This summer, Black Bat Productions returns to the Fringe with a ferocious new production of Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller’s IN EVERGLADE STUDIO: a dark comedy / psychological thriller, packed with brand-new original music, and headed to a month-long Edinburgh Fringe run with the wonderful Assembly Festival.
This show’s rich 1970s aesthetics require some financial support to get right. Plus, with our dedication to live instrumental performances, and the special effects which are key to the show’s biggest and bloodiest twist (no spoilers!), your contribution might be the thing that gets us there!
ABOUT BLACK BAT PRODUCTIONS
We make theatre that's original, fast-paced, stylish, and more often than not set in the past. The settings of our plays have so far traversed the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, allowing for memorable and creative soundtracks, visuals, and costumes - yet the subject matter never loses sight of issues facing contemporary society every day. In playing with the past we aim to address the audience's present, while giving them a very good time and a piece of theatre that's just as innovative as it is enjoyable.
In Everglade Studio will be Black Bat’s sixth Edinburgh Fringe Festival premiere, following multiple critically acclaimed runs. (★★★★★ “Pleasurably wicked” – Broadway Baby, ★★★★★ “Fringe theatre does not get much better than this” – Violet Curtain, ★★★★★ "The most intelligent piece of theatre I have ever seen at the Fringe" - EdFringe Review).
Visit our website to learn more about our ventures past and present, at blackbat.uk
THE SHOW
In 1974 London, three musicians and their manager seal themselves inside an underground recording studio to complete an Americana album, unaware that materials in the walls are driving them to the brink of insanity.
As artistic and social tensions flare, the atmosphere grows thornier, the music grows stranger, and Everglade Studio’s mixture of creativity and claustrophobia demands its pound of flesh.
MEET THE TEAM
Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller (Writer, Director & Lyricist): Nathaniel is a mixed-race and Jewish playwright and director. He has directed 28 theatrical productions and written ten original plays, including five acclaimed premieres at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (★★★★★ “Genius” - Broadway Baby, ★★★★★ "Wonderful" - Violet Curtain), and multiple London runs with his production company Black Bat Productions, which he founded in 2017. His recent works include theatre-industry satire THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS and pressure-cooker story of Black and Jewish tension BLOOD RED APPLES & DEEP GOLD HONEY, which was developed with the Almeida Theatre and nominated for the George Devine Award in 2022. Nathaniel is represented by Independent Talent Group Ltd.
Aveev Isaacson (Composer): Aveev is an actor, composer & director of Jewish-Russian heritage. In his early years he studied piano & composition and specialised in History of Theatre at Thelma-Yellin School for the Arts. He then moved to the UK to train as an actor with Mountview. Recently he made his debut as music director for NEWSREVUE (Canal Café Theatre), wrote & directed the short WORST TREATED THINGS (The Unseen), and composed original music for a bilingual production of Brecht’s THE CHALK CIRCLE – set in 1930s Palestine and performed in both Arabic and Hebrew (Goodman School of Acting). He continues to work internationally on and off-stage, recently as an assistant director on productions of SALOME, CARMEN & TOSCA (The Israeli Opera).
Dominika Uçar (Set & Costume Designer): Dominika is a director, performer and visual artist born in London. She studied Painting at the University of Edinburgh before her Masters in Advanced Theatre Practice at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She is one of the Co-founders of Deadweight, an experimental theatre company specialised in devised, participatory performance. She recently wrote and directed RUBBERNECKS (★★★★★) and KEEP ME IN THE LOOP with Deadweight. Dominika is also drawn to examining corporate spaces and the impact of the modern workplace, as seen in her other productions of CONTRACTIONS (★★★★) and MOSQUITOES (★★★★★). Recently, she has taken on more producing work, including a producing placement with ShyBairn Theatre.
