JEN X FILMS - Production Company www.jenxfilms.com
WILD THYME PRODUCTIONS - Production Company
www.wtproductions.co.uk
JOKER'S PACK - Production Company www.jokerspack.com
QUICK RUN FILMS - Production Company www.quickrunfilms.com
THE WHITE HOUSE - Editing Suite
www.thewhitehouse.com
The Albany Theatre
www.thealbany.org.uk
RICHARD OLIVER - photographer
www.richardoliverphotography.com
Kim Hardy - Photographer
The Riots (see Concrete Jungle Facebook)
UPSTANDING PRODUCTIONS - Production Company
www.upstandingproductions.com
JAMES LAYTON - Cinematographer
www.jameslayton.com
SCRUFFBAG PRODUCTIONS - Production Company www.scruffbagproductions.com
THEATRE
CONCRETE JUNGLE by Bola Agbaje
Concrete Jungle Workshops (Contact us for more information, we are now in partnership with Haringey, Southwark & Lambeth Council as well as The Pleasance Theatre)
December 2011- XLP began a work experience programme with The Concrete Jungle Team.
August 2011- We began co-producing with WILD THYME PRODUCTIONS (The Kings Speech)
July 2011- First read at The Lyric Hammersmith (Full House) Camden Roundhouse 'It's the best piece of theatre we've seen all year.'
WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE by Sanra Quartey
November 2011 - script developed in workshop for rehearsed reading at Soho Theatre early 2012.
HAROLD MATSONS
2010 - Sony and Columbia gave us the go ahead to adapt one of our favourite motion pictures for stage.
REALITY SHOW by Rosie Fiore
January 2012 - workshop development
FILM
WAX has been selected by Zero Film Festival
August 2011 - In talks to develop Concrete Jungle to film.
January 2012 - plans to develop a comedy TV Pilot
If you are a comedy writer get in touch!
Based on true life interviews. Concrete Jungle explores the lives of girls in gangs - some being born into it, a handful seduced by it, others oblivious to it and a few victims of it.
First read at The Lyric Hammersmith 15th July 2011.
Delving into the heart of South Africa through the eyes of one camera man. Three womens stories of sexual assault. Two Countries. One Media
This production has had interest from Soho Theatre throughout development.
Gerldine James OBE ' 'A fantastic portrayal of a dark, entangled relationship, that stays with you long after you have left the theatre'
**** Reviews
Battersea Acquire Arts 1st -18th August 2009.
Return to Productions
CONCRETE JUNGLE
Written by Olivier Award Winner Bola Agbaje
Set on one of London's most dangerous estates Concrete Jungle follows a group of young people with different pasts and uncertain destinies. The play looks at the roles women play in gangs.
Some are born into it, a handful are seduced by it, others are oblivious to it and a few are victims of it. It’s not easy living in the Concrete Jungle.
Taken from true life stories, Concrete Jungle reveals what life is really like on London’s roughest estates. After run-ins with the police, interviews with Gang Leaders, liaising with London’s youth offenders and discovering what our politicians have to say, Concrete Jungle gives a deeper insight into the reality of our rising gang culture.
Supported by
The Lyric Hammersmith
The Young Vic directors programme
Rada, XLP, The Actors Temple, Haringey Council,
Metal Culture
THE MAKING OF CONCRETE JUNGLE
Concrete Jungle began under the title Girl Gangs as a reaction to the rising gang culture depicted in the Media and our experience from working with young offenders across London. The aim was to find the truth behind the statistics and sensationalised headlines and to challenge change. We started investigating female roles within this world. We were thrown into a world of broken families, absent parents, poverty and a government and police force who fail to do enough. In today’s selective society where the misfits are often rejected there is an ever increasing yearning for stability, safety, recognised identity, financial security, and family.
SEEKING THE TRUTH
We interviewed politicians, police, teachers, gang leaders, teenagers, prisoners and the next generation of ‘Elders’ to get the full story. Getting the full story never proved easy and after going into establishments, we hit the streets and asked people directly. We experienced the police first hand whilst questioning young people in Stonebridge Park and got a much deeper insight to how the system really works when we were assumed to be on the wrong side of the law because we had entered this notorious estate and spoken to young boys in hoodies.
METAL CULTURE
February 2011 Concrete Jungle began a collaborative process with five actors, director Zoe Lafferty and writer Bola Agbaje at Metal Culture Southend. The script development began through workshop, using the research and interviews and continously returning back to the truth of what really happens, looking at the root of the problem and unlike many recent productions divulging womens roles within gangs.
Eighteen months on Concrete Jungle reveals who the boys and girls behind the hoodies really are.
Police questioning and Stop and Search
Place: Stonebridge Park
Date: February 18th 2011
Time: 17:00pm
On February 18th 2011 whilst researching Concrete Jungle we met three young residents of the notorious Stonebridge Park Estate. On approaching the estate they said “'What you doing round this endz?....Do you know where you? This is the ghetto. You know you’'re like in the real ghetto. You girls aren’t safe here.'” We began talking to them and discussed their views on the government, rising gang culture and their daily lives. They showed us around the estate and told us what life was like in Stonebridge Park.
