Meet the team: UK Tour Manager Caitlin Page

While we’re counting down the days until the London premiere of ITI’s new interactive show The Wedding Reception it’s the perfect time to catch up with UK Tour Manager and Production Assistant Caitlin Page who has been working on the show since the beginning. We interviewed her ahead of the London premiere and she shared some interesting insights with us.

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Hi Caitlin. When did you realise you wanted to work in the arts?
It has always been a part of my background. I guess originally I got into theatre because as a kid I had some speech problems and theatre was a great form of speech therapy. There was a turning moment though, during my first semester at university (I have a BA in Advanced Theatre and Applied Theatre) and I took a module called Applied Theatre Fundamentals which was about the use of theatre in a non-theatrical context – not just for entertainment but more for therapy. That really ignited something in me. After that course I started to look more at post-dramatic, new wave and contemporary work; I was intrigued by forms that push the boundaries and I realised I wanted to be involved.

Why do you like theatre; particularly interactive theatre?
There’s something very cathartic about being able to immerse yourself into a completely new environment away from the external world. Sometimes it’s nice to step away from all of the other stresses in your reality. When a show happens to you, with you and because of you there’s a heightened sense of reality that makes it much more believable, playful and entertaining.

What was the show that has influenced you the most?
I was part of a show in my second year at university called Antigone – the famous Sophoclean play – adapted by Eamon Flack. The show was highly interactive in parts and I found so much joy in engaging the audience. It made me realise how playful theatre can be. Playing is important for all people; it’s a great way to keep in touch with yourself, express ideas and stimulate further thought and development. From when we are children it is the primary way our brains synthesise and learn about the world. The experience of collective playfulness, like in interactive theatre, gives people a great sense of freedom. I think sometimes interactive theatre can be a scary concept to people but the truth is it’s a safe reality, a reality where you share an experience with strangers (who won’t judge you). Especially in Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, people often find themselves sitting at a table with ten people they don’t know but as they start to talk and play they quickly build up a rapport with each other. It is a wonderful way to connect with other people.

Why do you like working at ITI?
I enjoy working in a creative industry with a sense of stability. My role in particular is great because there are so many different tasks that I am able to keep stimulated in diverse ways and always find myself with new challenges all the time. I like that it’s not too repetitive. The team is also very supportive. It’s a very lovely work environment.

What’s been your best moment at ITI?
I really liked the sense of completion that I got when we took The Wedding Reception and put it into rehearsal and then pushed it on stage at Brighton Fringe. That was a really good sense of fulfillment and I was proud to be a part of the production.

You were there at every stage of development for ITI’s new production The Wedding Reception. What was the hardest part?
At the time I was doing two full jobs between tour management and helping the production of the new show. It was great to have a challenge like that. I’d say the hardest part was having to sit on the sidelines while it was in development. Sometimes it would feel like I was invading a secret creative space – I was really close to the whole production but not exactly part of the show itself.

What do you like the most about the show?
I love Auntie Marge: she is absolutely mental and I swear I have an auntie just like her! Also Lynn! She reminds me of my family from Newcastle: the relentless insistence that she has to do something she thinks would benefit you even if you didn’t want it! I also really like the little moments between characters when things sync up: when something has clicked between two people you feel a sense of unity happening in the space. That real sense of connection between the characters pushes you into the story: it becomes more real.

What will people appreciate about this new show?
People will like the singing and the dancing; the show has a great way of energising you. Also the roving that happens – the interactive moments that you have with the single characters – is all very playful. Little by little after every performance the characters will develop more and more and become more multi-dimensional. This show has a lot of potential: the more you layer the characters, the more comedic material the show will have.

What are you excited about that is coming up?
I’m really excited about the new shows coming up in the future with ITI and the possibility of those shows touring across Australia and the UK. I like to watch shows grow as I did with The Wedding Reception and I know they are going to be excellent! I’m also very excited about Edinburgh Fringe: I look forward to seeing how The Wedding Reception will be received there.

After opening to excellent reviews at this year’s Brighton Fringe – ‘Highly recommended’ (FringeReview), ‘Thoroughly good fun’ (BN1 Magazine) – The Wedding Reception will have its London debut at Kingsway Hall Hotel in July and then play at Edinburgh Fringe from 11- 23 August. Here are some of our favourite moments from Brighton Fringe!

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Get ready for the largest festival on earth!

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Chaos has descended on Scotland’s capital every August since 1947 with the arrival of the world’s largest arts festival: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It has grown every year since: organisers reveal that this year there will be 313 venues, a record 3,314 shows (807 of them free), and 49 countries represented.

