Palomar Theatre presents: Darlings

Aim

Darlings is going to the Edinburgh Fringe!

Who are we? 

Palomar Theatre is an emerging company led by a group of three young women who want to tell the stories that aren't told enough - a woman's narrative from a woman's perspective.

Originally formed as a group of UWE graduates, we now work extensively with Bristol's brilliant Creative Youth Network, with individuals from Tobacco Factory Theatre's Young Producers and actors trained at Bristol Old Vic's Young Company/ Made in Bristol. 

We believe in stories that heal. Bringing subconscious motivations and ingrained traumas to the stage, we confront issues that are simultaneously universal and deeply personal. Using visual metaphor, the physical ensemble and the power of storytelling to empathise with situations people aren’t necessarily proud of, in a way no other medium can. We are dedicated to supporting female narratives, presenting women who are brave and bold yet imperfect and flawed. 

We have been working on this show for the past eight months, as a self funded group of actors, a writer-director, technicians, producers and a puppet maker, as well as an incredible group of supporting associate artists. Our team includes: Katie Anderson, Annie Philbin, Eleanor Hope-Jones, Toby Robertshaw, Oscar Liddiard, Saskia Jane, Gabi Spiro, Charlotte Warburton, Jordan Linton, Rachel Eames, Eddie Cunningham, Nathan Richards + so many more!

Unfortunately as recent graduates/ full time workers there's only so far we can go it alone. Having performed a scratch version of the show, we now want to take it further and wider. But you want to hear more about the show I hear you desperately asking? 

What is Darlings? 

Darlings is a story that needs to be told right now.

Photography credit Dr. Amanda Penlington. 

Eve escapes her mind with work, drink and sex. No one sees past her carefully curated image of a woman in control. Until she loses it.

Gabe is her new addiction. After another night of watching him flirt, this time with their waitress, Eve confronts the darkness in him. Memories of a childhood long ignored resurface when she realises that his pain lives in her too.

★★★★  "Sharp dialogue, poignancy and a look into the psychology behind our actions - what more could you ask for?" Epigram

Darlings uses tender puppetry, striking stage images and a brutally vulnerable script to explore a manipulative relationship and its connection to childhood experience. 

"Palomar are a bold and driven young company, bravely using art to explore the challenging and difficult areas of our lives." Ailie DeBonnaire, Tobacco Factory Theatres 

Palomar create a striking and visceral stage world. Balancing an original sound score and stunning lighting with haunting child puppets, as ominous, tar-like fabric winds its way around the stage. Palomar untie their own tangled question: why do women stay with men who are hurting them?

It's a pretty knotty question we're asking and we're really excited to share what we've made as a result. Unfortunately striking and visceral stage worlds tend to cost a lot of money... as well as taking them to the Edinburgh fringe.

The story so far...

September 2016 The original idea for Darlings is formed and written as a short play over the course of the year by Eleanor Hope-Jones. 

September 2017 The company is formed and goes into two weeks of crucial Research + Development.  The following things happen... 

1) The original script is torn apart. 

2) We isolate the three key ideas we want to explore (The fear of rejection, the disappointment of love & the need for control) and three key topics to do it through (A child's relationship with it's parent, manipulation in relationships & sexual consent)  

3) We research Jung's model of the psyche and attachment theory and how we can use this to form our characters.

4) We look at the work of Dr Brenè Brown (Watch her life changing theories on vulnerability and shame here : https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability) 

5) We dissect ideas of toxic masculinity in modern culture in everything from Peter Pan to Rizzle Kicks articles. 

October 2017 The company goes into a period of continually workshopping new writing, developing both character and story at The Creative Youth Network. 

November 2017 Palomar perform a scratch version of Darlings at Bower Ashton Campus.

December 2017 Palomar reflect on the scratch and discuss how we'd like to develop the show. It is decided we will focus more on themes of childhood experience and use puppetry in the show to convey this. 

January 2018 Puppet maker Charlotte Warburton is approached and commissioned to make two child puppets for the shows development. 

February - April 2018 Palomar go into a period of production and script development. The show is confirmed at Bath and Edinburgh. The new version of the script is finished. 

What's coming up next...

May 5th-June 2nd - Darlings goes back into rehearsal following an extensive script development period. 

June 3rd-5th Darlings will being performed at The Mission Theatre in Bath from the 3rd-5th of June.

June 2018 - Palomar will host a fundraising event. 

August 2nd-27th Darlings will be performed at C-Venues at the Edinburgh fringe festival. 

We're well aware of the risks...

We know going to the Edinburgh Fringe never exactly made anyone money. However we are passionate about sharing this story, and as individuals have a lot of experience visiting the fringe for the past three years, taking shows in the past as well as working for C-Venues as technicians. 

We'll get as many programmers and press to see the show as physically possible. Our long term goal is to tour the show further, visiting schools and small theatres, to help continue the dialogue on the themes within our story - as well as making a fantastic piece of theatre! 

Costs...

From our scratch performance we have already sourced our props, set and costume for the show.

The company is donating £2000 of its own money into the pot.

We are looking to raise an extra £1000 through trusts/ private donations. 

Our performance at Bath with an estimate of 40% audience attendance will generate £960. 

We are looking to raise a further £3000 through crowdfunding. 

We will then be hosting fundraising events in June to cover any final costs. 

How you can help...

1) Donate as little or as much as you can! 

2) Share our crowdfunder. 

3) Come and see the show in Bath and/or Edinburgh. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about us and what we're up to. Any help you're willing to offer for us to tell this story is deeply appreciated.

Palomar x

This project successfully funded on 6th June 2018