Author Archives: Christine Twite

About Christine Twite

Theatre academic, producer and project manager

The Golden Dragon: Final Autumn Tour Tweets

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  1. “
    “@Studio_Theatre: I posted 5 photos on Facebook in the album “The Golden Dragon” http://t.co/MT7P6JqL” @jacktarlton @ATCLondon

    Messer Best
    October 27, 2011 12:40:39 PM EDT

  2. “
    Congratulations to #TheGoldenDragon cast member @MesserBest who just announced his engagement to the lovely Sarah! Congestialtions you guys!

    ATC Theatre
    October 26, 2011 3:28:19 AM EDT

  3. “
    http://t.co/e4DZefCt @ATCLondon the golden dragon events in real life!Beware of toothache @MesserBest … http://t.co/emcQ3Bqf

    Nick Williams
    October 26, 2011 4:46:27 AM EDT

  4. “
    The UK Tour of #TheGoldenDragon is now over. We hope anyone who saw it enjoyed it! Let us know via our questionnaire: http://t.co/t1V1O2Qf

    ATC Theatre
    October 24, 2011 12:24:40 PM EDT

  5. “
    #TheGoldenDragon has its last 2 uk shows today @BristolOldVic #tingeofsadness tell us what you thought! Click audiences on our website

    ATC Theatre
    October 22, 2011 6:04:03 AM EDT

  6. “
    About to watch #thegoldendragon @BristolOldVic heard such great things and am well intrigued

    Ausform Performance
    October 21, 2011 2:59:37 PM EDT

  7. “
    And a great review from the excellent new @imbristol of The Golden Dragon (playing until Saturday) http://t.co/4T9cdnZk

    Bristol Old Vic
    October 20, 2011 6:46:53 AM EDT

  8. “
    want to know what the day in the life of an actor looks like? Check out Jack Tarlton’s video – http://t.co/3eekqg4M

    ATC Theatre
    October 19, 2011 7:20:16 AM EDT

  9. “
    @ATCLondon @BristolOldVic Well deserved! A fantastic piece. Go see it if you’re in Bristol.

    Sarah Argent
    October 17, 2011 9:51:09 AM EDT

  10. “
    #thegoldendragon ends its UK tour @BristolOldVic this week. Our mammoth 83perfs run comes to it. Have a great last week y’all!

    ATC Theatre
    October 17, 2011 5:16:38 AM EDT

  11. “
    RT @jacktarlton: You can hear me talking about #TheGoldenDragon at 1.15pm today @BCFM1 in readiness for next week’s shows @BristolOldVic.

    Bristol Old Vic
    October 13, 2011 7:16:06 AM EDT

  12. “
    A big warm welcome to @ATCLondon whos #thegoldendragon arrives into our studio for 2 nights opening tonight! http://t.co/sc2GLnaS

    Hull Truck
    October 12, 2011 10:57:16 AM EDT

  13. “
    Just saw a fantastic performance from the amazing @ATCLondon #TheGoldenDragon

    Seth Jennings
    October 12, 2011 5:15:55 PM EDT

  14. “
    ‘Grippingly tangible … inventive wit’ **** The Telegraph – a fantastic review by @domcavendish http://t.co/YLbSUXaO

    ATC Theatre
    October 5, 2011 8:48:31 AM EDT

  15. “
    Take a look at the lovely pics taken by #thegoldendragon assistant director @nickbruckman during his time in Folkestone http://t.co/2BW2qUie

    ATC Theatre
    October 5, 2011 6:40:14 AM EDT

  16. “
    The Golden Dragon opens tonight at @rxtheatre for five days, having received strong reviews from a number of theatre critics

    Onward, Manchester
    October 4, 2011 8:27:11 AM EDT

Arcola Audience Golden Dragon Tweets

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Here are a great selection of tweets from our month run at London’s Arcola Theatre with The Golden Dragon. Thanks everyone for the support!

