Richard Talbot - playwright

Abebooks Rare, Used Books

Synopsis:

An exploration into prickly family trees and the nature of patriarchy and nationhood. Through researching the personal family trees of the actors a journey was made into the experience of illegitimacy; of living in workhouses and children's homes in the 1930s and 40s; of the child's perception of world war 2, MI5 and the freemasons. This project was a personal history research project with mythological and universal resonance. Mary Waterfield's A Suffolk Punch - out of the Darkness is now available for purchase. It tells the true story which inspired Looking for the Tallyman and includes many visual and textual references to Triangle's other performance works.

written by Carran Waterfield and Richard Talbot

Synopsis:

Nina & Frederick are Nina & Frederik A tribute duo who say they are Britain's most unique act have finally fought their way to the top. They have appeared on TV in France, supported DJ Jean Jaques Smoothie and have made one-off ÒhappeningsÓ in pubs, tea rooms, on Eurostar, and on board a jet to Japan.Now they are planning to sue Abba for loss of earnings. Lookalike duo , "Nina and Frederick" who impersonate the 1960's most charming married crooners, have replaced Jools Holland and are to appear alongside Johnnie Dankworth, the CBSO, and Anoushka Shankar, daughter of Ravi Shankar, at the Lichfield Festival (4-14 July). The Danish Baron & Baroness Nina and Frederik Van Pallandt, were famous throughout the world for their easy listening hits Listen to the Ocean, Sucu Sucu and Little Donkey. "Nina and Frederick" have spent years perfecting their tribute. They are thoroughly researched and pride themselves on stunning vocal harmonies, and an audience repartee in precise recreation of the famous duoÕs style. But they claim that relentless competition from the likes of Abba, Robbie Williams and Westlife has held them back. "Everybody does Abba these days. Until now we've been left out in the cold - one agent told us we're too sophisticated" says Nina, who wears a long blonde wig. "Our tunes are about peace, love and understanding and appeal to audiences of all ages. Recent tours have taken us as far afield as Japan and Paris and we've got a loyal following at home in the West Midlands, but this festival could be our big break. Jools Holland had to pull out and we've been given his slot". In an effort to add an extra sparkle to their act Nina and Frederick have persuaded Lichfield rock band "Penfold" to swap their T Shirts for Dress suits and supply a full backing sound. Nina and Frederick move effortlessly between folk, calypso, protest and pop songs but the 19 year old band members admit to being taken aback when they were presented with a playlist including Puff the Magic Dragon "That was the only one I'd heard of", says Antony Small "but it's not even by Nina and Frederick. It's a Peter Paul and Mary song. We've been working on the backing for a few weeks. But what about "Nina and Frederick" ? "They're good. Better than I thought they would be. I'm a real fan now." Nina and Frederick say the cool, laid back tunes and close harmonies evoke the innocence, and idealism of the early 60s. Nina and Frederik split up in 1969 and Nina went on to a solo career as a singer and Hollywood actress, appearing alongside Elliot Gould and Richard Gere. Frederick was tragically murdered in 1994. In his recent book "Dope Stories" ex-drug smuggler Howard Marks claims that Frederick was involved with a drugs cartel, transporting large amounts of cannabis in his own boat. In 1999 "Nina and Frederick" tracked down Nina Van Pallandt, now 69 years old and living in reclusive retirement in Ibiza. "It took quite a bit of detective work, but once we found her she let us sing to her on her balcony and she was really impressed", says Nina. "She said it moved her to tears" With Nina Van Pallandt's approval the duo have set their sights on Stars in Their Eyes. "We've applied and we're waiting for a call to audition for the next series" says Frederick. Documentary maker Debbie Isitt has spent the last year filming Nina and Frederick. Her film "Tribute" is expected to be released in the Autumn.

written by Carran Waterfield and Richard Talbot

Synopsis:

Nina and Frederik, Danish easy listening icons of the 1960s, have been invited to Denmark. Hej. Nina og jeg vil gerne synge nogle sange for jer i aften Men forst vil vi sige hvor glede vi er for at vore her igen? Richard Talbot and Carran Waterfield perform their tribute to Nina and Frederik throughout Denmark. Baron & Baroness Nina and Frederik were made famous in the 60s for their 'sugary' and 'charming' versions of Little Donkey and Puff The Magic Dragon, and for the hit song 'Listen to the Ocean'. Nina Van Pallandt is a big fan of the tribute act. The creative partnership 'Nina and Frederick' has a reputation for imaginative and outrageous performances. For this new performance 'Nina and Frederick' have been having Danish lessons and will be singing "Lad os flyve til en stjerne", a classic known to many Danish people from the film Verdens Rigeste Pige - (The Richest Girl In The World). The new show is called 'Pa Genhor med Nina and Frederik' which means (roughly) Nina and Frederick - Hear Again ! It features an interpretation of two other beautifully kitsch Nina and Frederick films - Mandolinen und Mondschein, and Kaerlighedens Melodi. 'Nina and Frederick' performed a few paces from Tivoli Gardens and the Mon Coeur club, where Nina and Frederik Van Pallandt made their debut. "As Camp as Eurovision !" says Waterfield. In honour of Black History month 'Nina and Frederick' sing a special medley of 50s Calypso songs including Jamaica Farewell and the inimitable Mango Vendor. Tak for at hore pa os. Vi hober at vi snart ses igen?

written by Carran Waterfield and Richard Talbot

Synopsis:

Film and performance charting the transformation of Nina and Frederick (alter egos art-lovers and enthusiasts) from commentators to creators. The couple pursue their love of authenticity by trying to recreate a little piece of Ibiza, home of the original Nina and Frederik (a charming 60's singing duo), in Broadstairs. The performance reveals the extent of their obsessive research as well as their desire to become what they idolise. The final section of the play is an in-role performance by our Nina and Frederick recreating a classic appearance on television - Nina and Frederik - Tonight.

written by Carran Waterfield, Richard Talbot, Nina Whetstone and Frederick Bird

Synopsis:

A playful, absurd and interactive comedy directly engaging the audience and drawing them sometimes individually into a small tent for a one-to-one with The Singing Nun. The nun's story is presented by a misguided fan who is attempting a public copy-cat suicide with the co-operation of his audience of Singing Nun converts. The Singing Nun, Jeanine Deckersbecame famous in the 1960s as the sweet smiling nun whose hit song "Dominique" won her a Grammy. She left the convent and persued celebrity but in spite of numerous attempts at reinventing herself she never regained her fame. She committed suiced in a pact with her lesbian lover after years spent battling the Belgian authorities over a tax bill for £80000, on her record sales.

Synopsis:

60 Year 6 children spent two days each experiencing different aspects of the Home Front. The training camp was as realistic as possible, using a surprise and strict "recruitment" session, an intensive endurance test that spanned outbreak of war to rebuilding, followed by a debrief in school. Arts & Heritage collections and locations were central to the experience, co-ordinated by actor/artists in role for 16 days. There was an air of the Top Secret about it, with even teachers sworn not to share their experiences with other classes until the end. The sessions were complemented with in-school object handling sessions and a visit to the Imperial War Museum, London.

written by Carran Waterfield and Richard Talbot