The Six O'clock Swill site has moved!

Check out the new and improved http://sixoclockswill.com/. We'll keep this site around for a bit to make sure everyone makes the transition without loosing anything.

Come on and join the party!

The Swill seeks Writers/Directors...

We are currently taking play submissions and seeking people interested in directing these plays to be performed at Mighty Mighty for both the April series and future months.

To apply, contact us at sixoclockswill@gmail.com

March Eflyer

Forward to your mates!!

The Swill in March...

After a very successful series as part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival in February, the Swill returns this month with more hilarious, quirky action at the Mighty Mighty.

The lineup:

Six O'clock Swill
Wed 12 & Thu 13 March, 6pm Mighty Mighty.

Listeners by Jane Martin (USA)
Directed by Gene Alexander

Breaking and Entering by Dean Hewison (NZ)
Directed by Dean Hewison

Magnum: The Lost Episodes
Episodes 9 & 10.

The Swill in Feb!

13th & 14th FEBRUARY @ Mighty Mighty

Door Sales Only from 5:30pm – $8/$5
Show at 6pm

February sees the Swill join in the Fringe 08 action and we take two of Neil LaBute's plays from his Autobahn collection for a spin.

In Bench Seat, a guy brings his girl to lovers' lookout and gets more than he bargained for.

In Merge, the twists and turns of a woman's life spill out in front of us like switchback curves on a coastal highway. Will there be love, blood, or tears on the road when it's all over?

Directed by: Walter McGinnis

And from New Zealand writer Thomas P. McGrath comes...

Tie and Mirror - When there's too many loose ends to tie the knot, keep an eye on the caterer and make sure the best man can live up to the title. Don't doubt yourself and don't drink too much before-hand or you will need to go to the toilet.

A Man, A Plan, A Canal – Panama - George and Omar share black tea and discuss where to go next. There is only one break in the trip, the 'Darien Gap', and it is mostly swampland. One step backwards, two steps forward they say - although, people say funny things sometimes.

Directed by: Thomas P. McGrath

And our hilarious improvised saga MAGNUM: The Lost Episodes continues … with more pop culture plots, cutting edge improv, mayhem, mirth and moustaches!

So for only $8 ($5 if you have a Fringe Addict Card) you get five one act plays performed by some of Wellington’s finest talent – all in one of Wellington’s funkiest bars, Mighty Mighty!

So come on down, grab a pint and enjoy an evening of culture!

Anybody got a "bench seat"?

We're looking for a specific set piece for our February show. It would be great to get our hands on a 70's era car bench seat, but really any car bench seat would do the trick.

If you have one to lend, please get a hold of me via my mobile number 021 124 1794.

Cheers,
Walter

Auditions for February Swillage

The Six O'clock Swill is happy to announce auditions for its February installment. Send us an email or give us a ring if you are interested in being considered for any of the following:

Two short plays from Neil LaBute's "Autobahn" collection, directed by Walter McGinnis

Bench Seat - A trip to lovers lookout.
Girl - In her early twenties. Has worked instead of going to university. Charming, able to drive a conversation. Appears naive, but one never knows.
Guy - In his mid to late twenties. A grad student. Makes his living as a tutor. Does he have an ulterior motive?

Merge - A man and a woman in an expensive car. He is asking her questions about what she remembers from the night before.
Woman - A business professional. Around her mid-40's. Evasive.
Man - Her husband. Suspicious of his wife's story. Possibly a good bit younger than his wife.

Two new works written and directed by Thom McGrath:

Tie and Mirror
The Groom - Male. Late twenties, well presented. Naive and light-hearted, yet reasonably self assured.
The Best Man - Male. Thirties, unpresentable. Obnoxious and two faced. Selfish and a bad sportsman in 'the game of life'.
The Caterer - Male. Twenties - Thirties. A sports fanatic making ends meet on a dead end job. A friend of The Best Man and similarly inconsiderate.

Panama
George - Male. Retired widower. Enjoys travelling and smoking. Wants to make one last expedition before he accepts his age and becomes a recloose.
Omar - Male. Slightly younger than George. An old friend of George's who has come to stay with him and cheer him up after George's wife past away. Enjoys fishing and geography.

