Hugh Allison

Hugh Allison is an English playwright and theatre director, working on the London Fringe. In 2003, Allison set up The Yellowchair Performance Experience (a non-profit organization) to give new talent (actors, writers and designers) their first experiences working on a play in a London Fringe Theatre [cite web|url=http://www-t-y-p-e.net|title=The Yellowchair Performance Experience|accessdate=2007-12-03] .

Written works

* "Appropriate Attire" (based on "Memorandum" by N.T. Morley, as published in "The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica") [cite web|url=http://www-t-y-p-e.netsourceofallevil.html|title=Source of All The Evil|accessdate=2007-12-03] .
* "It Falls Foul Of The Law" (about the introduction of women into theatre under Charles II) [cite web|url=http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsA/allison-hugh.html#79165|title=It Falls Foul of The Law|accessdate=2008-01-15] .
* "Nelson's Lions" (in which a young lady discovers the history of her grandfather, after finding his diary in an attic) [cite web|url=http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsA/allison-hugh.html#40436|title=Nelson's Lions|accessdate=2007-12-03] .
* "Pink" (an exploration of the differences between the genders) [cite web|url=http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsA/allison-hugh.html#40435|title=Pink|accessdate=2007-12-03] .
* "The Source of All The Evil" (based on "Chicken: Self-Portrait of a Young Man for Rent", [cite web|url=http://www-t-y-p-e.netsourceofallevil.html|title=Source of All The Evil|accessdate=2007-12-03] the autobiography of former sex worker David Henry Sterry) [cite web|url=http://www.davidhenrysterry.com/chicken-self-portrait-of-a-young-man-for-rent/|title=Chicken: Self Portrait of a Young Man For Rent|accessdate=2007-12-03] .
* "Staying In" (a dark comedy) [cite web|url=http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsA/allison-hugh.html#77831|title=Staying In|accessdate=2007-12-19] .
* "TaJ" (a play written to question the vanities of theatre) [cite web|url=http://www.theatrerecord.org/productions2003/august03.htm/|title=Theatre Record|accessdate=2007-12-03] .
* "The Things We Do For Love" (A seven minute female monologue about the makings of a sexual deal) [cite web|url=http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsA/allison-hugh.html|title=Doollee.com|accessdate=2008-05-07] .
* "Waiting For German" (A male monologue, first performed by Comotose Productions) [cite web|url=http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsA/allison-hugh.html|title=Doollee.com|accessdate=2008-05-28] .
* "Worship" (A modern day Jet de sang, first performed as the concluding scene of Gospel) [cite web|url=http://www.uktheatre.net/articles.aspx?DoAction=Display&ArticleID=1979&CatID=7&ListUnder=0|title=UK Theatre Network|accessdate=2007-12-03] .

Directing credits

* "Alma Pater" at the London Pleasance Theatre [cite web|title=Young Vic Genesis Director's Recent Productions|url=http://directors.youngvic.org/index.php?pid=137&did=284|accessdate=2008-01-26] as part of City Shorts New Writing Festival. [cite web|title=Deckchair Productions.com|url=http://www.deckchairproductions.com/city.htm|accessdate=2008-01-26] .
* "Approprite Attire", performed at The Cockpit Theatre (as part of Theatre in The Pound) in 2006 [cite web|title= Theatre In The Pound - past productions |url=http://cockpittheatre.org.uk/pound/pound_past.htm|accessdate=2007-11-25] .
* "Eclipsed", performed at Hen and Chickens Theatre, The Bedford and the Inn On The Green in 2006 [cite web|title=First Draft Theatre - September 06 listings|url=http://www.firstdrafttheatre.co.uk/September2006.htm|accessdate=2007-12-19] .
* "Gospel", performed at The Etcetera Theatre in 2007 [cite web|title= Extra Extra - Review of "Gospel" |url=http://www.extraextra.org/Review_Gospel_07.html|accessdate=2007-11-25] .
* "KissCumKiss", performed at Barons Court Theatre (as part of "The Write Side of The Brain" festival) in 2006 [cite web| title= Write Side of The Brain | url=http://www.missfitproductions.org/writesideofthebrain.htm|accessdate=2007-11-25] .
* "Life Support", performed at the King's Head, Barons Court Theatre and The Inn On The Green in 2007 [cite web|title=First Draft Theatre - July 07 listings|url=http://www.firstdrafttheatre.co.uk/July2007.htm|accessdate=2007-12-19] .
* "Numbers" and "Embassyland", performed as a double bill at Barons Court Theatre in 2008 [cite web|title=KDC Summer Season|url=http://www.kdctheatre.com/now/default.asp|accessdate=2008-05-23] .
* "Pretty Boy", performed at The White Bear in 2004 [cite web|title=Pretty Boy|url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net/prettyboy.html|accessdate=2007-12-19] .
* "Rosalind" and "The Bear", performed as a double bill at Rosemary Branch Theatre in 2005 [cite web|title= Rosalind and The Bear |url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net/rosalindandthebear.html|accessdate=2007-11-25] .
* "The Source of All The Evil", performed at The Cockpit Theatre (as part of Theatre in The Pound) in 2006 [cite web|title=The Source of All The Evil|url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net/sourceofallevil.html|accessdate=2007-11-25] .
* "TaJ", performed Upstairs At The Gatehouse in 2003 [cite web|url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net/TaJ.html/|title=TaJ|accessdate=2007-12-03] .
* "What Andrew Heard", performed at The Tabard Theatre in 2007 [cite web|title=The Stage - Review of "What Andrew Heard"|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/16782/what-andrew-heard|accessdate=2007-11-25] .

