Good Things | 3 – 8 December 2012

by Liz Lochhead,  directed by John Oakenfull.

Production dates: 3th-8th December 2012.

This is a poignant, hilarious, “Cinderella story” with a lot to say about love the second time around.

Susan Love, suddenly single and with the dreaded 5-0 staring her in the face, has an old dad in his second childhood, a daughter in the throes of aggravated adolescence and an ex-husband who, unfortunately, still has the power to wound.

It is set in the charity shop where she is a volunteer. She deals with, colleagues who have their own problems, a succession of customers and people, who’ve donated “things”, but are they Good Things?

Photos below.

Cast:
Susan                                             Janet Sharrock
David                                             Nigel London
Marjorie                                        Claire Morris
Fraser                                            Howard James
Actress                                          Sanchia Leddy
Actor                                              Ian Evans

Backstage:
Stage Director                              John Heather
Set Design                                     Adrian Pope
Set Construction & decor           Andrew Heather, T62 members
Lighing & Sound                          Ian James
Stage Manager                            Heather London
Asst Stage Manager                    Nicola Wilkinson
Technical Support                       Andrew Herbert, Jon Lewis, David Hart
Lighting Operators                     James Quinn, Alice London
Props                                             Beryl Neal
Costumes                                      The Cast, Margaret Uzzell, Danny McIIhiney
Make-up, hair                              Jean Golder, Penny Vetterlein, Christine Lever
Prompt                                          Nina James

House Manager                           John Heather
Refreshments                              Audrey Knighton
Raffle                                             Heather London
Box Offce                                      Margaret Uzzell
Posters, programme design       Graham Copeland
Programme Editor                      John Guttridge

Production & rehearsal photos:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 1 – 6 October 2012

By William Shakespeare. Directed by Patricia Melluish.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most delightful and well known comedies.  It is a play of such lightness and joy, romance and confusion, that even the most Bard-resistant audience members will be swept away by the tale of four lovers lost in an enchanted forest.

Production photos at bottom of page.

Some of the cast and crew (click on images to enlarge):

Details of the cast below:

Theseus                                   Alec Raemers
Hippolyta                                Rachel Cormican
Egeus                                       Tony Skeggs
Hermia                                    Ruth Aylward
Helena                                     Lauren Santana
Lysander                                 Stephen Whalley
Demetrius                               Richard  Stewart
Philostrate                              Janet Edden
Oberon                                    John Heather
Titania                                     Carolyn Taylor
Puck                                         Ian-Paul Munday
1st Fairy – Rose Petal           Janet Edden
2nd Fairy – Snowdrop          Amy Burnell
Peaseblossom                         Sue Hicks
Cobweb                                    Charlotte  Haslegrave
Moth                                        Christine Lever
Mustardseed                          Alice Foster
Forget Me Not                       Sandie Campbell
Pansy                                       Myrna Delicatta
Quince                                     Del Stone
Bottom                                    Pieter Swinge
Flute                                        Ryan Gray
Snout                                       Bernard Harriss
Snug                                         Jeremy Clarke
Starvelin                                  Ian Evans

Did You Know?  Two of the “The Dream’s” cast members appeared in Theatre 62’s first Shakespeare production, The Tempest, back in 1964: Carolyn Taylor and John Heather. Also pictured in the photo on the left: Maurice Uzzell, Jack Mortimer and Ray Bardell (click on images to enlarge).

So, what’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream all about?  Well, it opens with two reluctant brides: Hippolyta, who is to marry the Duke of Athens after being conquered in war, and Hermia, whose father is trying to force her to marry Demetrius when she is in love with Lysander.

Hermia and Lysander flee Athens and escape to the nearby forest of Arden, not realising that they are being pursued by Demetrius and Hermia’s best friend Helena (who is in love with Demetrius).  Following so far?

What none of the four lovers is aware of is that the forest is also home to fairy folk who have come together to celebrate Midsummer.  The Fairy King and Queen are arguing bitterly, but the King sees Helena being spurned by Demetrius and decides to intervene by sending his servant, Puck to put Demetrius under a love spell.  Needless to say this does not go according to plan and madness and mayhem ensue both in the human and fairy realm.

