http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LVa04Veh90&feature=related
Posted @ 14:51:44 on 05 February 2012 back to top
Posted @ 14:50:07 on 05 February 2012 back to top
David has just wrapped on The Wee Man feature film and has just shot a music video for SBtrkt's up coming single Hold On. Keep an eye on this news feed for the video once released....
Posted @ 14:48:27 on 05 February 2012 back to top
Posted @ 17:14:26 on 22 October 2011 back to top
David has just been cast in the role of Johnny Banks in the feature film 'The Wee Man'
Posted @ 19:26:14 on 19 October 2011 back to top
David has recently completed filming on the television movie This September, with Charles Dance. (For German TV)
Posted @ 15:09:54 on 23 June 2011 back to top
David is about to begin filming in the BBC Scotland's Flagship Soap 'River City'
Posted @ 12:25:02 on 07 March 2011 back to top
****
SCOTSMAN By Matt Brereton
Neither the promotional material nor the title of this show inspire much confidence that it is going to be a particularly powerful or thought-provoking piece of theatre.
As the action begins, and we are transported to the interior of a rather grotty flat in Edinburgh's Meadowbank area, there is also little to hint at the dramatic tour de force to which we are about to be treated, as Daniel (David Elliot, who also wrote the play) wakes up on the morning after the mother of all nights before.
No sooner have his eyes opened than his hangover, manifested in the form of a bald man in a blue boiler suit (Stuart Nicoll), begins setting about him with a pillow round the head, refusing to let him settle back to sleep, and keen to prick his conscience about the events of the last evening.
Slowly the pair begin their dance, Daniel remembering fragments of his latest mammoth drinking session, amid reminiscences of some of his legendary booze-ups of yore. Initially the pair's badinage calls to mind a sort of sub-Irvine Welshian dialogue, but slowly it becomes apparent that the writing is more considered than that, and the performances more controlled.
True, there are one or two moments when these stories threaten to stray over into clichéd territory, but there's nothing predictable about the gripping climax. As Daniel's memory slowly begins to return he makes an awful discovery: his drunken night out may have cost the ultimate price.
A psychological play like this lives and dies by the strength of the writing, and relies heavily on good, naturalistic acting to carry off the emotional set-pieces. Elliot has produced a breathtakingly realistic and resonant piece of writing and, in harness with his co-star Nicoll, delivers a devastating turn as the tortured protagonist. If they can keep up this excoriating level of intensity, both Elliot and Nicoll are surely destined for even greater things in future.
****
EVENING NEWS By Martin Christie
DAVID ELLIOT is an excellent playwright. He's also a very good actor, or a worryingly committed method actor, given the nature of his role in his own hard hitting, no-holds barred play.
Like so many people, Danny likes to get drunk every so often, and the hangover that inevitably follows never puts him off for long. The whole what's-the-worst-thing-that-could-happen mentality seems to have been adopted by most occasional or even binge drinkers around the world, and certainly in Scotland, particularly Edinburgh, where Hangover is set.
Billed in the programme as the character of Hangover, Stuart Nicoll convinces. Anyone who has experienced a hangover will instantly recognise the traits and qualities he personifies, and like a real hangover, he's not just irritating, loud and persistent, but darkly deceptive as well.
To begin with, Hangover beats Danny with a pillow, and then aggravates him into getting out of bed and taking a shower. A cold one. From there, Danny is prodded into trying to remember how he got into the drunken state he arrived home in.
For the most part, the first half of the piece is whimsical, slightly slapstick and all too familiar to most. Partway through though, things take an odd turn: Hangover seems more insistent that Danny remembers what happened the night before, just as Danny himself resists the memories more and more forcefully. From the window, Danny's car, which hadn't been in showroom condition in the first place, seems to be in an even worse state of repair. And then Hangover appears to take on an altogether different character ...
The production was simple, but not spartan. Tricks and effects were kept to a minimum, but the use of a strobe got across a moment of hangover tension perfectly. The audience were warned about nudity and strong language in the programme: a warning about the strobe would have been useful too.
The performances were excellent, particularly Elliot in the lead role. Like many actors, he undoubtedly researched the part well, but where the story dealt with darker issues, he rose to the challenge. A few rough edges barely made an impact on what was overall a beautifully crafted and deftly performed two-hander.
