MARKETING PACK - Quarter Too Ensemble€¦ · The Happy Warrior' is a playful imagining based on...
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MARKETING PACK WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
Transcript of MARKETING PACK - Quarter Too Ensemble€¦ · The Happy Warrior' is a playful imagining based on...
MARKETING PACK
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
CONTENTS
ABOUT QUARTER TOO………………………………………………………………...3
BOX OFFICE BRIEFING………………………………………………………………...4
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR, THE STORY SO FAR…………………...5
KEY SELLING POINTS AND TARGET MARKETS…………………………….7
PREVIOUS PRESS COVERAGE……………………………………………………..10
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK………………………………………………………………..11
PRESS & MARKETING IDEAS …………………….,……………………………...13
SAMPLE MEDIA RELEASE………………………………………………………….15
CONTACTS……………….……………………………………………………………….16
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
ABOUT QUARTER TOO
The Quarter Too Ensemble’s Mission:
“We firmly, categorically and without doubt believe that theatre and live physical storytelling can be made accessible and enjoyable to anyone. We are a group of Theatre Practitioners dedicated to creating new work. We strive to offer theatrical experiences that are immediate, flexible and pro-vocative. We wish to stimulate the conditioned and unconditioned audience to experience theatre for its own sake and develop a theatrical dialogue that is meaningful to them in the now... and for the future”
The Quarter Too Ensemble is a company of actors dedicated to producing new and accessible theatre, workshops and collaborative community based projects. The company aims to provide quality, innovative and exciting thea-tre for people of all ages. We have built a company from varied backgrounds whose method of work incorporates a range of theatrical devices such as puppetry, traditional storytelling, clowning, physical theatre and object ma-nipulation. Shows also feature original, live music composed and performed by the cast.
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
BOX OFFICE BRIEFING
Wojtek: The Happy Warrior
A true story about a bear who fought in WWII, The Quarter Too Ensemble present a 5 star show showing the nature of friendship and empathy amidst the chaos of war.
Creative Team
Director: Glenn Tillin
Created by: The Quarter Too Ensemble
Performers:
Jessica Harbour
Andy Burse
Kitty Myers
Glenn Tillin
Sarah Bryce
Christian Mortensen
Matt Tweddle
Original Music: The Quarter Too Ensemble
Assistant Director: Imogen Frances
Production Manager: Kitty Myers
Technical Manager: Glenn Tillin
The Happy Warrior' is a playful imagining based on the unbelievable true story to Private Wojtek; a Syrian Brown Bear who was enlisted into the Polish army Corp, during WW2. Wojtek (translation: happy warrior) lived with his polish soldier comrades in the Middle East and eventually saw action with his Artillery Company at the battle of Monte Casino. Wojtek eventually travelled to Scotland with his unit after the war in search of a new life. After camping in Palestine, going to war in Europe and living in the boarder territory of Scotland, Wojtek spent the end of his life as a resident of the Edinburgh Zoo.
The ensemble take it in turns to show us how Wojtek the Bear saw his own story, and how the con-flict of war can leave some with nothing to go back for.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Running time of: Wojtek: The Happy Warrior: 65 minutes without an interval.
Any Special FX: Some smoke will be used during the performance.
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR, THE STORY SO FAR
Kitty Myers initially came across the story of ‘Wojtek’ in a newspaper article, she was immediately struck by how poignant and important this bear’s story was for generations past and present, she knew it would translate well on stage.
The opportunity to develop the piece arose when Glenn Tillin researched it as a piece for young audi-ences with second year Rose Bruford students, as part of one of their degree modules that he was de-livering.
A producer of ‘The New Town Theatre’ (Edinburgh) saw a scratch performance of the piece and ‘Quarter Too’ was invited to bring it to the Fringe Festival.
The piece was re-developed and premiered at Edinburgh Fringe 2015, where it gained numerous 5 star reviews and an overwhelming audience response.
It has since been performed at the ‘Ognisko Polskie Club’ in London and is in the process of planning an International tour.
