First of all, apologies for the lack of updates in the last year, which has swiftly gone by!!
We have been busy in that time; Strange Tales is back on screen and behind the scenes. We launched the third season of films on Halloween 2023, with Just Meat.
The film smashed all records for a Watchers release, with viewing numbers settling off after 13,000 views! We followed this release up with the second short of Season 3 -Dinner Date - on Valentines Day, which was received with massive number of compliments and comments.
While these two films were in post-production a lot of work behind the camera has been going on.
LOCKED
Firstly, after numerous false starts, change in cast, director, and a little-known thing called Covid – LOCKED – the co-production with Valiant Films – finally began filming in July, with production scheduled to wrap in September. LOCKED marks the final film that we originally announced back in 2018!! So, to see this go in front of the lens was fantastic. Directed by Teddy Smith who made Second Chances he is bringing us a new tale and we can not wait to share it with you. Talking of cast changes, we have a new member of cast in LOCKED.
Lucas Eisele has joined the cast and we are thrilled to have him on board, Lucas starred previously in the Tale Epimetheus.
All Alone, Not By Myself
Our animated Strange Tale is in production, a production like no other at Watchers - it has been in production now for two years and continues to be drawn by the talented Matthew Lee, a Welsh-based animator. It is written and directed by Matthew Ford -between them they are going to bring a truly unique Strange Tale.
The work conitinues on this one and - as you can imagine - a lot of work!
Chapter 2
This is a very different Strange Tale and also a production that we haven’t announced until now. Why? Because creatively it came about very quickly while we were working on everything else. This is a return to us working together with the talented Dramatic Moose Productions.
It’s different because it is a romantic comedy about grief. Lowri, a widow and singlemother, struggles with Cardiff’s dating scene. Her late husband was her childhood sweetheart; she hasn’t the first clue about apps or first date etiquette. Chapter Two explores the perils of dating when you’re widowed. Rejection is tough for anyone, even more so when you’ve lost the person you love. Lowri is not just looking for Mr.Right, she’s looking for Mr. Right who understands and accepts what she has been through. The series’ title is a phrase used amongst widows and widowers who have found their new partner; have found love again. We begin production on Saturday 10th August, and then continue to film over the next few months when the cast are available. It is written by Matthew Ford and Matthew Fisher, and to be directed by Rhys Jones. The film stars Jennifer Higgins as Lowri, Ben Wilson as Lowri’s late husband, Meic, and Christopher Maxwell as one of Lowri’s clueless dates, Gareth. We’re excited to announce two new cast members, who will be playing the roles of Lowri’s teenage children. Ruby Wilson has been cast as Beca, with Steve Ryan cast as Aidan.
Now, moving away from all things Strange Tales, and a different production from us, we arereturning to live theatre in December with Twinkle.
Twinkle
We are proud to announce our latest project: a stage production of Philip Meeks’ one-man show Twinkle.
November 2002. In a dilapidated theatre dressing room in a town that's seen better days, veteran pantomime dame Harold Thropp prepares to unleash the Widow for a very special event, which promises to be electrifying…
This darkly comic, often poignant, monologue touches on the art of performance, queer history, the impact of reality TV, and what it means to be “famous”.
Terrance Marshman-Edwards will be playing Harold. “Twinkle has been a passion project of mine since I first saw a production of it at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival,” he said. “I immediately fell in love with the show and thought ‘I’d love to do a production of this’. With the playscript having recently been republished by Playdead Press, I decided to take the plunge. Harold is the kind of role an actor relishes, and there’s plenty for me to get my teeth into here. Not to mention the on-stage transformation that’s going to occur before the audience’s very eyes! If you like your festive entertainment a little darker, Twinkle would make a great alternative Christmas night out.”
Directed by Christopher Maxwell (TALK, The Universe PLC), Twinkle will take place at Llanover Hall Arts Centre, Romilly Road, Cardiff CF5 1FH for three performances only: Thursday 12th December, Friday 13th December, and Saturday 14th December 2024 (6:30pm doors for 7:00pm performance). Audience capacity is strictly limited to 90 seats per performance, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
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