There is a laugh-until-you-cry subplot (featuring the famous ‘Bottom’) which centres around a group of local tradesmen getting together to put on a play to celebrate the Duke’s marriage.  Their disastrous attempts at rehearsals, not helped by one of them being turned into an ass, are the source of much hilarity.  Their performance for the Duke, which takes place right at the end of the play, when all romantic matters have been happily resolved, is excruciatingly, brilliantly awful!

Backstage:

Stage Director                              John Heather
Lighting Design                            David Hart
Sound Design                               Andrew Herbert
Stage Managers                          Liane Marchant, Heather London
Choreographer                            Hollie Campbell
Composer & Singer                     Serena Newman
Asst Stage Director                     Del Stone
Set Construction                         John Heather, Del Stone
Stage Crew                                   Alice London, Nicola Wilkinson
Techncial Assts                           Ian James, Danny McIlhinery, James Quinn
Props                                            Beryl Neal
Costumes                                     Margaret Uzzell, Joan Martin, Valerie Polydorou, Diana Quinn
Make-up & hair                          Christine Lever, Alice London, Penny Vetterlein
Wigs                                              Christine Lever
Prompt                                         Mary-Jane Ransom, Janet Clarke

House Manager                           John Heather
Refreshments                              Lynne Craig, Audrey Knighton
Raffle                                             Heather London
Box Office                                     Margaret Uzzell
Poster/programme design         Graham Copeland
Poster artwork                             Robert Hall
Programme Editor                       John Guttridge 

Review by Peter Steptoe, Croydon Advertiser:

“Director Patricia Melluish wisely decided to have this delightful piece of Shakespeare nonsense performed in the round. Obviously adept at this type of theatre, she kept her cast moving when necessary and for those not speaking, standing in the four exits and not blocking the audience’s view.

Often when amateurs are performing the Bard I get the impression that they do not understand the words they speak, but this was not the case for the production by the Theatre 62 Company.

Alec Raemers as Theseus showed his authority and in the end compassion for the Mechanicals. I liked Quince’s (Del Stone) nervousness when presenting his play and Pieter Swinge as Bottom made the most of his overacting, while his donkey braying was realistic. Ryan Gray as Flute played Thisbe with the necessary high tones and was slim enough to have a feminine silhouette. Bernard Harris as Snout made an excellent wall and Jeremy Clarke as Snug was as ferocious as an elderly lion could be.

John Heather played Oberon in an ‘elderly actor laddy’ style which seemed to suit the part and Ian-Paul Munday was not the smallest Puck I have seen but was good with the magic dust.

Demetrius (Richard Stewart) and Lysander (Stephen Whalley) convinced as the rival lovers for the hands of Hermia (Ruth Aylward) and Helena (Lauren Santana). These four actors played extremely well together.

The fairies moved elegantly and Carolyn Taylor as Titania did her best to convince us of her love for the donkey.”   

Limited selection of photos: 

The Glass Menagerie | 25 – 30 June 2012

By Tennessee Williams.  Directed by Paul Marshall.

Tom brings a work colleague, Jim, to meet Amanda, his mother and former ‘Southern Belle’, and Laura, his insecure and slightly crippled sister who is absorbed by her collection of glass animals. Amanda is desperate to find a husband for Laura – but is Jim the answer to Amanda’s prayers?    

It is a sensitive piece of drama – an intimate, absorbing and heartbreaking personal drama which examines how fragile the human heart can be, and how easily it can be broken.

The Glass Menagerie won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play in 1945 when it was premiered on Broadway.

Production photos & reviews below.

