NEW SHOW TBA: Rat Productions presents. . .

NEW SHOW TBA: Rat Productions presents. . .

Report by Richard Frazer

Everyone needs to be patient as we will imminently announce a brand new production by musiconstage.co.uk. This production will be very different taking Rat Productions group into totally new direction.

We say this as the director is Natalie King who has previously assistant directed on a couple of previous productions but this will be the first time she has lead from the front. She is very well read of modern theatre and non traditional in her stance. Rat Productions have never ventured far from their comedy and traditional theatre routes. It is very likely we will be seeing a very gritty and thoughtful production this time around.

Also the cast will be largely coming from the now grown up MOSkeetoes who are the youth group for musiconstage.co.uk. The members of MOSkeetoes through self determination and attention to the skills have become very fine actors and formed a crucial addition to the last Rat Productions show ‘Pied Piper II: The Squeakual’.

I wish them all a great success and eagerly await news of exactly what they are choosing to create.

Our ratty friends are waiting all round the world to see this

Pied Piper II Interview: Becky Atkins ‘Magnolia – Mayoress of Hamelin’

Name of  Actress:      Becky Atkins

Role in Pied Piper II:      The Mayoress of Hamelin Magnolia

Age:     33

Years Acting:      Well I started at the age of 7!

Where you initially learnt your skills?     I was born a loud mouth show off

What are the most memorable moments in your acting career to date?    Playing Lady Bracknell in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ with Rat Productions outdoors at the Winterbourne Gardens in 2005. Also getting a chance to act crazy in a play at the crescent theatre

What made you decide to be in the Pied Piper II?    One of my best friends co-wrote and is directing it so I wanted to be a part of it.

Give a short but complete description of your character:     Loud, bossy and controlling (I believe I am type-cast)

Who were your heroes when you were young?    Spiderman and Freddie Mercury!

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?    My Mini-me – my little boy Edward

When did you know that you wanted to be an actor?    When I realized pretending is far more fun than real life!!

Funniest joke you can think of on the spot?   My fave joke is – two biscuits are walking down the road – one says to the other “Where do you live?” The other replies “I’m not telling you, you might steal my washing!” (If you knew / or know me – that says it all!)

HAMELIN NEWS: Pied Piper II – Show Pictures

Pied Piper II: The Squeakuel – Show Pictures

Report by Richard Frazer – Producer

This is a very simple post to thank all that supported the show and made it the success that it turned out to be. From very humble beginnings it came. A locally written show put on in a theatre outside of normal theatre land with a largely new inexperienced cast who are performing together for the first time. Does not sound like the best concoction does it? Well it was!

Thank you for the success and allowing the group to succeed and to make a good profitable show which has only received positive feedback and reviews.

Please see the pictures below:

The Rats!!! Duh duh derrrrr!

The townsfolk:

The Hero and Papers:

 

For more pictures visit the musiconstage.co.uk website or the fanpage on facebook ‘Musiconstage’

HAMELIN NEWS: Pied Piper II – Today!!! It begins!!!

Pied Piper II: The Squeakuel – Today!!! It begins!!!

Report by Richard Frazer – Producer

Come on and all to the showcase that is the Pied Piper II: The Squeakuel. This show has been produced using much sweat and blood. Not least because we were following a very interesting and new ethos with added a little extra spice to the usual pressures of bringing a show:

1. We wanted to bring theatre to a region which did not normally see main stage Theatre – This was achieved by locating the Joseph Chamberlain College’s new build theatre. We are the first show on in these premises from an external company. It sounds fearsome, but we struck gold with their state of the art facilities!!!
2. We wanted to bring new faces in the production of a stage show – We had a largely brand new cast and crew. Rat Productions is part of Musiconstage.co.uk a group which has been around for over 35 years. We only used 3 of the original members out of 60 people involved!!
3. We wanted to use people from the local area. Now Balsall Heath is not really recognised for theatre (at this moment). We worked hard with the college and brought through a student of JCC into a main show part. Look for Rowan Lennard playing Lotty.
4. We wanted to be totally funded by the community. Thank fully to our generous sponsors we were able to do this. BIG THANKS TO – Midlands Cooperative Society, Pixels and Images, Frugal Marketer, Diet Care Birmingham and Fancy Dress One-Offs! Not to mention all the individuals who have given up time and money to be involved.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY – We wanted to give back to the community we are supporting. We will be donating £1000 to the JCC’s Student Support Fund for Disadvantaged Academics.