“ The Golden Dragon @arcolatheatre 90 minutes of great writing acting and directing get there if you can
CB2201
September 29, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon at the Arcola is surprisingly excellent; lots of interwoven plots, identities, migrations and frustrations. Do watch.
sharministe
September 29, 2011
“ I’d urge people to see The Golden Dragon. Clever theatre, wonderfully told. Storytelling simplicity that packs a punch.
robert_ad
September 29, 2011
“ @ATCLondon enjoyed golden dragon at arcola theatre immensely! brilliant staging, awesome ensemble, entertaining, intelligent! don’t miss it!
gitti16
September 29, 2011
“ Review – Ramin Gray directs The Golden Dragon at @arcolatheatre 4 stars: http://bit.ly/n51FGh
exeuntmag
September 29, 2011
“ @MesserBest know lots of people who have really enjoyed Golden Dragon at Arcola. See you’re touring after too
lyngardner
September 29, 2011
“ golden dragon at the arcola really made me want to eat some chinese
Woolfcubfilms
September 29, 2011
“ @colyerh @arcolatheatre so excited to see this. Loved Tushingham’s State of Emergency @gatetheatre few years back and the Dea Loher
Litadoolan
September 29, 2011
“ Off to @arcolatheatre to see The Golden Dragon directed by @ramingray. Ramin was in the very first New Factory of the Eccentric Actor show!
eccentricactor
September 29, 2011
“ This troubling production of Roland Schimmelpfennig”s strange parable of a play exerts a unique hold on its audience http://bit.ly/ro7959
HonourBayes
September 29, 2011
“ Ramin Gray AD of ATC leading the fight against “creeping literalism” in British Theatre #thegoodfight
JeanieOOHare
September 29, 2011
“ I thought ‘The Golden Dragon’ at @arcolatheatre was great- Wonderful storytelling and highly original!
LeePeckActor
September 29, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon at The Arcola was an uncomfortable but deeply affecting evening. Graham Whybrow on great form at Q&A
JeanieOOHare
September 29, 2011
“ Well done #TheGoldenDragon team and all @atctheatre. Wonderful gala last night, genuinely one of the most exciting, actor driven pieces of …
richmajor
September 29, 2011
“ Theatre is so brilliant, saw Ann Firbank @ATCLondon #thegoldendragon & Janet Henfrey @FuelTheatre #autobiographer – still pushing boundaries
johnmcannon
September 29, 2011
“ #thegoldendragon @arcolatheatre last night – Vivid, subtle, detailed. Refreshingly surreal & German. Loved hearing Schimmelpfenning speak.
djientan
September 29, 2011
“ #the goldendragon is terrific. Also much enjoyed the party which followed @ATCLondon
BorderCrossings
September 29, 2011
“ First ever trip to the @arcolatheatre tonight to see The Golden Dragon. Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to pay a visit.
watson_sophie
September 29, 2011
“ Strong company in @ATCLondon’s The Golden Dragon @arcolatheatre. Followed by lovely rooftop shenanigans at Dalston Roof Gardens-thank you
shonaghm
September 29, 2011
“ Serious affirmation of @ATCLondon with #TheGoldenDragon @arcolatheatre. Actors doing that imaginative thing; fresh direction; #provocative
JerwoodSpace
September 29, 2011
“ Schimmelpfennig. Tushingham. The Golden Dragon. Arcola. A tragedy camouflaged as a farce and an excellent show. @arcolatheatre
