy Tale Mix, Peter Pan, Ocean Blue, Romeo and Juliet, Scrooge.com, Kinder Transport, Remembrance, Distant Thunder and When I Was Me.

5. What was your first show?

The Fairy Tale Mix… I was Hansel (of Hansel and Gretel) :D

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?

I remember I loved dancing the songs, and all the moments I spent in the ¨small room¨ not only in the rehearsals, also during the shows. I remember getting sad in every last show because I didn’t want it to end… I have lots of memories.

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?

My earliest memory is Nick eating lots and lots of oranges and him squeezing a water bottle when we were concentrating.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?

His ¨funny¨ jokes. And when he looks at me and then looks behind him. ¬¬

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?

The first time he entered in the small room shouting because we were speaking. It wasn’t scary… it was frightening. And also once he got angry so much that he had to go out of the theatre.

ED: AT LEAST HE WALKED AWAY. IF HE HAD STAYED, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ORANGE JUICE EVERYWHERE.

8. What has been your favourite show to date?

I’ve never done a Panto so… my favourite show is Peter Pan, I had lots of funny moments with Juan Carlos. (And who can forget my missing sword?) I also like the moments we spent in Remembrance between the shows.

ED: WHEN RESETTING PETER PAN BETWEEN SHOWS, NICK FORGOT TO HIDE THE SWORD IN THE WOODEN HOLE AT THE BACK OF THE STAGE FOR THE FIGHT WITH CAPTAIN HOOK. SO WHEN PETER PAN (LUIS) WENT TO GET THE CONCEALED SWORD IT WASN'T THERE. WE FIRED THE STAGE MANAGER!

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?

My ¨topless¨ moment in When I Was Me jajajaja. No, every moment is special and unforgettable.



IMAGE FROM WHEN I WAS ME - SHOW 49, MAY 2010

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?

I love this photo.



IMAGE FROM THE FAIRY TALE MIX - SHOW 17, DECEMBER 2003

11. Are there any ideas you’d like to give Nick when he’s planning productions.
Any stories or subjects that you think might make good shows?

I don’t know… his ideas are great, and I can’t wait to see what he's thought up for the new theatre.

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

FAMILY!!



IMAGE FROM WHEN I WAS ME - SHOW 49, MAY 2010

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 27: Pilar Benito

This week's blogger is Pilar Benito. She's currently part of our great team of dancers for the pantomime Aladdin. She has now made the transition from our theatre courses to the theatre group and I'm sure we'll see her in many shows to come.

1. What’s your name?

Pilar Benito

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name?

In my first class I was Maria, but then I changed class and there was another Maria, so now I'm Pilar.

3. How many shows have you appeared in?

6

4. Name them!

Scrooge.com, Make a wish, My! School Musical, Bananas! the musical, Adventures in Pantoland and Psychedelic cool.

5. What was your first show?
Scrooge.com

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?

Music, happiness. Working all together to do such great plays is one of the best experiences in my life.

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?

The earliest memory was when I was with my parents in the supermarket and suddenly appeared Nick and Dennis and Nick started to talk to me and I was scared because I didn't understand anything.

ED: PLEASE REMEMBER MARIA THAT NICK PROBABLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING EITHER.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?

When it was his birthday and my class bought a cake. We entered late into the class, switched off the lights and lit the candles.

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?

When I was in my first show and I was talking in the small room and Nick entered... you can guess what happened.

8. What has been your favourite show to date?

Psychedelic cool, of course

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?

Every moment is magic. I can't choose only one.

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?

Here it is. Waiting to go on in Psychedelic Cool.



11. Are there any ideas you’d like to give Nick when he’s planning productions.
Any stories or subjects that you think might make good shows?

I would suggest one with Abba songs but there is already Robin Hood :) I hope to do it.

ED: THE LIST TO SIGN UP FOR THE ROBIN HOOD SHOW IS IN THE OFFICE. WE START IN JANUARY!

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

Friendship

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 25: Eva María Rubio Aparicio

This week's Networks' Actor on the blog is Eva María Rubio Aparicio. Eva has appeared in five shows and I'm sure we'll see her again "treading the boards" of Networks.

1. What’s your name? Eva

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

3. How many shows have you appeared in? 5

4. Name them! Pfff...My School Musical, Bananas the musical, Adventures in Pantoland, Around the World in 80 Days and Psychedelic Cool

5. What was your first show? My School Musical

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows? Having lots of fun

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick? You`re late!!

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick? The jokes

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick? Shut up in the small room

8. What has been your favourite show to date? Psychedelic Cool

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal? ...

ed: SILENCE FROM EVA....A DOG BARKS IN THE DISTANCE....NO? OBVIOUSLY NOT

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? (Attach it to the email and we’ll put it on the blog.) ...

ed: SILENCE FROM EVA....A PIECE OF TUMBLEWEED ROLLS PAST...NO? OH WELL I'LL FIND ONE WITH YOU IN IT! AND YOU'LL LOVE IT! HERE YOU ARE!




