This morning I pedaled over to Rocky Lane to the City Council Licensing offices seeking permission to let folk attending the BE Festival party later into the night than is usually allowed. The next stop was Steelhouse Lane Police Station with a third copy of the same form. Hopefully that will be all right. This afternoon Big Brum moved out and I gave Fierce a small push start on their install for tomorrow’s Start Party.

On Saturday it’s the Fierce Start Party (Craig has sneakily been rigging lights when Big Brum haven’t been looking) then on Thursday & Friday it’s Open Space for all Midlands Theatre Types (Rosie – an able volunteer – has been drawing up lots of posters). Do come if you feel part of / or want to feel part of the Birmingham Theatre Community. It’s free entry but it would be great to have an RSVP in order not to give the caterers an impossible task.

We had a Location Scout from a famous BBC 1 Drama looking around – which we are hoping may eventually help pay the rates on the new bit of venue we acquired in November (Australia).

Today Birmingham School of Acting shifted out of the venue and Big Brum have moved in. Big Brum are one of the country’s most highly regarded Theatre In Education companies which means their profile is lower than their long history or quality of work merits. All that isn’t about to change thanks to @ A E Harris. Here, in line with our commitment to ‘helping make things happen’, they will be working with a group of young people on a project that couldn’t easily be housed elsewhere. The results won’t be open to the public but for those involved it should be a great experience.

The third of three graduation shows from local universities has just finished setting up. As you would imagine for a production put on by 3rd Year Stage Management students the whole arrangement very smart and slick and the public bits of the venue have been beautifully swept. The piece is called Bohemia there is a luxurious bar, cabaret seating in the main space. It should be a good early evening for all.

Coming away from home can be inspiration. Here in Potsdam we have encountered some fantasy version of the @ A E Harris / Stan’s Cafe situation.

Soon after the wall comes down a group of dancers pile out of West Berlin into Potsdam, squat a venue and make dance pieces there. They change homes a few times over the years, their residence gradually growing more official. Their dance pieces become successful, tour internationally and win awards. They invite other people to make and present shows in their space. Read the rest of this entry »

Today Barefoot Theatre open their new show White Stock in most of the space, whilst Kindle Theatre rehearse their new show, Bull, which opens at Theatre in the Mill, Bradford on Friday. Meanwhile Stan’s Cafe have stripped a huge amount of kit out of the venue in order to perform The Cleansing of Constance Brown in Potsdam and as a result have resorted to buying yet more 13amp extensions to plug the gaps.

We are delighted to confirm that @ A E Harris will host a two day Open Space conference on 23rd and 24th June. The event is open to anyone working in the broad area of Theatre within the West Midlands. Open Space is a fun and highly efficient means of addressing issues of concern to individuals withing a community. Back in November 2009 the original version of this event galvanized a lot of discussion and even significant ACTION. It is anticipated this sequel will be at least as good. Details of the invitation can be downloaded as a PDF here.

This afternoon we had a major production meeting with members of the BE Festival team. The 2011 Festival sounds bigger and better than last year’s and it will be possible to get a taste of what is in store by attending their Launch Night, Thursday 9th June, 8pm at mac. The event includes live music and a performance by last year’s Best Performer Award Winner, Ivan Hansen.

For a long time it has been a Stan’s Cafe strategy to try and buy kit for shows that will be useful beyond the show. The latest example of this frugal approach can be found in the upgraded kitchen @ AE Harris where shelving units some may recognize from Tuning Out With Radio Z have been recycled. Onward and upward – in a more ordered fashion.

James

The venue hosted its first wedding celebration on 30th April. A team of visual artists descended briefly to decorate the space with bunting and paper flowers, which looked great. With a kid’s Birthday Party in on 26th April it has been a happy place to be.