Peculiar Productions

Men at Arms Behind The Scenes – Matt Burnett on Building Detritus, Stone by Stone

Behind the acting, laughter and bravado lies the hard work and efforts of our crew, from set design and lighting/sound effects to costume design and prop design. It’s really important to us to recognise the work everyone puts in off-stage as well as in front of our audience!

We thought we’d take a few moments to talk to Matt Burnett on his efforts with one of the stars of our show, member of the City Watch Detritus…

Unseen University Challenge raises £163

On The Glorious 25th of May 2019, Peculiar Productions held the Unseen University Challenge, a comprehensive quiz dedicated to Terry Pratchett’s works, and raised £163 for Men at Arms and Nerve Tumours UK.

As well as a quiz held by our quizmaster, Terrance, there was a bake sale and raffle, and event attendees were among the first people to witness the Men at Arms poster and ticket launch, designed by the very talented Kat Orford!

Arcadia: Meet Paul, Down to Earth

It’s our final Meet the Actor – and that must mean it’s nearly Christmas! We’ve been rehearsing for twelve weeks and showcased twelve actors, who will be spending their Christmas break learning lines between bits of shiny wrapping paper.

Paul, last but not least, is playing the part of Richard Noakes. He has big gardening plans for Sidley Park, much to the chagrin of Lady Croom. He has made appearances in multiple Monstrous Productions’ performances, as well as our first production, ‘The Truth’.

Continue reading “Arcadia: Meet Paul, Down to Earth”

Arcadia: Meet Josh, Quietly Brilliant

Josh will be taking up the role of Gus Coverly as well as his ancestor, Augustus Coverly, in ‘Arcadia’!

Josh is no stranger to the stage, performing as many a panto villain with St. Peter’s Players, as well as well-received performances in Monstrous Productions’ ‘Going Postal’,‘Guards! Guards!’, ‘The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents’ and in Peculiar’s first production, ‘The Truth’, as Goodmountain the dwarf.

Continue reading “Arcadia: Meet Josh, Quietly Brilliant”

4th December 2018 – Peculiar Quiz 3: Let’s Get Quizzical!

It’s time to get Quizzical for the third Peculiar Quiz! There’ll be some colourful questions, a look back at 2018, and even a round to get you in the festive mood for Christmas! You might need a drink after all of that…

Plus some surprise rounds – but you’ll have to be there to find out more…*.

(*Don’t worry, there isn’t a Sport round. There may be some questions about sport though…)

Teams of up to 5 people, cash prize for the winning team! Don’t have enough for a team? That’s OK – we’ll match you up on the night.

Continue reading “4th December 2018 – Peculiar Quiz 3: Let’s Get Quizzical!”

Arcadia: Meet Tony, a Poetic Soul

Tony Beard is our featured actor this week, playing the curiously naive Ezra Chater.

Tony has graced the stage before in Peculiar Production’s ‘The Truth’.Beyond this, we have seen him with Monstrous Productions in various roles and performances, from ‘Witches Abroad’ to ‘Guards! Guards!’, in the Whovians and as part of Newport Operatic Society’s ‘Chess‘, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and others!

Continue reading “Arcadia: Meet Tony, a Poetic Soul”

Arcadia: Meet Ellen, Regal Powerhouse

The days are getting colder and the evenings are getting darker, so get cosy and read about Ellen, Arcadia’s powerhouse Lady Croom. Ellen directed our first Peculiar show, ‘The Truth’. Previously she has been seen on stage with Progress Theatre in Reading, before moving to Cardiff and performing in several Act One Drama Society and Monstrous Productions shows.

One of her more memorable roles with Monstrous Productions was no-nonsense Granny Weatherwax – for ‘Arcadia’ Ellen has lost a lot of the wrinkles, but none of the attitude!

Continue reading “Arcadia: Meet Ellen, Regal Powerhouse”

Arcadia: Meet Chris, Dashingly Dignified Captain

Last night we had our first weekday rehearsal, and our first workshop. We did lots of character work and learnt a lot about Captain Brice, played excellently by Christopher Maxwell.

Chris is a very talented gentleman who can be seen on both stage and screen: he was in Sketchy AF with Watchers Productions, took part in Dramatic Moose’s first production ‘Abandoned’, and he joined Monstrous Productions as Corporal Carrot in ‘Guards! Guards!’ – he clearly enjoys a military title!

Continue reading “Arcadia: Meet Chris, Dashingly Dignified Captain”

Arcadia: Meet Katya, No-Nonsense Academic

We are halfway through our introductions to our cast – that means we are halfway to the Christmas break! Today we meet our Russian wonder Katya, playing feisty feminist author Hannah Jarvis. Katya played Angua in our production of ‘The Truth’ in August, as well as joining Monstrous Productions for six shows.

The question is, was she cuter as Nourishing in ‘The Amazing Maurice’, or as “Egyptian Girl No. 3” in her year 6 school production of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat?’ Perhaps we could find some photos...

Continue reading “Arcadia: Meet Katya, No-Nonsense Academic”

Peculiar Slice: The Cherries On Top

Meet the newly appointed Peculiar Committee who are fresh out of the oven and ready to roll!

Sarah – Executive Chef

Role of Chair requires a pinch of authority (or bossiness). A dollop of understanding. A good helping of organization and an awful lot of love (for my committee and the company) to bind it all together.

What type of cake would I be? I’d be a Gin and tonic cake. I’m zesty. Sometimes sharp and often soaked in gin.

I’m looking forward to rising to the challenges ahead. Making the company sustainable. Spreading our wings and trying new shows. And bringing even more passion and creativity to our Pratchett productions.

Continue reading “Peculiar Slice: The Cherries On Top”