Previous projects:
Red Dead Revenge
February 4th February 2024
Our first experimentation with intentionally low budget pastiche engaged audiences in it’s charming simplicity whilst questioning what it means for a performance to be escapist; and how self referencing and fourth wall breaking can a piece be before it removes the audience from the suspension of disbelief? Our recent production of ‘Red Dead Revenge’ written, directed and edited by Thomas Magness invited the test audience to answer those very questions. Following the story of the three Bandits, recently escaped from a daring prison breakout and now on the hunt for their next heist; ensuring they don’t forget the mistakes of their past. The use of intentionally errors in the production helps to conflict the audience and truly make them decide what matters most for them: the distractions from the story or the story itself. A post modern satirical exploration on the human attention span all told through a loving homage to silent film, ‘Red Dead Revenge’ will in it’s short span leave audiences bewildered, entertained or disorientated… but it will never leave them bored!
Before the show began, the test audience was invited to explore the stage and set and choose where in the piece they would like to sit, thus changing their individually interactions with the cast and SFX/LFX. Once the video started playing, the live cast were preparing dynamite, rigging the stage with a fuse that panned left to right and jumping though the explosion onto the train cart that the audience was sitting in; to rob them. Those who were perceptive noticed their breaking in and reacted accordingly (letting the sheriffs know) but those who were distracted by the informational video were first to lose their belongings. But would these bandits get away with the goods or be stopped in their tracks?
CAST:
Thomas Magness - video editing / LFX / SFX / script writer / camera man / director / Bandit Deputy
Eryn Buchanan - Bandit Leader
Connor McGeorge - ‘Newbie’ Bandit / Security Guard
Patrick Bailey - Curious Stranger
Kayleigh Speakman - Burglary Victim
Coming Soon…
The soundtrack tie in to the upcoming “Memoirs” performance in May, this complete album will be released with three different versions:
The soundtrack version of the songs - ‘Demo’ Live
A thematic album (with the stage script re-envisioned for an radio play) for proof of concept to create the finished piece - Live actors transitioning into the music
A fully reimagined album with different arrangements of the musical songs, plus changes in ordering and additions of new tracks for an entirely different experience - Prerecorded conventional style mainstream album
The entirely audio formatted performance follows the ‘Unreliable Narrator’ as he struggles to come to terms with his balance of longing for companionship, and his affinity for substance abuse. With the same songs from the musical excerpt given entirely new meanings for the context of this piece; the multiple releases allow for entirely unique listening experiences and multiple endings for the audience. Our very own TableTop will be providing the voices for the reimagined thematic musical radio play, and will be looking to release the mainstream album and perform the original songs in already networked locations. Be sure to come by the The Jacaranda in Liverpool over the summer; we’ll be gigging throughout and showcasing that media can be cross platform and still provide entertainment whilst raising awareness for triggering themes!
Where’d It All Go Wrong?
June 10th 2025