Networks Blog Stories Nº. 41: Paula Arques

Do you know that everyone is important at Networks Theatre! Over 600 people have participated in our shows over the years. One of our regular actors on the student courses from 2001 to 2007 was Paula Arques. She also appeared in the second part of Robin Hood Back in 2007. The show of course is back in its entirety this week at Networks Theatre (April 14-16, 2011.) We love the blogs because each one is different. Read on to hear her great suggestion that might just happen! Paula, thank you for your blog and thank you for being a part of Networks Theatre!

1. What’s your name?

Paula Arques.

2. Did you have a Networks name?

I used to be Geri when I was with Anne (who was my first teacher) but now the teachers in the Academy just call me Paula.

3. How many shows have you appeared in?

I've appeared in seven shows.

4. Name them!

The Bamboo Princess, Christmas at the Majestic Hotel, The Fairy Tale Mix, Peter Pan, Scrooge.com, Ocean Blue and Robin Hood (the Prince Strikes Back).

5. What was your first show?

The Bamboo Princess.

6 What are your earliest memories of the shows?

I remember myself so shy that I blushed every time I had to say a word on stage, although I just had a few sentences to say. I also remember how I kept singing the songs Nick taught us all day long.

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

I remember his difficulties with the Spanish language. I'll never forget his face of confusion when we told him that "wife" wasn't "marida" in Spanish.

IMAGE FROM OCEAN BLUE - JUNE 2006

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?

It's difficult to say. Nick used to make jokes during the rehearsals and that created such a fantastic atmosphere that you didn't want to go home.

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?

Probably when we kept speaking in "the small room" while the actors were on stage, and Nick got furious, as the students who were acting weren't heard.

ED: NOTHING HAS CHANGED PAULA. NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

8. What has been your favourite show to date?

The Bamboo Princess, as it was my first show and the experience was totally new for me.

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

I really enjoyed rehearsing the songs as we had to prepare the dancing and that was really exciting. I particularly enjoyed the rehearsals of "The Winner Takes It All" in Robin Hood.

IMAGE FROM ROBIN HOOD - THE PRINCE STRIKES BACK - MARCH 2007

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?

I really like the photos of the Fairy Tale Mix, as I loved the costumes which the actors had to wear.

IMAGE FROM THE FAIRY TALE MIX - DECEMBER 2003

ED: GERI PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE OF JANE, THE GIRL WHO DESTROYED THE FAIRY TALE BOOK. SO SHE DIDN'T GET A FAIRY TALE COSTUME.

11. Are there any ideas you’d like to give Nick when he’s planning productions.

I would like to see a show with the songs of The Beatles; I don't know if he has already done it, but it would be great!

ED: ROMEO AND JULIET IN 2005 HAD SOME BEATLES SONGS IN IT, BUT A SHOW WITH ONLY THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES HAS YET TO HAPPEN. GREAT SUGGESTION THOUGH!

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

Magic.

IMAGE FROM PETER PAN - DECEMBER 2004

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 40: Juanjo Cubí Hernández

It's a real mark of respect for Networks Theatre when ex-students contribute to the Blog after so many years. This week's blogger Juanjo appeared in the first ever shows back in 1999. It is so nice to know that those memories are as special today as they have always been. He has been studying architecture in Valencia and now is making his way in the world. We want to wish him luck and also to say thanks for being a part of it.


1. What’s your name?

Juanjo Cubí Hernández

2. Did you have a Networks name?

John J.

3. How many shows have you appeared in?

3


IMAGE FROM FIRST SHOWS - MARCH 1999

4. Name them! ‘First shows 1999:The Selfish Giant and the Happy Prince’, ‘Millennium Shows’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’


IMAGE FROM REHEARSALS OF MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999

5. What was your first show?

‘First shows 1999:The Selfish Giant and the Happy Prince’

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?

I still remember how nervous I felt before the beginning of the first show.

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

Just like Teresa, I can also remember that poster with his name and I felt we were so important as we were going to have theatre lessons from a real actor!

ED: TERESA GONZALEZ WAS LAST WEEK'S BLOGGER.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?

I remember a lot of pleasing things during the rehearsals that made me have a good time and become more self-confident. I still keep in mind a funny anecdote: a show mate felt the nature call (Spanish apretón) during the last rehearsal before ‘A Christmas Carol’ show and ran out to the loo as Nick looked at him disconcerted because he didn’t understood what the word apretón meant. I can still remember his face.

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?

The orange juice carton hurled against the floor, and many times we were talking in the tiny room and Nick had to call this to our attention.

8. What has been your favourite show to date? I have happy memories of The Selfish Giant, as it was my first show, but I really enjoyed being one of Cinderella’s sisters during the Millennium shows. It was funny when Nick asked me and another boy if we wanted to be the two sisters.

