The Base

The Base
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated weekly

We discuss Sartre's play 'No Exit' with Nina Power. Nina was our speaker in our December 2023 performance of Sartre's classic play. Nina takes us through some key ideas in existentialist thinking and explores with us what Sartre might have been asserting about the human condition. The Base Creates is a new production company founded by Oliver Bennett and Morgan Watkins. We want to rediscover, explore and reinvigorate great texts in the Western canon to challenge the conformity of the contemporary dramatic arts. In a series of readings, we will bring to life profound texts with responses from new interesting thinkers. Moving forward, we want to inspire new writers, fostering a movement of fearless creatives and exciting intellectuals. We believe drama needs to go deeper and challenge audiences in order to do justice to our fascinating and troubling modern world. The Base Creates will celebrate excellence, depth and vitality. Join us. www.thebasecreates.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/thebasecreates/ https://x.com/thebasecreates

  1. 1 Jul

    Sanford Meisner and the Meisner Technique.

    We discuss the life of Sanford Meisner and the Meisner Technique. This technique has become ubiquitous in drama training and acting coaching around the world. We discuss who he is and what this strange game is all about. Please subscribe and let us know what you think in the comments.

    1hr 3min

  2. 26 Jun

    Morgan Watkins give an explainer on the Ulysses speech from Troilus & Cressida

    Morgan Watkins explains this speech from Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida. Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back, Wherein he puts alms for oblivion, A great-sized monster of ingratitudes: Those scraps are good deeds past; which are devour'd As fast as they are made, forgot as soon As done: perseverance, dear my lord, Keeps honour bright: to have done is to hang Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail In monumental mockery. Take the instant way; For honour travels in a strait so narrow, Where one but goes abreast: keep then the path; For emulation hath a thousand sons That one by one pursue: if you give way, Or hedge aside from the direct forthright, Like to an enter'd tide, they all rush by And leave you hindmost; Or like a gallant horse fall'n in first rank, Lie there for pavement to the abject rear, O'er-run and trampled on: then what they do in present, Though less than yours in past, must o'ertop yours; For time is like a fashionable host That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand, And with his arms outstretch'd, as he would fly, Grasps in the comer: welcome ever smiles, And farewell goes out sighing. O, let not virtue seek Remuneration for the thing it was; For beauty, wit, High birth, vigour of bone, desert in service, Love, friendship, charity, are subjects all To envious and calumniating time. One touch of nature makes the whole world kin, That all with one consent praise new-born gawds, Though they are made and moulded of things past, And give to dust that is a little gilt More laud than gilt o'er-dusted. The present eye praises the present object. Then marvel not, thou great and complete man, That all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax; Since things in motion sooner catch the eye Than what not stirs. The cry went once on thee, And still it might, and yet it may again, If thou wouldst not entomb thyself alive And case thy reputation in thy tent; Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late, Made emulous missions 'mongst the gods themselves And drave great Mars to faction.

    17 min

  3. 22 Jun

    Oliver Bennett explaining his approach to Shakespeare

    Oliver explains his approach when tackling Shakespeare. We filmed this speech for Project 39 as we felt it captured the sense of how many feel in England at the moment. It is extraordinary that Shakespeare is imaging a a time during the 1300s where men were feeling the same way. We hope you enjoy Oliver's explanation of his approach when dealing with classical text.

    15 min

  4. 16 May

    Sex, Freud and La Ronde with Helen Rollins

    We discussed Sex, Sigmund Freud and La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler with Helen Rollins. We wanted to learn about some of the ideas of Sigmund Freud and how they might relate to this work by Schnitzler. Freud believed Schnitzler's play was acutely perceptive on the nature of sex, desire and the human behaviour it causes. We performed La Ronde on April 1st at Swedenborg Hall. We hope you enjoy this conversation and please subscribe, comment and like if you can. Helen is a writer and filmmaker from Northern Ireland, currently based between London and Belfast. Her most recent project is the miniseries Better Angels: The Gospel According to Tammy Faye. She developed the project and was co-writer and executive producer on it, too. The series was produced by Vice Studios, in association with Rocket Entertainment and The Magician’s Niece. It was executive produced by David Furnish and Elton John. The series premiered at Sundance in 2024. Helen lectures and writes across topics related to film and psychoanalysis. She has been a co-host on two philosophy podcasts and has a book on film theory (Psychocinema) with Polity. Her main work, though, is as an independent filmmaker, creating projects through The Magician’s Niece. Her recent film A Guide to Making Love — an experimental philosophy documentary feature — premiered at Rhode Island International Film Festival. Her shorts have played at scores of festivals. Some of them have won awards and have been picked up for broadcast. Music videos she has directed, mostly for Central American artists, have been viewed over a hundred million times online. Her work has been funded by bodies such as Northern Ireland Screen and Future Screens and she has been a Puttnam Scholar. Through The Magician’s Niece, she is developing a range of projects across narrative, documentary and video games. Helen has a double first from Cambridge in modern languages and received a number of academic awards during her time there, including the Bishop Green Cup for top student across all years and subjects in her graduating class at Corpus Christi college. Before making films, she was a French teacher at Eton.