The piece was gripping, but it was also thought-provoking. Issues of drunkenness, learned behaviour and personal responsibility might not make for the most cheerful of stories, but they do add up to a more than worthwhile hour of anyone's time.
****
BROADWAY BABY By Rob Marks
Goes down like a fine wine
A man lies passed out in his bed, surrounded by discarded cigarette packets and empty bottles. His name is Daniel and he is being harassed by the personification of his hangover. But as the events of last night begin to come out, things take a turn for the worse.
This is a sobering and thoughtful hour of theatre. The writer, David Elliot, plays the main character, Daniel. The performance is remarkable for its intensity. As the play goes on it’s clear that his mind is destroying itself, leaving a shell of a man whose insides are the remnants of the lager he drinks on stage, his late night kebab and his complete inability to appreciate how his actions have consequences. Despite his irresponsibility, Elliot keeps Daniel likable; we want to see him come out of this play all right.
Stuart Nicoll’s anthropomorphised Hangover is wonderfully realised. He is a vengeful and vindictive conscience played with the perfect mixture of violent contempt and wryly observed wit. It’s a bravura performance that carries this show and always keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
My issue with Hangover is the writing. On the one hand, it’s a darkly, darkly comic play. The humour comes from a very true and tragic place that means the audience laughs with the cold dread of recognition rather than actual hilarity. And the shift in tone from comedy to a critical piece of social commentary is subtle and well-handled.
But, at the same time, the beat transitions are heavily anecdotal (“Remember that time when…?”) and Daniel’s everyman characteristics are worn down by the number of things in his past that tick the boxes: abusive fathers, broken families, divorce etc. These things are offered up as ‘believable’ reasons for Daniel’s alcoholism, but the audience doesn’t need to hear them. They are carried along by the ingenuity of the piece and prepared to accept Daniel’s alcoholism as a construct for the show to make its points. And as Nicoll’s Hangover becomes more aggressive, the show becomes very one-sided, losing some of its earlier complexity.
These are minor criticisms. Hangover is a brilliantly realised, desperate plea for common sense wrapped in a heartfelt story of one man’s ability to self-destruct. This is a brutally honest, nakedly critical and darkly intelligent production that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre.
****
THREEWEEKS
Having a hangover may be something that most(if not all) of the audience can relate to, but it isn't often the 'the morning after' makes for particularly thought-provoking theatre. This play is different. David Elliot (as Danny) and Stuart Nicoll (as Danny's hangover) put on a performance that is at times comic, at other times savage, but always passionate. It is impossible to take your eyes off the duo as they examine the destructive conflict between the cause and effect and the inescapable nature of human responsibility. The plot is full of twists. This is a rare chance to see two exceptional actors at work.
****
NEWSPEAK by Sylvia Trotter
What price the morning after the night before? In 55 powerful, thought provoking minutes, Hangover (by David Elliot) challenges us to come up with the answer. This multilayered, well constructed play grabs us from the start and never lets go.
There may only be two characters on stage, but by the end, we have encountered and been moved by many more. The past, present and future come to life. Superbly acted by David Elliot and Stuart Nicoll, this is one Hangover not easily shaken off.
****
LOTHIAN LIFE by Ros MacKenzie
Edinburgh based Collabor-8 Productions was created in 2008 by actors David Elliot and Stuart Nicoll to produce stories of very real situations and characters , concentrating on Scottish themes and issues. Not exclusively Scottish, but certainly a universal issue very pertinent in Scotland is “Hangover“, the theme and title of their production at the Zoo Venue, the Pleasance. This powerful and thought-provoking drama deals with a theme familiar to many – the morning after the night before. A night that has been forgotten, but which is gradually pieced together in all its full horror. There is one scene, in real time, with two real characters in surreal circumstances. It is a play about personal responsibility, the facing up to ones own actions squarely and honestly, without dodging behind glib (or even plausible) let-outs. It’s a strong first play, and extremely promising. We look forward to more from Collabor-8.
****
THE PINK PAPER by Jonathon Melville
As someone once said, clichés only become clichés because they’re true. In the case of modern Scottish theatre there are some elements which can be relied upon to be wheeled out to signify that they’re both modern and gritty – see if you can spot them in the synopsis for new play Hangover:
Danny is a drink-sodden, foul mouthed wide boy with little regard for the opposite sex who would rather spend a night on the town with his latest floozy than his estranged son.
