Greetings from Icarus Theatre Collective!

We've just returned from Romania after performing The Lessonand had fantastic adventures meeting diplomats, brilliant artists, and most importantly performing a sold-out show with people stood in the aisles, cheering at the end for more.  More information.

We are eager to sign a lease on a new office.  Very cheap per square foot, but bigger than we need and can afford.  We are looking for other companies/individuals who could use exceptionally convenient office facilities to go in with us on the rent!  More information.

Our collaborations with Original Theatre Company are working out very well.  We already have a good start to booking our mid-scale tour of Vincent in Brixton in Spring 2009.  We also have 23 performances for Othello booked for Autumn 2009 in mid-scale venues.  When this far in advance of The Lesson we only had a mere two performances booked… and we wound up performing nearly 80 times!

We will be sending out hard-copy newsletters soon.  Make sure we have your mailing address on file!

As always, visit www.icarustheatre.co.uk for full details on our company.  We should have a new website soon.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inexpensive, Central OFFICE SPACE in Central London!

We are in a unique position to offer great value office space for rent to Young Vic directors.

The space is below a café just off Goodge Street and is around 200 square feet (enough room for up to six people to fit quite snugly).

We will be using two desks ourselves and are subletting the others at the following rates (all inclusive, except phone):

1 Desk: £185 per month
2 Desks: £325 per month
3 Desks: £475 per month

Six - twelve month lease.

We'd like to only have two or three people join us, but we could be persuaded to take on board one group with four people in it if you're super-friendly, responsible, and won't plan to have all four there constantly.

Pros:
-Very central
-Very neat and tidy
-24 hour access
-Inviting atmosphere
-Friendly owner
-Below a café which will offer deals on drinks
-Café is available when not busy for group meetings (basically, any time other than 12.15 - 2.30pm)
-Friendly colleagues
-2 phone lines, internet, etc
-Clean toilets
-Furnished

Cons:
-No natural light.  That being said, it's about as bright and welcoming as it can be.  I normally wouldn't consider something without natural light, but the space is so affordable, lovely, and the café is a great way to soak up the rays.
-Can't think of anything else, but I'm sure there are minor issues you can identify in a viewing.

Do please contact me on 07XXX XXX XXX as soon as possible.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reports from Romania

Teatrul de Comedie in Bucharest was very warm and welcoming.  They provided great accommodation, friendly staff (didn’t matter no one spoke a word of English), and an audience devoted to Ionesco who really appreciated our unique production.

While there we met with:

-The British Ambassador to Romania
-Matae Visniec (a very influential Romanian writer often compared to Ionesco) who is interested in Icarus producing his work
-Representatives from Teatrul Metropol and other Romanian venues who may be interested in taking The Lesson in October

…and many others!

The door for international touring has been opened up for us and we will be exploring how to best capitalize on this over the coming months.

The production was very well received.  The audience applauded louder and longer than at any venue on the tour and we even got stopped on the street a couple times by people who’d seen it. Reviewers and judges were in attendance so Teatrul de Comedie invited us back in late May to attend a national awards ceremony.  Wish us luck!

Visit http://www.icarustheatre.co.uk/lessonshell.html for more info on the show and to see all the great reviews we’ve accumulated along the way.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two Mid-Scale tours!

We are in the Tour Booking stage of two epic tours.  We have chosen Shakespeare’s most riveting maritime tragedy, Othello: The Moor of Venice and the Olivier Award winning Vincent in Brixton by Nicholas Wright.

Othello: The Moor of Venice
by William Shakespeare

A tempestuous story from scandal and intrigue to lust and vengeance!

This version of Othello comes to you louder and clearer than any other.

Tackling subjects of racism, belonging and deception, our Othello elegantly references our modern world where all sense of identity is turned topsy-turvy.

Using the sense of water and motion, Icarus sets Othello at sea near Venice and Cyprus. This is a maritime story and the feeling of violence and the war will permeate the story.  Design elements and performance style will bring the audience into the Venetian world of war, movement, and contrast.

Opens 23 September 2009 at South Hill Park Arts Centre.

Vincent in Brixton
by Nicholas Wright

The year is 1873.  A young art dealer called Vincent Van Gogh arrives at 87 Hackford Road in Brixton looking for a room and looking for love. As Vincent settles in to his new lodging, he finds himself inexplicably drawn into a secret relationship that will change his life forever.

Set in a working authentic kitchen, the smells, sights and sounds of life in 87 Hackford Road are brought vividly to life.

As the allusions between life and art intensify, this story turns this into a tragic parable about the ruthless flame of art consuming all in its path.

Opens 19 March 2009 at South Hill Park Arts Centre

Winner of 2003 Olivier Award for best new play
"One of the best new plays ever presented by the National Theatre", The Times
óóóóó The Independent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IT Stuff

Please note our new phone number, 0207 998 1562.

Keep an eye out on www.icarustheatre.co.uk; we will have a brand new website soon!

Do we have your current contact information?  Why not play it safe and re-send any changes to email or address to us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See you soon!

All the best,
Max

P.S.: You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of the Icarus Theatre Collective's mailing list.  If you no longer wish to receive emails from us, please reply with the word "cancel" in the subject.


Max Lewendel
Artistic Director

Icarus Theatre Collective
105 Bell Street
London
NW1 6TL
O: 0207 998 1562

F: 08717 145 792

www.icarustheatre.co.uk