ED: ONLY JUANJO WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO DO IT. THE OTHER BOY DECIDED HE DIDN'T WANT TO DRESS UP AS A WOMAN! I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY?


IMAGE FROM CINDERELLA/MILLENNIUM SHOWS DECEMBER 1999

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

I can remember as if it was today. During ‘The Selfish Giant’, I was up on a stepladder, I knew the dialogue perfectly but as I was really nervous and I didn’t want to make a mistake I benefited from the narrator who was below me and read directly from the script.

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?

I can’t emphasize just one. It’s really nice to see any of those pictures with all of the show mates, and see how we have changed.

11. Are there any ideas you’d like to give Nick when he’s planning productions.

Always look on the bright side of life. When you prepare a Life of Brian adaptation you will become part of my idol’s list. Also with Monty Python and the Holy Grail you can become part from it!



IMAGE FROM CINDERELLA/MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999

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

Fresh (or legen… wait for it.. dary!)

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 39: Teresa Gonzalez Zapata

Cast your mind back 12 years and one memorable actress that comes to mind is Teresa Gonzalez...better known to many of us as Robin. Now living and teaching in Paris, she took time to add to our collective memory and do the blog! Teresa was there from the start, she participated in the first ever shows in 1999. She was always entrusted with one of the bigger parts in each show due to her great level of English. Teresa we miss you! Her blog....

1. What’s your name?
Teresa

2. Did you have a Networks name?
Of course! I chose to be Robin when my teacher was Denis Malone

3. How many shows have you appeared in?
I don't really remember the number. I still kept every script but I don't have them with me right now to count them.

ED: IT'S EIGHT.

4. Name them!
First Shows (The Selfish Giant), Millennium Shows, Treasure Planet, Welcome to Sweetville, Robin Hood, Aladdin, Bamboo Princess, Christmas at the Majestic Hotel and Ugly...

ED: TERESA MADE A SPECIAL APPEARANCE AT THE START OF EVERY PERFORMANCE ON MAJESTIC HOTEL. SHE PLAYED THE PART OF A MODEL WHO WAS WEARING THE DIAMONDS THAT WERE LATER TO BE STOLEN.


IMAGE FROM CHRISTMAS AT THE MAJESTIC HOTEL - DECEMBER 2002

5. What was your first show?
I think the name was Millennium, but I don't remember exactly... it was Nick's first show in Networks as well!

ED: IT WAS FIRST SHOWS IN MARCH 1999...TWELVE YEARS AGO..YOU'RE ALLOWED TO FORGET!

6 What are your earliest memories of the shows?
I'd always remember the games we played before starting to rehearse the first show. The were really funny and I met a lot of new people, some of them became my best friends and still are!


IMAGE FROM THE BAMBOO PRINCESS - DECEMBER 2001

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
I can perfectly remember the first time I read his name on a poster at Network's announcing that a real actor from London was going to teach us theatre. I was excited!!
B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
There are so many!! But it always makes me smile the memory of Nick in the rehearsals of the first show making me repeat over and over the word "treasure" until I pronounced it properly "TRE- SURE", "TRE-SURE".
C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
He got mad at me because I didn't want to wear those stupid goggles for Treasure Planet. In those days I still had sense of ridiculous.

ED: THEY WERE SPECIAL GOGGLES THAT ALL THE FOUR MAIN CHARACTERS WERE WEARING. THEY WERE TO PROTECT YOUR EYES AS YOU LEFT THE ATMOSPHERE AND WENT INTO HYPERSPACE.


IMAGE FROM TREASURE PLANET - JUNE 2001

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
The first one, and, probably Robin Hood, we really had fun there!

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
Everyone feeling nervous before a show or inside the "small room", trying to keep silent.
Another great moment was when I was Aladdin and I had to sing!! I'm a terrible singer) I managed to perform a decent version of Bryan Adam's classic "I do it for you", and I was really proud of it!

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?
The final picture of the first show probably, I also love the one in which all the cats were holding Alberto in Ugly.


IMAGE FROM UGLY - MAY 2004

11. Are there any ideas you’d like to give Nick when he’s planning productions. Stories or subjects
Nick and Dennis were my inspiration when I directed a Disney Musical three years ago with a university theatre group. When I had to choose the fabric for the dancers' costumes in "under the sea" I thought: "what would Dennis have chosen?" and I also have to mention I shouted: "ENERGY!!"! in the most pure Nick's style all the time. So, I don't really know how can I contribute... I definitely propose to do more theatre games to avoid show final date stress!

12. Finally can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word?
No, I can't.
But I can in 8 words: energy, passion, dedication, work, feelings, friends, inspiration, emotions, effort...
I don't know what else to say... I almost grew up in networks! Thanks again to everyone that made all of that possible (for me it's kind of a distant past): Lee, Nick, Dennis, the Pilares, Cristina, Paqui and Laura!!


