|
Post by 94augrad on Jul 12, 2008 22:37:58 GMT -5
Ok, I didn't see a thread for anything having to do with MJ's misc. theater work. So, I figured I would start one. Thanks for posting the program and the pic. I must say, that picture of Mandana is stunning. It really brings out her eyes.
I've got a question, what was this production about? I have never heard of it.
|
|
|
Post by jilly2000 on Jul 13, 2008 17:35:46 GMT -5
Ok, I didn't see a thread for anything having to do with MJ's misc. theater work. So, I figured I would start one. Thanks for posting the program and the pic. I must say, that picture of Mandana is stunning. It really brings out her eyes. I've got a question, what was this production about? I have never heard of it. ABOUT THE PLAY---The Office Party by John Godber. The staff of The Chapman and Howard Advertising Company have spent the past twelve months preparing for their traditional Christmas bash. Last year's party resulted in a visit from the police and the managing director's divorce! This year, the plans have been changed to avoid any such scandal. But when the music starts and the drinks flow, no-one can be sure exactly what will happen! John Godber's comic drama leads seven diverse characters through the minefield of office politics, petty differences and hidden desires that is... the office party! 11 November to 3 December 1994 The Office Party by John Godber Cast: Pippa – Gaynor Faye Bob – William Ilkley Patti – Gillian Tompkins Andy – Iain Rogerson Lee – Dan Swinton Gavin – Michael Simkins Jo – Mandana Jones Director – Richard Lewis myweb.tiscali.co.uk/theatrefusion/TheatreFusion%20present%20The%20Office%20Party%20by%20John%20Godber.htmwww.watfordtheatre.co.uk/p146.html
|
|
|
Post by 94augrad on Jul 13, 2008 20:03:44 GMT -5
Thanks jilly for the info.
|
|
|
Post by coolbyrne on Jul 14, 2008 5:37:56 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that, jilly. 94augrad- some folks here were lucky enough to have seen Mandana in "Othello". Maybe they'll share a story or two. *hint hint*
|
|
|
Post by topcat on Jul 14, 2008 6:33:53 GMT -5
I've found a bit more about the character of Jo. Looking at the cast list, it could be perceived that the character is not a large role (last in listing) but it would seem that is not the case from the synopsis. Jo is the catalyst of the piece.
It's the night of the annual office bash, an event threatened by recession but saved by the winning of the account for a wretched canned drink called Aqua Viva. The men have arrived too early. The office women -- wives are never invited -- are nowhere in sight.
Act I flashes back to the events leading up to the occasion, a period marked mainly by the hiring of an account executive whose name, Jo, at first gives no clue to her sex, though her sex eventually gives many clues to the character of the men in the office. There is the decent Andy, married but bored, who works into the nights with Jo on the Aqua Vita campaign. There is Gavin Chapman, the volatile managing director, who brought in the ambitious, talented Jo to give the business a jolt. There is Bob, another member of the creative staff, whose mind is usually on sex and whose body is rarely to be found around the office. There is Lee, the odd man out, because as a graphics designer he understands computers.
And there are the office women. Besides Jo, there are Patty, the single mother who handles the finances, and Pippa, the good-time secretary. The women turn up -- dressed to kill -- in the climax to Act I. The party plays itself out through Act II: heavy eating, drinking, dancing and the point where the brain says go home and the alcohol says stick around, see what happens. And so, through the night, there are the overtures, the confessions, the tears, the signals read and misread; and in the sunshine of a new day, winners and losers.
Elsewhere, the character is described as a 'femme fatale' and gets it on with the married man.
Enter The Woman, the catalyst Jo Stewart who is the new accounts handler from another company. No one expected that she would be a woman and everyone is pleasantly surprised – especially the men. Elegant, intelligent, sophisticated and aggressive, she sweeps Chapman and Howard off its feet. Andy occupies himself by working with Jo late into the night while Gavin continually hits on her and Bob and Lee merely dare to dream and drool……. Andy and Jo are the real pigs of the story. Andy seems to have a happy marriage before he met Jo, but he had to ‘give it a go’ to prove himself even though deep down he knew he was wrong. As for Jo, she knew Andy was married but played the game with him anyway. She flirted, tossed her skirts and her head to catch the attention of any living man.
Also, amusingly, the character is called Jo Stewart.....
|
|
|
Post by jilly2000 on Jul 14, 2008 10:34:47 GMT -5
From the description of the character Jo, it looks like Mandana had a main role and an exciting one, TC. I can just imagine her playing the "femme fatale". As for the "She flirted, tossed her skirts and her head to catch the attention of any living man".lol
Well I hope her next role will be a rom com one.
|
|
|
Post by 94augrad on Jul 14, 2008 15:51:50 GMT -5
Since I'm rather new to the MJ fan club I would love to hear stories about Othello. TC, I thought the character name Jo Stewart was amusing as well. Also, thanks for the synopsis.
|
|
|
Post by topcat on Jul 16, 2008 8:03:02 GMT -5
What would you like to know augrad? About the play or more about the meetings with Ms Jones?
Is it me or is CAM's listing for Mandana both inaccurate and full of ommissions?
Firstly, they say her main training was Desmond Jones school of Mime. We all know, from theatre programmes, interviews etc etc that she trained at the prestigious London Drama Centre. Her graduation details are even listed on some theatre database (the name escapes me). Why such an error? OK, she may have trained at both but, surely, LDC is far more recognised and accomplished.
