Our latest review..

Just been to see Whoop 'n Wail's eXclusion. A very original show which had me captivated until the very last moment. If you love the x factor and its contemporaries, see this show. If you hate the x factor its contemporaries see this show. It is a dark hour that makes you think what could happen if your freedom was taken away, in a satirical way that questions how society believes it controls the lives of the individual through media. You may think an hour watching a women's prison drama could be better spent, take it from me, it is an hour very well spent in the presence of an excellent cast, two of whom have written the piece from a very informed perspective. 

Kevin Whibley, Photographer.

http://www.southhillpark.org.uk/3304/shows/exclusion.html

The eXclusion tour continues..

So, Christmas is around the corner and here at Whoop 'n' Wail HQ we are all looking forward to our Christmas break. But, before we deck the halls and sing we merrily, we are very excited to be doing our final week of this incredible tour in the Studio Theatre at South Hill Park, Bracknell.

Tues 13th - Sun 18th December at 8pm.
http://www.southhillpark.org.uk/3304/shows/exclusion.html
It is the perfect antidote to the panto season (although Ali & Debs are looking forward to catching Paul Taylor, our esteemed director, in Cinderella at SHP).

See you there!

One week to go until curtain up at South Hill Park

This time next week we will be preparing to go on stage at the studio at South Hill Park. Debs and Ali popped down there this week to say hello to everyone. It was Ali's first visit and she was particularly impressed by the vibrant atmosphere and beautiful location. Debs met with many old friends as she has worked there before on The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry V. They hooked up with eXclusion's director Paul Taylor, fresh from performing in Cinderella and still covered in glitter! They also met with Adrian and Rebecca who have been working hard to promote the show to local schools and colleges - thank you guys - and were delighted to bump into Tom Neill, who directed both Ali and Debs in Under Milk Wood at Pentameters Theatre earlier this year.

Check out the piece in last weeks Bracknell News about SHP's studio theatre and their up and coming productions, including of course, eXclusion.

http://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/theguide/goingout/articles/2011/11/24/55484-upcoming-productions-at-the-studio-theatre-at-south-hill-park/

Looking forward to arriving at South Hill Park

Well our time at Waterloo East Theatre sadly came to an end on Sunday. We would like to thank Gerald Armin and all at the theatre, who made us feel so welcome. Also a big thanks to Gareth Radcliffe and Beth-Louise Priestley for stepping in to help out with the tech side of things. Most importantly - a big shout out to all who came to see the show and who gave us some great feedback. Check out the review for eXclusion in the Southwark News  http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/arts/theatre/00,news,25042,462,00.htm


A few early nights later, we are refreshed and ready for South Hill Park, where we will, for rehearsals at least, be reunited with our director Paul Taylor who has been otherwise engaged as an ugly sister in Cinderella at SHP.

Debs and Ali are heading down to SHP next week to meet Rebecca, the Education Manager, who is doing sterling work, publicising the show to schools and colleges in the area. Don't forget that if you work in a school or college and are thinking of bringing a group of students (not suitable for under 12s), we do have a fantastic educational resource pack including around 20 hours of teaching materials - get in touch with us at whoopnwail@gmail.com if you are interested.

So there is a little over a week to go until the X Factor final. Stave off those post final withdrawals by booking your self a ticket to eXclusion. Who will get your vote?

eXclusion
South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell
Tuesday 13th - Sunday 18th December 2011
8pm, running time 65 minutes
£10, conc £9, members/NHS or HMP staff £8
Students group discount available - contact us or SHP for details
http://www.southhillpark.org.uk/3304/shows/exclusion.html

One more week left at Waterloo East Theatre

We have enjoyed this last week very much at Waterloo East Theatre and in particular our gala night on Thursday. A big thank you to Rachel Halford from Women In Prison, Leah Thorn and Michael Holland for joining us on stage afterwards for a very interesting and stimulating post show discussion. Leah rounded off the evening beautifully with some very moving and uplifting poetry written by some of the women that she's worked with in the prison system. It was also wonderful to see Stuart Calladine, who is responsible for our graphic design and Rakesh Mohun, our film director/maker and motion graphic designer there too. And we were thrilled that our very own Paul Taylor, eXclusion's director was able to make the show this afternoon, as he has been very busy rehearsing for his role as one of the [ugly] sisters in Cinderella at South Hill Park.

Many thanks to all who have come to the show so far. May we be so bold as to draw your attention to the Whatsonstage.com Awards - Theatre Goers Choice, as you can now nominate online and eXclusion is eligible this year. http://awards.whatsonstage.com/nominate

Sadly we only have one more week of eXclusion at Waterloo East Theatre but we are looking forward to a great one. If you have not yet booked your tickets to catch us at this fantastic venue then visit the WET website and get your tickets now http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/exclusion.html

eXclusion's first week!

eXclusion has had an exciting first week at the Waterloo East Theatre! 

