Sun 8 May
words: GARETH LUDKIN pics: SOPHIE MAUND
★★★☆☆
In an evening of tea-related revelry, Empty Pocket Theatre launched an exciting new theatrical brew well worth looking out for in the coming months.
At the cosy Thé Pot cafe, Empty Pocket’s very first Tea Party event entertained a small audience with a series of energetic skits packed with tea-related puns and humorous quips. Light-hearted and imaginative, the performance brought to life the world of Nora Potts and her shelves of lively teabags at Potts Cafe.
After a slightly slow start, I soon found myself engrossed in the humourous characterisation of some of our favourite teas. From Jasmine to Green, Rosehip to good old English Breakfast, the collection of inter-connected skits saw some of our favourite blends brought to life as they struggle to come to terms with the threat of being discontinued, the suggestion of a third flavourbeing added to the classic lemon and ginger combo, and the reality of being dunked one too many times.
The performers involved throughout the evening achieved wonders having only received their scripts one day before the performance. And from beginning to end they managed to successfully bring to life the imagined personalities of our favourite brews in what was a light, engaging and informal evening of fun and creative theatre. The writing was crisp and humorous, the acting full of energy. Sophia Williams, James Sidwell and Emma McNab were excellent playing a variety of teas – their labels identifying their flavour as they moved between sketches. Emma McNab provided a particulalry commendable and varied performance as she went from the zesty Lemon to the stuck-up Lady Gray. Carly Kavanagh confidently played the typically Welsh (and slightly batty) Nora Potts as she potted round the tea shop chatting to her teas.
Although not a finite piece of polished theatre, Empty Pocket’s first Tea Party succeeded in producing a cosy slice of theatre, perfect for a Sunday evening. “With Tea Party Theatre, we want to make nights of theatre as fun and casual as an afternoon spent drinking tea and eating chocolate bourbons,” explains co-founder Natalie Stone. “Tea Party Theatre is quick, quirky, script-in-hand, light-hearted, interactive, cosy and site-specific.” And this they certainly achieved. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of tea or not, Tea Party Theatre has plenty to offer in the way of imaginative writing and creative theatre. Touching on a range of different topics, make sure you keep an eye on the Empty Pocket Facebook page for forthcoming Tea Parties around Cardiff.
Founded by writers Natalie Stone and Anna Poole, Empty Pocket Theatre are the latest addition to a thriving theatrical scene in Cardiff. Having already put on Can I Have A Job Please last September, and Perfect Day at Sherman Cymru’s Egin: Springboard event, Empty Pocket are keen to develop new writing alongside fresh and energetic acting talent: “We endeavor to create works that are accessible, innovative and insightful,” explains Stone, who is already busy with rehearsals for Empty Pockets biggest performance to date. Planned for Sat 2 July at Cardiff’s YMCA Theatre, and backed by National Theatre Wales’ Team Programme, the performance consists of two hour-long comic/tragic dramas on the theme of communication. Hello Mrs. Silverstone, written by Natalie Stone, and A Sunday Roast by Anna Poole will no doubt deliver yet more relveant, intuitive and captivating theatre. If Empty Pocket’s first Tea Party event is anything to go by, we can certainly expect plenty more intriguing theatre in the coming months.
Empty Pocket are always on the lookout for new actors, and a series of audition workshops are planned for the very near future. For further information on acting opportunities with Empty Pocket, simply email [email protected]. Or, if you want to find out more about the company’s latest productions, visit either their Facebook page or Twitter account: @EmptyPocket.