Recovering from a booze-laden night out, Danny wakes to find his memory more than a little hazy, his car in a bad state and his friend intent on him remembering his actions.
Written by and starring David Elliot as Danny, Hangover may embrace the clichés of the alcohol loving Scotsman but the skill of the piece is its ability to merely use them as the set-up to an intriguing look at the repercussions of what can happen when you deny responsibility for your own actions.
***
THE LIST by Marc Petrie
A play based on a hangover is something that many people could relate to. While at first appearing to follow some generic conventions relating to alcohol abuse (one-night stands and donor kebabs feature heavily), it becomes clear after a while that this is no ordinary hangover, and that there are some very real repercussions to our main character Danny’s drunken haze. With some gentle encouragement from the mysterious second character, the story of the night before the morning after begins to unravel.
Touching on some wider social issues -- most notably the effects of domestic abuse and alcohol misuse -- the play attempts to understand the drinking culture which affects so many lives in Scotland. Understandably, this makes for some incredibly serious moments from the pair of actors, impressive use of lighting adding to the intensity of the sincerest moments in the play, and building to a powerful emotional twist at the end.
More than just a crass glorification of a serious issue, the play makes a genuine attempt to tackle the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption, both for the individual and the people surrounding him, in a tale that will resonate long after the final curtain.
***
FRINGE REVIEW by Lizzie Edmunds
The scene is set: An unconscious body in an unmade bed, clothes thrown across a filthy floor, scattered between a sea of empty beer cans. A movement, a groan and the Danny is awoken, the fact he is being beaten over the head by a humanised “hangover” with a pillow may be a contributing factor to such a rude awakening. Remembering nothing of the night before, the twosome work together to fill the gaps in Danny’s memory. Slowly but surely, the consequences of having just one to many are revealed with a haunting, disturbing twist.
Danny, played by David Elliot is quite brilliant throughout: you really believe that he has the god-awful hangover. From his stance onstage, to the mumbles he can only just produce, to the retching, he is thoroughly believable and exceptionally well executed.
The piece is kicked off with a monologue spoken from an Author-God narrator, which nicely sets the scene and induces a couple of laughs. The set is basic and is used well throughout, a shower being created from a watering can and a screen is a nice and hilarious touch. It feels brilliantly low budget and is perfectly suited to the script: you feel as though you are sitting in a squat-like den that has been used and abused the night before.
The writing itself is great: it is hilarious to begin with and then quite traumatic towards the end, with delightfully heart-wrenching monologues thrown in to boot, it’s just the structure could be a lot better, played around with, to make it a little bit more alternative.
Overall a good show. The dialogue and Elliot make it worth seeing.
Posted @ 14:55:12 on 30 November 2010 back to top
David has just completed filming the lead role in The Last Order, a co-produced film by GMAC and The UK Film Council. Playing opposite Gary Lewis (Gangs of New York/ Billy Elliot) and Leann O'Kasi. Directed by up and coming director Mark McDonald.
(More details to follow)
Posted @ 14:50:11 on 30 November 2010 back to top
David has just wrapped the filming the lead role in the forthcoming drama "Euphoria", directed by Jon Howe with Angelic Films in London and is currently filming "The Ambitious Potato" in Greenock, pairing up once more with "Eyes on the Street" director David Newbigging and Award-winning Running Productions for this off beat comedy.
More details of these projects to follow in the coming months....
Posted @ 21:25:25 on 28 October 2010 back to top
David has just accepted the role of O'Neill in Grid Iron Theatre Company's multi award winning touring production of "Decky Does A Bronco".
Winner Scotsman Fringe First Award for New Writing
Winner Stage Award for Best Ensemble
Nominated for TMA/Barclays Award for Best Touring Production
David is really excited to work with Ben Harrison and the Grid Iron team on Douglas Maxwell's powerful piece of work.
Details of the UK tour which begins in May are to follow....
Posted @ 16:48:04 on 28 January 2010 back to top
"David Elliot's Shingle is nimble and wonderfully demented"
Edinburgh Evening News (4stars)
To read the full review please follow the below link;
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/reviews/Review-Sinbad-featuring-The-Little.5847902.jp
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"...it is David Elliot who is frequently allowed to steal the show as best-friend Shingle, his possession by Crabsclaw one of the highlights of the piece."