colyerh
September 29, 2011
“ So sad I can’t make @ATCLondon #thegoldendragon – if you’re a theatre blogger, check them out – they want you to get involved!
Helena_Culliney
September 29, 2011
“ @RosieWyatt Wanna go to see the Golden Dragen together @arcolatheatre – it’s @ATCLondon ‘s show and on until the 24th September =)
Mimlish
September 29, 2011
“ @ATCLondon @jacktarlton Excited for to see #thegoldendragon @arcolatheatre tomorrow! Have been looking forward to this one for ages.
BoycottTrends
September 29, 2011
“ THEATRE: It’s a costumer-change extravaganza! The Golden Dragon @arcolatheatre features actors playing multiple roles: http://bit.ly/nNqTco
Spoonfed
September 29, 2011
“ Calling all bloggers a come see #thegoldendragon for free and tell us your thoughts about it. More info here bit.ly/pFXSFv @ayoungertheatre
ATCLondon
September 29, 2011
“ We loved @ATCLondon’s The Golden Dragon in #edfringe. Now @arcolatheatre
inthewrongcrowd
September 29, 2011
“ Thanks Barbara!: “@bhwriting: Best wishes to all at the Arcola Theatre, Dalston for preview night of #TheGoldenDragon. @arcolatheatre”
ATCLondon
September 29, 2011
“ Went to see The Golden Dragon at the ARCOLA THEATRE.. it was sinister. Not sure what people were laughing at.
DarylWaller
September 29, 2011
“ LONDON REVIEW: The Golden Dragon @arcolatheatre 4 STARS http://bit.ly/nanrev
FringeReview
September 29, 2011
“ Theatre Review: @ATCLondon’s The Golden Dragon @arcolatheatre http://bit.ly/oevljW #thegoldendragon
OughtToBeClowns
September 29, 2011
“ #THEATRE #REVIEW – The Golden Dragon – @arcolatheatre – 4*s – http://bit.ly/qTrs2I #London
publicreviews
September 29, 2011
“ We discussed Tanya’s need for a dentist (and The Golden Dragon) over Chinese… A good evening @arcolatheatre @ATCLondon
afsanehgray
September 29, 2011
“ @OberonBooks @arcolatheatre Do go see – it’s a fascinating funny moving play with a great ensemble cast! #thegoldendragon
sargent65
September 29, 2011
“ that was fun.The audience briefly thought they were watching a farce,it seemed,which is brilliant. Genuinely brilliant. #thegoldendragon
MesserBest
September 29, 2011
“ Ever wondered what Arcola Theatre would look like in another configuration? Wonder no more. GOLDEN DRAGON shakes things up @arcolatheatre
arcolatheatre
September 29, 2011
“ London press night tonight @arcolatheatre for #thegoldendragon @TRPlymouth co pro with @ATCLondon. Making me hungry even thinking abt it!
anniemclark
September 29, 2011
“ Sampled the delights of #TheGoldenDragon @arcolatheatre last night; heading to The Kitchen @NationalTheatre tonight. #theatricalappetites
BoycottTrends
September 29, 2011
“ Really enjoyed @ATCLondon’s #thegoldendragon @arcolatheatre. The play mixes the mythic with the mundane & style matches content wonderfully.
fanshentheatre
September 29, 2011
“ Theatre Review: @ATCLondon ‘s rather delicious #TheGoldenDragon @arcolatheatre: http://boycottingtrends.blogspot.com/2011/09/theatre-review-golden-dragon-arcola.html
BoycottTrends
September 29, 2011
“ Many thanks for the blog!: “@hturner40: #thegoldendragon @arcolatheatre–a nice piece of European theatre in E8 (****): http://wp.me/pBfTB-K1“
ATCLondon
September 29, 2011

