“it’s sweet and funny without ever straying into the sentimental.”
Necessity being the mother of invention, My Old Man is a mixture of theatre and film that raises interesting possibilities for transcending the limits of black box theatre while also telling a funny and touching story. Writer and performer Chesca Cholewa conceived the show as an online offering during lockdown but found by the time it was filmed that it could be shaped around a mix of the captured performance of film and the fluidity of live action.
In the circles of the politically correct ‘My Old Man’ is probably a phrase that is sure to offend, however, when three simple words that we all understand, are used to challenge prejudice and prompt fresh thinking, then surely there is a case for using them?
I went along to see the play “My Old Man” by imagine if Theatre Company – it is part theatre production and part film which was an interesting mix.
As we walked into the theatre space at Prime Studios there was the traditional audience seating but also some tables with tablecloths, doilies, dominoes and Polish snacks. As we waited for the performance to begin we were serenaded by a singer beautifully performing old song book classics such as Dream A Little Dream.
York Theatre Royal Studio will reopen this autumn after lockdown hibernation.
In imagine if theatre’s new production, My Old Man, on November 18 at 8pm, Michal Piwowarski’s whole world changes when his granddaughter Tasha finally moves out. The school dinner lady becomes his favourite person, a new neighbour moves onto the street and he has to face his biggest battle yet.
‘Is Anyone There?’ is an outdoor performance by Imagine If at Slung Low, The Holbeck, directed by Madeleine O’Reilly. I saw this play on Saturday the 28 August at 1pm, which happened to be the premiere. Imagine If is a charity and community theatre company based in Leeds. What is exciting about this play is that it is written and produced by Francesca Joy who uses first hand experiences to inform the art. Moreover, it is a part of Phoenix programme which engages with prison leavers and people with convictions.
Part theatre, part film, imagine if’s My Old Man will have its world premiere at Prime Studios, Leeds on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 November, before embarking on a UK tour to theatres and community venues.
A follow-up to imagine if’s 2019 stage show Jadek, My Old Man is the story of old, blind, Polish soldier Michał and his Yorkshire-born granddaughter Tasha.
My Old Man stars Paul Shelley as Michał and imagine if’s Artistic Director Chesca Cholewa (previously known as Chesca Joy) reprising her role as Tasha.
Part theatre, part film, imagine if’s My Old Man will have its world premiere at Prime Studios, Leeds on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 November, before embarking on a UK tour to theatres and community venues.
Imagine If Theatre present a simply stunning show at Slung Low’s Holbeck with headsets for the audience feeding both live and recorded dialogue and music, This begins with a cacophony of voices while the actors (all ex-prisoners) stroll around the outdoor courtyard space. The texts have one common theme: the alienation and isolation felt by the group Imagine If have worked with both in and out of prison.
Ryan and Michael, two performers in a new play by a theatre company that works with people with convictions, didn’t originally plan to unleash their creativity on stage.
