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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Move over Coco and Krusty, there’s a new clown in town and he goes by the name of Puddles! A clown with a 21st century twist, Puddles fronts Puddles Pity Party, a band renowned for their theatrical yet soulful renditions of well known classics. Puddles currently stars in the international hit cabaret show, La Soirée, which makes a welcome return to the UK! Ahead of the show, I was able to speak to Puddles about being one of the new acts on the show, touring with Tenacious D and being a Youtube sensation!

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In just over a week, The Vaults in Waterloo will play host to 12 days of puppetry, physical theatre and cabaret as the Mimetic festival celebrates its 3rd year in its new home. A festival adamant on showcasing the bold and exciting works of emerging and established theatrical talent, the Mimetic Festival promises to be an event not to be missed. Ahead of this year’s festival, I was able to speak to cabaret performer and actor Michael Twaits about his new show, The Libertine Has Left the Building which he’ll be performing from the 25h-29th November, his reaction to being this year’s Mimetic Audience Bursary winner and how the show has been 7 years in the making!

1) Congratulations on winning the Mimetic Audience Bursary 2014 for The Libertine Has Left the Building, how does it feel?

Thank you! It’s brilliant. It’s provides a lot of support for developing the show and making it something that I hope will be really exciting and different. The show would not become the show it will be without this support – and the support of the Arts Council.

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