Full Page Splash show spoofs its way to Manchester

By John Freeman on July 11, 2013

A scene from Full Page Splash. Photo: Emma Phillips

Last year, we reported on Full Page Splash, a new theatre show from the Sigil Club. which the team put on in London in November. Well, this fun, fast-paced show about the history of comic books is being performed again, this time as part of the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival on the last weekend of July.

In the show, the Sigil Club bravely dare to fit the entire history of the comic book medium into one hour of comedy, using sketches, puppets, fights and seven-foot long diagrams to educate and entertain.

Full Stage Splash is a fast paced condensation (four actors, 65 roles, one hour!) of a large topic that has been enjoyed by both experts and those with no prior knowledge. It is a humorous take on the historical, social and political changes which affected how those heroes in capes foil the evil villains’ schemes.

A scene from Full Page Splash. Photo: Emma Phillips

After well received jaunts as part of the Camden Fringe Festival and at the Hen & Chickens, the Sigil Club bring Full Stage Splash up North to entertain.

Weep as a puppet encourages books to be burnt!

Recoil in horror as someone attempts to teach you something!

The Sigil Club present traditional theatre practices mixed with pop-culture touchstones to excite a wide audience and present new ideas. Their previous plays, including an existential fairy tale, an absurdist comedy, and a live theatre sitcom set in a comic store, have consistently amused audiences, selling out the Hen & Chickens, the Etcetera and the Roundhouse Studio theatres in London.

Described by one reviewer as “A stupendous, giddy romp through the facts of the funny books”, script and direction is by Michael Eckett, who joins the cast which also includes experienced members Daniel Farley, Kate Quinn and Kris Wood. Jackie O’Sullivan co-produces with design work by Larissa Kunstel-Tabet.

The show is taking place at the Kings Arms, 11 Bloom Street, Salford, M3 6AN on Saturday 27th July (4.00pm £6) and Sunday 28th July (4.00pm £6)

• Buy tickets for the Manchester performances of Full Page Splash here

• More about The Sigil Club: www.sigilclub.co.uk

A scene from Full Page Splash. Photo: Emma Phillips

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.