Hello from Tales from Paradise Heights
Joe O'Byrne: Pic, Daniel Warhurst
ORIGINAL PUBLISH DATE: 20/08/2012
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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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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TALES FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS DOUBLE BILL: I'M FRANK MORGAN and THE WATCHER @ The Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Image by: Darren McGinn
ORIGINAL BLOG POST: 13/09/2012
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. Trailers for the play and the film can be found 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 couple of teaser posters for the upcoming new Tale from Paradise Heights, DIANE'S DELI, coming soon...Darren McGinn has worked his magic and produced these excellent images for the play...
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. Trailers for the play and the film can be found 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 couple of teaser posters for the upcoming new Tale from Paradise Heights, DIANE'S DELI, coming soon...Darren McGinn has worked his magic and produced these excellent images for the play...
HAUNTED MAN: Original Blog Date 21/09/2012
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.
Joe O'Byrne as FRANK MORGAN
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
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
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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THE CELL: An Extraordinarily Powerful Play For Our Times
Mike Crowley: Writer/Director THE CELL
ORIGINAL BLOG DATE: 10/10/2012
A couple of weeks ago I was extremely fortunate to be recommended by award winning As We Forgive Them writer Richard Vergette, and further recommended by 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, and I find myself returning to The Octagon Theatre, Bolton.
THE CELL is 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. 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.
A couple of weeks ago I was extremely fortunate to be recommended by award winning As We Forgive Them writer Richard Vergette, and further recommended by 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, and I find myself returning to The Octagon Theatre, Bolton.
THE CELL is 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. 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.
Power House Cast
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.
'Joe O’ Byrne’s portrayal of Scully’s mental breakdown is terrifying...'
Rosie Panter, The Mancunion
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. Here are a few words from the writer and director, MICHAEL CROWLEY.
'I have an almost entirely new cast on my hands, which means re rehearsing of course, but it provides more opportunities than anything else. Joe O’Byrne is my new Scully (the play’s protagonist) and has learned his lines very quickly indeed. We are now into finding news aspects to the character and Joe is capturing his troubled nature so well. The key to the story is Scully’s descent, making it credible whilst at the same time still surprising the audience. Whilst he is becoming more vulnerable in this production, the prisoner Kelly is becoming more severe.
I worry a great deal about the message the play is sending out. I work in a prison and I believe in what I and my colleagues are trying, and sometimes succeeding in achieving there. I was there this morning before rehearsals, in a class with half a dozen lads running a poetry workshop: memoir drawn from a road significant, familiar to the young writer. There was the road where a grandmother died, where a father beat his wife and son, where a boy was knocked down, where diazepam was acquired for a fatal overdose, where a home was invaded. David Barlow who plays Kelly in The Cell came to the prison to work with lads and seems to have absorbed something. His Kelly is seasoned; sensibilities buried alive like so many of the lads. Joe O’Byrne and Jonnie Moran have brought extensive experience and any development of this play is collaborative.
Dreamscope Productions filmed one of the 24:7 shows and this film along with the script is already being used in several prisons as a basis for writing and drama exercises to tackle bullying. Changing people is like writing though, it takes many drafts and this morning I was also with a lad who helped me develop the first draft when he was inside, came to see it on release at 24:7, and is now back in. We’re working on a new play. '
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'Joe O’ Byrne’s portrayal of Scully’s mental breakdown is terrifying...'
Rosie Panter, The Mancunion
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. Here are a few words from the writer and director, MICHAEL CROWLEY.
'I have an almost entirely new cast on my hands, which means re rehearsing of course, but it provides more opportunities than anything else. Joe O’Byrne is my new Scully (the play’s protagonist) and has learned his lines very quickly indeed. We are now into finding news aspects to the character and Joe is capturing his troubled nature so well. The key to the story is Scully’s descent, making it credible whilst at the same time still surprising the audience. Whilst he is becoming more vulnerable in this production, the prisoner Kelly is becoming more severe.
