Directing
I recently finished directing...
MACBETH
by William Shakespeare
OCTOBER 2014
at
Eastwood Park Theatre, Glasgow for Giffnock Theatre Players
King Duncan rules Scotland. Macbeth is one of his Generals, admired by the King for his courage and abilities - his future is looking bright. But when Macbeth is sought out by three witches who enticingly prophesy he will inherit Duncan's throne and become King of Scotland, Macbeth is spiralled into a bloody chain of events - murder, a greedy rise to power, guilt, madness, and ultimately a tragic fall to defeat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gInE2cxdpY
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Glasgow Quakers for Scottish Refugee week 2014
Voices From Beyond the Dark
by Ariel Dorfman
Antigone
[2013]
for Strathclyde Theatre Group Robert Fagles translation of Sophocles'
ANTIGONE
by Sophocles
(photos by Gavin McQueen)
November 2013
directed by Mark Coleman
Both eternal and timely, ancient and modern, the 2500-year-old Antigone is about the very same political and ethical struggles we face in the world right now.
Mark Coleman bold new production sets Sophocles’ tragedy in a radical Islamist state.
"Any concerns about the change of context were amply dispelled by the touching and delicate handling of not only Mark Coleman's direction but also his apt and sparse Set Design which makes the words and universal warnings that have made Sophocles words so relevant for nearly three millennia centre stage as they should be." Tariq Kataria
"Antigone doesn’t disappoint. There are many long, passionate speeches in this play, nicely contrasted by the constant movement and rhythmic group storytelling of the chorus. A bumbling Sentry and bejeweled prophet also bring some comic lightness to the overall tragedy. All the cast wear the long, loose clothes and headscarves of the Middle East. This, along with the plain set and sandy floor gives a stark desert backdrop to the story. The chorus, with their white-painted faces and sand-coloured clothes, become part of the landscape and the relentless waves of fate moving in on the King.Creon was convincingly complex. Initially calmly confident in his position, he increasingly beats back good counsel and warnings of disaster with agitated rage, causing events to spiral into inevitable tragedy for everyone. His eventual howling grief and humility come far too late.Running for two hours with no interval, this production holds the attention from start to finish. Human nature hasn’t changed over millennia, and the clashes between the characters stick in the mind long after the play has finished." Elizabeth Holland
CORIOLANUS
by William Shakespeare
(2012)
AFTER THE DANCE by Terrence Rattigan (2012)
Coleman's interpretation and handling of both characters and plot contributed greatly to presenting this dated piece of drama as living theatre - utilising every strength of his large cast. The more I write about this evening at the theatre, the more I realise that Mr Coleman and GTP should be immensely proud of their achievements; it is because of them that the evening works."
****
LOVERS by Brian Friel
with DOP Paul Darroch
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
by Joseph Kesselring
April 2013
Eastwood Theatre, Giffnock Theatre Players
"Mr Coleman's interpretation and handling of both characters and plot contributed greatly to presenting this dated piece of drama as living theatre - utilising every strength of his large cast. The more I write about this evening at the theatre, the more I realise that Mr Coleman and GTP should be immensely proud of their achievements; it is because of them that the evening works."
****
'The Crucible' (Arthur Miller)
Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow
"
Arthur Miller's brilliant scenario was consistently sustained in this hugely worthwhile production. Director Mark Coleman was right to keep things simple. The simplicity heightened the drama, which was acted out with great power and feeling" ****
The Mail on Sunday"Absolute genius... Brilliant." ****StrathclydeTelegraph
'A Hard Heart' (Howard Barker)
Strathclyde Theatre Group
"Much of the power of Howard Barker's self-defined 'theatre of catastrophe' can be felt in this fine production of an extraordinary play. Director Mark Coleman exhibits a tremendous grasp of the beautiful austerity of Barker's writing, enabling us to feel the full tragic impact of the drama even as the playwright's political and philosophical conundrums explode inside our minds... Ultimately one leaves the theatre feeling that one has been in contact with truly great tragic theatre. That is something which many of Scotland's professional companies would struggle to achieve."
Mark Brown Edinburgh Guide
'Tally's Blood' (Ann Marie di Mambro)
Strathclyde Theatre Group
"I wanted to say how much I enjoyed your production... I can't tell you how much it moved me to see it performed and directed so beautifully."
Email from playwright Ann Marie di Mambro
On the set of Tally's Blood
'Lovers~ Winners & Losers' (Brian Friel) GTP at Eastwood Park Theatre, Glasgow
"'Lovers' at The Giffnock Theatre directed by Mark Coleman was fabulous in its sophisticated simplicity. The narration helped to tell the story of Mag and Joe with such clarity and originality that I was hooked on the very first word. Jennifer and Sam were brilliant as the two tragic but engaging young Lovers. Well done and congratulations to all who took part in this wonderful production."
dramamadzone.blogspot.com
Nobillisima Femina; Cornerstone Festival, 1999
Reel Life; NSCO at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2002
The Crucible; STG, 2003
Awake and Sing!; STG, 2004
Timon of Athens; STG, 2005
A Hard Heart; STG, 2006
Anna Karenina; Razed Curtain/ STG, 2007
Macbeth; Shakespeare Schools Festival, 2007
Tally's Blood; Ramshorn Theatre, 2008
The House of Bernarda Alba; Eastwood Theatre, 2009
Lost in Yonkers; Giffnock Theatre Players, 2011
Missing/ Backbone; Ugly Pup, Tron Theatre, 2011
Lovers (Winners & Losers); Eastwood Park Theatre, 2011
2h:9m:37s: One man's Experience of Insomnia, small-scale tour 2011-12
After the Dance; Eastwood Park Theatre, 2012
Coriolanus; STG, Cottiers Theatre, 2012
Arsenic and Old Lace, GTP, Eastwood ParkTheatre, 2013
Antigone, Strathclyde Theatre Group, Cottiers Theatre, 2013
Tally's Blood by Ann Marie di Mambro
Anna Karenina (Razed CurtainTheatre Company, 2007)
Lost in Yonkers (2010, Giffnock Theatre Players)
Arsenic and Old Lace, (GTP Eastwood Theatre, 2013)
