Networks Blog Stories Nº. 44: Dennis Carpenter

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

2. Did/Do you have a Networks name?

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.

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 43: Gabriel Vázquez

Can you imagine being able to say,"I was in the first ever show at Networks Theatre!"? Gabriel Vázquez Serrano can. "Charlie" appeared in seven shows during his time at Networks. Back in 1999 he appeared in the first two shows. In December 2000 he played the lead role of Robin Hood, for a shy boy this was a great achievement. Here's his blog!

1. What’s your name?
Gabriel Vázquez Serrano

2. Did you have a Networks name?
Yes, I chose Charlie… I didn’t know any English name and I saw it in my book and just liked it.

IMAGE FROM MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999

3. How many shows have you appeared in?
I started with the first show and my last one was Christmas at the Majestic Hotel, so I think I was in 7.

4. Name them!
The Happy Prince and the Selfish Giant, Cinderella and the Millennium shows, Robin Hood (2000), Treasure Planet, Bamboo Princess, Welcome to Sweetville and Christmas at the Majestic Hotel. I hope I didn't forget any…

IMAGE FROM MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999

5. What was your first show?
The Happy Prince and the Selfish Giant which was the main part of the show, but I remember there were also more scenes like The Lion King song.

6 What are your earliest memories of the shows?
Well, I was a little scared at first, cause I’ve always been very shy and wasn’t very sure about appearing in a theatre show, but I remember we spent a week playing games which helped me to put my shyness away and to make some friends.

IMAGE FROM MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999

7. A) What is your earliest memory of Nick?
As I said in question number 6, my first memories were playing games. I like the way he managed the rehearsals, I really had a good time there.

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?
I have many, but it comes to me now one during the Robin Hood rehearsals. I have to make a slow motion scene and I was always faster than he wanted… He came to the stage and showed me how to do it until I finally did it “well”.

IMAGE FROM TREASURE PLANET - JUNE 2001

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick?
I’ve always been afraid of being late, but the scariest memory is, with no doubts, when he got mad at one partner (I don’t remember exactly why) and he threw a pineapple juice to the stage.

ED: PINEAPPLE? WE HEARD IT WAS ORANGE JUICE.

8. What has been your favourite show to date?
Robin Hood. I don’t know why, but when I think of Networks Theatre I first think of Robin Hood show.

IMAGE FROM ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBA SILVER DISC - DECEMBER 2000

9. Do you have a favourite moment in a show or memorable moment in rehearsal?
Yes, the moments trying to be quiet in the small room… And the moment before appearing on the stage, the nervousness which disappeared just when I said my first sentence…

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?
I guess the Robin Hood cast in Lee’s class.

ED: THANKS TO ROBERTO (BROCK) FOR FINDING THIS IMAGE FROM ROBIN HOOD. I THINK ROBERTO JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO SEE WHAT A LITTLE DUDE HE WAS. I LOOK ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD.

IMAGE FROM MILLENNIUM SHOWS - DECEMBER 1999

11. Are there any ideas you’d like to give Nick when he’s planning productions.
I don’t know what to say… I’ve had very good experience at Networks Theatre, and even now that I don’t live there any more, I like to go and see his shows when I’m in town… So if I had to say something, I’d just say never change.

POSTER FROM CHRISTMAS AT THE MAJESTIC HOTEL - DECEMBER 2002

12. Finally can you sum up Networks Theatre in one word?
That’s a difficult one… I think maybe JOY.

Networks Blog Stories Nº. 42: Laura Vegara

Laura has been a part of the theatre since “nearly” the beginning. Not only having appeared on stage she has given her time freely for translating duties during the rehearsals also. Her contribution has been immense. On the acting front one of her most successful roles was as the Princess Leticia in Three Princesses in Waiting. A role that was written especially for her. Laura, thanks for being the theatre’s friend.

1. What’s your name?

LAURA VEGARA

2. Did you have a Networks name?

TINA (THANK YOU, LEE)

3. How many shows have you appeared in?

MMM, DUNNO… A LOT!!!!

ED: COUNTING UP QUESTION FOUR, WE MAKE IT SEVEN.

IMAGE FROM CINDERELLA, NOVEMBER 2002 - LAURA PLAYED PRINCE CHARMING.

4. Name them!

CHRISTMAS CAROL, UGLY (2004), THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, ALADDIN (2003), SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS (2004), THE SCARECROW GIRL, THREE PRINCESSES IN WAITING

5. What was your first show?

CHRISTMAS CAROL

ED: THIS WAS A NON-MUSICAL VERSION IN NOVEMBER 2001.

IMAGE FROM THREE PRINCESSES IN WAITING MAY 2009

6. What are your earliest memories of the shows?

A NEW, EXCITING ENTERPRISE….

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

“DON’T BE LATE”

IMAGE FROM UGLY - MAY 2004

B) What is your favourite memory of Nick?

WELL, THERE ARE MANY. HE CAN BE NICE SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW.

C) What is your scariest memory of Nick? ONCE MY FRIENDS ARRIVED LATE AT A SHOW…THAT FACE…IT GIVES ME THE CREEPS.

8. What has been your favourite show to date?

MAJESTIC HOTEL, BUT THERE ARE OTHER EXAMPLES….

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

OH, ONCE CRISTINA GUIRAO TRIPPED WHILE EXITING THE SMALL ROOM…(LOL)

10. What is your favourite photograph of any production?

ME AS LETICIA (3 PRINCESSES)

IMAGE FROM THREE PRINCESSES IN WAITING - MAY 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?

LAURA VEGARA STARRING IN A NEW SHOW (LOL)

ED: ALL OF NICK'S RESPONSES WERE DELETED FROM THIS PART.

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

NECESSARY

IMAGE FROM ALADDIN NOVEMBER 2003 - LAURA PLAYED THE PART OF PRINCESS JASMINE

VIEW A VIDEO OF THREE PRINCESSES ON YOUTUBE BY CLICKING THIS LINK.