Kath Mainland, chief executive of the Fringe, said: “The fact we are the largest festival in the world is a fantastic selling point but what’s also good to talk about is what those numbers mean and the diversity and range of work on offer, the different art forms, and the number of different countries represented and what it means for a performer to take part in a festival like this. It’s an incredibly important arts market, a place for the media to discover new talent and also a place to show your work before a live, loyal, risk-taking audience, without having to wait for an invitation. That’s all just as important as all the numbers.”

Ms Mainland added: “The Fringe is a festival like no other. Completely open access – where artists don’t need to wait for an invitation, where anyone with a story to tell is welcome. Where there’s no curator, no vetting, no barriers. Just incredible talent from almost 50 countries all over the world.”

ITI’s first performances at the Fringe of Faulty Towers The Dining Experience were in 2008. The show has returned – and sold out – every year since. This year ITI is taking a second show too: The Wedding Reception. This brand new immersive comedy premiered at Brighton Fringe and won 5* reviews across the board.

See the full 2015 programme online, on the Fringe app, or in print at hundreds of outlets across the UK. Find out where.

Sybil Faulty invites you…

And so do the characters at The Wedding Reception!

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A faultless proposal!

We’re a bit late running this, but want to share this special moment…

On 21 February, during one of our last Saturday night shows at Fringe World Perth, the lovely couple Selena Wood and Ray Storer got engaged.

In the middle of the show, while Basil and Manuel were creating their usual chaos, Ray kneeled with a shining ring in his pocket and in front of the audience asked Selena to become his wife.

Ray proposing to Selena

Glasses of champagne were brought by members of staff and a joyful, jumpy Manuel presented flowers to the future bride, as she said:“Yes!”

Ray and Selena

Their love story started on 27 October 2012, the night that Paddy Hannan’s Irish pub at the Burswood Casino closed their doors of business for good.

Selena was there with a friend, and Ray was with two of his mates. They started talking and when Ray gave her his business card she noticed he worked with Harley-Davidson and so realised that they share a common passion.

By 10 December that year they were officially a couple. A few months later Ray moved in with Selena and shortly after that they created a family by adding two dogs. Since then they’ve been on holidays overseas, met each other’s families and bought their own first home.

Telling us about their story, a dreamy Selena said:
“I always believed that was the night my single life closed its door, and my relationship life opened.”

Ray and Selena

Selena and Ray are planning to marry in March 2016.

We want to wish the happy couple all the best in the world and thank them for sharing their special moment with us.

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What a busy weekend!

With shows at Fringe World, Adelaide Fringe and Amba Hotel Charing Cross in London, the Faulty Towers team was on fire! The first reviews for Adelaide Fringe came in and we also got some great feedback and reviews on our Facebook page and Tripadvisor! Valentine’s Day brought on a few surprises too!

At Adelaide Fringe:
Our intrepid heroes survived Friday 13th in the spectacular Fringe parade, and we opened our month at the Fringe on Saturday. Audiences took every opportunity to congratulate an adoring Basil and Sybil on a very Faulty Valentine’s Day.

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Expect the unexpected at Adelaide Fringe at Ambassadors Hotel until 15 March.

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 ‘An uproariously funny five-star comedic feast’ InDaily Read the full review here

‘If you walk away with one regret from Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, it will be that you didn’t experience it sooner.’ AdelaideGlam – Full Review

‘Faulty Towers the Dining Experience is a great tribute show with loads of belly laughs, and combined with the wonderful meal at the Ambassadors, it’s a must see at the Fringe this year’. The Clothesline – Full Review

At Fringe World Perth…FWP pics 1While all this is happening down South, audiences in the West, at Fringe World Perth, are sharing their pictures while being served at the Faulty Towers restaurant in Rigby’s.

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With many a full-house behind us, we close in Perth on 22 Feb, so get your tickets now!

In London’s West End…

In the meantime 14,470km away at Torquay Suite Theatre at Amba Hotel  in London…

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…Basil and Sybil celebrate Valentine’s Day in their own special way, while Manuel amuses himself in the kitchen. We continue to have five shows every week at this gorgeous venue throughout the year.

Want to be part of Faulty Towers The Dining Experience? Check our website for more info and sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about news dates and venues and special offers! We might be performing somewhere near you! 

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Fringe delights!

We’ve had some great reviews coming out of Fringe World Perth!

Some of our audience reviews are on Facebook. And here’s what a couple of our media critics have said…

from Buzzcuts:
‘ … the unmistakable physicality and distinctive voices are flawless from all three actors, impressively maintained throughout the highly improvised performance. Laughter is guaranteed… Whether a food or theatre lover, Fawlty quoter or newcomer, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is top nosh, guaranteed to leave you with a belly full of food, and a belly full of laughs.’ Read the full review here.

and from The West Australian:

‘…if you neglect to make it down to Rigby’s Bar and Bistro while the international touring Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is in town you’ll be sure to have missed out…’
Full review

We’re there until 22 Feb, so come and join the fun at Rigby’s Bar and Bistro!