We know that Occasional, Strong is missing - small role but it was a film. She also did some radio work on Sheridan Morley's show (again the name escapes me and the BBC link about it is down). A Doctors appearance is not listed.
On the other hand, some plays are listed that haven't been mentioned in theatre biographies like being directed by Alan Cumming in Bonjour la Bonjour (although the play is misspelt on CAM).
They have listed something called The Desert. I can't find any play by that name nor a theatre director called David Wax. Should it read The Desert Song??? Was it just some random try out at The Edinburgh Festival?
|
|
|
Post by jilly2000 on Jul 16, 2008 10:51:03 GMT -5
Well isn't it up to Mandana to see that her profile/CV on the CAM website is accurate and up-to-date? I think she should have a talk with who ever is charge of putting the stuff up. ;D There's a lot of dif between 3yrs training at the London Drama school and a 3 month course at the mime school. If they've left out many of her accomplishments it is maybe due to space and keeping the CV short. After all casting directors are only interested in any big roles and the latest acting gig. Speaking of dif acting parts Mandana has played over the yrs. I was exhausted just reading the many theatre roles she has gone thru. No wonder she was physically and spiritually done in. She mentions this in her 1st interview during her 'London Bridge' days. She also mentions about buying her first flat. Does that mean she was lucky to have escaped the high london real estate prices?
|
|
|
Post by 94augrad on Jul 16, 2008 12:11:43 GMT -5
I'm familiar with the play Othello, so I would like to know more about the meetings with MJ. Now, if there was an interesting take on this particular production of Othello I would like to know about that as well.
|
|
|
Post by coolbyrne on Jul 16, 2008 20:21:34 GMT -5
I don't know if it's her responsibility, but I would have a talk with the folks in charge anyway and ask where in the heck her money was going if they couldn't keep a simple CV updated!! She's paying them to promote her- I would think they should be obligated to promote her in an accurate manner.
|
|
|
Post by justafan on Jul 16, 2008 21:37:28 GMT -5
Yet another example of Mandana not seeming to care about nurturing her career. I think she's had it for whatever reason. She's said before that she wasn't sure an actor's life was for her and I think she's just not "into it" anymore, if she ever really was, despite being extremely talented. I also don't think she likes the attention of people (rabid fans like us especially). She's a private person who wants to be left alone. That's the opinion I've formed over several years puzzling over why her career hasn't taken off. I think she's deliberately sabotaged it. I truly hate to see a talent like hers wasted. I would have liked to see her as a French Canadian in Bonjour, La, Bonjour. Another interesting accent for her resume.
|
|
|
Post by 94augrad on Jul 16, 2008 22:06:57 GMT -5
I really hope MJ hasn't given up her acting. She's too wonderful of an actor to do that. Of course, I'm just being selfish.
|
|
|
Post by topcat on Jul 17, 2008 7:28:00 GMT -5
Nah, you should take a look at Ray Winstone's on the same site! Or even Linda Henry.
There seems to be real inconsistency on the site. Linda Henry is listed in Bad Girls as 'series regular' but it fails to mention who she played. Sharon Brewster- Duncan is listed as Crystal and a series regular. Mandana's lists her as Nikki but not as a series regular. Under Powers she is described as 'series lead'.
Must admit, that was the impression I always got from interviews etc. I mentioned this once elsewhere and was shot down in flames by people who claimed to have spoken to her during Othello and felt she was 'passionate' about acting. I just don't see it from her actions.
The world was her oyster after her stint in BG. Simone went straight into theatre with Pete Postlethwaite, then into a new drama with Martin Kemp. Mandana decided to take over a year out (something she confirmed during Othello). Same thing after Doctors. She had a good role, was nominated for an award but chose to take the whole of her pregnancy off. At the same time, Simone was auditioning during her pregnancy and got Wire in the Blood.
Don't get me wrong, it's not meant as criticism (I especially admire her decision to spend time with her child) BUT the behaviour pattern does give the impression that acting comes way down in her priorities.
What doesn't help is the way things are communicated within the fandom out there is cyberspace. All fans have to go on are vague postings on other sites that seem intent on making things sound hugely mysterious. The original info was very much worded that she was finding getting acting work hard and was thinking of getting a 'proper job' that fits in with childcare. Then, the emphasis was changed saying she was stepping back due to her parental commitments and that she wasn't interested in acting jobs. Now, the water has been muddied even more by a new posting saying one thing and then repeating the second all in the same sentence. I just don't understand why one simple posting - 'Mandana is taking time away from acting to bring up her son' - should not be sufficient. It's clear. It's concise. What fans get in reality is mixed messages that, probably, leads people to think something else is going off.
I agree wholeheartedly. I guess time will tell.
|
|
|
Post by jilly2000 on Jul 17, 2008 10:19:56 GMT -5
I just don't understand why one simple posting - 'Mandana is taking time away from acting to bring up her son' - should not be sufficient. It's clear. It's concise. What fans get in reality is mixed messages that, probably, leads people to think something else is going off. You hit the noggins there. By been vague that's a clever way of keeping fans from wanting more so the fans will haunt their site for more info. And some might feel like clicking PayPal while they're at it . That's their true agenda.
|
|