‘Wojtek’s’ story needs to be shared on a wide scale, with the current media attention regarding the refugee crisis across the globe, never has it been more important to highlight how people’s sacrifices in the past can serve to save generations in the future. It is a story of men and women who could nev-er return home, men and women who were vulnerable, fragile and with no say over their destiny, men and women who fought and died so that we could live. Wojtek represents them all.’
Kitty Myers (Artistic Director)
A Note from the director:
‘I think it is important to point out that our play is very much inspired by the story of Wojtek and we have made a strong attempt to follow the most important facts in the story. All of the names in our piece belong to people who really existed but we have made up the dialogue and scenes in order to tell the story through theatre. It should be known that we have not tried to recreate events as the re-ally happened as this would be very difficult to know for sure but we have tried to create some imagi-nary scenes that fit the facts of the story. This story is truly unbelievable and fascinating and we wan-ted to play the ideas it gave us.
It seems that Wojtek’s story has been important to many different people over the years, Polish and Scottish have both seen him as a national symbol. I also think that his loveable and gentle nature was a strong contrast for the soldiers around him who were suffering so much under the chaos of the war.
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
In making the show we wanted to try and see things through Wojtek's eyes and we found ourselves asking what he would tell us if he could speak. Many different people who knew him have told Woj-tek’s story and everyone has a different viewpoint. To reflect this our show starts with all the compa-ny as different versions of Wojtek. As the piece continues different actors play him and we hope this will give the audience the opportunity to imagine they are looking at the world through Wojtek's ey-es.
The music for the show has some original compositions based on two ideas, one being the Polish Folk tradition to represent Wojtek's friends; the Polish soldiers, the other being Middle Eastern music to represent the sounds of the mountain regions where Wojtek himself was from. One extra element we have used is a Polish Hymn still famous and full of meaning today for those of Polish heritage; Boż e, cos Polskę. (God save Poland).’
Glenn Tillin (Director)
Further Information about Wojtek
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojtek_(bear)
http://www.wojtekfilm.com/enter.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15736812
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
KEY SELLING POINTS & TARGET MARKETS
STRENGTHS
Fast-paced visual theatre spectacle, epic storytelling, intimate in emotion.
Cross gender casting, unbiased culturally, letting the audience identify more closely with the characters
A universal approach that communicates the story to all.
Premiered at Edinburgh Fringe 2015 where it received 5 star reviews.
A loyal following, a growing number of supporters.
Crosses theatre, physical theatre, actor musician and clowning genres.
The company are developing a strong education/master class programme
The company are keen to develop links with their audiences pre and post show and would wel-come the opportunity to do an informal ‘meet and greet’ prior to the performance or after in the bar to break down barriers and make themselves more accessible and personable to people who might be familiar with their work and their unique approach to making work.
WEAKNESSES
The story is told form a particular viewpoint and focuses on one countries war effort.
The title and subject matter may suggest it is only relevant to those who are interested in Po-lish/Scottish history.
Whilst their reputation is growing as an innovative and fresh company, they are not yet as esta-blished or recognised as some other companies in the field.
Not mainstream, some may perceive their work as rough around the edges or not refined enough. However, once audiences experience it they find it is incredibly accessible and can con-nect with it emotionally very easily as the lines of communication are so open between audien-ce and actor.
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
OPPORTUNITIES
Audience development – new work for a new audience.
Opportunity to engage groups and charities invested in the history of WW2/Polish/Scottish he-ritage
Potential to offer master classes to theatre professionals and workshops to schools for pupils and students to see, participate and engage with ‘Quarter Too’s’ work and creative process.
Pre and post show sessions for audiences to engage with the company and performers in addi-tion to seeing their live show. We are aware that the show is emotionally evocative and are al-ways ready to listen to the audience’s experience and or memories of the subject matter.
Investigate ideas for creative PR activity to exploit the company’s highly visual, aesthetic, musi-cal and engaging live performance e.g. PR stunts, flash mobs etc.
