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An Extraordinarily Powerful Play For Our Times...

10/10/2012

Joe O'Byrne

I really wish I had written this blog post earlier, but I've been feckin' busy...

A couple of weeks ago I was extremely fortunate to be recommended by David Slack, the 24/7 Manchester Theatre Festival giant and the great writer Cathy Crabb to get involved in a play called THE CELL by Michael Crowley. This play was written by Michael with the co-operation of prisoners, and my god, is this one extraordinarily powerful play.

It's more than a play, it's a damning indictment of a prison system where the prisoners run the show, where officers are so disillusioned by this 'system' that they become part of the mechanics that abandons the weak to their fates. Oh I'm sure there will be people out there that will be saying '...all the prisons aren't like that!' But the scary truth is - many are. The death sentence is alive and kicking in many of these institutions. This is not a drama, it's a horror story.

Michael Crowley

The play has one night at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton this Friday 12th October, but this play should really be playing the main stage of every theatre in this country and the prisons minister, probation boards, governors and officers should be made to attend. If this happened I'm really not exaggerating when I say this play and the issues it tackles unflinchingly, would save lives. As a script i think it's an award winner - as a performance? It's devastating.

The Cell

I'm fortunate enough to working with a powerhouse cast of David Barlow, Jonnie Moran and Daniel Hayes, the play's direction is in the hands of the excellent Ron Meadows, with input from Michael. I'm more than proud to be part of this band. As an audience member this play would stay with me for a long time, as a performer it has left a lasting impression on me - we walk past or drive by institutions regularly, I'll never do that again without shuddering internally, knowing what's going on within those walls.

I'm giving this everything I've got (not that I don't normally do that) but this has lit a fire inside. It's on for one night; I implore you to come along, bring people with you, bring reviewers and TELL people about it - this isn't really about getting an audience (although that is undeniably a bonus) this is about more than that. It's about getting the message out there, it's about protecting young offenders and indeed staff within these institutions that are even now, as I write this, lost and in complete despair.

Simply put - it's about saving lives.

You can book your tickets at the link below:
https://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/145/247-The-Next-Stage-br-The-Cell-by-Michael-Crowley/482

Hope you can make it...

Joe x

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Haunted Man

9/21/2012

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The revisited and revamped I'M FRANK MORGAN debuted at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton on Friday 14th September and it's fair to say it was a success. Great reviews so far and audience feedback shows Director Ian Curley's new vision of the character pleased the critics and the audiences. The plan now is to bring the new version (a radical re-interpretation) to Salford, Manchester and beyond, so watch this space for updates. I was aware of a clicking and snapping coming from somewhere in the audience - the culprit? One MIKE CRAIG, of ZB Films, who had sneaked his Canon 5D MKII into the show, a few snaps from the production are below.

THE WATCHER: A Tale from Paradise Heights

This was of course a Tales from Paradise Heights Double Bill and the play was followed by a screening of the film THE WATCHER: A Tale from Paradise Heights. The film revisits Frank and Paradise Heights on Halloween, 10 years after the events in the play.

'The film, written and directed by O'Byrne, is superbly atmospheric, helped by Barry Thompson's music and beautiful photography from Colin Warhurst. There are great performances particularly from Ian Curley (who directed I'm Frank Morgan) as Marek and David Edward Robertson as homeless man Danny. A very interesting evening of theatre and film that would leave anyone wanting to know more about Paradise Heights, but not too keen to pay it a visit. O'Byrne and Curley seem to be a winning team.' David Chadderton, British Theatre Guide

Thanks to The Octagon Theatre and to a wonderful audience, we're looking forward to returning there in early 2013 with STRAWBERRY JACK: A Tale from Paradise Heights...watch this space...Joe x

DAVID O'BYRNE - British Body Building Champion, 2012

My brother, DAVID O'BYRNE

Finally a MASSIVE and hearty congratulations to my brother, David, who has just become British Bodybuilding Champion at the age of 50! Losing five and a half stone since January this is a monumental achievement and testament to his determination and spirit of competitiveness. The following is from The Chorley Guardian.