If you haven't managed to make it to the show don't despair as there are two more weeks to go, followed by a week in December at South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell!

http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/exclusion.html

no women in prison by 2015

eXclusion is now into it's run at the wonderful Waterloo East Theatre and we have had a lovely response from our audiences. We would like to extend our thanks to Gerald Armin and everyone at Waterloo East, we have been made to feel really welcome. We would also like to thank our brilliant technical crew, without whom, there would be no show. Great work all.

We were featured in yesterday's Wharf newspaper. You can read the interview with Ali and Deborah by clicking on this link: http://www.wharf.co.uk/2011/11/prison-play-leaves-verdict-to.html


Tonight, Friday 11th November is 'pay what you can night', so come along and put in whatever you can afford.

On Thursday 17th November we are having a gala evening with a post show discussion with a panel of invited guests and led by Rachel Halford Director of Women In  Prison. It promises to be a fascinating debate, particularly in light of Prisons Minister Crispin Blunt's announcement yesterday that he is aiming for no women to be in prison by 2015. So come along and find out the panel's response to that one!

See you at the theatre

Opening night at Waterloo East Theatre Tuesday 8th November 2011

Well we are all set for our opening night at Waterloo East Theatre tomorrow night Tuesday 8th November. It was great to get back into it in rehearsals last week and to get to know the wonderful space at Waterloo East. We were back in there today for the tech and can't wait to go up tomorrow.

We are also thrilled to announce that we will be having a gala night on Thursday 17th November with a Q&A after the show with Women In Prison and other fabulous invited guests, to discuss the themes raised in the play.

We hope to see you at some point over the next three weeks and if times are tough, this Friday 11th is 'pay what you can' night.

Ali & Debs

Radio 4 Clive Anderson presents Reporting the Law

Caught the end of an interesting programme on radio 4 this evening that ties in with eXclusion. Reporting the Law was discussing media coverage of the judicial process and how this is increasingly leading to 'trial by media'. You can catch it again on Saturday 29th October at 10.15pm. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01684k6

Tickets for eXclusion at Waterloo East Theatre now on sale!

We are delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for eXclusion at Waterloo East Theatre. Book now to avoid disappointment at http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/ (no booking fees, whoop!).

8th - 27th November 2011 (not Mondays) Tues - Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm
The running time is 65 minutes so plenty of time to go to the pub or for dinner to discuss the play afterwards!
Tickets are £12 and £10 concessions, which includes Equity members.
On Friday 11th November we are having a 'Pay What You Can' night. In addition, we are offering group bookings for any show of 10 people, an extra ticket for free.

As many of the themes in eXclusion tie in with elements of the national curriculum, we are currently putting together an educational resource pack for school/college groups, so if you are interested in finding out more about that, then do get in touch with us on email whoopnwail@gmail.com or via our website. 

It's all systems go for Whoop 'n' Wail as we prepare for our London run, shortly followed by a week at South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell. The very talented Stewart Calladine, who designed the Whoop 'n' Wail logo and the striking eXclusion image, is currently working on the flyer and poster for the show, so watch this space. We are very much looking forward to teaming up again with our director Paul Taylor and the brilliant actress Jennifer Nicholas for rehearsals in the next couple of weeks.

So spread the word and see you at the show!

New dates for eXclusion

BREAKING NEWS!

With the Edinburgh Festival run under our belts it is time to bring eXclusion to London!  Whoop 'n' Wail are proud to announce they will be presenting eXclusion at the Waterloo East Theatre in November 2011, followed by a week at the South Hill Park Studio Theatre in Bracknell in December 2011.

Tickets are available from Waterloo East with NO BOOKING FEE!
Group discounts available for Schools/Colleges

8-27 Nov: Waterloo East Theatre: 0207 928 0060 / www.waterlooeast.co.uk
13-18 Dec: South Hill Park Studio: 01344 484 123 / www.southhillpark.org.uk

eXclusion - the journey continues...

Since its inception, eXclusion has had an uncanny knack of fitting the news story of the day, keeping it both current and relevant.   From rehearsing scenes about a disaffected young offender during the London Riots and performing the piece (which comments on reality TV ) during the launch of the new series of X Factor, eXclusion – a play which addresses the incarceration of women and Trial By Media - now has its English premiere in the wake of the Amanda Knox trial.   

With more people voting for reality shows than elections, and prison reform at the forefront of party politics,  Whoop 'n' Wail's eXclusion has its finger well and truly on the pulse.

Hot Press For eXclusion

"Clever and original"

The Scotsman

"An engaging play…delivered with panache"

Damo Bullen

"A good concept and a good translation to stage...

Three different stories challenge the audience to a constant change of perspectives and sympathies"

ThreeWeeks

"The relationships that develop between the three characters 

are sweet and endearing"

The Public Reviews

"The fact that it is almost impossible to choose a "winner" is a testament to the success of the drama, owing to strong performances from Ali Kemp, Deborah Klayman and Jennifer Nicholas, a charismatic trio whose dynamic as a collective is powerful enough to tell the story without the aid of gimmicks."

The Scotsman