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2015 has already kicked off!

I Love New York  Souvenir T-ShirtOur first stop this year was last weekend in New York City! Exciting right? We had some great feedback and are now looking to find the perfect venues for touring the US and for setting up a residency in NY. We’re open to ideas, as long as they can cope with Basil’s temperament…!

In London, another year in our residency at The Torquay Suite Theatre at Amba Hotel Charing Cross starts this weekend, with our fabulous cast serving you delicious ‘70s-style 3-course meals with, of course, a lot of laughs.

wow-copyMeanwhile, way over in Australia, our first stop is at Fringe World Festival in Perth, running from Friday 23 January until 22 February. Our dysfunctional trio are looking forward to dining and w(h)ining with you at the ever-welcoming Rigby’s Bar & Bistro!

Thinking of Valentine’s Day? We’re hosting unique Valentine’s Experiences in London, Adelaide and Perth and you can give gift vouchers for those too. For the rest of the world we also have shows on four continents!

Check our website for more information on dates and places, and sign up to the newsletter to get fresh updates of what we’re up to next.

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Happy New Year!

Happy 2015 everyone!

A big THANK YOU to all our audiences around the world for your support over the years… and we’re very much looking forward to seeing you again and meeting new friends this year.
By signing up to our newsletterbroadway you’ll get advance notice of all new tours.
Meanwhile, to whet your appetite… these are just some of the cities we’re visiting: Toronto, New York, Singapore, Sydney… these are the major festivals: Fringe World Perth, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe… and this is our ongoing residency in London’s West End: The Torquay Suite Theatre at Amba Hotel Charing Cross*. (*formerly Charing Cross Hotel).
See you soon!

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Faulty Towers on Fresh Fringe at EdFringe

Click the image below to listen to the whole interview.

 

 

 

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Broadway Baby ★★★★ review

 

Thanks Broadway Baby for this lovely 4 star review for our fabulous Edinburgh Fringe team! 
You can read the whole review here.BroadwayBabyreview_forFacebook2

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Tweet(s) of the week

Julia Claxton (@eyejewels) made us all feel involved with the shows at Thistle Brighton this week with her pictures and comments – we enjoyed watching the chaos unfold!

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Australian Tour

Three festivals, three months in three states -what an adventure the Faulty team had around Australia! Karen Hamilton (Sybil), Benedict Holme (Basil) and Anthony Sottile (Manuel) started the tour in sunny Perth for the Fringe World festival.

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They didn’t hang around too long as it was 32 degrees Celsius (a moderately warm day for Perth) and Mrs Faulty kept complaining her face was melting off. They stayed in Perth at Rigby’s Bar and Bistro for just over 3 weeks- plenty of time for Sybil to make some new friends and Basil some enemies…

Next stop was the Adelaide Fringe Festival. The team were expecting sweltering heat but rather they had to go out and buy jumpers (yes, even the Brits!). The team had a wonderful time at the new venue spending just over a month at The Ambassadors Hotel. As per tradition, Karen left behind a signed gnome for the venue to cherish.


After a short break the team arrived in Melbourne for the International Comedy Festival. A city known for its culture and nightlife, here’s Mrs Faulty finding Basil and Manuel in the belly dancers dressing room – “Manuel put that down!”



With Easter fast approaching Mrs Faulty took Basil and Manuel shopping in the city. Basil was less than amused taking the tram…

The team proudly celebrated its 6th year at The Aegean Restaurant and the end of the tour with an Easter feast! Food and wine was enjoyed by all, but perhaps a little too much chocolate for Manuel!

After nearly 3 months interstate the whole team were happy to head back home! Here are some of my highlights from the tour: Mrs Faulty sporting golfing trousers, Manuel flirting with a married woman and Mr Faulty truly losing it! Until next year Fringe World, Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival- thanks for having us!

Jaya – Festivals Manager

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Review from Adelaide Fringe Festival at Ambassadors Hotel

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Like being pulled into a television, it is an almost magical experience to be thrown into such a beloved show. For fans of the old series, this is a must-see. To be served by a bumbling Manuel, to have Basil grumble at you, to get a selfie with Sybil. The show is worth every penny.

via Faulty Towers The Dining Experience The Ambassadors Hotel – 5K.

Well done to Karen Hamilton, Benedict Holme and Anthony Sottile who are getting outstanding reviews from this year’s festivals!

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Tweet of the Week

MANUEL AND BASIL!!! WAHAHAHAHAHA!!! #FAULTYTOWERS #adelaidefringe2014

A photo posted by Clement Tay (@warp9point9) on

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