Out of what seemed like nowhere ten home clothed police officers jumped out of undercover cars, shouting ‘Stand against the wall and put your hands where we can see them’. We were then separated and told to keep our hands out of pockets, we were not permitted to use our mobile phones and we were held for an hour and half as they took down our details and interviewed us. We were told that we would have the right to know why we had been stopped once we had been searched. It was said that there had been some reports of gang activity in the area, however we were later told that the police can stop and search groups and we now consisted of a group.
After being searched we were released with the following warnings “'You are lucky it didn’t turn out differently. …Go back to where you came from and stay there.”' The contrasting treatment of the young men and us was very clear. The police had continuously questioned why we were on the estate and reiterated the dangers of being on such an estate. It seemed that it was ok for these young men to be on this estate but not for us to be.
BOLA AGBAJE - writer
Bola Agbaje is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. Bola has had plays presented at the Royal Court Theatre, Tricycle Theatre and Albany Theatre to name a few. Bola’s plays address issues of youth identity, stereotypes and culture.
Bola won the (2008) Outstanding achievement in an Affiliated Theatre Laurence Olivier Award for her first play Gone too Far (2007). In (2010) Bola also won the Women of the Future Award in the Arts and Culture category. Best Playwright at the African Film Awards and the Red Magazine Red’s Hot Women to watch in the Red’s Hot Women Awards.
ZOE LAFFERTY - director
Zoe has directed, assistant directed and written for theatre and film in London, Russia, New York, Palestine, Afghanistan and Europe.
She is currently developing ‘'Talks with the Taliban'’ in Afghanistan with Paul Wood the BBC Correspondent and working on Waiting for Godot at The Freedom Theatre, Palestine .
‘'Sho Kman?'’ which she co-directed at The Freedom Theatre, is currently touring France, Germany, Austria and Switerzand.
She has trained in Britain and Russia in both theatre and film.
THE PRODUCERS
Lara and Tansy began working on Concrete Jungle under the Girl Gangs title in late 2009. After several years of working with young offenders, they had come to see that young people in London felt a huge separation from the rest of society. Re-occurring comments of ' You don't understand,' young people's idea of 'Us and them' and parents whose comments to their children included 'You're a tramp and you'll always be a tramp' inspired them to find the truth behind London's growing Gang Culture. They aimed to show the complexities of these young people who often see no other choice before them.
LARA DOREE - producer
Lara produces both theatre and film. She co-produced under Caravanserai Productions for several years, where she worked on 'The Other Side of the Wall' in the RSAD Sahara amongst many other productions including six plays in Edinburgh. Lara has spent several years working with Young Offenders and within prisons throughout Britain prior to interviewing gangs for Concrete Jungle. Much of her work is inspired by current affairs and her work has been received worldwide, including Cannes, Toronto, Spain and Italy.
TANSY ADAIR - producer
Tansy has been producing, directing and devising for several years, much of her work is influenced by worldwide current affairs. Her work has featured in Cannes, Paris, Barcelona and London. Most recently she has worked on the film Stushi and Cap with Bridgewater Boxing Group and in RSAD Sahara on The Other Side of the Wall. She has lead workshops with ex and current gang members, youth offenders and been a peer mentor for the National Youth Theatre.
Photos by Richard Oliver copyright © 2011
NEWS
Concrete Jungle was very excellently received at The Lyric Hammersmith on the !5th of July 2011. Camden Roundhouse said 'it was the best piece of theatre they had seen all year.'
Other opinions included 'the play moved away from stereotypes, was inspiring, educational and presented love, loyalty and humour as well as tragedy and the reoccurring life cycles in a fresh and dynamic way. It reflected a different aspect of gang life, a totally absorbing and credible story, with truly authentic characters.
DATES
15/07/2011
Rehearsed reading at the Hammersmith Lyric.
12/07/2001
Showcase of scenes at the Young Vic.
09/07/2011
The company go back into rehearsal.
05/05/2011
Development reading at RADA.
Ludere Productions & Upstanding Productions
In Association with
Wild Thyme Productions
THE WORLD CUP 2010, South Africa is brought to the forefront of everyones minds by the Media, it's politics questioned, people's beliefs documented, racism and sexual assaults shock the world, but as the teams return home so does the Media.
Based in the heart of South Africa three women from diverse cultural backgrounds come to realise that they're not worlds apart at all. Reality Show explores themes of violence, fear, shame, isolation, compassion and love through the eyes of one camera man and his ruthless documentary maker.
A fearless, witty and inspiring play that hits home, revealing the Reality of life in South Africa after the show is perceived as over.
It is estimated that a woman born in South Africa has a greater chance of being raped than learning to read.
Every 3 minutes a girl in South Africa will experience a sexual assault.
1 in 2 women will experience some form of sexual assault before they reach 15 years old.
