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RewiRED and Re-Fired up. Oswestry next then a Return to Salford...and some great Blaine Manor News

4/20/2018

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Photography by Karen McBride
Well Frank Morgan broke his way out of Hell last week and made quite the impression in an eclectic and explosive return to Tales from Paradise Heights.  I'm Frank Morgan: RewiRED was very much an experiment for me, a leap forward with the character, taking risks and leaving safety behind.  It's been a tough couple of months on my own in pre-production and rehearsal with this monster, acting as writer/actor/director/producer/promoter is extremely challenging to say the least and quite a lonely process.  It certainly teaches you about self discipline, drive and focus.  My toughest test acting wise thus far.  

So, from standing ovations to controversy (a couple of walk outs - Frank is strong stuff) I'm delighted to say the experiment worked.  The overall audience and critical consensus thus far though has been extremely positive and has fired me up no end.  It's not all about the ferocity, there is humour and pathos here, and the remnants of a human beneath this monstrous shell.  Members of the audience were moved from laughter, shock and horror, to tears.  The new elements to the story really striking a chord, and driving home the supernatural meets natural flavour of the series.  This is very much a modern urban crime story meets gothic fairy tale. 
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Pic by Shay Rowan
Huge thanks to Justin Wetherill again for coming up with the goods sound and music wise, and to John Tatlock for being such a joy to work with on lighting.  Once again Darren McGinn delivered the goods digital art wise, Karen McBride and Shay Rowan produced some amazing photography and Darren Barker did a great on job set building. 

The best sound bite I heard from an audience member last week was '
Richard III meets The Long Good Friday meets Hellblazer.'  That's a very unique description to a very unique show, I can confidently say that there is nothing like this out there.   Oswestry is the next stop for the show, at the brilliant Hermon Chapel Arts Centre - and I will be doing a Q&A on the show and Tales from Paradise Heights after each of those shows, more details at the link: 

​mailchi.mp/ddb200a5ea11/im-frank-morgan-rewired-a-one-man-play-by-joe-obyrne

Huge thanks to you , the audiences for coming along and making Frank's return so special, you really made those nights.  Once again massive thanks to Lisa Connor and all the staff down at The Kings Arms, we're gonna be back...see below.  

Now, bring on Oswestry and big hi to you audiences at Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, I can't wait to get back there.  


Picture
Imagery by Darren McGinn
Ticket Links:
Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Chapel Street, Oswestry 3rd and 4th May


Thurs 3rd May, 7:30 pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FFMIMF 
​
Fri 4th May, 7:30pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FFMIMG

Book them fast as we filled up real fast last time...it will be great to see you!

Joe x


Further Dates Added to The Kings Arms, Salford

I'm delighted to announce that due to the popular demand in Salford the Bad Fella will be back much earlier than I had originally planned.  The show returns to The Kings Arms, Salford on 25th & 26th May, ticket links are further down, hope to see you there.    

I gave this show my all, and I'll be back to do it again...losing dad last year taught me a lesson, a hard lesson.  We are dead too long. Do your thing, and to Hell with the consequences...Jx

More on Frank Morgan here:
​www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/im-frank-morgan.html
Picture
Pic by Karen McBride
The Kings Arms New Dates Ticket Links:

Friday 25th May:   
www.kingsarmssalford.com/my-calendar/?cid=mc-6bea5a7e02f8f5e2945b6f6b1bbf9266&mc_id=1622

Saturday 26th May
www.kingsarmssalford.com/my-calendar/?cid=mc-6bea5a7e02f8f5e2945b6f6b1bbf9266&mc_id=1623

Book them fast as we filled up real fast last time...it will be great to see you!  And for the readers among you, Frank Morgan pops up in my first novel, THE BENCH: A Tale from Paradise Heights...you can download it here - a cracking read on Paradise Heights and a whole host of characters, check the reviews at the link:

www.amazon.co.uk/Bench-Tale-Paradise-Heights-Tales-ebook/dp/B013VNYZOY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

And all for less than the price of a pint...