David, a company director, has lost five-and-a-half stone since January, and competed at qualifying events, followed by the British finals at the weekend.

He said:“I went on a strict diet to get ready for the competitions.

“It meant that I was not able to play rugby for a year. Some of my team-mates saw me recently and could not believe how different I was, and even asked if I was ill.

“I went to the qualifiers with a mohican and a Hulk Hogan moustache, because I did not expect to do anything in the Masters Over-50s.

“I knew I would be competing against people who have been doing it all their lives, so I did not expect to win.

“It was great to win, and then I went to the British event and won that too.

“I was hoping that my diet might have finished, but with all the competitions, it means that I am still training.”

David trains at the X-fit Gym, off Friday Street, in Chorley, and admits it has been tough challenge.

He said: “It has been difficult, especially when you have had no carbohydrates and trying to hold a meeting on a Monday morning.

“It makes me feel a little bit guilty when I think that, years ago, Dawn was training for events while she had to cook me my egg, bacon, sausage and then my bucket of Doritos, when she was drinking water and eating rice cakes.”

The full article from the paper is here, well done Dave, proud of you bro ;) xx
http://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/news/local/power-couple-have-flex-appeal-1-4937571

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To be Frank...

9/13/2012

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Just over a day to go till the premiere of the all new I'M FRANK MORGAN.

This story has been done four times now, once as an award winning short film, and this is the plays third outing.

Ian Curley has directed the play twice - this time being an all new vision of the play and character. This is a Frank Morgan no one will have encountered before, taking the play into uncharted territory, I'd love to say more but I really don't want to spoil it, I can't wait.

And don't forget this is a Double Bill with a showing of the short film THE WATCHER, after the play, a film that revisits Frank Morgan years after the events of the play. Trtailers for the play and the film can be forund elsewhere on this website - or indeed in the blog updates below.

You can book tickets on The Octagon Theatre website or telephone 01204 520661, it would be lovely to see you...

You can also hear an interview about the production tonight on David Chadderton's excellent theatre show on Canal Side Radio on 102.8 FM at 9.30 tonight, thanks for the interview David :)

And finishing this update with a teaser for the upcoming new Tale from Paradise Heights, DIANE'S DELI, coming soon...Darren McGinn has worked his magic and produced this excellent teaser poster for the play...

Signing off and hope to see you Friday 14th September, 7.30 pm....

Joe x

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Destiny Turns On A Dime...

9/8/2012

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Have you ever read something, seen something, heard something that shook your very being?  Sent tingles down your spine? Left your hairs standing on end? Brought tears to your eyes? Lifted you and spoke to your soul? We all get moments like this in our lifetime and you can probably count them on one hand. But...they happen for a reason.

I've had one of those moments today and it will stay with me, probably till I drop . Where did it come from? A film trailer.

I've always had a philosphy, a belief that there is more to life than this. A belief that the faces that are close to us in our lives are faces we have known before and faces we will know again. That this life is merely a link to the next life; and what we do in this life follows us into the next. I've always felt this for as long as I can remember.

That does not make me a crack pot, or a David Icke, it's just my own quiet belief, I don't force it on anyone else as anyone who knows me will know.  I'm a live and let live kinda bloke,, very positive and friendly guy.

I expressed the belief I talk about above in a film I did at Salford Uni 13 years ago. A supernatural thriller with a central love story, that film was called MYTH.   All I can say is five minutes of film have NEVER spoken to me like the five minutes of film below.

I don't care if people think I'm losing my marbles, but I am so moved and fired up after that I can't tell you. I'm bounc to be as it's my belief.

What's really intersting is JIM STURGESS is in the film. Jim Sturgess was in the original film version of I'M FRANK MORGAN, and I'm doing the play version of I'M FRANK MORGAN in less than 7 days time.

