Gutter Press - The Opera
Gutter Press Productions produced Gutter Press, Act 1, an original work for the Tête à Tête opera festival at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. The 45 minute show took place over 6th/7th of August 2009. Gutter Press was written and directed by James Richards and composed and orchestrated by Fergal O'Mahony.
Synopsis
Gutter Press – The Opera takes place on the front lines of the oversexed, overexposed and underfed frenzy of starlets and paparazzo that is: the Fame Game. Satire and true romance sit side by side in this fusion of opera and musical theatre from writer James Richards and composer Fergal O’Mahony.
Genesis
In August 2008, Fergal and James visited the Tête à Tête festival (held annually at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith) and were so inspired by their experience they decided they wanted a piece of the action. With the shelves and airwaves overbrimming with celebrity culture they saw a rich vein of satire and sleaze just waiting to be tapped. In 2009, one year later, they presented a one-act taster of a feature-length original work: Gutter Press. The show was performed on the 6-7th August at the Riverside Studios to two sell-out audiences. Watch the entire show on YouTube or request a DVD here.
Reviews and feedback
We were delighted with the feedback from the show. The Times newspaper gave us 4/5 stars (read here), and observed a “zip to the wordplay and sly humour to the music” while drawing comparisons to Kurt Weill and Richard Thomas.
Out of 34 shows at the Tête à Tête festival Gutter Press was rated as staff favourite, as well as being the most popular in terms of ticket sales over both nights. In terms of approval, the show was rated 4th out of 34, despite competition from the likes of Glyndebourne Youth Opera and Opera North and Richard Thomas.
Out of 34 shows at the Tête à Tête festival Gutter Press was rated as staff favourite, as well as being the most popular in terms of ticket sales over both nights. In terms of approval, the show was rated 4th out of 34, despite competition from the likes of Glyndebourne Youth Opera and Opera North and Richard Thomas.
Moving forward
After a positive reception at the Tête à Tête festival, Fergal and James are in the process of finishing Gutter Press. They’re confident that the press coverage (The Independent, London Paper, ITV London News, The Times) and buzz that grew up around Act 1 will help them enlist funding support from interested parties.They are actively looking for financial support to finish writing Gutter Press. If you are interested, request a media pack here.Everyone who has been involved with Gutter Press is convinced it has a bright future ahead of it.
Thank You
SharpFire, New London Performing Arts Centre (NLPAC), Tête à Tête, Print Library, Jack Latimer (photos), Ted Lovett (designer).
Cast and crew
Megan Saunders (Choreographer)
Megan is a performer, teacher and choreographer based in London. Her dance credits include UpSwing Aerial, Iratik Dance Theater and Stephen Koplowitz's Taskforce. She worked with Kieran Sheehan and Leila McMillan, and performed an hour long solo accompanied by live piano and digital technology for Transition_Opera. Her choreography credits include Transition_Opera's Venus and Adonis.
Cast (In order of appearance)
Callum McIntosh (Harry) Callum studied Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His theatre work includes: Monkey – Journey to the West (02 London), Corporal Hamilton in Tunes of Glory (UK Tour); Young Ben in Follies (Landor Theatre), The Overcoat (Bridewell Theatre).
Luke Jasztal (Pap) Luke has just graduated from the Royal Academy of Music where he gained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Musical Theatre. Luke has enjoyed working with the cast and crew of Gutter Press – The Opera. He feels he may have discovered his true calling since taking on the role of paparazzi.
Abi Titmuss (Drunk Woman) After graduating from City University Abi worked as a Staff Nurse, whilst also studying acting at London's Central School of Speech and Drama and Kensington & Chelsea College. Abi's first stage role was in 2006 in Arthur Miller's Two Way Mirror, for which she won the award of 'Best West End Debut'.
Patrick Knowles (Boyfriend) Patrick is an actor working on the London area. He has appeared in numerous TV programmes and films.
Drew Dillon (Chorus Pap) Drew trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. His recent credits include: Shattered Pieces (short) and the music video for Sub Focus' Rock it.
Owen Smith (Chorus Pap) Owen trained at Italia Conti and the University of Leeds. Since graduating in 2006 he has appeared in a number of stage productions, most notably in the West End revival of Cabaret which closed last year. He was delighted to appear in Gutter Press – The Opera.
David Palliser (Chorus Pap)David is an actor/singer and LAMDA graduate based in London. His credits include Bobby in Company, Aristidein Can-Can and Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard. Mariah Fanning (Chorus Starlet)Mariah studied musical theatre at Sheridan Institute in Toronto before moving to London. She is delighted to be a part of Gutter Press – The Opera and felt privileged to be able to work with such a lovely and talented group.
Catherine Merry (Chorus Starlet) Catherine has studied Musical Theatre at Chichester College and Theatre Vocal technique at VocalTech. Her theatre credits include: Gotta Sing!, A Slice of Saturday Night, To Die For, Sweet Charity, Aladdin, Women Of Troy, The Hen Party.
Faye Plumley (Chorus Starlet) Faye completed her drama degree at Middlesex University and has since worked professionally in and around London. She is very pleased to be making her operatic debut in Gutter Press while working with its talented cast.
Anthony Flaum (Fred) Anthony graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2006 with a distinction in Musical Theatre and went on to reach the finals of BBC Voice of Musical Theatre 2006. Roles at the Academy included Guido in Nine and Ensemble in Concert with Jason Robert Brown. Since graduation, he has performed in The 3 Tenors, Beauty & the Beast, A Little House Music.
Arabella Rodrigo (Daisy) Arabella trained at the Royal Academy of Music. Her professional credits include Claudia in Nine, Betsey Cohen in Turkish Delightthe Opera, Townswoman/cover Luisa in the UK tour of Zorro the Musical and the Girl in the Nightingale and the Rose.