Joe x


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​The Haunting of Blaine Manor comes to Buxton Fringe Festival

I'm also very happy to announce that the award winning The Haunting of Blaine Manor will be part of this years Buxton Fringe Festival, ahead of the show's Autumn/Winter Tour...details below...
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We will be in the Arts Centre which I believe is part of Buxton Opera House, the very heart of the festival and we can't wait to perform there.  Here are the dates and times - ticket links to follow:  

Fri 6th July, 5:45PM 
Mon 9th July, 9:30PM 
Tue 17th July, 9:30PM 
Wed 18th July, 5:45PM


More details soon and more on The Haunting of Blaine Manor here...


www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/the-haunting-of-blaine-manor.html

Thanks for reading, for showing interest, for coming along and supporting...hope to see you all again real soon...

​Joe x
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I'm Frank Morgan - RewiRED:  The Shark and the Shadow of the Shark

4/7/2018

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Frank Morgan is the first character I created in Tales from Paradise Heights.  A background character in a half written novel - the full story of his creation can be found here:  www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/im-frank-morgan.html

He is to Paradise Heights what Darth Vader is to Star Wars, an iconic villain  with a  shadow that is cast across the entire series of Paradise Heights tales.  When I first wrote I'm Frank Morgan all those years ago I had no idea that I would go on to create a series of critically acclaimed tales set in the same community.  Thus far there have been seven separate tales.  Frank only appears in three of them, but each of the protagonists in the other stories  have either crossed paths with or had their fates altered irrevocably by association with the shark.  Frank's shadow is heavy and long across The Heights, and his deeds have echoed down through the years, leaving their own landmarks on a scarred landscape.  
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The way the world is today, Frank would thrive.  He's a sociopath, a gambler, an opportunist and something of a lone wolf among a criminal community, he does things his way. The way things are today, particularly from a political perspective, there are world leaders that operate under those same personality traits and approaches to life and dealing with people.

This is certainly a time to bring him back.  But this is a Frank RewiRED.  A significant location and certain characters were created in later tales, I wanted a chance to acknowledge that and if I was to bring the play back I'd do it, so I have.  There are nods and references to quite a few of the other stories here and I'm also laying down track to the next tale with this rewrite - you don't have to have seen any of the other stories to watch this though, this is a rise from a Paradise Heights Lazarus Pit, and a Frank scarily altered.  

I've been working alone on this, rehearsing into the wee small hours, there's nothing quite as testing discipline wise as a one man show, I know there's no hiding place once I'm out there.  Of course it is also harder to sell, my friends circle only goes so far so it's tough selling those seats - do share this if you get the chance as I can promise you a show that you'll never forget.  This is certainly a leap with the character, this is a dark modern fairy tale with an injection of EC Horror.   I guarantee plenty of surprises for anyone that might have seen the original.  

Darren Barker is doing a fabulous job creating set and Darren McGinn has again been creating some fab imagery (all the visual elements seen around this page) for the show.  The very talented Justin Wetherill has been creating sound - there is music too - but I'm saying no more, just be there on the night(s).

Premiere's Thursday 12th April at The Kings Arms, Salford for 3 nights then moves onto Hermon Chapel Arts Centre in Oswestry, full venue, booking links and details below.  


It would be lovely to see you.  Welcome to The Ace of Spades, Frank can't wait ta meetchya...

Joe x
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Ticket Booking Links Below:  

​This new interpretation premieres at The Kings Arms, Salford on 12/13 & 14th April, tickets now on sale at the links below:  


​Thurs 12th Apr 8.00pm
www.ticketweb.uk/event/im-frank-morgan-rewired-the-kings-arms-tickets/8104755

Fri 13th Apr 8.00pm
www.ticketweb.uk/event/im-frank-morgan-rewired-the-kings-arms-tickets/8104765

Sat 14th Apr 8.00pm
www.ticketweb.uk/event/im-frank-morgan-rewired-the-kings-arms-tickets/8104775

​
Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Chapel Street, Oswestry 3rd and 4th May

Thurs 3rd May, 7:30 pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FFMIMF 

Fri 4th May, 7:30pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FFMIMG
0 Comments

    Author

    Joe O'Byrne is a writer, artist, poet, actor, lecturer, film maker, producer, ex radio presenter and Community Service Officer.  

    He lives in Bolton, the next Nuclear Test Zone, and Batman and Chuck Norris are scared of him.  

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