The Reading Rep Theatre in Berkshire has today announced the launch of their REBORN IN FILM series, which was co-commissioned and made with Reading based production company Barracuda Films.
Reading Rep Theatre partnered with Barracuda Films to create five short films to celebrate Reading’s growing artistic community and spirit. Both companies are committed to working with local Reading-based talent. These shorts have been made with a local cast and crew, filmed in local Berkshire locations.
Reading Rep will release the series of films to their website on Thursday 29th February and the theatre will host a launch event to celebrate the release. Access to the films will be free and all films will include subtitles.
Cassie Barraclough, Producer at Barracuda Films said: “Reading Rep Theatre and Barracuda Films found ourselves questioning how theatre plays a part in our increasingly digital world. REBORN IN FILM was conceived to forge a link between theatre and film, to expand the theatre’s collaborative work into a new digital space, and to reach new audiences.
Each film was shot in just one day (or less!), on a shoestring budget. Our team was made up of a mixture of professional and trainee talent, and we were proudly diverse throughout our cast and crew. Each short has its own distinct tone, and has been produced in the spirit of invention, experimentation and playfulness..”
Chris Cuming, Reading Rep’s Head of ENGAGE said: "Reborn in Film shows how Reading Rep works with our local artists, creatives and filmmakers to create innovative and meaningful pieces which not only speak about the theatre but of issues affecting our communities. It is great to see our work expanding into new mediums - we are not just a venue for live theatre, workshops and community projects but now for digital work as well.
Our Engage programme engages participants from early years through to care homes and these films celebrate all areas of the work we do across our award winning outreach programme.”
The films that form the series are:
Ash Wednesday
Written by Chris Adams, starring Timothy Allsop and Niall Kiely
Mike’s just split up with his boyfriend, so when Jesse from Grindr pops up as a match – sure, he’s up for a bit of fun. Little does he know what he’s let himself in for…
Ash Wednesday is inspired by DORIAN, Reading Rep’s inaugural production in their new space, an adaption of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. The film expands on Dorian’s exploration of hidden identities.
The Fight Before Christmas
By Daniel Rusteau, starring Shala Nyx and Bryony Reynolds
On Christmas Eve a feuding couple take their anger out on one another. But is it really over for these two?
Inspired by Reading Rep’s festive sell out adaptation of Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol.
Look But Don't Laugh
By Nikhil Parmar
When an actor makes a phone call after the show, it’s unclear where he ends, and the show begins…
Look But Don’t Laugh is inspired by Reading Rep’s critically acclaimed production, Jekyll & Hyde. The film explores the exploitation of personal trauma for entertainment, and riffs on the themes of metamorphosis and shifting identities present in the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Albert
By Cassie Barraclough
Can the deeply shy Albert learn to use his voice, and save his favourite nature spot?
Inspired by Alby the Penguin, Saves The World, Reading Rep’s early years production on the importance of saving the planet, ALBERT explores a young man’s fight against gentrification.
Youth and Young Person
Written by Tim Stacey
Can these kids ever be friends? They might have more in common than they think…
Inspired by the riotous, raucous and riveting adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, YOUTH AND YOUNG PERSON is a poem exploring youth culture and the divide between social classes when growing up.
More information can be found at www.readingrep.com
