Silence Goodies!!

February 11, 2009

Hello everyone Silence is back with some superb extra features! Seeing as how updates have been slightly delayed we thought we would make it up to you by releasing a bumper crop of goodies! Included are the following :-

Silence in C Minor – The History in Podcast (also in the radio section of the site)

The Soundtrack to Silence Series 1 composed and compiled from each episode by our very own Cadiam Aka – Mr John Doree (also in the radio section of the site). This was previously posted on the blog but the silly little link went a bit stupid, hence the re-post.

Original Silence Artwork from illustrator Joel Cooper

Click any of the links above to view! The History Podcast spans a three part look back over the topics of “A potted history of Silence”, “Silence the radio show” & “Silence at The Edinburgh Festival”. Each will be released over the next two weeks so enjoy in preparation for the brand new series of Silence in C Minor!


Silence Goes Super Super

December 12, 2008
Super Super Issue 14

Super Super Issue 14

The peeps over at Super Super Magazine have just published a brand new article from Silence in C Minor’s very own duo -> Alex & James.

Ever wondereded how you can protect yourself against identity thieft the Silence way?! Well pick up a copy of Super Super and find out . . .

What the hell is Super Super?!

Well back in ‘06 Super Super started to produce a mag that fast became must read for the switched in off and on. Covering topics like – Darkwave, Trends, Fashion, Politics, Make it your life & style and things I can’t even begin to describe . . . Super Super’s International status is well earned!

Pick up the latest issue to see how Silence in C Minor has contributed to the ever growing archive of all things haecceity.

You also get the added bonus of seeing the wonderful new artwork from Joel Cooper!

(www.joelcooper.co.uk)

Super Super can be ordered at their site :-

www.myspace.com/thesupersuper

Or picked up at any Borders bookstore Nationally and Internationally!

Much love!

Jon Cooper


Season One Soundtrack Download

November 24, 2008

Hello everyone!

As a special treat for anyone who enjoyed the music from the first season I’m pleased to announce that the complete soundtrack is now available for download, for the princely sum of nothing. That’s right pop pickers! The entire selection of tracks featured in the show along with some other remixes and incidental pieces is available here.

The track listing is as follows:

  1. Theme From Silence in C Minor
  2. Like Palms on a Recorder (Ep 1)
  3. No Escape (Ep 2)
  4. Mach Candle (Ep 3)
  5. Checkers (Ep 4)
  6. Paper Cup (Ep 5)
  7. Lighthouse Departure (Ep 6)
  8. Organum Motto (Closing Theme)
  9. James and Alex (Ep 2)
  10. Sounds Like We’re in Trouble (Ep 2 Remix)
  11. No Escape (Extended)

Episode Six Now Live

November 11, 2008

Hi guys!

Head on over to the official Silence in C Minor site to get hold of the latest and final episode in the current season of the Silence radio show!

It’s been a long time coming but we really put everything into this last episode and we hope you enjoy the results. We’re now going back to the planning stages for season two and the next iteration of the live show. More updates to follow!

Over the next few weeks we’ll also be posting various little things such as out-takes and other such bits of fun so stay tuned.

See you soon!

The Silent Collective

 

The Silent Collective at Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh 2008

The Silent Collective at Arthur


Episode 6 – On the way!

October 20, 2008

Hello all,

Silence rolls into action once again!

That’s right . . . The Collective once again headed back into the studio on Saturday for a few hours to record the very final episode in this season. (Why do we call it a season and not a series? Well, cause we can and it just sounds right for this project) Recording was great. It’s really weird to once again get up and find yourself saying the words or doing a characters voices after a such rest. It’s really not been that long a break, but it certainly felt it . . .

I wanted to write this post and answer a few questions I’ve been asked about the last Episode :-

1) Why the wait for the last Episode?!