Crew
Josie Lovett (Executive Producer) Josie is a recent graduate of Film Studies at Queen Mary, University of London. As well as working as a producer she is a keen scriptwriter and director.
Cheyenne Conway (Producer)Having recently graduated from Queen Mary, University of London where she studied Film, Cheyenne is currently a producer for Mile End Films. Cheyenne also has professional experience in production management and as a 1st assistant director
Paul Yoshida (Producer)Paul is a recent graduate of Film Studies at Queen Mary, University Of London. There he learnt to direct, shoot and produce short films.
Stephanie Bridges (Stage Manager)Stephanie is a second year student at Middlesex University studying Television Production. She plans to work in TV and enjoyed her experience of working on Gutter Press – The Opera.
Kelly Garrett (Set Designer/Costume)Kelly is a recent graduate in Theatre Design from Nottingham Trent University. She is experienced in design and construction for children’s theatre, drama and dance. Her passion lies in opera and ballet.
Carly Fisk (Make-up)Carly is a VTCT Professional Media Make-up graduate, specializing in fashion and photographic make-up. This is her first venture into theatrical make-up and she is keen to build on her positive experiences with Gutter Press – The Opera.
Megan is a performer, teacher and choreographer based in London. Her dance credits include UpSwing Aerial, Iratik Dance Theater and Stephen Koplowitz's Taskforce. She worked with Kieran Sheehan and Leila McMillan, and performed an hour long solo accompanied by live piano and digital technology for Transition_Opera. Her choreography credits include Transition_Opera's Venus and Adonis.
Cast (In order of appearance)
Callum McIntosh (Harry) Callum studied Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His theatre work includes: Monkey – Journey to the West (02 London), Corporal Hamilton in Tunes of Glory (UK Tour); Young Ben in Follies (Landor Theatre), The Overcoat (Bridewell Theatre).
Luke Jasztal (Pap) Luke has just graduated from the Royal Academy of Music where he gained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Musical Theatre. Luke has enjoyed working with the cast and crew of Gutter Press – The Opera. He feels he may have discovered his true calling since taking on the role of paparazzi.
Abi Titmuss (Drunk Woman) After graduating from City University Abi worked as a Staff Nurse, whilst also studying acting at London's Central School of Speech and Drama and Kensington & Chelsea College. Abi's first stage role was in 2006 in Arthur Miller's Two Way Mirror, for which she won the award of 'Best West End Debut'.
Patrick Knowles (Boyfriend) Patrick is an actor working on the London area. He has appeared in numerous TV programmes and films.
Drew Dillon (Chorus Pap) Drew trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. His recent credits include: Shattered Pieces (short) and the music video for Sub Focus' Rock it.
Owen Smith (Chorus Pap) Owen trained at Italia Conti and the University of Leeds. Since graduating in 2006 he has appeared in a number of stage productions, most notably in the West End revival of Cabaret which closed last year. He was delighted to appear in Gutter Press – The Opera.
David Palliser (Chorus Pap)David is an actor/singer and LAMDA graduate based in London. His credits include Bobby in Company, Aristidein Can-Can and Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard. Mariah Fanning (Chorus Starlet)Mariah studied musical theatre at Sheridan Institute in Toronto before moving to London. She is delighted to be a part of Gutter Press – The Opera and felt privileged to be able to work with such a lovely and talented group.
Catherine Merry (Chorus Starlet) Catherine has studied Musical Theatre at Chichester College and Theatre Vocal technique at VocalTech. Her theatre credits include: Gotta Sing!, A Slice of Saturday Night, To Die For, Sweet Charity, Aladdin, Women Of Troy, The Hen Party.
Faye Plumley (Chorus Starlet) Faye completed her drama degree at Middlesex University and has since worked professionally in and around London. She is very pleased to be making her operatic debut in Gutter Press while working with its talented cast.
Anthony Flaum (Fred) Anthony graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2006 with a distinction in Musical Theatre and went on to reach the finals of BBC Voice of Musical Theatre 2006. Roles at the Academy included Guido in Nine and Ensemble in Concert with Jason Robert Brown. Since graduation, he has performed in The 3 Tenors, Beauty & the Beast, A Little House Music.
Arabella Rodrigo (Daisy) Arabella trained at the Royal Academy of Music. Her professional credits include Claudia in Nine, Betsey Cohen in Turkish Delightthe Opera, Townswoman/cover Luisa in the UK tour of Zorro the Musical and the Girl in the Nightingale and the Rose.
Crew
Josie Lovett (Executive Producer) Josie is a recent graduate of Film Studies at Queen Mary, University of London. As well as working as a producer she is a keen scriptwriter and director.
Cheyenne Conway (Producer)Having recently graduated from Queen Mary, University of London where she studied Film, Cheyenne is currently a producer for Mile End Films. Cheyenne also has professional experience in production management and as a 1st assistant director
Paul Yoshida (Producer)Paul is a recent graduate of Film Studies at Queen Mary, University Of London. There he learnt to direct, shoot and produce short films.
Stephanie Bridges (Stage Manager)Stephanie is a second year student at Middlesex University studying Television Production. She plans to work in TV and enjoyed her experience of working on Gutter Press – The Opera.
Kelly Garrett (Set Designer/Costume)Kelly is a recent graduate in Theatre Design from Nottingham Trent University. She is experienced in design and construction for children’s theatre, drama and dance. Her passion lies in opera and ballet.
Carly Fisk (Make-up)Carly is a VTCT Professional Media Make-up graduate, specializing in fashion and photographic make-up. This is her first venture into theatrical make-up and she is keen to build on her positive experiences with Gutter Press – The Opera.