Assistant Director work

* A touring production of "Gradgrind" (based on "Hard Times" by Charles Dickens) for Icon Theatre [cite web|title=Young Vic Genesis Director's Recent Productions|url=http://directors.youngvic.org/index.php?pid=137&did=284|accessdate=2008-01-26] .
* "I Just Broke Up", performed at The White Bear in 2003 [cite web|title=I Just Broke Up|url=http://www.mattjamie.co.uk/eclectic/id25.htm|accessdate=2007-12-19] .
* "Kiss Me Kate", performed at The Beacon [cite web|title=Young Vic Genesis Project|url=http://directors.youngvic.org/index.php?pid=137&did=284|accessdate=2008-05-07] .
* "MYPN, Through My Eyes", performed at The Space in 2007 [cite web|title=Support An Actor|url=http://supportanactor.blogspot.com/|accessdate=2007-12-19] .
* "This Is A Chair", performed at The White Bear in 2007 [cite web|title=Young Vic Genesis Director's Recent Productions|url=http://directors.youngvic.org/index.php?pid=137&did=284|accessdate=2007-12-19] .

Other interests

* Hugh has worked as a lighting designer for "The Collector" by John Fowles [cite web|title=The Stage|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/8470/the-collector|accessdate=2008-01-30] , "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller, [cite web|title=Chelsea Players: Productions|url=http://www.chelsea-players.org.uk/shows/crucible.html|accessdate=2008-01-30] and the world Premiere of "Blue Moon True" by Steve Marion [cite web|title=Finborough Theatre|url=http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/archive/archive_other2004.htm|accessdate=2008-05-07] .
* Hugh has worked as a Stage Manager, including on Icarus Theatre Collective's production of "The Lesson" [cite web|title=Icarus Theatre|url=http://www.icarustheatre.co.uk/lessonold.htm|accessdate=2008-05-07] and on "You Are My Mother" at the Rosemary Branch Theatre [cite web|title=TYPE Theatrical|url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net/theatrical.html|accessdate=2008-01-25] .
* Hugh has acted on occasion; he played William Pitt's caddy in Amazing Grace [cite web|title=Cult Cast homepage|url=http://www.thecult-movie.co.uk/cast.asp|accessdate=2008-01-25] and appeared in "Let Each Take His Part" at Questor's Theatre [cite web|title=Remote Goat|url=http://www.remotegoat.co.uk/event_view.php?uid=17607|accessdate=2008-05-07] and as a performer in "Gone Beyond Recall: British Music Hall" [cite web|title=Clapham Society|url=http://www.outlines.org.uk/claphamsociety/clapsocNL_294_Feb.pdf|accessdate=2008-02-07] . He claims however that he only performs to gain empathy with actors; writing is his main priority, followed by directing [cite web|title=TYPE homepage|url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net|accessdate=2008-01-25] .

Critical feedback

Directing

* Hugh's "Rosalind" and "The Bear" received Five Stars in the (now defunct) "What's On" magazine [cite web|title=UKTheatre Net: Gospel Press Release|url=http://www.uktheatre.net/articles.aspx?DoAction=Display&ArticleID=1979&CatID=7&ListUnder=0|accessdate=2008-01-30] .
* "Pretty Boy" received an extended run at the White Bear due to its original success [cite web|title=Pretty Boy|url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net/prettyboy.html|accessdate=2008-01-30] .

Acting

* Reviews have been modest; for "Let Each Take His Part" he was called him "A fine Actor", but negative comments were made about him breaking the fourth wall [cite web|title=Remote Goat|url=http://www.remotegoat.co.uk/review_view.php?uid=1086|accessdate=2008-01-25] .
* As Jacques in As You Like It the Observer stated that Hugh "could convey more emotion with one roll of the eyes, than most Shakespearean actors ever could, having studied reams of text" [cite web|title=TYPE: Gallery|url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net/gallery.html|accessdate=2008-01-30] .

Writing

* "Worship" was described as "bizarre, but somehow relevant" [cite web|title=This Is London|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/show-23376849-details/Gospel/showReview.do|accessdate=2008-01-30] .
* "TaJ" was described by Gyles Brandreth as "Funny, Real, Compelling, Touching" [cite web|title=Write Side of The Brain|url=http://www.missfitproductions.org/writesideofthebrain.htm|accessdate=2008-01-30] and by Julia Hickman as having "provided some interesting and unusual insights into the lives of drama students" [cite web|title=TaJ|url=http://www.t-y-p-e.net/TaJ.html|accessdate=2008-01-30] .

References