MKA get their teeth into the show

I have been in Melbourne for the last few days watching MKA at work, revamping The Alleyway Project into what is now called Side Effect. Director Kat Henry handed over the reigns to MKA's Tobias Manderson-Galvin who is fast making it his own. A lot of the changes must stay secret but I can disclose that there is now gold costumes and jelly wrestling.
The team at MKA are often found to be dancing, singing and riffing on strange jokes in the rehearsal room. It is hard not to be laughing at least once every 10 minutes. As a result, the performances have an energy and a cheekiness to them that are delightful to watch.
Oh yes... we are buying umbrellas for the audience too... Melbourne weather is unpredictable as ever. Let's just hope the hail holds off!
BOOK YOUR TICKETS:
http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/side-effect/

RESULTS ARE IN

Ok, I don't have overactive sweat glands or anything - but I have been figuratively sweating it out over the last few days waiting to get our reviews in!

Thanks to XS Entertainment who came along and also to Poise On Arrows blog author Bri Lee for attending and both writing such fabulous pieces on the project :)

Both have given us both such praise and also constructive criticism which we will definitely take back to the drawing board for our future planning (should we bring the project back again :) ).

Some of our favourite quotes are:

(Poise On Arrows)

If I needed just a handful of words to (a) describe this show, and (b) give you something to hook you in to reading the rest of this review, then I would probably use the following:

'vulgar' 'funny' 'alarming' 'dark' 'young' and 'chalk'. 

I think The Alleyway Project could be the pin-up-girl for the Anywhere Festival, really. These kids embodied what it's all about - the interplay between location and content. 

I really like swearing, and there was a lot of foul language....my favourite thing about it was that it was so brutally accurate. I think you should be sad you missed it. 

Image by Lynette Letic

(XS Entertainment - by Michelle Bull)

Overall, The Alleyway Project is a lot to chew on. The themes...are shockingly real and hard to swallow in an intimate setting. This...is also a huge strength of the show and one that I hope audiences do not shy away from. 

The actors are to be commended for rising to this challenge, as are the writers and director for their courageous choices.

Thanks a bunch Bri and Michelle for your great reviews :) We couldn't be prouder of our team, our show but most importantly the festival that is Anywhere Theatre Festival for giving us this opportunity! 

ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT - don't miss the rest of this pop-up festival!

xo The Alley Cats

Meow! (Image by Lynette Letic)

King of the Creeps

:) I'm on CLOUD FREAKIN NINE!

We received all the photos from our wonderful Alleyway Project photographer Lynette Letic. This means not only did we get a heap of photos of our show, but also a veritable feast of audience faces and smiles :)

There are too many to share on this blog, so instead you can check out audience pics here (make sure you get tag happy!) and show pics here incase you missed it/want to relive the gorgeous and grotesque moments.

A couple choice images of ya'll are below :)

 

WAHOO you guys are seriously drop-dead gorgeous!

xo The Alley Cats

O is for OPENING NIGHT

What a seriously great evening last night :) Our designer Jenny did such a wonderful job decking out the alleyway (a mixture of cosy meets back alleu bar meets charming lights and romance). Not to mention our cast and crew killed it like fresh-chicken for dinner

We were lucky to have such great audiences too! And honestly can't wait for this evening :)

Our last show of the season will, I guarantee, go off like Katy Perry's cream-spurting lady-parts in California Girls :) Doors open 630 - be warm and comfortable, have a drink one us and come to enjoy the show!

 

xo The Alley Cats

tick tock

Ok, so I don't mean to go all Ke$ha on you (really.. I don't!) but TODAY IS THE DAY!!

I feel like it's our birthday, Christmas, wedding day and graduation all rolled into two days and three shows :D

Tonight and tomorrow night are seriously like dates for us....we're nervous, excited and.. well, we really hope you like us enough to stay the night ;) (mee-ow!)

Doors open at 6.30 - there will be FOOD and DRINK, and a bit of photographic fun for everyone so make sure you dress pretty and get there waaay before 7 so you can get a great seat.

 

 

EEP! Tonight and tonight and tonight <3

xo The Alley Cats

: : END \\

That's it folks. Our extended season has sold out!

We are so excited to see you all on Monday and Tuesday night :) !!!

To those who missed out on tickets (or forgot to buy them...it's ok, it's a busy time of year) don't sit at home staring at the idiot box! Make sure you take those spare dollar$ and catch some other Anywhere Theatre shows

See you NEXT WEEK creepy crawlers

xo The Alley Cats

Little Creatures <(. _ .)>

We've had a few questions about what KIND of drinks will be available when our audience members stream through the gates of Winn Lane, pick up your ticket and demand alcohol.