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?
Titanic!!!!

ed: I HAVE A SINKING FEELING ALREADY

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

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 24: David Verdejo

This week's blog entry is from David Verdejo. He was in the first ever shows back in 1999 and has played an enormous part in our success over the years. He is a two time Networks Theatre Award winner. He won the lifetime achievement award in 2008 and also won that year Best Actor for his performance as the Narrator in Odysseus. He continues to be a part of theatre these days even though he is at University, last year he participated in A Christmas Carol and also gave a very memorable performance as Ben in When I was Me.

1. What’s your name?

DAVID VERDEJO MORENO

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name?

DAVID

3. How many shows have you appeared in?

21

4. Name them!

FIRST SHOWS, MILLENNIUM SHOWS, ROBIN HOOD, TREASURE PLANET, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (THE PLAY), WELCOME TO SWEETVILLE, CHRISTMAS AT THE MAJESTIC HOTEL, FLIGHT, ALADDIN, FAIRY TALE MIX, DRACULA, PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, ROMEO & JULIET, ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBA SILVER DISC, CINDERELLA, ROBIN HOOD THE PRINCE STRIKES BACK, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, ODYSSEUS, FRANKENSTEIN, A CHRISTMAS CAROL and WHEN I WAS ME.

5. What was your first show?

FIRST SHOWS, MARCH 1999

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?

I remember when I entered my first time, I saw Nick giving us stickers for our names and I remember thinking I hope this is not the man who is going to organise our shows.

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?

See answer 6.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?

During the show Treasure Planet we had quotations from famous people. One of the pictures was of Ghandi and I asked him if that was his father. You should have seen his face!

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?

A carton of orange juice, I’ll say no more.

8. What has been your favourite show to date?

Robin Hood Part One. There was a great connection between everybody in the cast. We knew were doing one of Nick’s best written shows.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?

There was one moment, and I can’t remember when, when I realised I had lost all of my shyness.

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?



THIS IS FROM FLIGHT JUNE 2003

11. Are there any ideas you’d like to give Nick when he’s planning productions. Any stories or subjects that you think might make good shows?

Nick has already made my dream come true. I suggested to him to do a show with the music of Queen. He wrote Odysseus!

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

Opportunity.

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 23: Nick Moore

1. What’s your name? NICK

2. Do you have a Networks name? I'M SURE I'VE BEEN CALLED MANY.

3. How many shows have you appeared in? ACTED: 16 WRITTEN: 49 DIRECTED: 50

4. Name them!A CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE PANTO, A CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE PLAY, THREE PRINCESSES IN WAITING, THE HAPPY PRINCE, DICK WHITTINGTON, THE SCARECROW GIRL, SNOW WHITE X2, CINDERELLA X2, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, UGLY, ALADDIN, PAINTING MEMORIES, LAST PANTO IN LITTLE GRIMLEY,

5. What was your first show? AS ACTOR, A CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE PLAY, AS WRITER/DIRECTOR THE FIRST SHOWS IN MARCH 1998

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows? LEE'S ENTHUSIASM, LEARNING THE WORD "GANAS." Realising the potential of the students. Knowing that whatever you asked them to do they were capable of doing it.

7. What is your earliest/favourite/scariest memory of Nick? PUBLIC APOLOGY. :-) I'M SORRY IF I'VE EVER SCARED SOMEONE WHEN I DIDN'T MEAN TO. I ONLY MEANT TO DO THAT TO A FEW PEOPLE. (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.) THERE IS NO GREATER SATISFACTION THAN CREEPING UP TO THE DOOR OF THE SMALL ROOM WHEN PEOPLE DON'T KNOW I'M THERE. ENDLESSLY AMUSING.

8. What has been your favourite show to date? REALLY DIFFICULT TO NAME ONE...BUT IF ONLY FOR THE FINAL TWO SONGS......MARCH 2008 - SHOW 35 ODYSSEUS.

SEE BOTH SONGS HERE. The Show Must Go On and We are the Champions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OEr51Uq0EM

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal? I HAVE A MILLION OF THESE...HERE ARE A FEW....

THE FIRST TIME WE DID SNOW WHITE AND TEACHING THE YOUNG ACTORS PLAYING THE DWARFS THE SONGS. IT WAS A WONDERFUL MOMENT.

THE OPENING OF FLIGHT...ONE WING DOWN LOW....

SINGING WITH ALBERT IN PRINCE AND THE PAUPER...(HE'S A NATURAL ACTOR BUT DOESN'T REALISE HOW GOOD HE IS)

THE END OF KINDERTRANSPORT WHEN LUIS SAID "GOODNIGHT MAMA,"

THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE OF REMEMBRANCE & DISTANT THUNDER.

THE AWARDS NIGHTS. THE BEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR!!!

RECNAD

DAVID (WE SHARE A BIRTHDAY)AND MARIA.

CHARLIE, ALBERT, BROCKITO AND YERAY. AS TYROL DANCERS AND SCROOGETTES.

LAURA GOMEZ, A NATURAL TALENT.

