Slovenia Times

30th March 2007

There is but a Step from Murder to Education

Fear not, this isn't a story about a serial killer or a comment on the Slovenian educational system. It explores a far more interesting subject - the British English-Speaking Theatre of Slovenia (BEST), which is converting Slovenian students into lovers of English drama and turning corporate executives into Agatha Christie's.

BESTheatre was established in 2005 by its artistic director, English actor David Hampshire. When he came to Slovenia 18 months ago and explored his work options David discovered that, unlike many other European countries, Slovenia did not benefit from the existence of a professional English-speaking theatre company, so having forty years of acting experience up his sleeve, managerial skills, and a positive attitude David established the British English-Speaking Theatre of Slovenia (BEST) - the countrys first and only professional English-speaking theatre company.

One of BEST's objectives is to collaborate with native performers and directors to provide theatre productions for English-speaking nationals and expatriates - focusing on commercial, accessible plays and musical theatre.

BEST also present Murder Mysteries, which is a very English concept. Murder Mysteries are not traditional theatre plays but a staged event with interactive audience participation. Over dinner the actors mingle with the guests, dropping clues and revealing information as they act out various scenarios. By the end of the evening at least two of the characters have been 'murdered' and the guests, working as detectives, have to determine who has done what, to whom, and why. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams making Murder Mysteries fun, entertaining evenings and highly suitable for corporate team-building.

“We perform at private and corporate functions and can theme the event to fit the company. Our clients have included Nokia, Novo Nordisk, Peugeot, Sanolabor, IATEFL, Unicredit Bank, Sava Group and Ericsson. I write the scripts for each Mystery so each company gets a storyline related to their business. We also have set scripts that can be played at any event. Every event is different because the audiences are different. What makes it work is the actors interaction with the guests. '' Slovenes can be rather reserved, but once they understand the concept (and after a couple of drinks) they relax and enter into the spirit of it.''

“I have an association with Sava Hoteli Bled which is where we staged our first Murder Mystery (featuring the well-known Slovenian actress Violeta Tomic) ''I intend to perform with Violeta in Autumn 2008 - we will perform in Ljubljana in the drama-comedy A State of Affairs, which is aimed at our general English speaking audience,” explains David.

Educating students through drama

To assist secondary school students in their Matura study of John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, BEST are offering an abridged (1 hour 50 minutes) adaptation of this classic play. This is the first time an English drama will be performed in English by professional English actors at students schools. It's also worth noting that one of the company, Gregory Cox (playing Colonel Redfern), worked with John Osborne in the 1960’s. BEST’s actors are highly experienced in Theatre in Education (TIE), having performed at schools and universities in the UK and the USA.

''Our objective is to help students improve their spoken English comprehension through accessible English drama. The play is ideal for us, requiring just five actors and a minimal set, so we can tour easily around the country.
“As added value the performances will be followed by an interactive play-based workshop where the students will be able to ask the actors about their characters and the play so they can gain as much as possible from the experience. This informal conversation with native English speakers also help students improve their confidence in spoken English. Each student also receives a programme which includes cast biographies, play/author information, and a 90-word play-based glossary. I didn’t know how the project would be received because it’s a totally new concept here, David said, but so far we have received terrific feedback everywhere we've performed.”

Helena Marko

A shocking crime took place recently at Slovenia's famous tourist resort, Lake Bled ; two people were murdered! Our investigation revealed that the killers were none other than the notorious ???, motivated by a desire to lay their hands on the victims fortune. Dark forces are at work and further 'dirty deeds' are forecast for the near future!

Despite the mysterious circumstances surrounding the double homicide, the puzzle was solved by sixty guests over a dinner at which they were challenged to discover the perpetrator and their dastardly motive. With the help of visual, verbal, and written clues and the odd dropped hint discovering the murderers identity was finally achieved!

Perhaps equally as intriguing was that this was the first time such an event had happened in Bled, or for that matter in Slovenia, and the villains are likely to strike again - if The British English-Speaking Theatre have their way.

