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Emma Reynolds trained in England at Birmingham School of Speech and Drama 1992-95. She has worked with various theatre companies touring Britain, Spain, France, Germany, Norway, Belgium and Bosnia. Productions include Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night', 'The Thirty Nine Steps' and Jane Austen's 'Northanger Abbey' which she also directed, produced and adapted for the Grec Festival, Barcelona. Most recently she was seen in Kameleon Theatre's production 'Four Stories'.How did you start Blue Mango Theatre?After working for 8 years with various other theatre companies in the world of English-speaking theatre, I decided to see whether I could turn my own hand to writing, directing and producing. It has been a huge learning curve, but one I have enjoyed.
What's your priority?We aim to bring entertaining, interactive and visual theatre to non-native English speakers. We offer three shows a year for Primary, ESO, Bachillerato (Hight School) and adults. We want students to come out of our shows, which are 100% in English, pleasantly surprised they have understood as much as they have. We want them to feel excited and inspired about learning a foreign language.
Do you work only in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain?...We perform all over Spain; in Catalunya (Catalonia), the País Vasco (Basque Country), Andalusia, Madrid etc etc
So, what is the public's reception?It is great to have pupils coming up to us, so enthused about the show. For many of them this is also the first time they have seen a play and some want to know about how to become an actor. Teachers tell us afterwards that they have been amazed at how the students have followed the play, and taken part both verbally and physically. Many schools are now booking us again which means we are doing something right.
Do education and theatre have something in common?In Britain there are a lot of theatre companies that work in schools using theatre as a medium to get issues talked about; everything from crossing the road safely to drugs. Theatre offers a way of educating by high-lighting situations and dilemmas that students may be facing and showing possible ways to deal with them. It also allows students to use their own powers of reasoning and to make up their own minds about what should happen. Although we are not a T.I.E. (Theatre in Education) company as such, we do explore some issues that face students of all ages, example, bullying, accepting people´s differences.
I think most teachers would say there is an element of acting and performing in their own work. As a teacher you are in front of an audience of students and you want to take them on a journey, be that learning a language or understanding the twists and turns of history.
What is the importance of team work in your company?I think that team work is central to the work we do. As we are constantly talking and interacting with our audience it is really important to know you can rely on your fellow actors to improvise with you and deal with whatever the audience throws at you. There are no 'stars', we all have to drive, put up the set, carry the costumes etc. We all enjoy doing the plays and the audience can see that.
What do you think of the theatre situation in the city?Barcelona is a great city for culture and there is certainly a lot going on, from more traditional theatre and musicals to physical theatre. From time to time there is even the odd show in English as well. Recently Reg Wilson has started to get English theatre on the map in Barcelona, by starting ETB - English Theatre Barcelona. Berlin, Hamburg, Vienna and Paris all have a permanent English-speaking theatre, so it is more than over-due.
Compared with London, for example, what major differences are there in terms of teaching drama and the cultural scene?To be honest the difference is huge. There are far more accredited drama schools in Britain, and England has a far greater tradition in theatre and drama schools. In Britain courses usually last for 3 years and include all areas of theatre, example, singing, dance, improvisation, relaxation, camera technique etc. You are totally submerged for 3 years in training to be an actor. Classes here are usually on a term basis and it is up to the student what they take and when they do it, often combining them with their job.
London is famous for its West End, but there is also a wide range of other theatrical performances to be found all over the city, in off West End theatre, above pubs, at civic centres etc etc. The sheer choice is overwhelming. Although Barcelona has a lot to offer, it is incomparable.
Is there a lack of English speaking performances in Barcelona?As I said before, it is a shame there is not more high quality theatre in English here. There are productions from time to time, which are not in the main theatres, but I think the quality can be highly dubious.
Would you like a final word for those who like theatre in our town?Go out and see it! And if you liked it, tell everyone you can! Theatres need as much support as they can get.
Ricardo Nuno :.
Wednesday, Oct 1st '03