DENNIS CARPENTER. PROBLEM SOLVED.

WHEN I WAS ME.

CERTAIN SPECIAL STUDENTS YOU GET EXTRA CLOSE TO. I CAN'T NAME NAMES AS THEN SOME OF YOU WILL FEEL LEFT OUT, BUT SOME STUDENTS MAKE MY LIFE AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE.

AND COUNTLESS OTHER SPECIAL MOMENTS THAT SO MANY OF YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO, TO MAKE MY WORK A JOY.

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production? (Attach it to the email from the show's CDRom and we’ll put it on the blog.) DONE

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? OBVIOUSLY I CAN'T ANSWER THIS QUESTION EXCEPT TO SAY...IT IS MY AMBITION THAT THE BIG PLAN IS THAT THE NETWORKS ACTORS WRITE THE SHOWS AND DIRECT THEM. IT'S YOUR THEATRE.

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





THIS HAS TO BE MY FAVOURITE PHOTO OF ALL TIME. ALL THE STUDENTS TOTALLY IN THE MOMENT.



IT IS SO SATISFYING TO CREATE A MOMENT THEN SEE IT SO BRILLIANTLY PERFORMED.



I HAVE SO MANY PHOTOS OF YOU ALL AS CHILDREN, I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY FAIR TO PUT UP ONE OF ME. I WAS 14. IT'S NOT A WIG.



ISN'T IT AMAZING. ALL THESE PEOPLE SAID I WANT TO COME TWO NIGHTS A WEEK AND CREATE SOMETHING BRILLIANT!


MY FAVOURITE POSTER THAT I'VE CREATED. IT TOOK DAYS TO CREATE. IT'S MADE UP OF LOTS OF COMPOSITE IMAGES CONNECTED TO THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF THE WRIGHT BROTHERS. MANY ASPECTS OF MY WRITING ARE CONNECTED TO FLIGHT. I BELIEVE YOU CAN FLY!



PART ONE OF A LOOK BACK AT SHOWS AT NETWORKS.



PART TWO OF A LOOK BACK OF SHOWS AT NETWORKS.

Networks Blog Stories Nr. 22: Isabel Verdejo

We're delighted to say that this week's contribution comes from Isabel Verdejo. Isabel last appeared in a show in 2003, but I think she comes and sees every single show! She's a big fan of the theatre and we love to see her! In the photo above Isabel is dancing in the opening song of Aladdin 2003. She played the Slave of the Ring.

1.What’s your name?
ISABEL VERDEJO GARCÍA
2.Did/Do you have a Networks name?
NO, I DON'T. I'M JUST ISABEL
3.How many shows have you appeared in?
I'VE APPEARED IN THREE SHOWS
4.Name them!
MY PERFECT DAY, ALADDIN AND PAINTING MEMORIES
5.What was your first show?
IT WAS "MY PERFECT DAY"
6.What are your earliest memories of the shows?
I THINK THE FIRST ONE IS BEING PART OF THE AUDIENCE, WATCHING ONE OF MY NEPHEW'S FIRST PLAYS.
7.A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
MY SISTER IN LAW (DAVID'S MOTHER) TALKED TO ME ABOUT HIM (VERY GOOD COMMENTS, BY THE WAY!!!), AND ONE DAY, BEING LEE'S PUPIL, HE TOLD US ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY TO TAKE PART IN AN ADULTS GROUP SHOW. IT WAS REALLY FANTASTIC!
B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
MY FAVOURITE MEMORY OF NICK IS THE WAY HE TRANSFORMS AN IDEA INTO A GREAT PLAY. FOR EXAMPLE, IN OUR FIRST ADULTS SHOW, "MY PERFECT DAY" WE JUST TALKED TO HIM ABOUT A SPECIAL DAY IN OUR LIFE AND THEN HE WROTE A VERY FUNNY MUSICAL ABOUT THEM.
C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
I CAN'T REMEMBER ANY SCARY MEMORY ABOUT NICK, MAYBE BECAUSE OF MY BAD MEMORY!!! I REMEMBER HE USED TO BE REALLY ANGRY WHEN PEOPLE WERE LATE IN THE REHEARSALS.
8.What has been your favourite show to date?
I HAVE MANY FAVOURITE SHOWS!!!!!!! MAYBE THE NUMBER ONE IS ROBIN HOOD.
9.Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
EVERY TIME THE LIGHTS GETS DOWN AT NETWORKS THEATRE AND A NEW SHOW STARTS, IS A FAVOURITE MOMENT FOR ME!!!!!!
10.What is your favourite photograph of any production?
MY FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPH IS ANY IN WHICH MY NEPHEWS' APPEAR (JA, JA, AUNTIE'S LOVE!!!!)

(THIS IS A PHOTO OF FERNANDO AND DAVID, HER NEPHEWS, FROM WHEN I WAS ME, MAY 2010)
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 NICK HAS VERY GOOD IDEAS ON HIS OWN!!!
12.Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word?
SUPERB!!!!!!!