Blogging about The Golden Dragon: Latest Results

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After the brilliant press night of The Golden Dragon at the Arcola, we thought we’d list the lovely bloggers who wrote about the show.  If you have a blog you’d like added then please let us know.  Here they are:

Boycotting Trends

This is all intriguing and amusingly eccentric from the off, but as the evening progresses the production takes on a surprising depth and emotional power, adding up to a hugely resonant – and fairly devastating – anatomisation of globalisation and economic migration, and the exploitations resulting from each. But Schimmelpfennig doesn’t preach; he presents. And a beautiful sense of structure and design underpins the apparently scattershot approach as we gradually come to perceive the intricate web of interconnections that link these seemingly disparate lives.

There Ought to be Clowns

Ramin Gray’s production resists the temptation to overplay the links between the stories, instead allowing a gradual sense of connectedness to emerge, the actors finding an extraordinary depth of humanity in the counterintuitive casting which works beautifully.

Notes of an Idealist

we got something like Georges Perec (La vie mode d’emploi) adapated by Bertolt Brecht and staged in the poor theatre style of Jerzy Grotowski, with plenty of stage directions spoken by the actors, men playing women, old actors playing young characters, undersized furniture…a good night of modern European theatre.

The Public Reviews

…a beguiling piece of theatre, well-crafted and directed on an aptly minimalist set.

And a late blog from our Edinburgh Run, on ‘Toothache Relief’

The Golden Dragon itself could be anywhere in Europe, the point being that such places can be imagined as home-from-home for all sorts, and the extraction of a tooth a sign of cultural appropriation by heavy-handed means (vodka and a huge spanner, to be exact). But that’s less important than the fun generated and the fleet, skilful theatricality of the event.

The Fringe Review

this was a clever and quirky piece of theatre which attempted to step away from the conventional presentation

 

Along with a couple of publication reviews too …

The Evening Standard

Time Out

Summer at the Traverse by Jack Tarlton

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By Jack Tarlton / http://flavors.me/jacktarlton

My strongest memory of the Traverse Theatre from when I was young is still the seats. Huge felt covered steps that you had to clamber up to get to the top of the auditorium. Rough and exciting they captured the spirit of the place, a converted sail makers’ studio, the lights of which you reached down a darkened close in the Grassmarket.

This was not the first incarnation of the Traverse though. That was in a former brothel in the Lawnmarket. The story goes that the seating there was arranged in two blocks either side of the stage, in transverse, but that someone got the word wrong and that this is how the theatre ended up with its unique name. I like this tale as, in effect, the theatre was named after the audience, the group of people that arrive as strangers and together with the performers conjure the show.

It was in its Grassmarket home that I got to know the Traverse. It was here that I was taken to see a huge array of strong, engaging plays. It was on this stage that I took my first panicky steps on stilts, tottering from one bank of worn felt steps to the next. Along with Theatre Workshop in Stockbridge (now abandoned and allowed to fall into disrepair but that’s a story for another time) it was the Traverse that encouraged and fed a love of theatre in me from an early age. It was a place that I always wanted to work in. And now, seventeen years after leaving Edinburgh to start acting, I’m actually doing it.

The Traverse has been in its posh new home in Grindlay Street for nearly 20 years now. I remember it being built and once again seeing some fantastic stuff – Bondagers, Moscow Stations and Gagarin Way remain strong memories. These were all performed in Traverse 1, the larger of its two spaces. We are performing The Golden Dragon in Traverse 2, which I believe was constructed to have the same dimensions as the old Grassmarket theatre. In fact, when Traverse 2 first opened I’m sure it still had the old felted oversized steps from its previous home.  I remember watching an early performance of Disco Pigs from them, the actors, atmosphere and audience sweaty and charged.

Now however, it is nondescript blue fold down chairs that our audience sits on. A shame, as these seats could belong to any theatre anywhere. But they can be moved and reconfigured more easily making the playing space much more flexible. And by the end I admit the previous auditorium was looking pretty threadbare and warped. If one person sat down particularly heavily it was possible for their neighbour to spring up with the force.

Even if for me the most loved thing about the old Traverse no longer remains it is still an incredibly exciting space to play. It does feel like coming home. I was nervous not just for the obvious reasons during the first few shows, as being here is a culmination of something that started when I was a shy boy who suddenly decided he wanted to be an actor. On the first preview my old art teacher who I had spent hours talking to about theatre when at school came to watch it. I was delighted to see her but it also threw up the spectre of my teenage self, someone that very few people like to be reminded of. It did not feel quite real somehow, us chatting about a preview that I was still not sure had gone that well with someone who I had once spoken over earnestly to about acting when it was something that other people did.

But now I am doing it and I do still get a kick out of coming to work every day. The dream has become a reality and that reality is far more rewarding. Simple acts like getting a coffee, mucking about in the dressing room, warming up, making friends, chatting about other plays we’ve seen or having a pint after the show are more fulfilling than I could have imagined. It has been a fantastic summer.

And I can just see a wee boy sitting at the top of a bank of huge grey felt seats enjoying the show.

