This week we caught up with Jonathan Davies. Jonathan is our Theatre Arts Practitioner and has worked on many great productions here at Eden Court including Flesh with the National Theatre Connections Festival, No Post for Postie which was our under fives Christmas show and Ness Island's Halloween show. We caught up with him to find out a little more about him and what he’s up to over the summer.
Here's what he had to say:
Tell us about your most memorable show at Eden Court.
My most memorable show is actually about to return to the Highlands this Summer, it's Nicole and Martin! I was blown away by their storytelling, performance skill and acrobatics when I saw all their shows here in the Big Red Tent outside Eden Court, two years ago.
I can't stress how good they are at what they do, real masters of storytelling, something the whole family can enjoy. They're working with Eden Court again this Summer and are pitching their tent just down the road at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort. Do take the time to go, you wont regret it.
Is there anything exciting happening over the summer?
Yes! Absolutely, I love the summer programme here at Eden Court, each week is so different from the next!
I've just finished working with 9 native Scots and 25 young people from Rome, as part of our Summer in the Studio - Theatre Arts week! They just put on a great little theatre and dance performance in only five days! That's hard enough to do when you can all speak the same language, super proud of them, they all really rose to the occasion.
Only a few weeks away is the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, a highlight of each Summer, as we get to work with so many people in such a beautiful location. We've got something really exciting and different planned this year and I cannot wait to reveal the new project. All I can say is bring your flying saucers and dancing shoes!
What I'm most excited about this Summer, is later on in August, I get to run a Foley Filmmaking week back in Eden Court. I love the art of Foley, making sound to add to cinema, as you can be so creative in making that perfect sound from all sorts of random and everyday objects. It's going to be really cool getting to teach and work with all the camera and sound equipment, and our newest Engagement team member, Film and Visual Artist Maili Fraser.
What will you be doing at Foley Filmmaking?
We've got a great week planned, we are offering participants the opportunity to practically play with some cool film equipment, direct and star in their very own films, and add all the sound live in a final One Touch Theatre performance. It's going to be so much fun! I think there are still places left, so if you want to learn more about acting, film making and Foley sound, contact Eden Court Box Office on 01463 234 234 to get on board.
What’s your favourite show of all time? And does this influence your style?
What a great question, my favourite show of all time is 'The Trial' written by Franz Kafka and specifically the adaption by Steven Berkoff.
I was fortunate enough to perform in a production of this many years ago and the physical, exaggerated style of movement, the use of space and mime, has really influenced my style of theatre making. It's something that when you discover it, really stays with you and can be transplanted to a variety of theatre performances and styles.
What’s the last thing you made out of Lego?
Ha! How did you know I loved Lego? Well... I've been building for over a year, off and on, the Ghostbusters Fire station House. I was a huge fan as a boy, still am, and I'm finally about to put the roof on it, I just need to find a space to keep it!
It was great catching up with Jonathan and getting to know him a little more. Join him at Summer in the Studio - Foley Filmmaking on MON 12 to FRI 16 AUG and explore the art of foley.
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