IMAGE - POSTER AND SONG LYRICS FROM WELCOME TO SWEETVILLE - JUNE 2002

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 38: Alberto Ruiz

Ladies and Gentleman. Royalty is in the building. A true Networks veteran. Alberto Ruiz Cases, known to many as Tony. He played many, many important parts in the early shows at Networks Theatre. Not only did he participate in the early theatre courses but he holds the distinction of being amongst the first students to participate in the theatre group shows, namely Painting Memories and The Secret Garden. We're so happy to be able to say....here is his blog.

1. What’s your name?
Alberto Ruiz Cases.

2. Did you have a Networks name?
Tony

3. How many shows have you appeared in?
10

ED: IT’S ACTUALLY ELEVEN SHOWS!

4. Name them!
I don't have to name the shows, do I?

ED: NO BUT I WILL. Millennium Show, Robin Hood 2000, Treasure Planet, The Bamboo Princess, The Secret Garden, Welcome To Sweetville, Christmas at the Majestic Hotel, Painting Memories, Flight, Ugly and Kindertransport.

5. What was your first show?
Millennium show


IMAGE FROM THE BAMBOO PRINCESS - DECEMBER 2001

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?
It was a long time ago. I really enjoyed the rehearsals, because everyone was just great


IMAGE FROM PAINTING MEMORIES - MAY 2003

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
Going to the Trebol to buy a coffee.
B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
His house.

ED: FROM WHAT WE RECALL...ALBERTO AND IRENE CAME TO NICK’S HOUSE AFTER A PERFORMANCE OF THE SECRET GARDEN.

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
pasapalabra

ED: SPANISH!!! NO STICKER!!!


IMAGE FROM FLIGHT - JUNE 2003

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
I think it is Cinderella. I love the endless sock!!

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
In the Millennium Show, in the moment that the small child aimed a gun at the audience and said bang, a really emotional moment.


IMAGE FROM MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999

ED: TONY...YOU WERE THE SMALL CHILD...

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?
I don’t know, possibly a group picture in my first show.

ED: HERE IT IS

IMAGE FROM THE MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999


IMAGE FROM KINDERTRANSPORT - APRIL 2006

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?
It's difficult. I recently thought of a show inspired by Monty Python's Life of Brian, it can be fun.

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


IMAGE FROM THE MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 37: Marisa Almarcha

Marisa Almarcha, a true Networks Theatre veteran is this week's blogger. She first participated in a show in 2002. Due to her height she rarely stood at the front of the stage but she made a considerable contribution to the theatre during her time at Networks. She appeared in 16 shows read more about her Networks experience here.

1. What's your name?
MARISA ALMARCHA

2. Did you have a Networks name?
LINDA


IMAGE FROM DRACULA JUNE 2004

3. How many shows have you appeared in?
16

4. Name them!
Welcome to Sweetville, Christmas at the Majestic Hotel, Flight, The Fairy Tale Mix, Dracula, Peter Pan, The Prince and the Pauper, Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and the Beast, Kindertransport, Robin Hood and the Abba Silver Disc, Snow White and the seven Dwarfs, Robbin Hood the Prince strikes back, Odysseus and Frankenstein.

5. What was your first show?
Welcome to Sweetville (2002).

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?
I remember that I went to see a show with my class and I liked it so much. When I came back home I told my mother that I wanted to be there too.

When I started I was all day singing the songs in front of the mirror and I also forced my mother to learn them. We always tried to sing and to dance like the older students and I remember that to me was very rewarding acting in English while my family was there looking at me.


7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
My first memories of Nick are very funny and I remember that he was always making jokes. He also was very strict and we never thought of breaking the rules. There are 3 sentences I will never forget: ‘’Be on time’’, ‘’The gum in the bin’’ and ‘’You’ve got 5 minutes to go to Paquita’’.

ED: NICK WAS SO LENIENT THEN. NOW YOU CAN'T GO TO PAQUITA.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
There are many fantastic memories of Nick but possibly the best was in Kindertransport at the end of the last show when we gave him a bouquet of flowers. Nick was very excited and we could see how proud he was of us.
And for us this is the greatest reward of a great director like Nick.


IMAGE FROM KINDERTRANSPORT APRIL 2006

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
I remember many and all are due to speaking too much. But probably the worst was during a rehearsal of Odysseus (I think) when I was talking with Diana(Too much, I admit it) and he started to shout like never before…
But we have always understood him when he has shouted because without rules WE HAD NEVER finished rehearsing a show.


IMAGE FROM ROBIN HOOD - THE PRINCE STRIKES BACK MARCH 2007

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
It’s difficult to say only one, but I’ll definitely choose ‘’Kindertransport’’. Maybe is because it's the most different show in which I participated, but I think that this show was magical in many aspects.