I believe the greatest emotional times we have in our lives, those that enrich our lives and indeed those that scar us deeply; are ripples that travel outwards as we do. Like the trailer says 'ice skate scored into ice that we go over again and again', it's my belief that the love of your life will be found in the next one, and has come from the life before, I'm an incurable romantic on that score. This life is merely a link to the next and what we do in this life follows us into the next, and that is all spoken in the trailer above. I believe I found her in this life and lost her - incredibly damaging but equally helping me find a strength I never thought I had. Maybe I'll find her again in this life, but if not the next.

Or maybe I haven't even found her yet? Regardless I carry on, and after today's 'moment' I have never felt so charged and full of life. The same Joe, but on a mission like never before.

Shirley the Angel's place in Paradise Heights is tapped into this philosphy, a philosphy I am further exploring in further tales from the Heights featuring her. We have only seen a very small part of her journey through the plays so far.

In the meantime, back to work, back to lines and rehearsals and to the play that started the whole TALES FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS bandwagon rolling...I'M FRANK MORGAN, hope to see you there on Friday night. Joe x

Octagon Theatre Booking Site:
https://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/145/Im-Frank-Morgan/480

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COMPETITION: Win I'M FRANK MORGAN original artwork

9/7/2012

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Brian Gorman

Local artist BRIAN GORMAN has produced some stunning imagery over the years, including the upcoming graphic novel Joy Division: A Graphic History, the first in a groundbreaking series of graphic novel-style books coming soon that will take the reader through the heyday of the Manchester music scene, telling the history of three iconic groups - Joy Division, The Smiths and the Stone Roses. So I was obviously thrilled when Brian approached me with an offer to draw the first couple of pages of a potential I'M FRANK MORGAN graphic novel. Based on the first telling of the tale from a few years ago.

The two A4 style pages are below, really capturing the atmosphere of that particular production, the new verison of the play premiering at The Octagon Theatre next Friday 14th September will be radically different, taking the play in a bold new path under IAN CURLEY's direction. As you can see below, Brian has done a stunning job. Well, the good news is one lucky individual will win the original framed artwork, signed by Brian and myself. The winner will need to be part of the audience next week as I'll be presenting the artwork at the end of the evening to the winner.

I'm Frank Morgan (pg 1) Art: Brian Gorman, words: Joe O'Byrne

I'm Frank Morgan (pg 2) Art: Brian Gorman, words: Joe O'Byrne

Here is a link to Brian's facebook art page where you will find a host of fantastic illustrations, give it a 'like' while you're there. http://www.facebook.com/#!/BrianGormanIllustration

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is answer the question below and be part of the live audience at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton next Friday, 14th September. A great Tales from Paradise Heights Stage & Screen Double Bill as the film THE WATCHER (written & directed by myself and again featuring Frank Morgan) will be shown after the play. Please either leave your answer with your full name at the end of this blog entry or email your answer to me along with your details to [email protected]

The winning entry will be drawn from the pool of entry's live on the night, good luck!

Question: What is the name of Frank Morgan's night club in Paradise Heights?

You will find the answer elsewhere on this website, a site that's well worth looking around anyway ;)

So get along next Friday night, 7.30 pm, even those that have seen the play will be in for one helluva surprise/shock - this is a Frank Morgan no one has seen before. You can book your tickets at the link below, hope to see you there, Joe x

I'M FRANK MORGAN/THE WATCHER, Octagon Theatre, Fri 14th September, 7.30 pm. Book yout tickets:
https://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/145/Im-Frank-Morgan/480

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To be Frank...

8/31/2012

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Now here's a character I thought I knew. I've written him, played him on stage and screen. But I've NEVER approached him like this before. Director IAN CURLEY has a new and novel take on the play and I've never been more fired up for something. It's going to be really interesting watching this coming to life, the same words in a script but from a whole new perspective and place. This is a Frank Morgan no one will have seen before. I can't wait, join us on the 14th October at The Octagon Theatre's Bill Naughton studio and see what it's like...to be Frank.