It's On It's Gone/The Pink Paper (5stars)
To read the full review please follow the below link;
http://itsonitsgone.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/theatre-review-sinbad-brunton/
http://news.pinkpaper.com/Feature.aspx?id=1675
Posted @ 14:00:16 on 23 November 2009 back to top
Check out all the amazing reviews from Hangover at;
http://hangovertheplay.com/page15.htm
Nine 4 stars and a 5 for Hangover.
Here are some of David's quotes;
Scotsman 4 stars; "dramatic tour de force from David Elliot.... Elliot has produced a breathtakingly realistic and resonant piece of writing.... Elliot is surely destined for even greater things in future."
Evening News 4 stars; "The performances were excellent, particularly Elliot in the lead role"
Broadway Baby 4 stars; "David Elliot's performance is remarkable for its intensity....brutally honest, nakedly critical and darkly intelligent"
Threeweeks 4 stars; "Elliot's performance is at times comic, at other times savage, but always passionate."
Fringe Review 4 stars; "David Elliot is quite brilliant throughout...the dialogue and Elliot make it worth seeing"
Also check out 5 star for Cock and Bull at;
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/reviews/Theatre-review-Cock-and-Bull.5643712.jp
Posted @ 12:00:40 on 14 September 2009 back to top
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Posted @ 20:23:45 on 23 July 2009 back to top
David has just confirmed that he will be performing at Brunton Panto "Sinbad" as Shingle
21-Nov-2009 To 02-Jan-2010
For tickets and info ; http://www.thebooth.co.uk/show.asp
Posted @ 11:22:00 on 13 June 2009 back to top
Gay. For such a small word it’s amazing how much hate it can generate, controversy it can lead to and pain it can inflict: though it only contains three characters, you’d sometimes be forgiven for thinking it’s a four letter word.
While modern society prides itself on its liberal attitude to homosexuality and an understanding of gay issues, hate crimes and gay bashing still occur and form the basis for Liam Rudden’s revival of 1980’s play, A Cock and Bull Story.
Up-and-coming amateur boxer Travis (Stuart Ryan) is about to enter the ring once more to fight for a crucial title which will result in fame and glory, while his mate Jacko (David Elliot) encourages him.
When it becomes clear that the homophobic jibes of local youths might have some substance to them following an occurrence during one of Travis’s fights, the pair’s friendship is strained to breaking point as they try to understand their true feelings for each other.
With the perfunctory set placed in the confines of Kitsch Coffee Bar, a simple black cloth forming the backdrop and a poster of Rocky adding a touch of colour to proceedings, the small audience were more uncomfortable eavesdroppers than detached observers to on-stage events.
Opening to the sight of Travis and Jacko staggering home after yet another booze soaked night out, the pair full of alcohol induced bravado as they manhandle each other down the street with the mock-homoerotic undertones permeating the production, both actors capture their characters within seconds.
These men may have a shared history but they clearly have increasingly disparate views on life, love and the future: the contemplative Travis sees success as leading to a bright future in London, the boorish Jacko thinks of the birds and the booze. Travis may on the surface agree with his friend’s outlook, but there’s clearly more going on beneath the surface.
Exactly what is happening in the mind of the two is at the heart of the story. Both vent their feelings and anger regularly, leading to physical violence, but it’s the look in the eyes of the pair that tells another story.
The threat of what being labelled with the “gay” tag could mean for both Travis and Jacko’s reputations within their fiercly working class neighbourhood is handled well by the actors, the stigma attached portrayed with refreshing, if at times disturbing, honesty.
Elliot in particular is full of nuanced glances directed at both his co-star and off-stage, while Ryan has perfected the ability to say one thing vocally while saying even more with a number of well-judged silences. Both bounce off each other with ease, vital if the audience is to buy into their reactions throughout the production.
Landing a final emotional punch upon the audience which left a number of questions to be pondered on the way home, A Cock and Bull Story is an emotionally hard-hitting play whose leads’ impressive verbal sparring promotes it from lightweight to heavyweight with ease.
A Cock and Bull Story runs at Edinburgh Kitsch Coffee Bar until Saturday. Visit the Emerald Blue website for more details.
Posted @ 00:35:59 on 12 June 2009 back to top
David's next confirmed theatre work is Hangover. A dark two-hander about a man dealing with the worst hangover he will ever have, in more ways than one.
David has written the play and is also acting, producing and directing.