Jack Tarlton

http://flavors.me/jacktarlton

Final collation of the tweeting twittersphere in Edinburgh

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“ A tip or two: ‘best Asian soup I ever had was in San Francisco’ @ATCLondon’s #TheGoldenDragon is excellent writing, astutely delivered.
DBetzH
August 10, 2011
“ #EDFRINGE REVIEW: Golden Dragon – @traversetheatre – 4*s – null #Theatre #Review
publicreviews
August 9, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon – review http://t.co/kZKFT7Q
guardianstage
August 12, 2011
“ Loved #thegoldendragon last night. Like a Graham Greene short story on stage, beguiling and beautifully present actors! Thanks @ATCLondon
inthewrongcrowd
August 13, 2011
“ More good things 7 day drunk, I hope my heart goes1st, Alma Mater, Golden Dragon, Adventures Alvin Sput, The Table, Monster in Hall #edfest
lyngardner
August 16, 2011
“ It makes me dead happy that #thegoldendragon and my friends’ show @inthewrongcrowd are both in @lyngardner’s picks of #edfest. Dead happy.
MesserBest
August 16, 2011
“ Another 4 star review for ATC’s ‘The Golden Dragon’ http://t.co/kVwD3DxIt transfers to the Arcola from 1st Sept http://www.arcolatheatre.com
Madamejojo
August 16, 2011
“ Review #EdFringe: The Golden Dragon. A takeaway to remember **** http://t.co/dTaKDv3
broadwaybabycom
August 16, 2011
“ ‘The Golden Dragon’ at the Traverse is excellent. A 5 hander telling the stories of people in and around a Chinese takeaway. Compelling
seanrr1982
August 16, 2011
“ Thank you @DaveGorman for rescuing our day. A blissful, hysterical hour. Loved #thegoldendragon too. Other things much, MUCH less.#EdFringe
YoungThacko
August 17, 2011
“ check out the latest word on ‘The Golden Dragon’ http://t.co/dqryTzq Opens at Arcola 1st Sept. £10 tickets available
Madamejojo
August 17, 2011
“ Also loved ATC’s Golden Dragon at the Trav.
SarahGrochala
August 17, 2011
“ @thespyglass the Dark Philosophers and The Golden Dragon at the Traverse are top notch, plus I Hope My Heart Goes First, as St George’s West
seanrr1982
August 17, 2011
“ Congrats to @ATCLondon whose brilliantly received show The Golden Dragon rehearsed here, is now in Edinburgh, and… http://t.co/KRc2gAm
Out_of_Joint
August 18, 2011
“ A blackly comic tour of a Chinese take-away…Golden Dragon @traversetheatre makes it debut on the #theatre critometer null
CultureCriticCC
August 18, 2011
“ Best quote I’ve heard about The Golden Dragon so far. “Your show made me feel hungry and nauseous.” © Hannah @traversetheatre #edfringe
jacktarlton
August 19, 2011
“ Read our Administrator’s blog about #edfringe whilst visiting #thegoldendragon – http://t.co/k0lqYFn
ATCLondon
August 19, 2011
“ Shows from wk 3 for #ff #HotelMedea @Summerhallery, @ATCLondon, #MayIHaveThePleasure and #prudenciahart @NTSonline
thejennawatt
August 19, 2011
“ #TheGoldenDragon joins the @britishcouncil showcase as a Latest Recommendation! Thrilled to bits — final week at @traversetheatre #edfringe
ATCLondon
August 19, 2011
“ In Edinburgh for the BC’s showcase. #ES2011 I’m giving four stars (out of 5) for The Golden Dragon at The Traverse.
