Colin's Avatar Family
You too can pay to not see this show!​​
AVATARS ASSEMBLE! (the origin story)
So. Brockley Jack. February 2024.
Bookings were slow ...
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I needed to come up with A Cunning Plan.
this was it
To those of you who can’t come to see “Lear’s Shadow” because you’re in the wrong city/country/continent/frame of mind – I say:
“Can’t come? That’s okay - Buy a ticket anyway!”
NOT streaming! Oh, no no no noooo my friends, way way BETTER than streaming, ‘cos you don’t even have to watch the bloody thing!
Just buy a sexy little ticket for one of the shows, then dm me to let me know which night you’re (not) in.
I will then create an Avatar (cardboard cutout) and place it in your seat. I will know that Avatar (cardboard cutout) is you because I will attach a label to the Avatar (cardboard cutout) with your name on it.
Bring a date! You could (not) see it with a loved one!
After the show I will take a saucy little selfie with your Avatar (cardboard cutout), post it on Facebook/Instagram, with a report of how brilliantly the show went and what a great time you had.
I guarantee you a night you’ll never remember!
Here’s the link: …and a wink ;)
Hard to resist, huh? Go on, you know you wanna…”
So the ghostly figures in the gallery below represent the lovely people who paid to NOT watch me doing my acting.
(check out their reviews)
I’ve widened the parameters since then, to include people who couldn’t come to the show because… well, they’re dead.
So dotted around you might spot my mum, my dad, my late brother Dave, my Nan, Auntie Berenice, plus a couple of people who nurtured the geeky little teenage Colin in his Youth Theatre days: Ann Payne, and Maurice Gilmore. Also a couple of influences who I just can’t find, so I don’t know what plane they exist in, but I wanted to honour them. David Ratcliffe, razor sharp, world-weary, witty and wonderfully encouraging, and the quite amazing Paul Ward, who directed the first play I was in, at Alderman Newton’s Girl’s School (I know!) and without whose unconditional support and nurture I’d never have had the life I’ve had, (and whose facial hair is now my template ).
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Avatar Evolution...
“…humble beginnings…”
Prototype. Made from recycled cardboard boxes donated by neighbours
As you can see, the original was a bit more 3D, but the “arms”, though handy for sitting them up in a seat, gave them a wingspan that was not portable, so I’ve trimmed them down for travelling.
