AMA Theatre

AMA Theatre

England, South East

Artform

Drama Mixed Media Musical Theatre Physical Puppetry

Organisation Type

Touring

Contact

Email: enquiries@amatheatre.biz

Main Tel: 01462 481 969

Mob: 07523059664

Address: 81B Icknield Way, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG6 4AU

Facebook: www.facebbok.com/amatheatreco
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ama_theatre

A.M.A. Theatre Co. (Arts Made for All) was formed in 2017 by Ian Britten-Hull and Annie Albici as a touring theatre company, to produce shows and plays to appeal to a wide range of audiences, with the aim of promoting theatre and to make it accessible to all.

“We tour to all kinds of venues including theatres, community venues, schools and outdoor spaces across the UK. As we are totally self-contained, it means we can create theatre in any reasonable space. We tour with full staging, lighting rig and sound system and turn any empty space into a theatre. We believe theatre is not just about the show, but the whole atmosphere that is created, not just by the company, but by the audience as well.”

Being multi-skilled, we take on most of the production work ourselves including set design and building, costume design and making, together with props, sound recording and performing. By undertaking much of the production work ourselves, we save on costs, meaning the shows and plays are more cost effective and in turn allow for lower ticket prices much of the time.

COVID & It’s Impact

As with all theatre companies, we too at AMA Theatre Co. were forced to abandon all live performances during the pandemic, but rather than risk complete collapse, the company looked at ways to continue producing and staging productions with all the restrictions in place. Following the general trend, we turned to the internet. Many companies streamed recorded plays and some used platforms such as Zoom for innovative productions. Undertaking a lot of research and self-training of the digital world, we built a fully interactive live theatre online.

The instruction to everyone was “work from home.” So, we did. We built a broadcasting studio theatre in the front room. This consisted of a fully functional stage area at one end complete with blacks, ceiling bars and lights, with provision to erect various types of sets and scenery. The other end of the room where one might expect the auditorium to be, housed the broadcasting suite. This consisted of broadcast quality video cameras, mics and a computer with broadcasting software, and enabled any show performed to be broadcast through the internet. Using Zoom as a platform, we were able to create the audience interaction aspect of the project. But, by erecting a 55” monitor screen in front of the stage, and with the use of speakers, we were also able to see and hear the audience from the stage. Not only that but the audience could hear each other as well. This worked especially well for our pantomime, and it was so rewarding to see families at home arranging themselves as if they had their own theatre box in their front rooms as they engaged with the show on their TV screens. All the interaction such as “oh no it isn’t” worked and everyone agreed it was just like being in a real theatre. This also worked with live dramas and comedies where the actors could actually feel the presence of the audience and this in turn added to the performance.

Moving Forward

Since January 2021 we have worked hard on planning a new programme of shows and plays for the coming year and beyond. The first project was The Buccaneers. We felt it would be a good idea to produce a show with fun and a feel-good factor celebrating the ending of lockdown. The Buccaneers are a band of hapless pirates who come back to life after spending 200 years locked down in Davy Jones’ Locker.

Getting a second chance at life, all they want to do is have fun and enjoy themselves. Although the show is devised as a full live theatre show, it was decided to create a video version first, and due to lockdown restrictions, it was impossible to use other actors and technical crew, so we did everything ourselves.

We created a full hour’s comedy musical show by using computer technology to bring all the characters to life on screen and to interact with each other. Techniques such as split screen and chromakey were used as well as recording and mixing all the songs in all the different characters voices. Several scenes were shot at the Market theatre in Hitchin, Hertfordshire but the rest was filmed in the “front room studio.” It is hard to imagine when you watch the video and you are transported onto pirate ships, a desert island, stately homes, and the battle of Culloden, that it was all made in a living room!

Touring with The Buccaneers

  • Who are the Buccaneers?