Of course there's also the added bonus of the short film THE WATCHER that revisits Frank 10 years on from the events of the play...a great Tales from Paradise Heights Stage and Screen Double Bill.

You can book your tickets here:

https://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/145/Im-Frank-Morgan/480

Press release below, and if you can share it that would be great, thank you.

Joe x

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KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON: A Salford Story at The Lowry

8/23/2012

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I was recently commissioned by Jacqui Carroll of REELmcr to write a play set in World War 2. Jacqui runs REELMcr alongside partner and co-director Terry Egan and they have carried out some stunning work on film over the years, from National Heritage projects, school projects and community projects, some really commendable work, every community should have a Jacqui Carroll and Terry Egan. http://www.reelmcr.co.uk/AboutUs.htm

A play set  in a Salford air raid shelter around the months leading up to the devastating Salford Blitz of December 1940. The play was to be performed by the Lower Kersal Young People's Group. A young people's group ranging from the ages of 9 up to 84. As well as writing the play I was invited by the inspirational Jacqui Carroll to co-direct the play alongside her.

Lower Kersal Young People's group is ran by Tommy Lever, and his wife Lesley and a small committee based at St. Aiden's Church, Salford. This committee through Tommy and Lesley have carried out some wonderful youth work over the years, from short films, allotments, cookery class's and for the first time, a stage play.

I first met the group in mid June this year. I was immedaitely struck by the 'family feel' of this group, right across that age group from 9 to 84. They all live in Lower Kersal, a community like many that has it's problems, I live in a community just like it in Bolton. But what I felt from day one with this group was an amazing togetherness, a kinship, it was like one huge family of 25 to 30 people, and they have supported each other through some real personal tragedy's and times of hardship. I was more than touched by it all and made welcome from my first day.

After doing some research on war time Salford and working on a few improvisations with them ( and they had many great ideas of their own) I wrote the play over a period of six days, one of the fastest pieces of writing I had ever done. When we had people laughing and crying at the read throgh I knew we had something that could really move people. Now we had to set about the business of getting a group of 20 of them who had never acted on stage before, ready for a performance at The Lowry Quays Theatre.

They were more than up for it, throwing themselves into it and working hard alonside each other over the rehearsal period. I've done a lot of directing for theatre with professional actors, I can honestly say that this was no different, they responded well to direction, threw in ideas and suggestions of their own, hit their marks, found their light, improvised around dropped lines - simply, for Jacqui and I it was a delight to do, meanwhile IAN CURLEY was designing and building an incredibly detailed Salford World War 2 Bunker set for the production.

On the night of the performance the group knocked it out of the park before a 400 strong audience and recieved a standing ovation at the end of the play. I was watching in the wings and it was such a thrill to see them out there all supporting each other, belting it out, and most importantly enjoying themselves. We have recieved many plaudits and congratualtions since the play, and I can confirm that because of all this that this is not a one-off performance. The play will return. Stay tuned for a further announcement soon on the return of KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON by The Lower Kersal Young People's Group.

So, what has this got to do with Tales from Paradise Heights? Well I already have on the drawing board a tale I'm sketching out, set in the 1960's in Paradise Heights; and after the great experience I had on working with Lower Kersal Young People's Group I was inspired. I'm now thinking of setting a tale in war time Paradise Heights.

Below are some wonderful pics of the performance by Michelle Bailey.

Joe O'Byrne

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First meet with I'M FRANK MORGAN Director Ian Curley

8/23/2012

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Ian Curley

Ian has been Co-Producer on Tales from Paradise Heights for around the last 3-4 years. A tremendously versatile actor himself and an amazing set builder. Ian is also a very talented Director, and three years ago he did an amazing job directing me in I'M FRANK MORGAN at The Lowry. That performance was the first multi media version, of the play and it went extremely well. It was Ian's idea to do it as a mullti media play.

