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Charles Holloway OBE: From West London to the West End

Thu 31 Oct 2024 | Uncategorized

Benedict Lombe’s play Shifters transferring from the Bush Theatre to the West End was a milestone moment: for the artists involved, the audiences they engaged, and the future of British theatre it will inspire. It offers a glimpse of what commercial theatre in this country could be. And as Bush audience members and supporters know,…

Shifting the Narrative: Radical Love Commissions

Wed 28 Aug 2024 | Our Plays, Playwriting

A new initiative, inviting eight Global Majority artists to write short-form responses to the West End production of Benedict Lombe’s hit play Shifters, which is at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London, until 12 October.  We’re delighted to be launching this new opportunity, alongside ATG Entertainment West End Creative Learning and the Producers of Shifters.…

Call out: tell us what you thought of Shifters

Wed 03 Jul 2024 | Our Plays

Did you see Shifters at the Bush? We need you! To celebrate the West End transfer of Benedict Lombe’s hit play, we’re asking audiences to help us spread the word. We’d love you to send in a short video of your thoughts, experiences and takeaway’s from the world premiere run at the Bush Theatre earlier…

From the Archive: BushGreen meets Lee Mattinson

Mon 03 Nov 2014 | Playwriting

What plays should we (the users of bushgreen – ie emerging and professional Playwrights/Practitioners) be reading, putting on and going to see?

I’m a rubbish reader.

However, there are three books (The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, Pigtopia by Kitty Fitzgerald, George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl) and four plays (HUSHABYE MOUNTAIN by Jonathan Harvey, ERPINGHAM CAMP  by Joe Orton, TALENT  by Victoria Wood, SHIRLEY VALENTINE  by Willy Russell) that I read on a continual cycle so please put one of those on…or read them all…everyone…over and over in a creepy way like me.

 

What are your career highlights so far?

My 80’s themed house party when my radio play about a Cilla Black fantasist was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.  The buffet was suitably crap.  There was Brandy and Babycham which was non crap.  And port.  Win win.

 

Who is the greatest influence on your career?

My pal Victoria.  She read my stories when no one else would.

 

What’s the best thing you’ve ever seen at the theatre?

Louis Roberts performance as Gary in the adaptation of APPLES  by Richard Millward at Northern Stage in Newcastle.  I even went twice.  And he nailed it.  Twice.

 

Lee graduated from Manchester University with an MA in Novel Writing and his most recent play CROCODILES was shortlisted for The Verity Bargate Award 2011.  He is scared of the dark, ghosts and mustard. Theatre credits include: DONNA DISCO, THE CHALET LINES, ME AND CILLA, M&S S&M, ORLANDO SPOON, I HEART MORRISSEY, SHITTY SHITTY BANG BANG, 6C NATIVITY, CIRCUS GIRL (Live Theatre), JONATHAN LIKES THIS (National Theatre/Live Theatre), CHOCOLATE (West Yorkshire Playhouse), PAPER MEN HOLD HANDS (Monster Productions), THE BANG GANG (Bad Fox), SWAN SONG (New Writing North/Live Theatre), FREDDY HEARTS FREDDIE (Ugly Sister Productions) Radio credits include: Me and Cilla (‘The Wire’ BBC Radio 3), Prom, Snowglobe, Aileen and the Drag Queen (BBC Radio Newcastle). TV credits include: Scallywagga (BBC3)