jimhol
August 21, 2011
“ http://mentalbulletins.blogspot.com/2011/08/edinburgh.html #thegoldendragon @CulturalWatch @ATCLondon @JoCaird @nick_i_williams @jacktarlton
MesserBest
August 22, 2011
“ Two takes on The Golden Dragon – Restaurant owner Stephanie Lo http://t.co/RT1l3fh & @MesserBest on final week blues http://t.co/pnm8NdM
jacktarlton
August 22, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon Wins Rave Review on The Independent: “fleet, skilful theatricality” http://t.co/jNYmPSS… http://t.co/1Aj06OL
CloutComCoUk
August 23, 2011
“ Fresh out of Golden Dragon at Traverse: kaleidoscopically written, terrific acting, simple weird set. Strong recommend. #fakelivetweet
JoeDunthorne
August 20, 2011
“ Golden dragon (@ Traverse Theatre) http://4sq.com/oIsvVX
ToasterDog
August 18, 2011
“ Saw fellow Devon venue @TRPlymouth’s, & @ATCLondon’s #TheGoldenDragon at @TraverseTheatre. Illegal immigration & forced prostitution delved
_RosyD
August 23, 2011
“ A shot of ‘The Golden Dragon’ @traversetheatre from #edfringe which was used in @guardiang2 on Monday. http://t.co/FvedNiy
KennyMathieson
August 24, 2011
“ By the way, while in Edinburgh saw Ten Plagues, The Golden Dragon and Dark Philosophers @traversetheatre. All brilliant- go see!
HannahPrice
August 24, 2011
“ Arrived at the #edinburgh #festival. Met the fabulous Chris Lorway. Saw #”Golden Dragon”. Harrowing. Serious. Needed a drink.
Gail_Lord
August 23, 2011
“ Just out of #golden dragon @traversetheatre We loved it, even if it did make us super hungry! Go and see, only a few shows left….
OberonBooks
August 24, 2011
“ Roland Schimmelpfennig’s THE GOLDEN DRAGON at the Traverse was inventive, captivating & a bit inscutable with a fantastic cast. #EdFringe
dramascene
August 24, 2011
“ Thanks to @hannahrudman @envirodigital for our great webcast session today #ES2011 #digitalday
Edshowcase
August 25, 2011
“ Really enjoyed the @Edshowcase Digital Meetings: inspired and excited. Great work by National Theatres of Scotland and Wales.
ATCLondon
August 25, 2011
“ … But atc’s The Golden Dragon was fun, very well-played and ultimately thought-provoking. #edfringe #edshowcase
adampushkin
August 26, 2011
“ Final two days of GRIMEBORN, THE GOLDEN DRAGON flies in next week and we’ve got some circus in the tent this weekend. @arcolatheatre
arcolatheatre
August 26, 2011
“ Saw The Golden Dragon http://bit.ly/oXkW1U @traversetheatre this morning. Loved it. The cast were fantastic, especially Kathryn O’Reilly.
allonthepage
August 25, 2011
“ Read All About It! @MesserBest takes some great photos charting the day in the life of an actor @edinburgh_fest http://t.co/Ai9S5Cl
ATCLondon
August 27, 2011
“ The Poetry is Flowing: @kathryn1oreilly considers poetry, performance and Schimmelpfennig @edinburgh_fest http://t.co/4meZALK
ATCLondon
August 27, 2011
“ The history of @traversetheatre (or should that be transverse?) seen through the eyes of @jacktarlton @edinburgh_fest http://wp.me/p1ARnx-74
ATCLondon
August 27, 2011