We had our first get together yesterday on I'M FRANK MORGAN 2012. Ian has had another idea. An amazing new vision for the play. It's an idea that has filled me with fear and excitement, the adrenalyne is pumping again, and it's a fantastic challenge for us both to get our teeth into.

There will be those that have seen the play before, maybe even both versions of the play (Jo Carlon directed a version for the 24/7 Theatre Festival in 2005, again she did a great job).
This is a rebirth. I'M FRANK MORGAN 2012 is going to be something really special, and a Frank Morgan that no one has seen before.

It's on for one night, Friday 14th September 7.30 pm at THE OCTAGON THEATRE, BOLTON - details in the blog posts below and elsewhere on this (ahem) NEW WEBSITE. I'd really get those tickets booked if you are a Tales from Paradise Heights fan or if you are new to the series. We're gonna have one helluva show for you.

And of course...there's the film THE WATCHER afterwards, revisiting the same character, again details below.

Hope to see you on the 14th September...

Joe x

PS A note on this new website. I'm adding further pages over the next few days and also additional links particularly to those creatives I have worked with before. If you would like your link adding please email me your url at [email protected], and if anyone out there would like to add Tales from Paradise Heights to their website links it would be much appreicated.

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Return of The Shark...

8/21/2012

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Well the website is now up and running, all my own work through weebly.com - a GREAT website building utility for those with zero programming skills, if I can do this, anybody can. I'd obviously love your feedback on the site, I will be adding links to websites of fellow professionals, friends and agencies, theatre's etc.

The site's url is http://www.talesfromparadiseheights.com/index.html

Leave me a comment below if you can.

In the meantime the Great White Shark has returned...I"M FRANK MORGAN (details below).

In the double dip recession we are all enduring, loan sharks are on the rise again. So Frank is very much a man for our times. This is a great opportunity to see the story that launched the series Tales from Paradise Heights, the play is a very different animal from the film of the same name. Tales from Paradise Heights Co-Producer IAN CURLEY is directing and DARREN McGINN is involved in the new sequences we are shooting for the multi media play, and there is a bonus for the evening with the screening of THE WATCHER, the film that revisits Frank 10 years on. THE WATCHER also has very strong links to the play RANK, set on the same Halloween evening in Paradise Heights. A fantastic Tales from Paradise Heights Stage and Screen Double Bill at The Fantastic OCTAGON THEATRE, Bolton. More info and booking here:

https://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/145/Im-Frank-Morgan/480

It would be lovely to see you there...

Joe x

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Hello from Tales from Paradise Heights

8/20/2012

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Joe O'Byrne, Creator, Tales from Paradise Heights

Hello and welcome to a new home for Tales from Paradise Heights. There's a whole lot more stuff I need to get on here, video, music, galleries, articles, reviews, press, links to fellow professionals and friends sites, and most importantly credits for those involved in all the tales so far. As you can appreciate it's a lengthy process but I'll get there an update you all as I go.

Please share or leave me a comment, tweet about it, facebook about it, email about it but get the messages out there that this is the first place to come now for all things Tales from Paradise Heights. Ther will be numerous tweeks, and changes over the coming weeks as I get more used to how all this runs, I'd love to do more now but I really need to get cracking on the chap below, coming to The Octagon Theatre on 14th September, directed by IAN CURLEY...more details to follow....Joe x

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Forward>>

An Extraordinarily Powerful Play For Our Times...

Haunted Man

To be Frank...

Destiny Turns On A Dime...

COMPETITION: Win I'M FRANK MORGAN original artwork

To be Frank...

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON: A Salford Story at The Lowry

First meet with I'M FRANK MORGAN Director Ian Curley

Return of The Shark...

Hello from Tales from Paradise Heights

Joe O'Byrne

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