WELLL here's a clue:



Ok, so we don't have pint sized beer, but we DO have some Little Creatures, courtesy of our sponsors..... Little Creatures (oh my gosh their website is so fun!).

Little Creatures and us alley cats thought it was only fitting we have a true-blue Aussie made beer (it's from Freeo in WA) repping as part of the show :)

OH we've also got some lovely wine (I use that term quite loosely...)

Just a heads up, our third show is half sold already :) we're so flattered!  Don't miss out on tickets yo.
AND BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE SHOWS PREMIERING TONIGHT!!!!!
(some are free so check out the newsletter if you haven't checked it already)

xo The Alley Cats

Alley Cats Are GO

THIRD SHOW CONFIRMED!

:) Rumours are true - we've opened up one more show for you Valley crawlers who missed out on the first round of tickets.

When?

Monday, 14 May - 9pm

in Winn Lane, of course.

Bookings via here

We really hope to see you there (and we hope you don't mind the...smell!)

xo The (super excited) Alley Cats

MXXXX'ing out!

The wonderful crew at MX Brisbane and their great photographer Jeff Camden spent some time with us in Winn Lane, among the bins and graffiti'd up staircase :)

AAANNNDDD here are the results...

Eloise Maree, Kat Henry and Michael Johnson in today's MX

 Wowee we have an attractive bunch'o peeps ;)

xo The Alley Cats

4ZZZ Meets Some Cool Cats

Our very own Eloise Maree and Maxine Mellor had an interview with Danny from 4ZZZ last week.

If you missed it, don't worry :) here's the sound bite for you!

Learn a little more about two of our playwrights, the plays and characters and our project/process in general :) not to mention Anywhere Theatre Festival

Thanks for having us Danny and 4ZZZ!

Don't forget to book tickets for all the other shows, AND if you missed out on our tickets keep checking back with us digitally to see if (or WHEN) our next show is going to be :D

xo The Alley Cats

Poison on the tip of your...pen?

Dear friends and foes, please make welcome our reviewer Bri Lee!

It was a really tough choice, as the standard of submission was really high!
But Bri caught our eye with her unique conversational style of commentary and journalism - the type that draws you in and makes you feel right at home, while still making valid points and opinions. Not to mention her blog is super sweet in more ways then one!

Well Bri :) it's good to have you! And we can't wait to see you 'poised' and ready to rip into reviewing The Alleyway Project!

Check out her blog and what Bri is up to. You'll spot her out on Tuesday night!

xo The Alley Cats

Greasing the wheel

Wowee! Time has flown!

NOT ONLY have we been lost in a world full of rehearsals, but we've just received word that our shows have sold out (YIKES)

BUT don't fret just yet... a little birdie has told me there might be at least one more show left in it for us alley cats (rumour yet to be confirmed!)

Until then a little digital teasing to get you in the mood for whats to come this coming Monday and Tuesday:

Vodka Cranberry Soda (By Dan Evans) - Caitlin Dooley and Lucy Whyte get physical

Can't wait to see you in Winn Lane ;) be sure to get there early! We've got more planned then just your standard theatre show

xo The Alley Cats

Fast Food for a mouse?

Possibly one of the cutest, most ridiculous things I've seen ever. There's a whole series too (so enjoy not studying, for you uni students!)

Happy Long Weekend all!

xo The Alley Cats

All about UUUUUUU

Hey yo! Anywhere Theatre Festival is in the Sunday Mail (U) - AND so are we!

This photo is courtesy of John Saunders of Drama Queensland :D

 

Our tuesday show is booking up fast (and it's our very last one!)

You can buy them at the door...that is, if there are any left.

Book here to avoid missing out on a free drink and some Winn Lane magic.

xo The Alley Cats

ON TRIAL

It's true - we're looking for a reviewer!

If you're between 18-25 years old, love theatre/journalism/performance/Winn Lane/Brisbane culture shoot us an email (marketer.cradleproductions@gmail.com)  with something you've written
OR
send us a link on FB or twitter to something you've written.

Entries close MONDAY 7 MAY.

Perks include a free ticket + drink + our uttmost respect (plus a little fame as we'll be sharing your review around!) :)

Hear from you soon...

xo The Alley Cats

GUEST BLOG: Marketing 2.0

So it's two weeks to go (actually, less then that!) and things are getting pretty hectic at Alleyway Project HQ!

Thought I'd share a couple extra tips in these final days leading up to the festival marketing wise :) there aren't too many, and from what I see most shows and teams are doing really well (they've sure got ME excited!)

