It's that time of year when hacks scratch around for an original way to frame up the last year's goings on and the prospects for 2009. Here at Spoonfed we're copying each other. My look into 2009 Theatre is drawn from the mouths of others – an array of important and interesting theatre personalities. Good idea, Emma!
By contrast, my 'look back on 2008' is deeply personal. My aim is to provide a look at the characters that have shaped the Theatre section's year, and an insight, as if you cared, into the running of Spoonfed.
I run the show around here, or at least provide the writing, and changes of personnel affect my life. This is my life. Early 2008 was overshadowed by the departure of Paddy, a likable character and a sharp, evocative writer. He'd already contributed a brilliant piece on The Masque of the Red Death and kept writing, thankfully, after saying goodbye to Spoonfed Towers. This review of another BAC project was typically lively. Oh, and we sent him raving as well.
In Paddy's place came a new Culture Editor, one Thomas Jeffreys, a dandy with a taste for polka dot socks. Tom showed us all just how well a section could be run, fast becoming the most popular art pundit in London. Rats! Jealousy. And no time, what with running the music and comedy teams and washing up their filthy tea mugs, to strike back. At least he kicked in a theatre review for Vaclav Havel's auspicious return to London theatre.
If there was any hope for my Theatre section to keep up with this arty whippersnapper, I needed support from my contributors. And in 2008 prospects were not good. John ran away with the circus. Thankfully, he'd already previewed Mimefest in January and written a brilliant piece on Pierre Rigal's solo show in March, significantly raising the tone. Even better news – he's back. John has always been a distant, slightly menacing presence at Spoonfed, darkly refusing to attend meetings and, I swear, disguising his voice when I had the audacity to telephone him. Having remote writers like this is a mysterious pleasure.
By contrast, meeting Hajera early in the summer was an unalloyed joy – no veiled threats from this lady, although sadly she really has flown back to the US of A. The best sounding shows Hajera attended were Rock at Oval House and a pretentious but effective show from Shakespeare 'outfit' The Filter, Twelfth Night.
My most stalwart contributor has to be Mr Arble. Since day one he's been an avid supporter of Spoonfed in his own cynicism-drenched way, even turning up for the occasional pint. Last week he was at Zorro (where's my review Jimmy?) and I always worry in case he absolutely hates a show. Don't know why though – his demolitions are fun: like The Living Unknown Soldier (ouchies!) and the especially stinking Dickens Unplugged – take that! Luckily, Jimmy really loved Moonlight & Magnolias, one of a slew of Hollywood-themed pieces this year.
Interns play an important role in internet start ups. They are cheap, but way too big a part of our lives to be considered disposable. We hope that the brilliance they bring us can be repaid with some good experiences. Chloe arrived to brighten our office in summer, and I was heartily glad to send her to Eurobeat at the Novello Theatre. This was the lowest low-brow show of the year – and congratulations to a production which was adored by all who saw it.
Unexpected help in my new contest with Culture (pah!) arrived from the DJ desk. Clubbing supremo Lowri not only kicked in two brilliant, poetic reviews of Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. She also set up a fascinating interview with The Factory. These guys are the future of theatre and their thoughts on Shakespeare, festivals and fannying about were rightly read by thousands. Fellow electronic music guru Robin brilliantly dissected a Kafka remix, Metamorphosis at the Lyric Hammersmith.
I also got unexpected help from an old mate who turned in an unsolicited review of Any Which Way at the Only Connect Theatre. This production, put on by ex-offenders and concerning the subject of knife crime, got a lot of media attention but if you ask me, Dave's words on the subject were the most valid, interesting, and downright entertaining. Cheers, buddy!
Finally, a word for Meaghan. Arriving from sunny California on a mission to teach us self promotion, this lady showed us that people love reading Spoonfed. All we have to do is make a fuss about the site! Her contribution to our self-belief and working practices made the most significant impact on my entire team this year. Oh, and she reviewed The Factory's Hamlet at the Globe and La Cage aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre. Thanks, Meg!
As for personal goals? Editorially speaking, I guess we're happy for Spoonfed to swim against the stream every now and again. For instance, as regards bollocks new music. And I think two of the best bits I did this year were reviews that said something original about shows that the establishment critics simply gave a pasting. Riflemind at the Trafalgar may have been no fun at all, but it was unforgettable. It really had something to say about addiction.
And Imagine This, the musical set in the Warsaw ghetto on the verge of the Final Solution, was good. No really! It was very good. Shame it's already closed. It was sad to see Nicholas de Jongh laying into it in the Standard. If he didn't like the first scene, he obviously sat down determined to hate it. Equally, sad to hear producer Beth Trachtenburg, who we memorably interviewed, laying into the critics when the show closed. Come on lady, you knew it was crazy from the get go! But the show was touching and well executed. Read my review. Go on!
So, 2009: Highlights and lowlights of the entire year. Professionally speaking, there was something perfect about Jimmy going to see Memory at the Pleasance Theatre. Not only did he kind of like it, he also wrote the most intelligent review of any publication in the world, definitely, and thousands of people subsequently read it. For a web editor, those hits are like crack. Just a shame we didn't have comments enabled in October. Get over there and comment on it. Now!
Lowlights? Losing some personnel. We really think about you every day. Oh, and Paperweight at the Camden People's Theatre was pretty much shit.
But I mustn't complain about this year. It's been the most incredible one of my life, and not just because of this office. But the constant good humoured back-chat, creative energy and cups of tea helped. Roll on 2009, with some resolutions:
- Beat Tom at his own game and make Theatre the best section.
- At least one scintillating Theatre review each week.
- Make people find out what you should already know – this website kicks ass!
Thank you, have a fantastic 2009. We will.
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