The Golden Dragon: Week One Tweets from the Audience

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“ @matttrueman @TimeOutTheatre Also The Golden Dragon is pretty damn good (also @traversetheatre)
Postcard_Berlin
August 8, 2011
“ Review: The Golden Dragon, Traverse Theatre: A collection of characters and stories revolving around a… http://bit.ly/ncIidX #edfringe
EdinburghStage
August 8, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon at the Traverse provides plenty of food for thought about migration: Fringe review: There’s pl… http://bit.ly/qRvfup
STVEnts
August 9, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon: 3 star review http://bit.ly/oQidfN
festmag
August 9, 2011
“ Reviews coming in! We’re very happy! … The FT calls The Golden Dragon a “dramatically focused and unobtrusively intelligent production”
ATC Theatre
August 9, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon Reviews at Traverse Theatre – Edinburgh – @arcolatheatre next month http://bit.ly/oyUJ6J
arcolatheatre
August 10, 2011
“ So, we’ve seen 16 shows so far. Ones we loved: The Golden Dragon; 7 Day Drunk; Blood & Roses; Prudencia Hart; Traumatikon; Man of Valour.
wearemagpie
August 9, 2011
“ Another four stars from The Public Reviews: ‘it is compelling theatre,’ #thegoldendragon @traversetheatre @edtwinge @edfests
ATCLondon
August 10, 2011
“ just finished another performance! if you came to watch it, let us know what you thought #thegoldendragon #edfringe @traversetheatre
ATCLondon
August 10, 2011
“ Audioboo: Comapany Stage Manager Jess Banks on #TheGoldenDragon at Traverse #edfest #traverse http://t.co/CdX17q4 via @CulturalWatch
ATCLondon
August 10, 2011
“ A tip or two: ‘best Asian soup I ever had was in San Francisco’ @ATCLondon’s #TheGoldenDragon is excellent writing, astutely delivered.
DBetzH
August 10, 2011
“ A drop of scotch with @mickeycranston,who is Scottish. The benefits of a high tea service at #thegoldendragon.Might see comedy after #edfest
MesserBest
August 10, 2011
“ RT “@ATCLondon: Stuck in soggy shoes @#edfest? Need good theatre & nice warm bar?Come to 3.45pm #thegoldendragon @traversetheatre #TravFest”
AdamBalfourLang
August 11, 2011
“ Having a lovely day. Few beers after an enjoyable show. Some nice response to #thegoldendragon. I am a lucky boy. #edfest
MesserBest
August 12, 2011
“ @lyngardner Thanks for the nod in the blog today! #thegoldendragon
MesserBest
August 12, 2011
“ @Atclondon – just read “@lyngardner: The Golden Dragon — review http://t.co/JqTPLau via @guardian”
CharelleG
August 13, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon — review.. http://t.co/gjLkj1T
voorale
August 13, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon — review http://t.co/hdoUcyN via @guardian
lyngardner
August 13, 2011
“ @racernell see @ATCLondon ‘s production of #thegoldendragon :D
jadietp
August 12, 2011
“ RT @CloutComCoUk: Great 4 star review for The Golden Dragon in today’s Guardian. http://t.co/yrJAfJH
DJBuracus
August 13, 2011
“ RT @lyngardner: The Golden Dragon — review http://t.co/hdoUcyN via @guardian
shonaghm
August 13, 2011

Review by Libby Purves

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All our reviews for The Golden Dragon can be found on our site here, with links to the full texts. 

The Times is a subscription-only website, so we have put the full review below instead:

 

Libby Purves, August 13 2011, The Times

The grasshopper gets into character by pulling a pair of green, Chinese trousers over his head and clapping on some deelyboppers.

We are hearing the fable of the industrious ant and the feckless cricket who sang all
summer and had to beg in winter.

Ant (wonderfully played by Ann Firbank) is a cross, small elderly woman. The
grasshopper gets into character by pulling a pair of green, Chinese trousers
over his head and clapping on some deelyboppers. Hoping for food, he dances: a
sudden beauty of oriental flute music is played by the three other performers.

Abruptly, the five are chefs in the crowded steamy kitchen of a “Thai/
Chinese/Vietnamese” fast-food restaurant, the Golden Dragon, somewhere in
Europe. A Chinese boy — played by a girl — lies screaming on the floor.

He has a rotten black tooth, which they are extracting with a spanner and a satay stick.
He has “no money, no papers, a dentist is out of the question”.

Amid the agony come orders for the complicated dishes of ancient cultures whose names, all through the play, ring like mantras in a drifting, impoverished, anxious,
hardworking world. “Number B2, bun cha gio chay, rice noodles, crispy fried
spring rolls, salad, beansprouts, cucumber, roasted onions, peanuts, Vietnamese
basil and coriander . . .”

The tooth comes out, and abruptly we are in the upstairs flat where a woman, played by a man shucking on a red dress, is leaving a husband played by a girl. The ant
becomes the shopkeeper and resolves the problem of the cricket by pimping her
as a sex slave. Two weary air-hostesses turn up as customers, their lives spent
“serving food in a droning cylinder”, 35,000ft above a meaningless world.

Roland Schimmelpfennig calls his narrator-characters merely “a man over 60, a woman
over 60, a young man”, etc. They are cast against gender and age, as in a drama
school exercise. None of them is Asian. It could be dull, earnest,
neo-Brechtian homework, but actually the ATC/Drum production of David
Tushingham’s translation is rather absorbing: a touching evocation of global
migrants, an essay on globalised deracination, the shifts and abuses of poverty
in hidden communities whose heritage is expressed only in noodle and coconut,
lemongrass and ginger. The final moments are mournfully beautiful.