A few handy hints are below:
1. Get Personal - personal invites and personally delivered information really help to get people along. The information sticks in people's minds more, and personally for me it makes me feel that little more connected to the show/event. So get emailing, texting and calling around :)

2. Get other people talking - hearing things from third parties has more credibility then if you promote things yourself sometimes. So do cross promotions with others, get street press talking AND make sure you get reviewers along to your show.

 Another thing you can do is create fun events or get other people involved in the lead up to your event, and get them to blog about it or just have fun when they get involved.

3. In Your Face - beware of spamming! Something I learnt early on (painfully) was continual mentions and messaging really grates on peoples nerves, and fair enough! Invite people to your Facebook events, do posters and flyer/post card drops and send out the occassional group message (a few days before the event is great) these are great ways to keep peoples interest, otherwise they will tune messages out and will negatively associate you and your brand/event with their irritation! This is counter productive.

I am really looking forward to seeing all of the shows :) don't forget to book on the Anywhere Theatre website or phone (3102 1978). Would suck to miss out!

xo The Alley Cats

Winn LaTe

If you're NOT lame like I am (booo uni and obligations!!) you should definitely visit Winn Lane this Thursday for WINN LATE - a sweet and sexy market night happening every first thursday of the month in (you guessed it) Winn Lane

Pick up some sweet finds because I can't :(

xo The Alley Cats

Eenie meanie minie....

Wowee! Can't believe Anywhere Theatre Festival is only 2 weeks away!!

Had a closer look at the program today... to be honest it's a mega hard choice. So instead, I made a short list (and we encourage you to do the very same)

Here are some of our pics :) we've heard glowing things about them all and not one is the same as another. We've even summed up our short list in a few simple words for you:




Julian Running - Puppetry, music, the sea, imagination and Our Place.
Tickets $10-12

This is Kansas City - by Sandra Carluccio

This is Kansa City - Technology, city wide, augmented reality, limited capacity (6 pax)
Tickets $10

Happy Days (are here again) - SeeD Productions

Happy Days (Are Here Again) - site specific, casual violence, gangland, movement.
Tickets $12-14

Haven - Fixate Productions

Haven - Terror, seduction, melancholy tune, Rabbit Hole Cafe basement.
Tickets $12-17

Gremlins: Gravity is only the beginning 

Gremlins: Gravity is Only The Beginning - budget airline, gremlins, circus, comedy, Reverse Garbage
Tickets $12-14

Phew. it was tough making that list. Hopefully we've made your choices a tad easier :)

ALSO don't forget to book tickets to see The Alleyway Project (alleyways, playwrights, notorious tales, Winn Lane)

xo The Alley Cats

GUEST BLOG: Part Two - By Eloise Maree

SO last time you read Part One of our playwright and producer Eloise Maree's tale. 


Well, to help with mid semester and monday procrastination, here's Part Two!

Part Two:


Then, just as a blink of an eye [which is unquestionably short] they found themselves grown up, middle-aged, as husbands and wives with jobs and children and they had forgotten they silly days of misspent youth. They had, after all, found their happiness. Their spirit was calmed and their lives were bound. They’d forgotten the sticky mornings of waking with strangers and quietly being sick in the toilet and spending hours preparing themselves for such glories.


In one way, they’d grown uptight... in another, they were free of the self-ridicule that becomes such meaningless chunder. Sometimes they were confused about how they ended up in such a place and had to remind themselves that it is what they wanted so long ago [but why?...their mind would drift]. And at times, persevering times they were, they would re-call their former glories. Alcohol would numb their minds and their bodies and once more they would be young- oh so young! With loud voices that over-pronounced their delicate feelings and dancing limbs that knocked and swayed. They would once more forbear the strip of clubs with wild young things, shacking their manes together on the floor and bellowing out forgotten favourites [that had since become vintage treasures]. For beyond the haze of booze, there was a pride which swelled through these nights. A pride which one may only find in those who refuse to face a reality. A glistening refusal of norms - the very norms that clutched and constricted their being; one that felt as if it lifted them beyond everything.


In fact, such nights were purely numbing them from the problems they faced. They were a band-aid over intangible grazes the not-quite grown-ups had refused to notice. But yet they drank, so they sang and how it drove their dance! Shackles of responsibility were not felled, but they were loosened and shaken. Sex, mania and booze were sucked into the soft spaces of their lungs. And such is the glory of that dark strip of colourful clubs.

Do Doing DONE!

Competition is OVER!

That was quick and easy :)

Congratulations Belind Locke. We'll be seeing you in May @ Winn Lane :)

Don't forget to book your tickets - seats are limited and we've only got two grit-infused performances!