By no means a definitive list, a selection of audience members from the last 20 years have nominated and commented on some of the stand-out memorable performances witnessed at the Isle of Dogs venue. We’d like to recognise every performer that has added to the history of the venue, from lead roles to third spear-carrier from the left, from virtuoso musicians and legendary comedians to theatre companies taking their first steps, we thank you for entertaining our audiences.
Add your favourites by tweeting us @spaceartscentre – and don’t forget the hashtag #Space20 as we celebrate our 20th year!
Edinburgh Comedy Previews, Dogg’s Hamlet and The Shape of Things
1-3 in a series of 20 memorable performances celebrating 20 years at the Space
Edinburgh Comedy Previews
For a number of years, comedians from the Avalon stable polished their material pre-Edinburgh at the Space. Polly Bennett, who championed comedy during her time at the Space recalls, ‘We had some great names perform at the Space in the early days. I remember rushing around trying to purchase low-alcohol lager for Al Murray to spill all over the stage (and worrying that it would be dripping down the hatch onto the piano stored underneath). Harry Hill was also a notable highlight, and we were packed to the rafters. You can’t beat the echo of uncontrollable laugher to a Morrissey soundtrack as it reverberates around the Space. The lowlight, on the other hand, were The Boosh (before they were ‘Mighty’) who were so unrepentantly awful that all but four members of the audience walked out. But we had a great lock-in with them afterwards.’
Dogg’s Hamlet
In November 2007 Adam Hemming and Mari Rettedal-Westlake launched Space Productions, opening with a double bill of Tom Stoppard plays. Inspired by the Space’s location, the duo paired The Real Inspector Hound and Dogg’s Hamlet in a ‘Dog Season’.
In Dogg’s Hamlet, for no perceptible reason once the performance is over, the piece is repeated at thrice the speed. Assistant Director Alex Crampton describes the action in which a group of students and their headmaster attempt to stage Hamlet.
“Undoubtedly the hyper-speed version of ‘Hamlet’ in Dogg’s Hamlet. Limbs, props, costume and an infinite number of lettered boxes were flying. I loved this for three reasons: 1) the show was part of the Dog Season, and the exciting launch for Space Productions. 2) The mania! I love those early days of the Space’s professional shows, the excitement and the fantastic group of people who were there. 3) Mouseholes!”
The madcap energy of the cast which included Katie Beswick, Andrew Venning and Kaijah McMahon as schoolchildren, ensured the performance lived long in the memory.
The Shape of Things
Neil Labute’s The Shape of Things questions the nature of art, intimacy, explorations of love, and people’s willingness to do things for love. It was directed at the Space by Pradeep Jey in 2011. One audience member recalls:-
“Such an unexpected ending, the change in character of Adam was so believable that the revelation at the end was excruciating.”
The jaw-dropping finale to this excellent piece of writing is so brilliant that audiences became deeply involved. The actions of the Evelyn character inspired so much hatred that some audience members couldn’t even bear to talk to the actress in the bar afterwards!
Excellent performances from Paul Hutchinson, Claire Louise Amias, Rachel Cullen and Oliver Rice marked a razor-sharp production which also underlined the Space’s commitment to nurturing new artists. The co-production with A Monkey With Cymbals has allowed that company to grow and create several projects since.
