Presented by Next Stage Youth Theatre Company
Thursday 12th - Sunday 15th September, 7:30pm
Matinees Saturday 14th & SUnday 15th September, 2:00pm
“The Great house of Willoughby Chase is surrounded by trees
The forest stretches in all directions before and behind…
And from the trees that line the riverbank
Watch hundreds of pairs of hungry eyes” (Act 1)
Set in England in 1832, in the imaginary reign of King James III, Bonnie and her orphaned cousin Sylvia are threatened by wicked wolves and a grim governess as they await the return of Bonnie’s parents from an ocean voyage. Whilst loyal James, the family servant, and the mysterious wild goose-boy Simon try to look after the girls, the evil Miss Slighcarp, with her accomplice Mr. Grimshaw, pursue their wicked plans to take over Willoughby Chase, embezzle the family fortunes and banish the two girls to a forbidding school in Blastburn run by Mrs Brisket.
This classic story by Joan Aiken has delighted children and adults alike since 1962. Now adapted for the stage by local playwright Russ Tunney, this fast-paced play is brought to the stage by the talented Next Stage Youth Theatre Company. Directed in thrust by Ann Ellison BEM and using imaginative projection to create the world of Willoughby Chase, this promises to be a hugely entertaining piece of theatre for all the family.
Rehearsal Images
CAST A
Performed Friday 13th 7:30, Saturday 14th 2:00, Sunday 15th 7:30
CAST B
Performing Thursday 12th 7:30, Saturday 14th 7:30, Sunday 15th 2:00
REVIEW
Having only recently travelled to The Mission Theatre for a Brief Encounter, I was looking forward to travelling to an alternate timeline for this play based on the novel The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. Set in the “once upon a time that never was” early 19th century in which the Stuart King James III reigns, this adaptation of the classic novel by Joan Aiken lies in the wonderful tradition of presenting children the means to enjoy fiction which introduces historical settings as well as complex themes, such as Tom's Midnight Garden, A Traveller in Time and The Prince and the Pauper.
The large cast needed for this play made it an excellent choice for this talented theatre group, allowing for a variety of character parts, and it was clear that they relished the challenges that such a play presented. I last saw them perform West Side Story, so this play was a complete change of tone and tempo which they handled with aplomb. A split cast, as well as allowing for understudies, gave everyone a chance to shine, and I'm sorry that I was not able to see both cast performances.
Ann has skilfully coaxed wonderful performances from her cast, and I got the sense that they understood the source material very well. Nobody let a single moment go to waste while on the stage, and the characters were vividly recreated for us. In true melodramatic fashion, no villain was too dastardly, no hero or heroine too pure of heart. We were treated to dark and stormy nights and flurries of snow so realistic they made me shiver, so well done to the tech team who were kept on their toes for the whole show giving us gobos, projections (with interesting transitions) and a host of light, sound and music effects all of which enhanced the production.
The well-drilled cast were completely focused, making this a true ensemble piece, especially precision blocking and slick scene changes using a simple zoned set. Different entrances and exits kept the audience engaged, and I particularly liked the use of the attic window through which the imprisoned orphan Emma jangled her manacles, and the secret passage through which Bonnie, Sylvia and James clambered. The use of boxes to make stagecoaches, train carriages and school benches was effective, and the pared-down room on the dais worked well for a variety of settings. If there were hitches during the dress rehearsal (I only spotted one missing prop and one hesitant line) they covered them confidently without losing their stride. Diction was clear and each young actor spoke according to the character. Sardonic, naïve, petulant, kindly, frightened, assured; each delivered the required emotion. I cannot single out any one person as each person was perfectly cast and delivered his or her role to perfection. Clever use of narration within the script passing from person to person kept it fast-paced, both in act one as we set the scene and tone of the piece and act two as we romped to the longed-for happy ending.
Props and costumes were, as always, spot on, and care was taken to use costume and colour to differentiate each character; for example a strong contrast was made between Simon's more feral character and the other generic 19th century costumes, or between adult and child clothing styles, so even with a large cast it was easy to know who was who and what the relationships between them were. The only uniform pieces were the orphans, who obviously had fun with the schoolroom scene, and the wolves, who were thoroughly menacing and at times terrifying. To the wolf who prowled by me and made eye-contact, I have you to thank if I cannot sleep tonight. When I close my eyes, I can still hear the howling.
Next Stage Theatre Company has a well-deserved reputation for attention to detail and for selecting interesting and engaging drama, and this production was no different. With youngsters like these stepping into the spotlight, the future of the group is very promising. I cannot wait to find out what's next in store. They didn't just shine, they sparkled like stars in the clear moonlit sky. Get a ticket, if you dare and put some ginger in your gravy. Just remember to stay away from the woods after dark and beware of the wolves grown savage and reckless from hunger.
~ Rebecca Beard