THREATS
Competition with more mainstream events and other cultural events in the region.
Lack of national media coverage to support the tour (no national reviewers have reviewed the work at this stage).
Increasing lack of disposable income for the arts/entertainment may mean audiences choose safer, more mainstream options.
TARGET MARKETS
Specific to the genre
Devised theatre enthusiasts
Physical theatre enthusiasts
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
Drama Students
Teachers/Lecturers
Previous Quarter Too audiences
Physical Theatre/Actor Musician audiences
International students/audiences/groups and networks
History and Teaching students
Theatre risk takers
WW2 enthusiasts
Practitioners/Artists
People of Polish/Scottish heritage
Audiences who like to see epic physically and emotionally rich pieces of visual storytelling
Theatre tech students
Specific to the subject matter:
War/Soldiers/Veterans – Charities or groups
Museum/Educational institution workshops
Polish/Scottish communities/groups/networks
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
PRAISE FOR WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
‘The physicality of the actors is impressive, and the integration of music and multi-use props makes for a bustling, lifelike production.’
Lucy Diver
‘A beautifully realiżed piece of theatre for all ages, this is an understated gem that pulls the heartstrings and leaves you smiling. We are all happy warriors by the end, as theatre’s power to include and delight all is magical-ly reaffirmed.’
Sam Forbes
‘Glenn Tillin’s appealing devised production is gently inventive and full of lovely little moments.’
‘It is moving too, more than capable of bringing a tear to the eye.’
Natasha Tripney
‘With some great live performance, choreography and music, Wojtek: The Happy Warrior presented by The Quarter Too Ensemble is undoubtedly one of the hits of this year’s Fringe Festival.’
Dorota Peszkowska
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
TWITTER:
natalie @n_squared93Saw the incredible "Wojtek: The Happy Warrior" last night, huge to @quartertoo
ensemble who absolutely smashed it out of the park
Retweeted by Quarter Too Ensemble
Debbie Ashley @Debbieashleys @quartertoo Wojtek the happy warrior What an incredible show & story. Couldn't have been more invested throughout! Amażing #edfringe15
Becca Clark @beccaalclark 3 more performances of Wojtek: The Happy Warrior from @quartertoo that you most DEFI-
NITELY need to see. Utterly amażing! #edfringe
Wesley Lineham @WesLineham
@quartertoo a beautiful, visually rich show. Stunning story and captivating performances. Go and see Wojtek: The Happy Warrior.
Kim Wright @jktheatrearts
Those looking for engaging & inventive drama based on a true story look no further than @quartertoo @edfringe #dy-namicensemble #amustsee
Dominique Haig @DominiqueHaig Wojtek the Bear was absolutely incredible! Definitely one of my top picks at the fringe! Go and see it!
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
Just been to see this...fabulous. .emotional...interesting....fab cast xxx
Saw this amazing performance today. It's been the best Edinburgh Fringe show I've seen so far. Well done guys!
Last weekend I went to see Wojtek at the fringe. I found it fantastic, frenetic and heartfelt. A week on I'm still captivated by the story and impressed with what was a very clever and conscious performance. The cast took us on a harrowing and hilarious journey with them and used only everyday objects to set the scene. Everyone on stage was working extremely hard to tell a story that they were clearly invested in. If you wanna see something with true heart and true history, see this. The show runs until the 30th and if you can I would urge you to get your tickets booked. Not to be missed.
What a beautiful unique story in the midst of Edinburgh Fringe. All actors on stage were multi-talented and the story of this bear was very real and heart felt. Smart theatre.
Julia K
This was the last show we saw before leaving Edinburgh and we definitely saved the best for last. This is a superb ensemble performance. Using minimal props the cast manage to create vans, ships, and a realistic battlefield. The music and sound effects are spot on and the acting top match - especially when they alternate taking the role of Wojtek. You'll believe there is a bear on that stage. A moving, gripping story beautifully brought to life. Best thing we saw at the festival this year. (NB Any West End producers reading this - sign these guys up - they're seriously good).