Auditions will be scheduled by appointment for Saturday the 19th. If you can't make that day, please let us know.

Contact sixoclockswill - a t - gmail - d o t - com or Walter at 021 124 1794

Happy New Year past, present, and future swillers!

Last year's Six O'clock Swills were rockin! Thanks everyone who has
been apart of the Swill so far for your great work. Thanks also to
everyone that came along to the shows. We've had some really
excellent crowds.

If you haven't checked out http://sixoclockswill.com/ yet, mosey on
over there to see photo highlights from 2007.

As you have probably noticed we took a well deserved break in January,
but we are now gearing up for another round of our monthly
installments. We'll be starting again in February as a part of the
Fringe Festival on Wednesday the 13th and Thursday the 14th at 6pm.
So it's time to whack this puppy together, but quick.

First up, we're looking for directors. Both for February and for
upcoming months. So if you, or anyone you know, would be interested
email us. We would like to solidify February's
line up by this Friday, so let us know ASAP if want to be considered
for next month.

Secondly we are looking for short plays to produce. February is
mostly chosen, but we may have room for one or two more pieces under
15 minutes. If you have something like that, definitely send it along
as soon as you can.

We also have our eyes out for exciting one act pieces for March. If
you have something already written or are interested putting together
new for the Swill, let's have a chat.

Last on our shopping list (but oh so important!) is casting. We'll be
sending out another email about auditions as soon as we finalize our
program for February. I expect we'll be starting them as soon as next
week, possibly even this weekend. So stay tuned to this Radio Free
Swill channel!

Mucho Gracias,
Walter & Mark

Photos of the December Swill

Enjoy,
Walter

December Swill Poster

Foward this to your Mum!

The December Swill...

December brings a sneak peak at On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover* adapted from the book by Richard Meros.

An original theatrical monologue exploring obsession, politics and the hopes and dreams of a passionate but confused generation. Ostensibly the performance is an impassioned logical analysis of how the Right Honourable Miss Clark would succumb to the temptation provided by the lonely performer, the over-educated and unemployed character of Richard Meros charges through the pop-culture slipstream of our recent political history to prove his amorous point.

Director: Jeff Pinfold Starring: Arthur Meek

In The Muse by American playwright Quincy Long a playwright visits his muse.

He has come unprepared but hey, he can wing it, right? She's his muse and she'll love his brilliant idea for a new play; no question about it. So, who is this unknown playwright who dares to position himself above the 'names' in his chosen profession? Who is the muse who dares to challenge his import? And who are these two fine new actors who dare to bring you their truthful interpretation of a wonderfully written piece?

Director: Phil Darkins Starring: Melissa Billington and David Allen

And our side-splittingly funnny improvised saga MAGNUM: The Lost Episodes continues …after the tragic (and hilarious) death of Ice Pick will Magnum and Co finally discover the wonders behind the silver door using his dying words of wisdom?

So for only $5 you get three one act plays performed by some of Wellington’s finest talent – all in one of Wellington’s funkiest bars, Mighty Mighty!

So come on down, grab a pint and enjoy an evening of culture. Doors open at 5:30pm for a 6pm start...be early to snaffle a good seat and grab a toastie!!

* This production has been made possible through project funding from Creative New Zealand.

Pics from November Swill

Photos from the November Swill

The Intervention - by Jeff Whitty

Office Palms - by Paul Rothwell
Magnum: The Lost Episodes

Auditions!

The Swill is auditioning for a male actor for the December series.

The Muse
A One Act Play by QUINCY LONG
Directed by Phil Darkins For The Six O’clock Swill At Mighty Mighty
Performance Dates: December 12 & 13 2007

Character Breakdown

The Playwright

Male, American, 29-44. Could be younger, could be older but his psyche sits most comfortably within those years. Actual ethnic origin is not an issue but his culture is middle class Caucasian. He is a passionate man who possesses a wealth of talent but has just enough doubt to save himself from conceit. The actor playing him can do the accents of a well educated Californian AND that of a character from rural Tennessee with ease.