These are certainly massive mountains to climb as they meant we started with NO CAST, NO CREW, NO MONEY, NO STAGE and on top of this we were still writing the script when the production began to ensure it was entirely locally driven.

Thank you to all for sticking with Rat Productions through this difficult project and all looks well. We hope you enjoy what you see when (and if you come). Ticket sales have been steady, but we still have  more to allocate. If you wish to come to the show either purchase online, reserve on 0121 742 3021 (boxoffice@musiconstage.co.uk) or buy on door.

To all the cast and crew- BREAK A LEG

To the audience – Enjoy the show. It should be amazing

To the College – So glad you have stuck with us

To the Community – Thank you for your support

Now to put my make-up on – (I also have a role as Roland – yes the rat)

www.PP2.TV

Solihull News – Thursday 21/10/10

Solihull Observer – Thursday 21/10/10

Hamelin Times NEWSFLASH: Rat Attacks!!!

Birmingham: The Rat Attacks

 Reported by Claire Lyons – Reporter 

This morning the people of Birmingham woke to discover the spaghetti junction blocked , train lines dug up, as well as a cordon stretching all around the city , all aircraft and the cities airport where grounded as fuel lines had been chewed through, and electrics in the control tower have been cut.

This has rendered the people within Birmingham trapped and isolated with no supplies being able to enter the city.

The town hall has also been taken over with the towns’ council being held to ransom.

The menace behind these events are the towns rats  which have been growing in size, strength and numbers over the last few months with the recent kidnapping of Derby counties mascot and the attempted capture of the pope.

The mood in Birmingham is growing ever fearful with electric gas and water supplies have been cut off.

Riots have started in many of the inner city areas with shops being raided and people fighting over staples such as bread and water.

The government and police are calling for calm and promise they will free the town as soon as possible.

It is unknown how the city will be able to combat the rats as the last known pied piper has been missing for some time, however the rat catcher guild promise to deliver a plan and are in talks with number 10.

There is promise of a battle strategy to be announced at the end of next week , townsfolk are invited to come to emergency meetings on the 27^th 28^th and 30^th October (7:30pm) and a matinee on Saturday 30th at 2:30pm, at the Joseph Chamberlain College  where the fate of the town will be decided.

Will we be able to rid ourselves of this dangerous enemy or will the threat of Rats spread across the country and maybe even the world, only time will tell, who will save us now!

If you want to be involved in stopping these rats come to our community meeting (Pied Piper II at Joseph Chamberlain College) between 28 – 30 October. Book tickets on 0121 742 3021 (boxoffice@musiconstage.co.uk) or follow the following link http://www.PP2.TV

Musical Moments: When the Rat Pack Bare their Teeth

When the Rat Pack Bares Their Teeth

Parody Written by Richard Frazer

Ever Show needs catchy tunes and this is no exception here is an except of one of the rats marching songs as they decend on Hamelin:

(SONG FIRST LINES BEGIN AS BELOW: Based on When the Foeman Bares His Steel)

 

C.R:                     Then my minions get your horde of sneaky rats back!

I summon them for a general’s blessing,

So I can take over dreaded Hamelin

 

MARY:                 Chief Rat, they come . . .

 

SMALL RATS MARCH ONTO STAGE IN SINGLE FILE

 

C.R:                     When the Rat Pack Bares their Teeth

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! Tarantara!