More info can be found on the website- www.hangovertheplay.com
" Just because you can't remember, doesn't mean it never happened."
Danny has the hangover to end all hangovers. However, this is not your typical weekend hangover. In fact, for Danny this has fast become a regular past time. Hangover is portrayed through the clever use of a character, conjured up by Danny's imagination, which helps him to remember the events of the previous night, drawing the story out to its bitter and tragic end. An identifiable and thought provoking drama that hits home the realities of one man's self-destructive behaviour and the consequences his actions have on those around him. However, Danny must pay for his actions, but at what cost?
Posted @ 16:46:22 on 27 March 2009 back to top
Posted @ 20:15:24 on 03 January 2009 back to top
David has been cast in the multi-role 5 actor cast version of "It's A Wonderful Life"; which will tour over X-mas period.
See below for details
Posted @ 19:12:34 on 20 October 2008 back to top
"Eyes on the Street" will be opening at the Encounters Film Fest. See below details...
Countdown to Encounters Short Film Festival begins...
The countdown to Bristol’s 14th annual International Encounters Short Film Festival is now underway with the publication of this year’s programme of screenings, awards, celebrity visitors, events and industry debates and the launch of a new online bookings service at www.encounters-festival.or
The six day celebration of short film and animation, which takes place in Bristol from Tuesday 18 to Sunday 23 November, will feature over 300 short films and animations, from 30 countries, including newly-rediscovered early animations by Alexander Shiryaev, new BBC comedies, the finalists for the 2008 DepicT! 90-second film challenge, the debut short by Turner Art Prize nominee, Sam Taylor Wood, and Come Here Today, starring Rhys Ifans.
Guests confirmed include BAFTA-award-winning actor and director, Paddy Considine; triple Oscar winner, Richard Williams, and Clare Kitson, the former Channel 4 commissioner credited with rejuvenating Britain’s animation industry.
For full programme details and ticket sales go to: www.encounters-festival.or
Posted @ 17:31:45 on 10 October 2008 back to top
UPDATE:
The movie formally known as "Enough" has now been re-titled as "Abbeyhill" and has been selected at the Bootleg Film Festival on Saturday 13th September
Posted @ 00:06:47 on 06 September 2008 back to top
4 star review in OnStage;
http://www.onstagescotland.co.uk/saint_joan.htm
"Diverse and impeccably strong performance... David Elliot as Dunois, the compassionate soldier."
4 Star review Edinburgh Evening News/ Scotsman;
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/theguide/Everything-here-is-simply-Saintly.4378637.jp
"David Elliot, cavalier but courageous..."
5 star review RemoteGoat:
http://www.remotegoat.co.uk/review_view.php?uid=2389
"Cast shine including..., David Elliot as the sympathetic soldier Dunois"
Posted @ 15:04:28 on 13 August 2008 back to top
David has just been confirmed to play the role of Dunois in "Saint Joan" at this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Dates in August; 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th
Saint Joan
by Bernard Shaw
Directed by Charles Nowosielski
Musical Director - Richard Cherns
Aug 6-10, 13-17 and 20-24
19.30 (22.10)
VENUE Duddingston Kirk Manse Gardens (Venue 121)
(...a young girl's fight against the power of man)
Even by the great man's own admission, Saint Joan is probably Shaw's greatest work. If not, then it is certainly his favourite.
Posted @ 21:43:10 on 14 June 2008 back to top
NEWS JUST IN: David has just been confirmed for the part of Dougie, the lead role, in Running Productions short film "Eyes On The Street". Directed by David Newbigging for Digi Shorts/GMAC/Scottish Screen
Posted @ 18:39:51 on 27 May 2008 back to top
NEWS JUST IN: David has just been confirmed as the lead role of Callum in the forthcoming Scottish feature film; "Northside". Written by Simon Beattie under the direction of Bruce Strachan of Nonsense Room Productions.
This project is filming over a period of weeks beginning at the end of April.
Posted @ 23:17:47 on 06 April 2008 back to top
David has just been confirmed in the lead role of Neil Rolland's short film "Enough".
Filming begins during May in Edinburgh.
Posted @ 22:08:35 on 31 March 2008 back to top
David has just been cast in the role of Alex in Sandro Sotirchos' short film; Solitude, which is filming early April 2008
Posted @ 21:23:05 on 03 March 2008 back to top