FACEBOOK:
August 21 ·
Magdalena Kościółek
Wojtek: The Happy Warrior
August 23 ·
Robert Hogg Esq.
Wojtek: The Happy Warrior
August 23 ·
Zuleika Khan
Wojtek: The Happy Warrior
August 24 ·
Wojtek: The Happy Warrior
August 26 ·
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
PRESS & MARKETING IDEAS
Below are some examples of things you can do to help promote the show, many of which you are probably already doing. However, there may be some areas you might not have considered that could generate new ideas for your campaign.
Print Distribution
Drama schools and Universities
Arts organisations
Tourist attractions
Drama Groups
Army Cadets/Cubs/Scouts/Brownies
Language schools, secondary schools and colleges
Cafes
Bookshops and libraries
Waiting rooms
Care institutions
Anywhere with high footfall for arts audiences and potential exit flyering at relevant ad hoc events in your area.
Film Trailer & Production Photography
Production shots and a trailer are already available; you will find them in the Dropbox (if you don’t have a link to this yet please email us at the Quarter too admin address). If you have any specific for-mats you require these to be sent to you in, do let us know. More footage is being edited and should be available by January 2016.
Social Media
Quarter Too’s social media profiles are: Twitter: @quartertoo Facebook: www.facebook.com/Wojtek: The Happy Warrior
Quarter Too are very active on these platforms so please like and follow them so that you can share behind the scenes activity.
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
PEOPLE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
If you get any local press requests, let us know and we will let you know who might be available for interview.
Potential interviewees are:
Glenn Tillin: Director and Artistic director of the company
Kitty Myers: Artistic Director
Imogen Frances: Assistant Director and Core Company member
Devising performers: Andy Burse, Christian Mortensen
INTERVIEW / FEATURE IDEAS
English company telling a Polish story, firmly connected to displaced people in a time of war (relate to current affairs).
Wojtek: The Happy Warrior, comes fresh from a successful premier at Edinburgh Fringe 2015.
Exploring the important issue of war and remembrance through live physical theatre.
Profile piece on director Glenn Tillin and Quarter Too’s unique creative process.
Piece about their masterclasses and relationship with education establishments like Rose Bruford.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Quarter Too would be happy to provide workshops, pre and post show discussions and other added extras during their time at your venue. For further details about what they can offer or for an infor-mal chat please contact us.
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
SAMPLE MEDIA RELEASE
'Wojtek: The Happy Warrior' is a playful imagining based on the unbelievable true sto-ry of ‘Private Wojtek’; a 500-pound cigarette-smoking, beer-drinking Syrian brown be-ar who was enlisted into the Polish Army during WW2. Wojtek (translation: happy warrior) was adopted as a mascot by his Polish soldier comrades in the Middle East and eventually saw action with his Artillery Company at the battle of Monte Cassino, helping by carrying heavy mortar rounds for the troops. Wojtek eventually travelled to Scotland with his unit after the war in search of a new life. Edinburgh’s much loved war hero, Wojtek is coming home to have his story told for the full four weeks of the festival. Rarely will you come across a show so utterly relevant and poignant to the city it is being performed in than this one.
Through Ensemble storytelling, live music and playful physical characterisation The Quarter Too Ensemble bring to life a version of the events in Wojtek’s life that highlight the nature of friendship and empathy against the chaos of war.
Watch Wojtek: wrestle, ride in army trucks, set sail for war and aid the fight in the lar-gest land battle in WW2 as ‘The Quarter Too Ensemble’ brings a rag-tag selection of ar-my issue objects to life. The ensemble take it in turns to show us how Wojtek the bear saw his own story, and how the conflict of war can leave some with nothing to go back for.
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
WOJTEK CONTACTS:
Quarter Too Artistic Director: Kitty Myers
07786518434
Quarter Too Artistic Director and Wojtek Director: Glenn Tillin
07841526775
Wojtek Producer: Kinga Eva Plich
info@pangeamagażine.com
Quarter Too Administration
WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR
CONTACT US