BEST, the company that staged the Murder Mystery, was established by David Hampshire, a professional English actor. David's concept is for British and Slovene performers to collaborate in presenting the 'best' of British theatre.

A large percentage of Slovenia's population understands English and many Slovene actors are willing and able to perform in the language. Murder Mysteries are just one of BEST's projects ; they also plan a Theatre in Education tour; bringing classic plays to Slovene schools, and they have the drama/comedy A State of Affairs and the musical Blood Brothers under development.

BEST features several well known artistes — including Simon Fisher-Becker, who has appeared in the Harry Potter films, and Violeta Tomic, an innovative actress and host of the Slovenian Weakest Link TV quiz show. Both actors performed in the inaugural Murder Mystery in Bled, which was a tremendous success.

Mr Fisher-Becker is managing director of UK events company Murder Etc, which conducts over 100 of their own "murders" annually, and his co-operation with BEST in Slovenia has unearthed another potential market.

Murder Mysteries are available for private or corporate functions and can be performed in Slovene or English. They are great team-building events which can be adapted to fit any brief. "If you wish we can even make your CEO the murderer," David says.

                                                                                                          Jaka Terpinc

You take time for each other, which is wonderful!

David Hampshire, aged 51, an English actor with 40 years professional experience, has visited Ljubljana 23 times in the past two years establishing The British English-Speaking Theatre of Slovenia (BEST).

“Slovenia has a rich cultural heritage and much excellent theatre”, but unlike many other European countries does not benefit from a professional English-speaking theatre company, so I intend to fill that gap.” David is very fond of Slovenia and its people and the way they have time for each other impresses him the most. He particularly likes the Slovene desire to approach new challenges.

One of BEST's principal objectives is to collaborate with Slovene actors and directors. This would, David feels, enrich cultural ties between the two nations. Their programme will focus on presenting the 'best' of British comedies and musicals as David considers there is a demand for these. He also intends to work with younger generations in schools to help raise the standard of spoken English through accessible English drama. David has found keen interest in his project from Slovene actors - and he also hopes Slovene companies will show a similar enthusiasm with regard to investment.

“Europe is a village,” says David. “I am proudly English, but we are an island race with an island mentality with a tendancy to at times isolate ourselves from our neighbours, while I believe we should embrace our European partners. Living here has definitely made me more European”.

David views BEST as a long term project. ''I’m realistic and don't expect it to be easy. Any new initiative, especially in a foreign country, takes time to establish, but I'm commited. Creating employment and helping students improve their language skills gives me great satisfaction".

David spoke particularly warmly about his first Slovenian presentation, a Murder Mystery dinner held in co-operation with Sava Hotels at the Grand Hotel Toplice in Bled. These events will be produced regularly due to such an enthusiastic response. David, who writes, directs, and appears in the Mysteries explains it is not a traditional theatre play, but a staged event, with inter-active audience participation. Violeta Tomic, the well known Slovenian actress, showed keen interest in the new concept and performed in the show with David and his English colleague Simon Fisher-Becker.

The Bled Murder Mystery was adapted for a Slovenian audience. Over dinner the actors mingle with the guests dropping clues and revealing information as they act out a murder scenario. By the end of the evening the guests, working as detectives, have to determine who has done what, to whom, and why! Prizes are awarded to the top teams.

David says these events offer something different as you not only wine and dine but enjoy an evening’s entertainment at the same time. David expressed admiration for his cast. The experience is arduous for the actors as it requires constant improvisation in English. ''I couldn't do it in Slovene,'' he says.

BEST can write a plot to any requirement and the choice of settings is limitless. In the UK they have performed Murder Mysteries on ships, in castles; even in the Reptile House at London Zoo.

The Murder Mystery concept has attracted keen interest from Slovenian companies wanting to try something different for their function. BEST's corporate clients have included Nokia, Novo Nordisk, Peugeot, Sanolabor, IATEFL, Unicredit Bank, Sava Group and Ericsson.

Vilma Prezelj