 

C.R:      And you can see their gums beneath

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! . . . .

C.R:                     You Townsfolk need to run,

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! Tarantara!

 

C.R:                     As we loot and dance with fun

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! Tarantara!

 

C.R:                     For when threatened with emeutes

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! Tarantara!

 

C.R:                     And your tails are in your boots,

 

MARY AND ROLAND: Tarantara! . . . .

 

C.R:                     There’s nothing brings us round

                           Like the piping Piper’s sound,

Like the piping Piper’s sound

 

C.R, MARY AND ROLAND:        Tarantara! tarantara!      

 

C.R, MARY AND ROLAND Tarantara! tarantara! Tarantara! tarantara! Tarantara! tarantara! Tarantara! tarantara! Tarantara! tarantara! Tarantara, ra, ra, Tarantara!

SMALL RATS Ra, ra, ra, ra, Ra, ra, ra, ra, Ra, ra, ra, ra, Ra, ra, ra, ra, Ra, ra, ra, ra, Tarantara, ra, ra, Tarantara!

 

 

SCRAWNY 2:       Go, rat villians, go to glory,

Though you die in combat gory,

Ye shall live in song and story.

Go rob all humanity!

Go to death, and go to slaughter;

Die, and every rodent daughter

With her tears your grave shall water.

Go, rat villians, go and die!

 

SMALL RATS:     Go, rat villians, go and die!

Go, rat villians, go and die!

 

 

 

C.R:                     Though to us it’s evident,

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! Tarantara!

 

C.R:                     These attentions are well meant,

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! . . . .

 

C.R:                     Such expressions don’t appear,

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! Tarantara!

 

C.R:                     Calculated rat to cheer,

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! . . . .

 

C.R:                     Who are going to meet their fate

In a highly nervous state.

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! Tarantara! Tarantara!

 

C.R:                     Still to us it’s evident

These attentions are well meant.

 

MARY AND ROLAND:   Tarantara! Tarantara! Tarantara!

 

 

SQUEAKY 3:       Go rob your best endeavor,

And before all links we sever,

We will say farewell for ever.

Go to glory and the grave!

 

SMALL RATS:     Go to glory and the grave!

For your foes are thick and furless,

Fat, unobservant, highly careless;

Young and tender, old and toothless,

All in vain their mercy crave.

 

C.R:                     We observe too great a stress,

On the risks that on us press,

And of reference a lack

To our chance of coming back.

Still, perhaps it would be wise

Not to carp or criticise,

For it’s very evident

These attentions are well meant.

SMALL RATS:     Yes perhaps it would be wise,

Not to carp or criticise,

For it’s very evident

These attentions are well meant

MARY AND ROLAND:   Yes, it’s very evident

These attentions are well meant,

Evident,

Yes, well meant;

Evident,

C.R, MARY AND ROLAND:        Ah, yes, well meant!

Hope you enjoyed this show insight!!!!

New Birmingham comedy exposes the Pied Piper’s centuries old secret

Birmingham-based theatre group, Rat Productions, will be staging a comedy sequel to the legendary tale of the Pied Piper, at Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College’s new campus in Highgate, Birmingham, between the 28th and 30th of October 2010.

Whilst the original tale famously tells of the Pied Piper clearing Hamelin’s plague of rats, the Pied Piper II explores a flaw that has gone unnoticed for centuries.

Show Producer, Richard Frazer explains: “Since rats can swim, the Pied Piper couldn’t have drowned them in a river. So after a year-long march back upstream, the rats are determined to wreak revenge on the people of Hamelin.”

The rat’s unscrupulous plots include a bank heist, sheep rustling and a crime wave that sees Hamelin stripped of essential pie and beer stocks. With the Pied Piper now in retirement, the townsfolk hold a talent competition to play his magical pipe, whilst the town’s cats plot their own counter-attack, fearing a loss of privilege if they don’t tackle the rat problem.