Cast
Older Tom Wingfield                                      Del Stone 
Amanda Wingfield (Tom’s Mother)              Samantha Elgar
Young Tom Wingfield                                     Ian-Paul Munday
Laura Wingfield (Tom’s Sister)                     Jessica-Ann Jenner
Jim O’Connor (The Gentleman Caller)        Geoff Dillon

Backstage
Set design & decor                       Adrian Pope
Stage Director                              John Heather
Set construction                           John Heather, Andrew Heather, Tony Jenner, T62 members
Lighting Design                            Andrew Herbert
Sound Design                               Ian James
Projection                                     Andrew Herbert, Ian James
Technical support                       David Hart, James Quinn
Props                                             Sally Guttridge
Wardrobe                                     Margaret Uzzell, Joan Martin
Make-up & hair                           Jean Golder, Christine Lever, Penny Vetterlein 
Prompt                                         Heather London

House Manager                           John Heather
Refreshments                             Lynne Craig, Audrey Knighton
Raffle                                            Sally Guttridge
Poster/programme design       Graham Copeland
Programme Editor                     John Guttridge
Box Office                                    Margaret Uzzell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Reviewed by Peter Steptoe

Tennessee Williams is a major American playwright and this play was the first confirmation of his talent. Reputedly autobiographical it relates the story of a failed marriage in the hard times of the 1930’s.

The narrator is the son of the family who later recalls his memories of those days and his subsequent desertion, for apparently he never returned. This difficult part was expertly played by Del Stone as the older version of Tom Wingfield.

Samantha Elgar was the Southern Belle type of an over doting Mother whom I found somewhat irritating and this is of course a compliment. The accent was believable and the speech pattern very quick but then she had a lot to say. Gentlemen callers were her speciality as a means of entering her daughter into the marriage market.  

Her son young Tom Winfield was aggressively played by Ian-Paul Munday which illustrated his frustration at the dead-end job in a shoe warehouse. Jim O’Connor (Geoff Dillon) was the clerk where he worked and though successful at school was subsequently a failure. He was the gentleman caller brought home to dine unaware that it was to meet Laura, Tom’s sister. She was beautifully played by Jessica-Ann Jenner as the shy introverted one. This actress had the rare ability of stillness and her scene with the gentleman  caller as she gradually blossomed out was very moving.

Paul Marshall the Director and the set designer and sound and lighting team are to be congratulated for this production.

Under Milk Wood | 30 April – 5 May 2012

By Dylan Thomas.

Directed by John Heather.

A narrator invites the audience to listen to the dreams and innermost thoughts of the inhabitants of an imaginary small Welsh village, Llareggub.  This simple précis allows the imagination, humour and ability of Dylan Thomas to shine through.

The BBC broadcast the first UK recording of Under Milk Wood in 1954, so Theatre 62 will also be staging the production as a radio play.  Those who have been to a radio production know how entertaining it can be to see actors reading the most unlikely characters.

Members and Friends appearing were:

Richard Barrett, Sandie Campbell, Janet Clark, Jeremy Clarke,  Philip Cohen, Myrna Delicata,  Andrew Heather, Sue Hicks, Howard James,  Muriel Kidd, Raymond Langford Jones, Sanchia Leddy, Christine Lever, Ian-Paul Munday, John Oakenfull,  Del Stone, Pieter Swinge, Carolyn Taylor, Penny Vetterlein, Eve Stone.

Backstage:

Assistant Director:                         Anne John
Set Design:                                      Polly Hart
Lighting Design:                             David Hart
Sound Design:                                 Andrew Herbert
Stage Manager:                              Anne John
Technical Support:                         Ian James
Props:                                              Andrew Heather
Wardrobe:                                       Margaret Uzzell

House Manager:                             John Heather
Refreshments:                                Audrey Knighton
Raffle:                                               Sally Guttridge
Box Office:                                       Margaret Uzzell
Programme Editor:                        John Guttridge
Poster/Programme Design:         Graham Copeland

Great Expectations | 27 February – 3 March 2012

by Charles Dickens, adapted by Hugh Leonard, directed by Rosemary Harris.

This play is based on the penultimate novel of one of the greatest writers of the 19th century, Charles Dickens.

It was published when Dickens was at his prime. It is an absorbing mystery as well as a morality tale, the story of Pip, a poor village lad, and his expectations of wealth is Dickens at his most deliciously readable.