If’n y’cain’t du theyit carn-vinsin-lee, y’kid b’wastin ev-boddiz tarm awdishnin goddit? S’done do theyit, y’understan? Thaynken ewe karndl’.

The play is predominantly dialogue between the playwright and his muse. The playwright has several monologues, one of which – in the rural accent – is long.

Auditions will be held from 4pm Sunday 18 November at Mighty Mighty. Please email sixoclockswill@gmail.com to book an audition slot.

You will be sent two monologues, we ask that you familiarise yourself well with them and come prepared with the energy and intensity to hold an audience’s attention, as if performing solo, for ½ an hour.

Thanks for your interest!

Swiller makes good!

Our own Barry Lakeman's "Out of Mind" show gets some kudos from the Lumiere Reader. Check it out here:

http://lumiere.net.nz/reader/arts.php/item/1382

Nick work Barry!

Cheers,
Walter

November Swill Poster

Save and forward to your friends!
Special thanks to Mat Hunkin for his continued support of the Swill.

The Swill in November....

Thanks to everyone who came to see the Six O'clock Swill on 10-11 October, the feedback has been fantastic. A huge thanks to the casts and Gene, Steven and Derek who put so much time and effort into rehearsals!

The line-up for November is:

INTERVENTION
By American Jeff Whitty, Tony Award writer of the Musical ‘Avenue Q’.

Director: Vivien Bell

Jennifer Thompson - Rita
Phil Darkins - Alec
Nathan Green - Sven
Jo Crilly - Shannon
Walter McGinnis - Tom


OFFICE PALMS
The Premiere of a new NZ work by Paul Rothwell

Director: Charlotte Simmonds

Alex Greig - The Applicant
Jonny Potts - Man
Ginny Spackman - Woman
Charlotte Simmonds - Receptionist

MAGNUM: The Lost Episodes
The saga continues…will we ever discover what is behind the Silver Door?!

Director: Derek Flores

Wednesday 14 & Thursday 15 November.

Watch this space for more info on the cast and crew involved.

The lineup for October...

Coming soon to the Mighty Mighty - 104 Cuba Street, Wellington!!

To kick off the Six O'clock Swill on the 10 & 11 October, we are presenting the following theatre for your viewing pleasure:

COW - By Jo Randerson*
Director - Gene Alexander

Cast
Dad - Phil Darkins
Mum - Lorraine Ward
American - Melissa Billington
Beth - Marnie Thompson
Policeman - Ben Fransham
Louisa - Kate Conaglen
Girl - Jasmine M'Nijel
Farmhand - Jon Devine
Collector - Jessica Manins
Gerry - Nathan Green

ON STORY - By Bill Wrubel
Director - Steven Whiting

Cast
Arvin - Ben Fransham
Betsy - Jennifer Thompson
Nick - Phil Darkins
Ken - Walter McGinnis
Warren - Daniel Price
Morley - Barry Lakeman

MAGNUM: THE LOST EPISODES
Director/Facilitator - Derek Flores

Cast
Jessica Manins
Phil Darkins
Jennifer Thompson
Thom McGrath
Melissa Billington
Ben Fransham
Walter McGinnis

Keep checking this blog for more updates, info and gossip about the Swill!


* By arrangement with Playmarket - Cow was originally commissioned by the Young & Hungry Youth Theatre through support from Creative New Zealand.

The Swill at the Schmooze

A bunch of the cast and crew of the first Six O'clock Swill be hanging out at the September Equity Schmooze at Downstage tonight starting at 5:30. If you are in Wellington, feel like a drink and a chat, come on down. Look for a guy with a red beard and that is mostly likely me. I'll be happy to answer any queries about the Swill or recruit other Swillers to entertain you!

The Schmooze happens the last Friday of every month (well, maybe not December), and is put on by New Zealand Actors Equity. It's open everyone in the acting community.

Hope to see you there,
Walter

Magnum: The Lost Episodes

Canadian funny guy Derek Flores led our happy bunch of actors in an improvisation workshop in preparation for the Magnum section of the Swill.

Swill Merchandise...

...is now available! After massive demand for Swill stuff (well, one person!), we have opened a shop. Check out The Swill Store - the buttons are my favourites!