Created as a comedy for all the family, The Pied Piper II will feature over 30 characters, played by a local cast of new teenage talent and experienced amateur stage performers. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College’s student hardship fund.

Richard says: “The show promises to provide great value, laugh out loud, family entertainment. The audience will also be helping us to continue to take theatre into the community, as well as supporting our host’s students.”

Tickets are on sale now, priced £8 for adults and £6 for children. They can be booked online at www.musiconstage.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0121 742 3021.

 

Stars of Pied Piper II (L-R) Ben Connolly, Natalie King, Richard Frazer, Amy King and Clare Harwood

 

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Richard Frazer
Email: frazerr@musiconstage.co.uk

Hamelin Times NEWSFLASH: A mention to our sponsors

HAMELIN NEWSFLASH: A mention to our Sponsors

Reported by Richard Frazer – Producer of Pied Piper II: The Squeakual

It is blatently obvious that the charity and community work that Rat Productions achieves cannot be as effective without the support of great local business. Although it is an uphill battle to achieve the financial support we often need as an arts organisation, we are always amazed by the generous support that comes from local companies. Since 2004 Rat Productions has never failed to achieve support for their shows and even in the midst of a downturn in the economy we have found 4 great backers.

Fancy Dress One-Offs – Darren Pratley Tailor – Has produced all HUMAN costumes at his own cost

Diet Care Birmingham – Katie Simpson – Has provided all printing services and printing labour at her own cost

Pixels and Images – Rob Farrell Photographer – Has offered his companies services on Thursday 28th to produce the official show photos

Thank you for all your support throughout the show and we appreciate that you have allowed this show to happen.

If other companies or individuals would like to support also, there is still time, please email me on enquiries@musiconstage.co.uk

MAIN SHOW SPONSOR NEEDED: We are still looking for a main show sponsor and will happily put your name above the show title in further literature to be produced and advertise in all events leading to the show. Your name will appear in programmes, and be announced at end of show. It will also always have a place on our websites and blogs. Click link below.

http://www.musiconstage.co.uk/html/LatestShow%20Be%20A%20Sponsor.html

Hamelin Times: The Pied Piper II Costumes (Second Group)

The Pied Piper II Costumes (Second Group) – Costumes created by David Pratley Costumes

Reported By Richard Frazer

 We thought the first group of costumes were good, but then we saw the next lot. Impressed. You will be see below. This show is going to look great! 

http://www.musiconstage.co.uk/html/LatestShow.html

Hamelin Times: The Pied Piper II Costumes (First Fitting)

The Pied Piper II Costumes (First Fitting) – Costumes created by David Pratley Costumes

Reported By Richard Frazer

Today was the first of three fitting days for the HUMAN cast of the Pied Piper. I say HUMAN cast as only half of the cast are playing human characters as we also have 8 Rats, 4 cats, 3 weasels, 1 fox and 2 badger disguises.

Rat Productions are extremely lucky to have a costume designer to the quality of Darren Pratley who has just moved his business to Birmingham and so he has spent every moment he has not been unpacking his belongings working tirelessly at his trusty sewing machine. With red raw hands he proud displayed his costumes and all were amazed.

At the fitting today we had Becky Atkins (Hamelin’s Mayoress Magnolia), Tracey King (Hamelin’s Seamtress), Amy King (Actually a Rat called Squeaky), Richard Frazer (Stupidly Evil Rat Roland), David Smith (The Sheriff of Hamelin) , Paula Kirby and Darren Pratley himself for costume changes.

Darren Pratley - Displaying His Work

It was impossible not to be impressed by what we saw especially thinking that one costume designer while moving house has created 13 totally unique costumes for 12 characters from sctratch in a very short period of time.

Please view the pictures below. Impressed. We know you are.

Shortly Darren will be displaying his very works and costumes on musiconstage.co.uk as an exhibit and for sale.