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Reflection from a Member of the Audience
This year’s showcase of ‘script in hand’ plays was a huge success, playing to nearly 150 people over two nights. Many stayed for the post performance Q and A, hearing about the writers’ inspirations, directors’ approaches and actors’ views about the staged reading approach, including hearing the mute clown speak about playing such a role!
The three plays chosen out of submissions from the CH Playwright’s Group covered ethical dilemmas, family tensions, political ambition, power play, subterfuge and love.
‘Thanks Nan!’ was thought provoking with its topical subject of asylum seekers. Master featured gangster action, a fortune teller and a mute clown. ‘Maureen and Doreen’ ended the evening, revealing long lost love, making the audience sad but then happy. The audience was enthusiastic and added their energy to the evenings, with laughter and shock and silent reflection, as well as heart felt cheering at some of the introductions!
Amongst the writers’ aspirations were that audiences took away a sense of hope, that they would find humour, a feeling that it was time well spent and that good, live theatre nourishes the brain. CH can feel proud that this was the outcome of its in-house production.
The approach of ‘script in hand’, with minimal scenery and props, whilst fully costumed, enabled audiences to experience three quality new works that require less rehearsal time and lower production costs.
The skills, dedication and hard work of the whole production team was clear to see.
From Maureen and Doreen - credit James Keighley
From Master - credit James Keighley
From Master - credit James Keighley
From Thanks Nan! - credit James Keighley
From Q and A panel on 2nd night showing the clown - credit Deborah Seddon