In a recent survey amongst school children in the Soweto Township, a quarter of all boys interviewed said that '‘Jackrolling'’ a term used for gang rape, was fun.
It’s estimated 5.7 million people are living with HIV and Aids and South Africa today.
A common belief held by many South Africans is that sexual intercourse with a virgin will cure HIV and Aids.
South Africa has some of the highest incidences of child and baby rape in the world.
ROSIE FIORE - writer
Rosie was born in South Africa and has been working in London for several years now. As well as being known for her novels Rosie enjoys writing for stage too. 'Babies in Waiting' will be published by Quercus in March 2012.
Credits include: 'This Years Black', 'Lame Angel'
TRACY LEIGH-BATCHELOR - Karen
South African born actress
Credits include: The Open Couple, Six Women, Consciously Damaged.
FIONA GRAHAM - Amanda
New York based actress
Credits include: Hilder, The Tempest, Dr Faustus
**** ‘A powerful juxtaposition, dark, tragic, explosive and thought-provoking’ - South London Paper
**** ‘I would just urge anyone who loves theatre, to go see this. This will restore your faith.’ - Remote Goat
The strange and complex relationships of four lonely women trapped together grow and entangle until an explosion of violence seems inevitable. Based on the true story of the Papin Sisters which also inspired Jean Genet's 'The Maids', this play explores the desperation of unfulfilled hopes and the cruelty, jealousy and manipulation which can manifest from love.
Zoe is also working with Ludere Productions on Concrete Jungle.
LIANA LYQUIST - movement director
She has had extensive experience as a movement director assisting in a repertoire covering the classics, contemporary work farce and beyond. Recent work includes Phaedra (Riverside Theatre); Explore (Bristol); Othello (Basingstoke Theatre) and the Swiss / German feature film Swiss Groundling. Liana is Senior Tutor in Movement at Drama Centre.
MARK DUFFIELD - Lighting Design
Mark has worked on several features films, whilst also working at Drama Centre London. Mark joined My Sister in this House for the shoot as well as the stage play.
JAMES LAYTON - sound design
James has been working for several years as a cinematographer all over the world. He has worked alongside Oscar nominated directors throughout his career including Chris Jones (Gone Fishing.)
Return to Films
Festival Selection
ZERO FILM FESTIVAL TORONTO
CAPALBIOCINEMA
DU GRAIN A DEMOUDRE
Selected in the top 20 Indie Films at Cannes Court Metrage
CANNES SHORT FILM CORNER 2011
Invited to The Film Trailer Festival
Distribution
WAX is currently available as an Apple App visit:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/play-festival-films/id433354017?ls=1&mt=8
Press Releases
http://www.1888pressrelease.com/-play-festival-films-free-ipad-app-to-watch-exclusive-film-pr-325554.html
WAX - Programmed at Zero Film Festival
Friday 2nd September
MARK J. BLACKMAN - director
Mark is an Award winning director who directs TV, Film, Promos and music videos,
Awards include:
2005 — Promax UK: Gold: Best Film Promo for 'Panic Room.'
2009 — Honolulu International Film Festival: Aloha Accolade Award for Achievement in Filmmaking
2009 — Urban Forest Award: Best Director [for 'Sweet Sorrow']
2007 — Houston International Film Festival: Bronze Remi Award [for 'Blood']
KEVIN PACEY - writer
Known for his work with a political undertone, Kevin has been nominated for and won several awards including:
2008/09 - Finalist in the Red Planet Prize.
2008 - Shortlisted for the BBC Sharps initiative 2008.
2010 - Shortlisted in the BBC 'In the Red' scheme.
2011 - Finalist in the BlueCat Fellini Award.
Ellie hopes to marry a footballer and be famous.
Crystal wants to make money.
Ever thought of renting a Bridesmaid? Wanted to look the best on your big day and not be upstaged....
This week Ellie and Crystal set their hopes high with The Middleton's wedding!
JULIE BOWER - writer
A comedy writer whose work has broadcast on various sketch shows on BBC Radio including Tilt (BBC 7) One and Broken Arts (Radio 4, David Quantick) and BBC Comedy Extra Online, including their most viewed sketch of 2009: 'X Husband'. Julie has also written several films.
HENRY BLAKE - director
Henry has directed in London, Berlin and The Sahara (Fi Sahara) amongst many other countries.
Henry's credits include: Blue Remembered Hills (tour), the Flea (acting coach.)
BBC online: 'Nice moments between two women who manage to strike a good balance between being funny and being realistic!'
Hatrick Productions: 'Very funny'
Contact us:
Telephone: + 44 (0) 777 9787 403
Email:
For general information including
work experience
info_ludereproductions.com
Lara Doree - producer
Please contact with all Artistic suggestions
and script suggestions
lara_ludereproductions.com
Tansy Adair - associate producer
tansy_ludereproductions.com
Administration
rosh_ludereproductions.com
Sponsorship
sponsorship_ludereproductions.com
For Film
Including distribution
film_ludereproductions.com
Ludere Productions copyright © 2011
