Initially performed at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, True Brits has added to the pertinent debate of what it means to be British in the 21st century. Written by the talented Vinay Patel, who will shortly be writing a short film for BBC iPlayer and working on a pilot on the prestigious C4 screenwriting programme, True Brits will make its return to the theatre scene at this year’s VAULT Festival. With VAULT Festival’s theme of ‘inequality in politics’ being the driving force for this year, True Brits is a piece of theatre that could not be anymore timely or on the mark! Ahead of this year’s festival, Theatrefullstop were able to talk to Vinay about his motivations for writing the play, what he’d like to achieve with his play and why London is so welcoming!

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We’re now living in the age of the internet, so a potential employer’s first port of call can very well be your social media profile or online cv. Therefore, it’s imperative to create that perfect first impression, as you may very well find yourself judged on the image you choose to project online. Home to over 30,000 theatre creatives, Stage Jobs Pro is one of the UK’s biggest casting websites, offering creatives the opportunity to sign up to an array of job opportunities, contact a network of fellow creatives as well as create an impressive portfolio of work for potential employees and contacts to view. Amelia Forsbrook, Stage Job Pro’s site manager speaks to Theatrefullstop about the ever popular castings website, what makes Stage Jobs Pro so unique and what makes for the perfect Stage Jobs Pro Profile!

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As Britain’s Got Talent prepares for a new year of the good, the bad and the absolutely bewildering, the national competition is renowned for its showcasing of talent, giving performers from all walks of life the opportunity to change their lives and pursue their dreams. At just 16, Charlotte found herself auditioning in front of the infamous Britain’s Got Talent crowd alongside her singing partner, Jonathon Antoine. Together they wowed audiences, charming the nation and the four judges with their classical vocals. They both finished as runners up, however fast forward 3 years and Charlotte has enjoyed much deserved success, having performed at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and releasing her debut solo album, Solitaire last year. Charlotte is set to star in Joe Masteroff’s 1963 hit musical, She Loves Me at the Landor Theatre from next week. Ahead of the production, Charlotte speaks to Theatrefullstop about what drew her to the musical, working with director Robert McWhir and what inspired her to audition for BGT.

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Initially developed on the reputable Royal Court Young Writer’s programme, Tom Crowley’s Ghost City couldn’t be anymore timely, as the show questions the lengths the government will go to in order to distract the nation’s attention away from the topical issues of unemployment, the cost of living and homelessness by the installation of unnecessary pieces of artistry. As the founder of Crowley & Co. prepares for the company’s performance of Ghost City, he speaks to Theatrefullstop about what he enjoys most about directing the show, how developing the show at the Royal Court has proved inspirational and his hopes for what the audience will take away from the performance.

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Having trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, Rocky Rodriguez Jr is no stranger to the stage or big screen, having worked on Hollywood Blockbusters such as Kick Ass 2 to Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. However, it is his innovative work as artistic director and founder of C.R.A.F.T Theatre that has really seen the performer turned director stand out from the crowd. Placing an emphasis on cognitive neuroscience, which combines both neuroscience and cognitive science to examine the intricacies of how the brain functions, C.R.A.F.T Theatre look to push the boundaries of theatre making by creating thrilling, original and emotionally charged theatre. Ahead of their production of Dante’s Inferno, which will show at the Rag Factory from Thursday 8th January, Theatrefullstop were able to talk to Rocky about his unique adaptation of the classic, using exhaustion as a means to create theatre and his advice to aspiring directors.

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Founded in 2012 by performers Olivia Quayle and Jan Patzke, ‘Joli Vyann’ have gone from strength to strength. Their fusion of circus skills, dance and theatre have seen the company win the admiration of audiences, and they continue to push the boundaries with their imaginative works. Ahead of their performance of Stateless at next year’s International Mime Festival, Theatrefullstop were able to speak to the founders about collaborating with choreographer Florence Caillon, their inspirations for the piece and who they are looking forward to watching at the festival!

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Bristol born actress Alice Coles is set to star as the straight talking Mary in Encompass Production’s comedy fuelled production, This is Not a Christmas Play. A season accustomed to the family friendly fairytale or the weird yet wonderful world of Panto, the show offers a contemporary alternative. Ahead of the first show, Theatrefullstop was able to speak to Alice about working with Encompass Productions, preparing for the role of Mary and her reasons for wanting to be apart of the production!

Hi Alice, this is your first time working with Encompass productions, how has the process been?

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Jonathan Woodhouse is the artistic director and founding member of Encompass Productions, a London-based production company celebrating 5 years next year! This year he is directing and co-producing ‘This is Not a Christmas Play’ at the Top Secret Comedy Club in Drury Lane this festive season. Ahead of the production, Theatrefullstop were able to speak to him about avoiding clichés, catering to the recession generation and his cinematic influences!

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Amit Lahav is the Artistic Director of Gecko, one of the UK’s leading companies in Physical Theatre. The company was founded in 2001 and since then have performed worldwide and in 2012 gained Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation status, receiving regular funding until 2015. ‘Institute’ their latest production is being performed as part of the London International Mime Festival, at the Royal Opera House.

Hi Amit, you’re performing ‘Institute’ at the Royal Opera House as Part of the London International Mime Festival, are you excited to return to the festival and the venue?

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Long before the invention of the all powerful television and the influential internet, juggling amazed and entertained the likes of the rich and powerful in courtyards to the working classes in street fairs and market places. An art form fusing enviable skill and charisma, there’s no wonder it has captured the imaginations of on lookers for centuries. Cue the 21st century, and the much celebrated Sean Gandini marries the marvel of juggling with the complicated nature of mathematics. Ahead of his company, ‘Gandini Juggling’ premiering their new piece ‘4 x 4′ at the ‘London International Mime Festival 2015′, I was able to speak to the company director about performing in over 4500 shows, celebrating 22 years with the company and who he is looking forward to watching at next year’s festival!

Hi Sean, your performance company ‘Gandini Juggling’ are set to premiere their latest work, ‘4 x 4′ at next year’s London International Mime Festival, how are you feeling ahead of the first show?

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