Well, this is my fault and the collective’s decision. Shortly after we recorded and released Episode Five we were to finish the series with six and put it all to bed with warm coco. It became apparent to though that if we went to Ed Fest and people came to the site (and therefore the radio show) cause of the live show then there would be nothing new up for months after! So we took a decision to focus on making the Ed show the best it could be and give people something to come back to once we’d torn the final ticket.

2) Okay, so am I going to have to wait this long for the next series?

It won’t be anywhere near as long for series two to start! I am not going to confirm exact dates at the moment but the plan is to release Episode Six then follow it the month after with some exclusive behind the scenes out takes and interviews etc. After which we hope to amaze your ears with something very special indeed. I’m going to keep it under wraps for the moment but lets just say it will be longer, it will be bigger and it will be just as silly if not sillier! Then shortly after that Season Two will start with a regular release date through the site . . . Now I’ve just got to write the bloody thing!

3) Well Jon that’s made me a little happier, but what about another live show?

Jesus! Calm down! I’m working my nuts off here! We do have plans for another live show but at the moment a few things are in flux (news when I have it) and until they are finalised we won’t be returning to the rehearsal room. Lets just say the new year brings new things . . .

So that’s about it guys. Thank you all for your patience and for the support you offer us and I’ll post again as Episode Six launches!

Lots of love,

Jon Cooper

 


Changes ahoy!

September 16, 2008

Hello all,

Jon Cooper here. I’ve got a rather sizable post to go up in the next few days but wanted to let you know about a few of the exciting changes Silence & the website will shortly be going through . . .

Episode six should, god willing, be recorded and mixed as soon as we are able. (We all work normal jobs and have just exhausted ourselves at Ed Fest so bare with us)

Many out takes, interviews and extra series bits and pieces will shortly become available

The website will gain alot more functionality over the coming month including an archive section, podcast streaming, a forum and whatever else tickles our collective fancies.

Also something new and exciting will be announced, a one off . . . something very different in the Silence world. I’ll be more specific soon!

Lots of love,

Jon C


Welcome Back

September 7, 2008

So we’re all back from a thoroughly successful stint at the Fringe, many thanks to all those who came along to the shows in our epic run! It was tough but we managed to do it so thanks to all those involved. Here’s a rundown of some of the reviews we had…

The Scotsman

THEATRE: SILENCE IN C MINOR

Published Date: 08 August 2008

By Sally Stott

SILENCE IN C MINOR

***

C SOCO (VENUE 348)

THIS absurdist comedy set in the nightmare world of Organam, a corporation specialising in advertising and “identity banking”, has some great moments of physical humour. 

Writer/performer JP Cooper has a fine sense for surrealism that cuts into even the most mundane of situations. The fact such an outlandish piece has its roots in the company’s shared experiences of run-of-the-mill temping is a testament to this. 

Upon entering Organam, we meet James (James Groom) and Alex (Cooper), a couple of workers stuck inside this office dystopia, where everything has a price – even, we discover, our individual selves. 

Groom and Cooper are brilliantly agile performers and the director, Honour Bayes, draws every last ounce of humour from the script, which is silly, but charming, , mainly due to the rapport between Groom and Cooper.

While the plot gets a little too wacky towards the end, the cast are clearly having a whale of a time and it’s difficult not to be carried along by this. 

 

The Stage

Silent Collective

C Soco

Alex and James are office drones – staple-benders in fact – in the large faceless corporation Organum. Bequeathed their identities in a colleague’s will, they set about discovering why Keith Flint possessed this information in the first place, and in the process discover some unpleasant secrets about Organum’s activities.

Writer JP Cooper and James Groom play multiple parts in this absurdist adventure. They are an adept and likeable pair, swiftly switching into a succession of quirky characters, from their bumbling heroes to sinister agent Poe and the clown conducting the funeral. The only slightly irksome creation is Cooper’s Cassie, who is little more than a wiggling, high-pitched voice.

With just two tiny chairs on stage, this enjoyable romp sees the pair navigate through a bizarre bureaucracy rife with danger. The pace is quick, the style Python-esque and the performers slick. Honour Bayes’ direction and Cooper’s comic script ensure never a dull moment, while the sound and lighting match the tempo of the piece and facilitate the frequent flights of fancy.