    1hr 5min

  5. 2 May

    The Agon 3 - Guidelines

    We've recorded a small video in which we provide a brief outline and some helpful tips to anyone considering entering into The Agon 3. We’re looking for daring and challenging voices. We do not care who you are and where you are from. Nothing is off limits. Send no more than 10-12 pages from your play and a synopsis to - thebasecreates@gmail.com We give you the right to anonymity, if you so choose and if the spice is too much. If you want to stand and face the vicious public we welcome that too and we will stand right beside you. When the deadline closes we will choose 6 finalists and these play extracts will be performed by incredible actors to a live audience who will vote for the winner that night. This is what happened in Athens 2500 years ago and this is what is happening in London in 2026. So get writing, take your filter off and express yourself. This will be an incredible night and a great opportunity for developing writers. There is a cash prize to be announced very soon and entry is free. The very best, The Base

    12 min

  6. 2 May

    The Story of Project 39

    In this podcast we discuss the story of Project 39. We wanted to share the origins of the idea and some insight into how we made it. Filming all of these was a great challenge on an extremely modest budget. We really appreciate all your support and the comments. Please keep them coming in. If you like our work please consider joining our channel as a member. We will be providing lots of very exciting members only content. We hope you enjoy the series and find the work we're doing enriching. There is much more to come. The Base

    56 min
  7. After Brando - Episode 4 - Laurence Olivier, The English Tradition and The Actor as Technician

    5 Mar

    After Brando - Episode 4 - Laurence Olivier, The English Tradition and The Actor as Technician

    This week on ‘After Brando’ we explore the life and work of Laurence Olivier, The English Tradition and The Actor as Technician. We are joined by the melodious and wise Simon Roberts. Sir Laurence Olivier (1907–1989) was one of the greatest actors of the 20th century and a towering figure of British theatre and film. Renowned for his Shakespearean performances, he played iconic roles such as Hamlet, Henry V, Othello, and Richard III on stage and screen. His celebrated films include Henry V (1944), Hamlet (1948), Richard III (1955), Rebecca (1940), and Marathon Man (1976). As the founding director of the National Theatre, Olivier helped shape modern British theatre and left an enduring legacy in the art of performance.

    1hr 26min
  8. The Origins of Ancient Greek Theatre with Elena Novello

    18 Feb

    The Origins of Ancient Greek Theatre with Elena Novello

    In this episode we discuss The Origins of Ancient Greek Theatre with Elena Novello. We have been reading through the Greek plays every Monday evening at 9pm and Elena has been hosting brilliant discussions with us all. We think she is brilliant and wanted to find out more from her about where this all began. Please subscribe, like and comment if you can. It really helps more people see the video. We hope this is a great resource to those interested in studying or acting in the incredible plays of Ancient Greece. This conversation delves into the origins, significance, and evolution of Greek theatre, exploring its connection to ancient storytelling, religious festivals, and the political landscape of Athenian society. The discussion highlights the architectural marvels of Greek theatres, the aesthetics of performances, and the crucial role of playwrights and the chorus in shaping the theatrical experience. It also touches on the complexities of morality as depicted in Greek plays and sets the stage for future discussions on specific playwrights and their works. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Greek Theatre 02:55 The Origins of Greek Theatre 05:43 The Role of Festivals in Greek Theatre 08:30 The Evolution of Storytelling and Performance 11:48 The Connection Between Theatre and Religion 14:35 The Etymology of Tragedy 17:25 The Nature of Greek Gods and Morality 20:36 The Influence of Greek Theatre on Western Culture 23:28 The Complexity of Greek Society and Theatre 26:44 The Significance of Rituals in Greek Festivals 29:37 The Legacy of Greek Theatre 44:08 The Evolution of Amphitheatres 47:28 The Role of Theatre in Athenian Society 51:17 The Political Significance of Theatre 55:38 The Aesthetics of Ancient Greek Theatre 58:57 The Role of Playwrights and Performance 01:19:45 Recap and Future Discussions

    1hr 9min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

We discuss Sartre's play 'No Exit' with Nina Power. Nina was our speaker in our December 2023 performance of Sartre's classic play. Nina takes us through some key ideas in existentialist thinking and explores with us what Sartre might have been asserting about the human condition. The Base Creates is a new production company founded by Oliver Bennett and Morgan Watkins. We want to rediscover, explore and reinvigorate great texts in the Western canon to challenge the conformity of the contemporary dramatic arts. In a series of readings, we will bring to life profound texts with responses from new interesting thinkers. Moving forward, we want to inspire new writers, fostering a movement of fearless creatives and exciting intellectuals. We believe drama needs to go deeper and challenge audiences in order to do justice to our fascinating and troubling modern world. The Base Creates will celebrate excellence, depth and vitality. Join us. www.thebasecreates.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/thebasecreates/ https://x.com/thebasecreates

Information

  • Creator
    The Base
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Base

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