FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
THEATRE FESTIVAL
Thu 12th to Sun 15th July 2018
PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS TO SUIT YOUNG AND OLD, IN BEAUTIFUL VENUES ALL OVER THE CITY
For more information and to book tickets: www.wellstheatrefestival.org Booking fee required
Enquiries : 01749 673848 6 4 Welcome to the Wells Theatre Festival 2018
Cedars Hall The Dance Studios THE CITY OF WELLS We are delighted to welcome you to the first Wells Theatre Festival which has been created by a small team of local theatre professionals with the aim of bringing a programme of world class Wells Theatre Festival theatre and performance to Wells and the surrounding communities. Venues and Parking Wells is a vibrant cultural hub with opportunities to experience a wide range of arts but until now, if you want to see professional theatre, you need to travel to Bath, Bristol or Salisbury. The
Education Room driving force of this venture has been a vision to make it possible for our local young people to Wells Museum experience the transformative power of live theatre through both workshops and performance in 8 their own community. The centrepiece of this first Wells Theatre Festival is the community performance of 5 10 Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, performed entirely by local residents. It has been wonderful to 7 Education Room Cathedral Green Wells Cathedral see this production take shape since the first rehearsal in April and the cast with an age range of 16 to 65 – some of whom have never performed in front of a live audience before - come together to form a close knit, dedicated ensemble. P 3 The Bishop’s Palace As we have planned and developed this first festival, we have been blown away by the The Globe Inn P & Gardens 2 9 enthusiasm and encouragement of the local community to get involved and play their part. We
1 Almshouses Chapel would like to thank our many supporters and sponsors who have made this Festival possible through their generosity and vision. The Little Theatre P P Thank you to our Festival Patrons, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Richard Eyre, whose faith in the project and their continuing support has been invaluable.
P P We would also like to thank David Merrifield of Just Us Agency for the development of our brand P and the website and all our publicity material. P We do hope you enjoy your visit to the Festival and we look forward to seeing you again next year! The Wells Festival Team
THE VENUES
PERFORMANCES WORKSHOPS
1 The Little Theatre 1 The Little Theatre 2 Almshouses Chapel 4 The Dance Studios, Wells Cathedral School 3 The Globe Inn 7 Education Room, Wells Cathedral 5 Cathedral Green 8 Education Room at the Museum 6 Cedars Hall 7 Education Room, Wells Cathedral 9 The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens 10 Box Office
Left to Right: Alex Holdaway (PR), Louise Miller (co-Director Romeo and Juliet), Rosalind Johnson (Artistic Director), Anna Dixon (Costume Designer Romeo and Juliet), Neil Johnson (Producer of the Festival and Fight Director for Romeo and Juliet) , Lin Dickens (Marketing).
2 3 PATRONS
Proud to sponsor the inaugural Wells Theatre Festival
Dame Judi Dench has performed with the Sir Richard Eyre was associate director Royal Shakespeare Company, the National at the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, and ran Theatre, and at The Old Vic Theatre. She is a the Nottingham Playhouse before being ten-time BAFTA winner including Best Actress in appointed Director of the National Theatre, a a Comedy Series for A Fine Romance (1981) in role he held from 1988–97. His theatre work which she appeared with her husband, Michael has included productions for the National Williams, and Best Supporting Actress in A Theatre, West End and Broadway. In opera he Handful of Dust (1988) and A Room with a View has directed Carmen, Werther and Le nozze (1985). di Figaro for the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and Manon Lescaut for the Baden- She was appointed an Officer of the Order Baden Festival. of the British Empire (OBE) in 1970, a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire Sir Richard has been the recipient of (DBE) in 1988 and a Member of the Order of numerous accolades including six Olivier the Companions of Honour (CH) in 2005. awards and a knighthood. “I am thrilled to be a Patron of such an exciting and ambitious venture as the Wells Theatre Festival. It is wonderful to be able to introduce young people to Shakespeare. Hopefully, they will be hooked for the rest of their lives, as I was.” Dame Judi Dench
4 5 Date: 12th July Time: 11:00 - 11:45 & 13:00 - 13:45 Venue: Education Room, Wells Museum Map location: 8 Cost: FREE PERFORMANCE
L_VE HANGMAN A life-sized, 3D version of the timeless pen and paper favourite, reimagined as a macabre light- entertainment gameshow from the 70s. The fate of the condemned is in your hands... can you guess the mystery words to win, or is the malevolent host going to get his way? Get it wrong and watch him swing! Pick a letter to play the highest-stakes spelling game in town.