Delighting in theatrical nonsense, Silence in C Minor is pulled off with aplomb.

Review by Maria Hodson

Published online at 10:09 on Monday 11 August 2008

Also the big news was that a certain Kevin Spacey came to see our show and apparently liked it. Yay! Here’s what people had to say about the show on the official Fringe website.

In addition a kind soul has filmed the first ten minutes of the show along with the One Minute Relationship and slapped ‘em on YouTube… Both of which I choose to share with you now!

First Ten Minutes

 

One Minute Relationship

Stay tuned everyone because we’re only just getting started in the world of Silence in C Minor. Episode 6 of the hit radio show is in production and will be released soon to round up season one, after which many more exciting developments await!

Thanks again to everyone who has supported us over the last few months!

John


The Continuing Madness

August 6, 2008

Hello everyone, John D here.

Seven shows down, another twenty or so to go before we leave this fair city. Actually, it’s not that fair at the moment due to some absolutely horrific weather. So here at Silent Towers we’re taking a little break from plying people with flyers all the while incarcerated in sticky tape, evidence of which can be found in the following image:

Things are going pretty well and the show is going from strength to strength. Our first review is from Three Weeks (the Edinburgh student paper for the uninitiated), the text of which is as follows:

Silence In C Minor
Silent Collective
There’s little time for any silence as two actors switch frenetically between characters, telling the story of two workers and their investigation into the insidious advertising company Organum. The acting and the energy make this very watchable, but the plot needs a little more tweaking and, while it is funny, there’s much more potential for humour with this slick double-act. J P Cooper plays the more uptight Alex alongside a host of others, including the love interest Cassie – excelling in the pathetic – while James Groom delivers brash and sinister characters with aplomb. A dark little satire on identity theft and office slaves which has room to grow into something even more exhilarating.
C soco, 30 Jul – 25 Aug (not 11), 9.45pm (10.35pm), prices vary, fpp230.
tw rating 3/5

Not too shabby! Considering this was our very first night we’re delighted with the review. Thanks Three Weeks, you guys are all right…

Here’s a shot from the sound and lighting desk at the space, taken at last night’s performance (Tuesday 5th) for one of our best audiences. Thanks audience, you guys are all right…

Finally as an extra little treat, here’s a sample of the brand new opening music as used in the show…

Silence in C Minor – Opening Music 2

Good jazz!


Silence in Edinburgh

July 29, 2008

We’re here! After months of preparation, stress and late nights the Silent Collective have upped and left the sunny climes of London for the rather foggy shores of Edinburgh. Things have been going pretty well since we arrived, the flat we’re staying at has proved to be a most hospitable place to hole up away from the madness that is the Fringe festival.

As there’s no internet in our flat we’re doing to the time-honoured tradition of beaming this from the very comfortable sofa at the back of a Polish internet cafe, somewhere off Easter Road. But still, this combined with the lack of TV hasn’t dampened our spirits! So the plan is rehearsing for the rest of the day until our dress rehearsal tonight, from there we have all of tomorrow to relax and take stock before the insanity truly begins. For tomorrow night is the opening performance of Silence in C Minor at C Soco!


Rehearsal Update

July 17, 2008

Hey everyone, John here reporting from the relative safety of the makeshift studio.

We’re eye-deep in the maelstrom here at Silence Inc. and on one of my rare nights off I’m in the process of preparing some final bits and pieces for my role in the show. It’s all going pretty well and one of the runs we had recently was quite a good one so I think everyone’s feeling a bit energised at the moment.

I’m sure this will all change though next week, or next Saturday to be precise when we all drive up in a small car to save on the pennies. It’s weird to think that this really is it, in less than two weeks we’ll have been up there for a bit living in our rented flat and a few performances will be under our belt. Here’s another photo from one of the recent church rehearsals:

So not long now…