26 Feb 2013

Trestle Launches The Live Music Project


Trestle’s latest community project, to host live music events has been met with tremendous support from local musicians.

Run and organised by an enthusiastic team of volunteers and spearheaded by Trestle’s own Denise Parsons, The Live Music Project aims to create a professional platform to support local musicians.

Denise said ’We are hoping to establish Trestle Arts Base as a vibrant local music venue, supporting the local music community and giving them an opportunity to showcase their music.’

Each Live Music Project gig will be a free event, with full bar facilities and space to chill out and relax outside of the performance area.

The Live Music Project launches on Saturday 27 April at 7.30pm headlined by High Treason – a 4 piece old school rock band, sure to have everyone up on their feet, supported by an acoustic set from Chameleon Boy’s John Beeson and Jon Horlick (finalists in St. Albans Music City Unsigned) playing a selection of heartfelt original songs.
High Treason performing at Trestle Arts Base, last year.
Listen to Chameleon Boy on Soundcloud

We hope you can join us for what looks to be an amazing first gig!

Anyone wishing to get involved either as a musician or volunteering to help out on gig nights please email Denise at production@trestle.org.uk

18 Feb 2013

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and Trestle Half Masks


In Autumn of 2012 the Trestle Team were delighted to welcome Annabelle Buck, third year, BA Applied Theatre Student from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama on a three month work placement. During her time with us, Annabelle focused her attentions on our new Half Mask set and the creation of a short student film to help publicise their launch.

Heavily influenced by the Trestle Archive, Annabelle worked in collaboration with ourselves, VIDEOFeet Creative Media, and film student Christian Evans to create the visual resource that aimed to inspire and educate you as viewers.

Annabelle’s film and information about the Half Masks can be viewed here.

‘Being a placement student at Trestle was probably one of the most valuable experiences I have had since studying and working in Applied Theatre, having learnt vast amounts about the running of theatre companies, as well as Trestles wonderful history, and of course, the Trestle masks themselves.

The company are well-established for a reason: The efficiency of the office as well as the kind-hearted and welcoming nature of the base (this includes the VIDEOFeet Team!) was so fantastic to be a part of, and since leaving I can’t help but miss it!

The Half Masks were, and are, thoroughly enjoyable and I have recommended their use to many practitioners since using them. In my experience, it is hard for them not to achieve the objectives, even when on camera, which says an awful lot! Having an element of structure, as well as a strong element of play, they are both useful and explorative (and just great fun!). Using your voice in mask work can seem a little scary I know, however Trestle have come up with archetypal characters to effectively use voice in mask, allowing the actor to challenge and excel in both physical and vocal methods of performance.

Many thanks to Trestle for producing such wonderful tools for us to use in the Applied Theatre and thank you for giving me such a brilliant experience!’ - 
Annabelle

Everyone at Trestle would like to thank Annabelle for all her hard work during her time with us and wish her the best of luck with the rest of her degree and in the future.