North students invited to star in Prague

May 27 2009 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

PRAGUE theatre-lovers are in for a treat with a taste of a North East-style tragi-comedy, served up by talented Gateshead College students.

A Hatful of Hollow is the title of the play written and being acted over three nights this week by 11 students from the BA Performing Arts degree course as part of the Prague Fringe Festival.

The 50-minute play focuses on a disparate group of characters, including a nun, a hippie and a half naked accountant all competing for the final place in heaven. Eilidh Talman, one of the final-year students, who have also formed the Maladjusted Theatre Company, said: “Not many colleges get invited to perform at the Prague Fringe Festival so this is a great achievement for us.”

The 25-year-old, who moved from Glasgow to study at Gateshead College, said a lot of work has gone into the show and they are eager to see how it will be received.

Eilidh added: “The company has been responsible for all of the writing, directing, stage management and costume design.

“The set design is minimal so we are able to take all the props and costumes on the plane!”

The Prague Fringe Festival, now in its ninth year, follows the model of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Every year, more than 200 artists perform in around 45 shows and acts travel from as far as Australia, Canada, Norway and Israel to take to the stage.