Bella Cavicchi (Executive Producer): Bella is a theatre artist, educator, and freelance producer. She is an alumna of Brown University and the University of Cambridge, having taken a particular focus at both institutions on the radical possibilities of devising theatre with young people. As a producer, recent credits include STRANGE CONTAGIONS (Camden People’s Theatre, 2023) and RUBBERNECKS (Deadweight Theatre, 2023). She was also a member of the Almeida’s Young Producers Cohort in Fall 2022, currently serves on Boundless Theatre’s Advisory Group, and otherwise spends her time teaching drama at a secondary school just outside of London.
Alyth Ross (playing Skye): Growing up on a working farm near Lockerbie, Scotland, Alyth Ross is a recent acting graduate with a promising future ahead. She began her career at 15, moving to Glasgow to study full-time at the Dance School of Scotland at Knightswood, where she juggled both high-school exams and intensive musical theatre training. After securing a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama aged just 17, Alyth then moved to London to continue her studies and - despite graduating in the challenging 'covid year' of 2021 - swiftly made a name for herself as an emerging young talent, being named a ‘Sleeper Star’ by Decider in 2022. Alyth's recent credits include leading roles in the acclaimed series LAST LIGHT (Amazon Prime/MGM), DALGLEISH (Channel 4), and the short film PERSONAL BEST (BFI Network), directed by 2023 Cannes winner Lara Peake. She also stars alongside Eva Green in the upcoming feature film DIRTY ANGELS, directed by Martin Campbell and set to release later this year. Represented by the Independent Talent Group (ITG), ‘In Everglade Studios’ is Alyth’s professional stage debut.
Hannah Oluwatoyosi Omisore (playing Matilda): Hannah is a Nigerian-British actress based in London; who spent time at IDSA, exploring screen, text, voice and movement, as well as partaking in an 8-month theatre program at Talawa Theatre Company. As a storyteller, she is interested in exploring complex and diverse writing and characters through acting, movement and singing on stage & screen. Credits include: THE SKIN I MOVE IN (BBC New Creatives), STAND UP (London Film School) and IN EVERGLADE STUDIO (Mountview MA Director’s Showcase).
OUR JOURNEY
In Everglade Studio began as a final year project at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where - after opening to enthusiastic acclaim from guests and colleagues alike - the creators have decided to develop it further, in order to bring it to new and exciting audiences.
The show has since undergone a massive overhaul, with previously covered songs being replaced with original music paying homage to the grungy, powerful and highly eclectic '70s Rock style. In its new incarnation, we believe In Everglade Studio is the perfect next adventure for Black Bat at the EdFringe.
Whilst offering a boatload of entertainment - with its unique combination of Gig-Theatre meets Psychological Thriller, glorious 70s costumes & fast-paced Satire - the show also packs a heavier punch, as it spirals into the depths of socio-economic and racial tensions in the 20th century Rock 'n' Roll scene, asking captivating questions about the delicate relationship between art and artist.
To allow our audiences the full Everglade experience - we need your help!
PRODUCTION COSTS
With your contribution, we'll be able to fund:
- Venue Hire: £1,500
- Instruments Hire: £1,300
- Marketing & Printing: £800
- Prod. Transportation: £650
- Set, Costumes & Props: £500
- Fringe Registration: £400
- Sound Design: £230
- Make-Up & Effects: £135
- Prod. Insurance: £110
- BG Music Licensing: £25
- Sundries: £100
Total (not inc. accommodation): £5,750
FURTHER DONATIONS
At Black Bat we work tirelessly to ensure that our performers and creatives are supported throughout the run. Since all our talent are currently based outside of Edinburgh - any additional donations beyond our production costs will be used directly to assist the team in paying for their accommodation.
The costs of staying at Edinburgh during the summer months at times exceed even that of the production itself, and while we can't guarantee full coverage of these costs, we know that any amount of assistance will help our performers be more available, both mentally and physically, during the month-long run and the months preceding it.
✪ ✪ ✪ THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR PROJECT ✪ ✪ ✪
- If you'd like to donate, but have any qualms or queries - please do not hesitate to contact us via our website (blackbat.uk), Twitter (@BlackBatUK) or email us at [email protected]