The cast of characters includes kindly Joe Gargery, the loyal convict Abel Magwitch and the haunting Miss Havisham.

Cast:
Pip                                        James Mercer
Herbert Pocket                  Matthew Sanderson
Young Pip                           Danny Mcilhiney
Estella                                 Emily Smith
Joe Gargery                       David Kinch
Magwitch                            John Oakenfull
Mrs Joe                               Samantha Elgar
Biddy                                   Ruth Aylward
Pumblechook                     Pieter Swinge
Jaggers                               Andrew Herbert
Miss Havisham                  Carolyn Taylor
Wemmick                           Del Stone
Aged Parent                       Ray Harris
Miss Skiffins                       Samantha Elgar
Molly                                   Samantha Elgar

Backstage:
Set design:                          Ray Harris
Stage director:                   John Heather
Sec construction:               John Heather & T62 members
Set decor:                           Adrian Pope
Lighting design:                 Ian James
Sound design:                    John Lewis
Stage Manager:                 John Guttridge
Asst Stage Manager:        Ann Herbert
Stage Crew:                       Barbara Gadsden, Nina James
Sound Programming:       Ian James, Jon Lewis
Technical Support:           David Hart
Props:                                 Sally Guttridge, Ann Herbert
Wardrobe:                          Margaret Uzzell, Joan Martin, Valerie Polydorou
Make-up & hair:                Jean Golder, Christine Lever, Penny Vetterlein
Prompt:                              Muriel Kidd

House Manager:                John Heather
Refreshments:                   Audrey Knighton, Lynne Craig
Raffle:                                 Ann Herbert, Sally Guttridge
Box Office:                         Margaret Uzzell
Poster/programme design: Graham Copeland
Programme Editor:           John Guttridge 

The play was reviewed by the Bromley Times, to read the review, click here

One for the Road | 5th – 10th December 2011

By Willy Russell, directed by Sandie Campbell

On the evening of his birthday Dennis is making a last ditch attempt to break away from the confines of middle-class existence. Imprisoned on Phase 2 of the housing estate, and surrounded by Tupperware parties, Weight Watchers and wife swapping, he tries to revert to his former easy-going way of life. He reaches breaking point when next door neighbours Roger and Jane arrive for his party carrying presents that epitomize the hated way of life. In between giving instructions on the telephone to his parents (lost in the maze of bungalows) and keeping a secret hidden in his reproduction Queen Anne Bureau, Dennis attempts to pack a rucksack. Then he finds that, in turn, Jane, Roger and Pauline (his wife ) all want to come with him…

The cast:

Dennis Cain           Rob Chambers
Pauline Cain          Rachel Cormican
Roger Fuller          Ian-Paul Munday
Jane Fuller            Sanchia Leddy

The cast in action

Dennis ranting about his hatred of tupperware

 

Backstage:

Set Design:                                  Adrian Pope
Lighting Design:                         Jon Lewis
Sound Design:                             Ian James
Stage Director:                           John Heather
Set Construction:                       John Heather & T62 members
Set Decor:                                   Adrian Pope & T62 members
Stage Manager:                         Liane Marchant
Asst Stage Manager:                 Lynne Craig
Lighting Assistant:                     David Hart
Sound Assistant:                        Andrew Herbert
Props:                                          Beryl Neal, Sandie Campbell
Wardrobe:                                  Valerie Polydorou, Sandie Campbell
Make-up & hair:                        Jean Golder, Penny Vetterlein, Christine Lever
Prompt:                                       Audrey Knighton, Nina James

House Manager:                        John Heather
Refreshments:                           Audrey Knighton, Lynne Craig
Raffle:                                          Janet Clark
Box Office:                                  Margaret Uzzell
Programme Editor:                   John Guttridge
Poster/Programme Design:     Graham Copeland

Dancing at Lughnasa | 3rd-8th October 2011

By Brian Friel, directed by Janet Clark

Dancing at Lughnasa, by Brian Friel, one of Ireland’s most important playwrights, was first performed at the Abbey Theatre, in Dublin, in 1990, and garnered the 1991 Olivier Award. In 1998, Dancing at Lughnasa was adapted to the screen in a film directed by Pat O’Connor and starring Meryl Streep.