I worry a great deal about the message the play is sending out. I work in a prison and I believe in what I and my colleagues are trying, and sometimes succeeding in achieving there. I was there this morning before rehearsals, in a class with half a dozen lads running a poetry workshop: memoir drawn from a road significant, familiar to the young writer. There was the road where a grandmother died, where a father beat his wife and son, where a boy was knocked down, where diazepam was acquired for a fatal overdose, where a home was invaded. David Barlow who plays Kelly in The Cell came to the prison to work with lads and seems to have absorbed something. His Kelly is seasoned; sensibilities buried alive like so many of the lads. Joe O’Byrne and Jonnie Moran have brought extensive experience and any development of this play is collaborative.
Dreamscope Productions filmed one of the 24:7 shows and this film along with the script is already being used in several prisons as a basis for writing and drama exercises to tackle bullying. Changing people is like writing though, it takes many drafts and this morning I was also with a lad who helped me develop the first draft when he was inside, came to see it on release at 24:7, and is now back in. We’re working on a new play. '
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KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON Written by Joe O'Byrne
ORIGINAL BLOG POST: 23/08/2012 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
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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WANNA BET? An Inspiring Tale of Raw Determination...
ORIGINAL BLOG DATE: 07/11/2012
It all started out as a bet...
A few years ago, my rugby playing brother, Dave, had a bet with a few of his team mates that when he was 50 he would enter a body building competition. Yeah, it caused a few giggles...and was forgotten about.
Until December last year when some one reminded him, gleefully, of his bet. Gleefully because Dave was fifty and a massive five stone overweight, and had seemingly less chance of making it than a woolly mouse being chased by an asbestos cat through hell. But they don't know our Dave, determination is his middle name. So in January 2012 he set to training...by August 2012 he had dropped five stone, honed his body through some sheer back breaking training regimes, and he entered the British Natural Body Building Championships, over 50's category...job done...well more than done...he was crowned British Champion. Amazing, truly amazing...and then he was automatically entered into the World Masters Natural Body Building Championship in Miami in November...
Pic: My brother, DAVID O'BYRNE; World Masters Natural Body Building Championships WORLD CHAMPION in the over 50's Category, 2012
Last Saturday, David O'Byrne was crowned WORLD MASTERS WORLD CHAMPION in Miami.
A truly stunning achievement, so proud of you Dave lad, you are the very epitome of determination and never say die attitude. So yep, Dave won his bet...and retires undefeated, as this was all a one off, another box ticked on the 'What Dave O'Byrne wants to do in life...' list...
You are my inspiration bro...DO - OR DO NOT - THERE IS NO TRY! Much love Dave.
Your ever loving bro...Joe x
It all started out as a bet...
A few years ago, my rugby playing brother, Dave, had a bet with a few of his team mates that when he was 50 he would enter a body building competition. Yeah, it caused a few giggles...and was forgotten about.
Until December last year when some one reminded him, gleefully, of his bet. Gleefully because Dave was fifty and a massive five stone overweight, and had seemingly less chance of making it than a woolly mouse being chased by an asbestos cat through hell. But they don't know our Dave, determination is his middle name. So in January 2012 he set to training...by August 2012 he had dropped five stone, honed his body through some sheer back breaking training regimes, and he entered the British Natural Body Building Championships, over 50's category...job done...well more than done...he was crowned British Champion. Amazing, truly amazing...and then he was automatically entered into the World Masters Natural Body Building Championship in Miami in November...
Pic: My brother, DAVID O'BYRNE; World Masters Natural Body Building Championships WORLD CHAMPION in the over 50's Category, 2012
Last Saturday, David O'Byrne was crowned WORLD MASTERS WORLD CHAMPION in Miami.
A truly stunning achievement, so proud of you Dave lad, you are the very epitome of determination and never say die attitude. So yep, Dave won his bet...and retires undefeated, as this was all a one off, another box ticked on the 'What Dave O'Byrne wants to do in life...' list...
You are my inspiration bro...DO - OR DO NOT - THERE IS NO TRY! Much love Dave.
Your ever loving bro...Joe x
