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Original artwork by John Couzens
About Us
This website stemmed from a free, bi-weekly online newsletter, begun in May 2005, similarly called EXTRA! EXTRA! which was the brainchild of Mary and John Couzens. John had enjoyed his recent role as a community extra in Deborah Warner's mammoth production of Julius Caesar at the Barbican Theatre, and the original purpose of the newsletter was to keep members of its large cast connected and provide them with a theatrical forum. Mary assumed the dual roles of Editor, and Reviewer, as well as occasional photographer, although she is, first and foremost, a Creative Writer. However, as a Creative Writer with a background which includes three years spent working for SOLT - Society of London Theatres, (2000-03) during which time she watched hundreds of theatrical productions all around London, as well as stints spent working in various London tourist attractions, including the now defunct Southwark Information Centre, she is no stranger to the Arts and the many Cultural Attractions London offers. John, whose interests and experience include Art, Filmmaking and Sound Design, took up the roles of Artist, Co-editor and photographer. Both he and Mary quickly realised the need for networking, to enable the 'newsletter' to reach its true potential, so John also assumed the role of self taught website designer. Since it's inception, the initial intentions of EXTRA! EXTRA! have expanded, and it has now become apparant that it has the capacity to assume multiple tasks far beyond its initial mission, the most important one amongst them being to promote the varied creative endeavours of those who work with and value performance. Initially, this website was meant to be the only newsletter about and for actors at varying stages of their careers, written exclusively by them, but since it's inception, it is in the process of becoming a platform from which creative people representing all forms of cultural expression can potentially, share their knowledge and experience, via promotion of their productions, thoughtful reviews of them by our volunteer Creative Writers, Interviews and other features highlighting their work, regardless of their ages, credentials, connections and/or prior level of experience. We sincerely hope that in future, EXTRA! EXTRA! will continue to evolve and reflect a wider and wider range of artistic perspectives in the process... Mary and John Couzens
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