Set in 1936 Dancing at Lughnasa is a play about hopes, frustrations, dreams and desires set against a background of Irish cultural identity, nostalgia, historical change, and pagan ritual. It revolves around the five Mundy sisters (Kate, Maggie, Agnes, Rosie and Christine), all unmarried who live together in a cottage on a farm 2 miles away from Ballybeg in Donegal with Michael, Christine’s seven year old son, born out of wedlock.

The cast:
Michael:       James Mercer
Kate:             Janet Edden
Maggie:        Sanchia Leddy
Agnes:          Hayley Beszant
Rose:            Jess Webb
Chris:           Emily Smith
Gerry:          Ian-Paul Munday
Jack:             Del Stone

Backstage:

Set Design & Decor:                   Adrian Pope
Lighting Design:                         David Hart
Sound Design:                             Andrew Herbert
Stage Director:                           John Heather
Choreorapher:                            Hollie Campbell
Set Construction:                       John Heather & T62 members
Set Decor:                                   Adrian Pope & T62 members
Stage Manager:                          Liane Marchant
Asst Stage Manager:                 Sue Hicks
Sound Assistant:                        Jon Lewis
Props:                                          Bery Neal
Wardrobe:                                  Margaret Uzzell, Valerie Polydorou
Make-up & hair:                        Jean Golder, Penny Vetterlein, Christine Lever
Prompt:                                      Mary Ransom, Nina James

House Manager:                        John Heather
Refreshments:                           Lynne Craig, Audrey Knighton
Raffle:                                          Sandie Campbell
Box Office:                                  Margaret Uzzell
Programme Editor:                   John Guttidge
Poster/Programme Design:     Graham Copeland

The Deep Blue Sea | 20th – 25th June 2011

by Terence Rattigan, directed by Muriel Kidd

Rattigan’s exquisitely crafted piece is set in a bleak 1951 London. Six years have passed since the end of World War II, but in England it is still a chill age of austerity and ration books, and a cold climate for love.

Hester Collyer is emotionally desperate having left her husband for a semi-alcoholic ex-RAF pilot whose ardour has cooled. She loves him but cannot live with him, unlike her husband whom she can live with but cannot love.

An attempted suicide fails and she wrestles with her inner turmoil.

The cast:

Hester Collyer        Claire Morris
Mrs Elton                 Sandie Campbell
Philip Welch            James Mercer
Ann Welch                Nicola Bull
Mr Miller                 Tony Skeggs
William Collyer      Paul Marshall
Freddie Page           Matthew Eades
Jackie Jackson        Richard Webb

Flying Feathers | 11th-16th April 2011

By Derek Benfield, directed by Susan Adam.

When Chief Constable Henry Potterton arrives at the peaceful country house of his late brother Bernard he is astonished to find several scantily clad ladies wandering about.

Not knowing that during Bernard’s temporary absence on a religious commune in the Orkneys, his housekeeper, Nora Winthrop has turned the place into a house of sin.

As she is not expecting the Chief constable and is fearful of the questions that he will ask, she hastily tries to hide the truth, leading to hilarious comings and goings.

The cast:

Chief Constable Henry Potterton     Alec Raemers
Sarah Potterton                                  Janet Clarke
Nora Winthrop                                   Susan Appleyard
Roger Featherstone                           Bernard Harriss
Mr Tunnicliffe                                     James Mercer
Polly                                                     Ruth Aylward
Debbie                                                  Sanchia Leddy
Sally                                                      Alana Mortlock
Jackie                                                   Rachel Judge

Earnest Endeavours | 14th – 19th February 2011

by Ned Hopkins, directed by John Oakenfull

We meet again Cecily and Gwendolen who got married in 1895 at the end of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

This new family drama, specially written for Theatre 62 by one of its members, explores how their lives might have changed in the maelstrom of the early 20th Century, after 20 years of marriage.