Feature: The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Festival
Written by Charis.
The Blue Orange Theatre is a vibrant independent theatre situated in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The theatre opened in April 2011 and is one of the four venues which makes up the Birmingham Festival. The festival has been running for 11 years and was originally created to replace the arts Festival. I had the pleasure of meeting with Mark from the Blue Orange Theatre, Actor Alan and Actor/Director Richard at the Theatre on 8th July to discuss the upcoming festival, the performances, and the theatre’s work.
The theatre produces their own performances, but they also have other companies at the theatre additionally. Apart from the Prussian Officer most of the theatre pieces developed are showcased at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Birmingham Festival is used as a preview prior to taking the performances to the Fringe Festival. The dates of the festival were chosen especially for this reason ( 10th-28th July).
The Blue Orange Theatre focusses on showcasing pieces developed from classic literature. Mark stated that there are many reasons for this choice. They do not have to deal with the rights of the theatre show to showcase it. They are also free to adapt the classic literature pieces in anyway they choose to while still maintaining a strong element of the original source material. Classic literature is also a very popular genre.
Mark also stated that it is hit and miss with the festival. It is unclear beforehand which pieces will do well and which one’s will struggle. There is no clear pattern why this occurs. The theatre does also get walk ins for the pieces which helps. They do however prefer pre bookings as they are easier to manage. Mark is particularly looking forward to the Prussian Officer theatre piece as it was adapted by a trustee from classic literature. He believes that it is a strong piece and that the trustee has brought out a lot of the original story. He has also remained faithful but has managed to put his own spin on the theatre piece. Alan agreed stating that he had read the first draft and that it read as incredibly strong. Richard will actually be playing the role of the Prussian Officer within the theatre performance.
Richard discussed his theatre piece Another Day in the Life, stating that it deals with life in WW1. He created the piece as a follow up to his 2021 piece, entitled A Day in the Life. Richard stated that he wanted to create pieces focussing on unusual occupations. Another Day in the Life focusses on a frontline solider hearing from his mother about the horrors of the Spanish flu. It was created to show the contrast of the Spanish flu against the horrors of the war. Richard also stated that he wanted the piece to have a strong feminist piece without pushing a feminist agenda. Another day in the life is the first of four new pieces focussing on unusual occupations. Richard also stated that the Blue Orange Theatre makes a point of utilising local Birmingham talent in terms of writers which is certainly a strength.
Alan will be in three of the theatre pieces within Birmingham festival. He suggested that the Blue Orange Theatre is an excellent place to see theatre as it feels like you are a fly on the wall thanks to the 100-seating capacity which creates an intimate atmosphere. Alan also stated that the intimate nature can be felt by the performers on stage as well. Richard agreed with Alan stating that the theatre is conducive to creating exciting new theatre shows and that is a superb place to direct and act at.
The Blue Orange Theatre will be showing 14 different theatre performances as part of the Birmingham Festival. Tickets and the show List can be found via the theatre website. With the first show on 10th July and last show on 27th July. https://blueorangetheatre.co.uk/project-grid/
