Theatre making or Eating a metaphorical cop who is a symbol for Capitalism's face because you are a passive aggressive arty type.

So recently I was posed this question, by Simon (honorable mention).
‘What do you think is in it for a 'British Teen' who makes theatre?'. 
So to stop me going on a disorganised Nietzsche-esc internal rant which ends up criticising the fact the universe is infinite, I shall use some sub-headings with expanding size.

Personally:
I feel there is a lot to gain from making theatre myself as a British teen. It allows me to express creatively. It allows me to bring up issues, express insecurities, ask political questions and challenge pre-conceptions of both being British and Being a teenager. Most importantly, I get to be silly. This creative environment is non-judgmental and we offer to share ourselves and be judged on what we have to share. Where else does this happen other than in theatre making?
It’s something I believe a lot of people are missing, and our exposure to art in life and education is frankly poor. It allows us to question whether the artistic goals of personal growth are more valuable than the consumerist capitalist ideologies we are spoon fed by everything else.  *DISCLAIMER* (The following metaphor is poorly chosen but I think the passive aggressiveness comes across well).
It’s like that scene in Silence of the lambs, where Hannibal lector escapes the jail cell. The Cops are the media trying to prevent art which questions escaping the cell and theatre is Mr Lector. Then of course the consumerism is the guy whose face gets eaten.

Socially (in the place we live in):
The answer to this is well frankly more negative. As a society we have become disenfranchised with theatre as a concept. Take for instance, the Olympian, train’s hours a day for most of their lives to be the best they can be. Take the actor does three years training and that’s about it. There is no continual growth for the actor only approaching a steady state of mediocrity. No wonder we have become disinterested in theatre because there is no desire to make GREAT theatre. Name the last great playwright. Yes, I’m talking about Shakespeare. Yes, that was like 400 years ago.
 As an actor there are places we can practice  As a theatre maker (and a student) there are much more limited options. That’s because theatre is a logistical nightmare due to the above reasons… So as much as I’m annoyed by the lack of art spaces for us ‘British Teens’. I understand why there is none.

Nationally: I had an interesting conversation about National identity and theatre with a nice lady called Jen. She’s a researcher who asked me ‘Why is it that we cannot accept eastern European ideas of theatre because they are foreign to us?’. Well we do have a closed minded approach to theatre and the truth of it is, there is no real place for British teens to make theatre.
That said there are Brilliant institutions such as the national youth theatre which allow young people to be in high quality and forward thinking pieces.  This makes me think there is a possibility to bring theatre back into mainstream culture and use it to question the values of a mainstream media which is probably the only thing that annoys me more than the last boss in Tekken 3.

Universally:
Because the universe is so huge. There is no point to a British teen to make…  Wait, The subheadings were to stop me doing this…
And that’s just how Conall sees  it.

Dislocation followed by solitude then isolation.

So this blog has been on hiatus (ooh fancy word). Because, I've been stupidly busy with Le Crucible. But guess what it’s your lucky day in the words of Mr SWAZZINGGEERR ‘I’ll be back’ and this is me back! POW.

So because I took time out, to do some theatre, I thought. Why not have a seasonal edition! Then I thought naah. We’ll do one about MY FAVORITE LIVING ACTORS.
SO HERE IS LE TOP FIEEVVVE. In no particular order.

Lets get the obvious cliché out of the way.
DANIEL DAY LEWIS.

Firstly, he is an extraordinary craftsmen, the amount of research and commitment he gifts to a role is exemplary and this tradesman ship should be valued.
Secondly, there will be blood. (do I need to say anything more?)

And his less commended role in the film gangs of new York. Yes this film is RUINED by Leonardo do craprio. But DDL’s role as the Butcher is chilling and possibly the second best villain to grace the silver screen.

2.       Speaking of best villains. Javier Bardem, No country for old men. Chigurh, this character is chilling. It was this that introduced me to Bardem’s work. His metaphorical representation of this angel of death was a brilliant on screen performance. Then I watched Biutiful, OH MY GOD. THIS MAN IS BRILLIANT. WATCH ALL HIS FILMS. He was also in a rather terrible version of Love in the time of cholera which is one of my favourite books. But it was Javier Bardem so he was fine. I BLAME EVERYONE ELSE.

3.       Adrien Brody. Brody is to acting what fish and chips is to British culture.  He is probably the most natural on screen presence of our generation. He’s like thirty and already won an Oscar. Now here’s the thing. THE PIANIST. If you’ve not seen it get your clinex and watch in… now.  Also he co-produced ‘Detachment’ which is totally my new favourite film. He’s also beautiful in this film, playing a substitute teacher trying to avoid confronting the problems with the American education system. Watch it after the pianist. Just do it.

4.       Alan Rickman. Alan Rickmans silky voice and randomly situated pauses. Make him a clear pick for this list. He’s even good in a film called blowdry. Which to be honest is painfully bad, then Rickman kicks arse. Look at these performances in terms of Dogma and Rasputin. He nails them both in completely different ways. Plus he could play any character. Seriously. Pick up any script with any part and Alan fits.

5.       So we have one pick left. Whose it going to be Christian Bale? Kevin Spacey? Sir Ian Mckellen?(it would be Sir Ian if he didn’t sell out to make 9 hours of the Hobbit). Narrowly beating out Edward Norton and Forest Whittaker (lost for the criminal minds spin off) for the final place on the list is… Not Morgan Freeman (he’s number 6 ;). But it is non-other than, Jaoquin Pheonix! Almost purely for his undeniably brilliant performance as Jonny Cash. He’s a fabulous underrated talent and one to watch. I feel he is one who the baton will be passed to in coming years. Bring on some great films Jaoquin. 

You may well disagree with this, and it's by no means comprehensive. But that is how Conall sees it.