 

Stage Management: Jess Banks lets us into her secrets!

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Ever wondered what exactly a stage manager does?  Who are those shadowy figures who live in the small dark box at the end of the theatre.  Jess Banks, our Company Stage Manager, explains it all.  Listen to her interview below, and look at some of the photographs we managed to bribe the technical staff to let us take!

LISTEN HERE as Jess Banks explains it all

http://boos.audioboo.fm/swf/fullsize_player.swf

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The Golden Dragon’s First Five Days at the Traverse

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Follow the tweets as The Golden Dragon hits the press performance and beyond. We’re thrilled by the great audience reactions! Tweet us @ATCTheatre or #thegoldendragon if you come see the show.

“ We loved The Golden Dragon @traversetheatre this eve. Said so much through casting & metaphor. Top piece of theatre, we say.
wearemagpie
August 7, 2011
“ #thegoldendragon is a 9pm show tonight. Beforehand, I am singing in a choir for Marc Almond @traversetheatre.
MesserBest
August 7, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon @traversetheatre is delicious and charming. Inspired gorgeous Thai dinner after w the fabulous #jomangan.
annieryanwest
August 7, 2011
“ @DeaBirkett Give The Golden Dragon at @traversetheatre a go? Been dividing opinions so far!
Ms_McGann
August 7, 2011
“ #theGoldenDragon reviews are out, somewhere, presumably.Glad that bit’s out of the way.On to the show tonight,then cocktails at the Assembly
MesserBest
August 6, 2011
“ THE GOLDEN DRAGON, Traverse: nice, thoughtful set of snapshots from ATC about lives, cultures and, usually implicitly, racism 3* #edfringe
ianshutters
August 6, 2011
“ The Golden Dragon is an intense, mesmerizing, discomforting production with moving, raw performances. #edfringe #AAgenda
AAgenda
August 5, 2011
“ #GoldenDragon @traverse not the easiest of shows, but explores some fascinating issues in really playful & original ways. #edfringe #wosed
JoCaird
August 5, 2011
“ #thegoldendragon cast&crew are enjoying @traversetheatre Dance Marathon, which aims to exhaust #edfest goers http://t.co/boT7sK8
ATCLondon
August 5, 2011
“ #ff (& go see) @ ATCLondon with #thegoldendragon @traversetheatre #EdinburghFest #theatre
OberonBooks
August 5, 2011
“ Golden Dragon needs a couple of perfs to settle in, but really unsettling & haunting tale of global connections and immigration #edfest.
lyngardner
August 5, 2011
“ #TheGoldenDragon is shown to the press today. Nerves are a given. As is his wont,the director has given us some new stuff to try. #onourtoes
MesserBest
August 5, 2011
“ Although I shouldn’t, here’s TOI TOI TOI for THE GOLDEN DRAGON at Traverse 2 today. Wird schon Schieff gehen! is the response @ATCLondon
ramingray
August 5, 2011
“ A play about Chinese migrants with no Asian actors? Controversial? Find out more about #thegoldendragon #travfest http://t.co/zKUtZRh
ATCLondon
August 4, 2011
“ Director Ramin Gray on @ATCLondon ‘s #thegoldendragon http://t.co/3GKJ8EG – just beginning its tour and heading to us in October.
BristolOldVic
August 4, 2011
“ Cometh the hour, cometh the first preview of @ATCLondon’s #thegoldendragon @traversetheatre for #TravFest. Go get ‘em folks!
nick_i_williams
August 4, 2011
“ great first show, brilliant audience, and now the cast are terribly excited about the rest of the run #thegoldendragon
ATCLondon
August 4, 2011
“ our first four nights at the @edfringe are sold out! if you’re at the festival, check out #thegoldendragon
ATCLondon
August 3, 2011
“ #thegoldendragon on tour. Opening at Traverse this week. #edfringe
Madamejojo
August 3, 2011