ED: ACCORDING TO RUMOUR KINDERTRANSPORT WILL RETURN IN 2012.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
‘’The show must go on’’ in Odysseus. I think that everyone who sang that song felt full of strength. I love it.

Enjoy.

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?
A photo of Frankenstein, in the last song. To me is very special because this was the last time I was on the stage, but also we could see the public in the photo and they always have an important part in the shows that we couldn’t forget.


IMAGE FROM FRANKENSTEIN APRIL 2009

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 have no talent for this. Nick has always surprised me with is work so I know he will continue doing this.

12. Finally can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word?
(Do it with)PASSION


IMAGE FROM ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBA SILVER DISC - JUNE 2006

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 36: Julio Toboso

This week's blogger is Julio Toboso. He's been appearing in shows at Networks since 2005 when he first trod the boards in ROMEO AND JULIET. He is still part of the theatre and is currently appearing in the revival of WHEN I WAS ME which is touring to schools in February and he's also rehearsing THE ABBATASTIC ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD.

1. What’s your name?
Julio Antonio Toboso García

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name?
Daniel, Mr Toboso

3. How many shows have you appeared in?
Seven

4. Name them!
Romeo & Juliet, Odysseus, The Scarecrow Girl, Frankenstein, Distant Thunder Psychedelic Cool When I was Me.


IMAGE FROM PSYCHEDELIC COOL - MARCH 2010

5. What was your first show?
Romeo and Juliet

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?

I was Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet and I was killed. Also the song "Who are you?...Where does your family come from?..."

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
The first day in the academy.

ED: THIS WAS MONDAY 1ST OCTOBER, 2001

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
Distant Thunder/ When I was me

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
The final scene of The Scarecrow Girl, and also the end of Distant Thunder. And any moment in the small room.


IMAGE FROM DISTANT THUNDER NOVEMBER 2009

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?
Brock's verdict... (Frankenstein)


IMAGE FROM FRANKENSTEIN - APRIL 2009

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 that a show about the environment and the protection of planet earth can be a good idea.

ED: WE DID OCEAN BLUE! WHERE WERE YOU?

12. Finally: can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word?
"Great-Experience" or "Thanks"

ED: GREAT EXPERIENCE IS TWO WORDS!


IMAGE FROM WHEN I WAS ME - MAY 2010

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 35: Claudia Jofré

The blog is back! Happy New Year to everyone if it's not too late to say it! Blog 34 was Jose Manuel Marcos and now number 35 is his cousin, Claudia Jofré. She's been participating in the shows at Networks since 2004 and is still part of it! She's currently rehearsing THE ABBATASTIC ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD playing the part of Damn Poor. Enjoy!

1. What’s your name?
Claudia Jofré Montijano

2. Did you have a Networks name?
I used to be Phoebe, but a little time ago Nick decided that was very ridiculous (I agree) and now I'm just Claudia :)

3. How many shows have you appeared in?
Five

4. Name them!
Dracula, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (2004,) Peter Pan, Romeo and Juliet and Psychedelic Cool


IMAGE FROM PSYCHEDELIC COOL MARCH 2010

5. What was your first show?
Dracula

ED: THIS ONE?


IMAGE FROM DRACULA JUNE 2004

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?
I remember I tried to understand as much as I could...and that I was very embarrassed.


IMAGE FROM SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, NOVEMBER 2004 (Claudia is front right. Embarrassed now?)

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
I think that my first memory is when I used to see my cousin in the plays; my sister and me sometimes were with him after the shows and I remember Nick speaking with him. I couldn't understand a single word.

ED: DON'T WORRY, NEITHER COULD JOSE.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
Actually is not from the theatre. Once, in class, he was reading an exercise of filling in gaps. One word and a "boomp" made a strange combination and he started to laugh. He couldn't stop! And then we couldn't stop either! We were like 5 minutes laughing and in the end we relaxed. It was so funny!

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
Of course, in theatre (and especially when I was younger), when he shouts to make us shut up or things like that... As everyone else, I suppose xD

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
Psychedelic Cool. I hadn't done a theatre for years and when I did it I enjoyed it(and laughed) so much and I meet lots of special people that I want to be in every show I can.

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
I think every moment, every laugh (and yes, every joke) is memorable ;)

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?
Hair was my favourite song of Psychedelic Cool. I enjoyed a lot singing and dancing it.


IMAGE FROM PSYCHEDELIC COOL MARCH 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 that he writes great comedies, but also amazing dramas, as we saw with When I Was Me. Maybe it would be a good idea to do some more shows like that.

ED: GET THE HANKIES OUT. IT MIGHT JUST HAPPEN!

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