There are four pirates who make up the Buccaneers. Anne Bonny, Jack Calico, Harry (Cutthroat) Bates and Angus (Jock) McTavish. The Buccaneers are no ordinary pirates as although they have a rough exterior, they all have hearts of gold. All four of them came together from tragic backgrounds and in their own way formed a family dependant on each other.

Anne Bonny

Based on the real Anne Bonny who was one of the few female pirates. Anne left her abusive husband and ran away with Jack Calico. In our story, Anne joins a troop of gypsies who help her escape her troubled domestic situation. With a new carefree life, she meets new friend all with troubled backgrounds and they naturally all bond together.

Anne is the strength and brains of the group and although she can be forthright and harsh at times, she cares deeply for others especially if they have suffered situations that were not their fault. She is a fighter for justice and will take onboard anyone needing a friend. She is the real captain of the ship and allows Jack to think he’s the captain although she is the one that holds them all together.

Anne loves a good party and can drink and dance with the best of them. Anne really does know how to grab life by the scruff of the neck and make the most of living.

Jack Calico

Jack is also based on a real pirate called John Rackham whose nickname was “Calico Jack” due to his flamboyant nature. Our Jack  is also the flamboyant member of our crew. He thinks of himself as “the captain” but no one else does. That’s fine because it tickles his own ego and that’s really all that matters to Jack. He fell in love with Anne when she saved him from deportation for a crime he did not commit. In fact, it was Anne who committed the crime and Jack got blamed for it. But he doesn’t see things with any depth. Live for the present is Jack’s motto. It is unfair to say Jack is thick, he just doesn’t think for himself very often and acts on impulse most of the time. It’s just as well Anne is there to reign him in every so often. Jack never misses a trick; he is cunning and astute but doesn’t show it. He cares for his friends and like Anne will always fight injustice.

Harry Bates

Harry was rescued from an abusive merchant navy sea captain on a raid and was the last member of the crew to join the happy band. Harry is kind and gentle and gives the group it’s human soul. He is also the one to advise caution when things might be getting a little out of hand, which happens quite often. He puts up with McTavish’s constant teasing because he knows McTavish only means it as a form of endearment. Harry has a very guarded secret which creates such a shock when it finally comes out. It may explain why McTavish is fond of Bates, but it is nothing to do with his nickname of “Cutthroat.” That is  because of something else entirely.

Angus McTavish

Angus McTavish or “Jock” as the crew call him was injured at the battle of Culloden and rescued by Anne. She led him to safety where she nursed him back to health. Ever grateful for her kindness, Jock would do anything for Anne and of all the crew he is the one that understands her the most. He knows the soul that lives beneath her gruff exterior. Jock is strong and forceful. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly and can easily fly off the handle. That said, bark is far worse than his bite. He is the intellect of the group and is the planner. He probably would not be a great friend of Jack in normal situations, but he respects him for being Anne’s husband. Jock is always there at his friends’ side when fighting for justice and fair play.

“Anne Bonny and her three daft henchmen tell us their stories, they weave a deeply enjoyable show which made me laugh a lot. With the folk tunes, the silly word games  and the tales of woe with their playful tone, Albici and Britten-Hull have succeeded in presenting a fun piece which has its tongue firmly in cheek. The scene-chewing ‘Jack Calico’, surely the curious cousin of Sparrow of the Caribbean, steals the show. Some feat with the amusing and mysterious Bates and the mad Scot of Culloden around. Taking inspiration from Captain Pugwash, Treasure Island, The Pirates of Penzance and the folk songs of Ireland, The Buccaneers is well worth a look. AMA Theatre are a fab team who do all their productions themselves and have done a lovely job here.” @Loureviews

We have been touring a condensed version of the outdoor show to festivals from May 2021 to gauge the public response, which has been tremendously possitive. We are ready for the full stage production touring from 23rd October 2021 with Preview Performance at Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre, before we set sail in 2022, touring to venues accross the UK.

Any Venues that might be interested in this production, please get in touch for a Tour Pack.

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