Following on from the roaring success of Sunset Boulevard & The Color Purple at Curve Theatre, we were commissioned to film a version of LIT specifically for camera. LIT is a hard hitting social realist play; written by Sophie Ellerby, Directed by Stef O’Driscoll and Produced by Nottingham Playhouse and HighTide.
Following a sell-out run in 2019, this on-demand version of Sophie Ellerby’s LIT has been specially filmed for audiences to enjoy at home.
As a company of in house staff and trusted freelancers we have sizeable experience in adapting theatre to a live streamed/at home audience. Our work with Curve Theatre, as well as many other pieces of live performance has put us in good stead to help translate an audience member’s experience in a theatre, to enjoying it from home.
Every piece of theatre is different however, and this play is certainly a different subject matter to tackle. Far from the glitz and glam of musical and choreographed dance numbers, LIT is a social realist play, set in Nottingham, focused around Bex Bentley’s (Eve Austin) turbulent teenage years, looking for love in all the wrong places.
The play was situated on Nottingham Playhouse’s main stage, with the performance being played out to the auditorium, which is where our cameras were situated. We had a week to work out camera positions, staging the performance and rehearsals. Jordan (DOP) worked closely with the director Stef to ensure her vision for the story would translate well onto screen, with Jordan suggesting ways to help emphasise certain points or troubleshoot particularly tricky scenes.
Mbili Munthali returned to his role of gimbal operator, Duncan and Migle Cimzaite operated close up cameras following the action. Dan retained the same role of producer and editor, working with Stef and Jordan to ensure the final edit of the performance told the story how Stef intended it to be told.
Covid safety was paramount, and as well as daily health declarations and temperature checks, the whole company adhered to social distancing measures, face coverings and multiple covid tests whilst on site.
We were really thrilled with the feedback we received from audience members and the press, with multiple 4 and 5 star reviews from press.
It was an absolutely amazing to work with such talented team of young actors, director, lightening designer Peter Small and the rest of the team at Nottingham Playhouse and HighTide.
You can still watch LIT until June 29th!
Photos courtesy of Pamela Raith
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