With a catchy original soundtrack, tongue-in- and projects. We create play activities for cheek puppetry and awful dress sense, L_ve community and family groups and shout about Hangman is wicked interactive fun for all ages. the importance of play, for everyone. Mufti Games create playful and memorable experiences for all ages. We make and tour Want to play? Stay in touch at muftigames.com our own work and create games for others, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and to engage audiences in exhibitions, ideas Instagram @muftigames
Date: 12th July Time: 14:15 - 14:45 & 14th July Times: 14:15 - 14:45 & 15:15 - 15:45 Venue: The Little Theatre Map location: 1 Cost: £8 Concessions: £5 PERFORMANCE
STICKY ENDS Sticky Ends is a lo-tech, one-woman storytelling show by makers of award-winning family theatre, Brave Bold Drama. Expect a collection of brand new comic cautionary tales told with good humour, live music and lots of joining in for families of all ages to enjoy together. Never again will your child spend too much time on computer games, demand icecream on a daily basis or refuse to go to bed after watching Sticky Ends . . . perhaps! Each batch of tales lasts 30 minutes and you choose the stories you want to hear, plus the “Intelligent comedy and deliciously chance to help make a brand new bonus story. humorous verse kept the young audience Every show is inspired by your suggestions! enthralled (but not scared!). Witty & dark- Bonus tales created on the current 2018 tour humoured, a highly original show.” include “Don’t Drop Litter In Your Mum’s Car”, Edinburgh Fringe Review “Too Many Trick and Treat Sweets” and “Why “Excellent performance . . .” Drawing On The Walls Isn’t Always A Great Idea”. Buxton Fringe Review
6 7 Date: 12th July Time: 19:00 - 20:40 Venue: The Little Theatre Map location: 1 Cost: £10 Concessions: £7 PERFORMANCE
STOLEN Daniel Morden transports you to the Land of No Return, his storytelling enhanced by the hypnotic string accompaniment of Sarah Moody and Oliver Wilson-Dickson.
The ensemble take you on an epic journey, through a dreamlike land where you will encounter a King turned to stone, an old woman living in the claw of a giant cockerel and a glass man filled with wasps.
Stolen is a tale of lost loves, bravery and above all else, hope.
“We hear stories within stories, like “A scintillating combination of music, Chinese boxes, laced with tears and sound and story” (The Times) laughter. The paradox is that these Visit www.thedevilsviolin.co.uk for more magical tales are really our humdrum information. lives, wrapped in imagination and mystery.” (Remote Goat) Age Recommendation 10+
8 9 Date: 12th July Time: 21:15 - 22:30 Date: 13th July Time: 13:00 - 14:00 PERFORMANCE Venue: Cedars Hall Map location: 6 Cost: £10 Concessions: £7 Venue: Education Room, Wells Cathedral Map location: 7 Cost: £15 WORKSHOP
GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY SIR RICHARD EYRE Scratchworks Theatre Co Directing Shakespeare In the early hours of Thursday 8th August 1963 Sir Richard Eyre gives us some insights the heist of the century was underway. Whilst from his extensive experience of directing the world was tucked up in bed, 15 men put a Shakespeare in film and theatre. With a finger up to the government and stole 2 million particular emphasis on his critically acclaimed British pounds from Her Majesty’s Royal Mail 2017 film production of King Lear with Train. Five days later the first clues were found, Anthony Hopkins. This will be followed by a the gang was busted and the rest is history. But Q&A with festival director Ros Johnson. what about the ones that got away? Join the four forgotten females as they leave behind their kitchen-sink lives and embark “Inventive and intelligent physical on a madcap adventure of mischief and theatre… Wondrously enjoyable.” (Theatre mayhem. Using a raucous combination of Bubble) physical theatre, live music and clowning, Scratchworks will unfold the untold tale of the “A great show that can be enjoyed by all unlikely female four. the family” (Broadway Baby) “Just raw talent… a totally captivating “Genuinely funny… an engaging show” (Beaford Arts) performance.” (The Peg Review)
Date: 13th July Time: 14:30 - 15:30 Venue: Education Room, Wells Cathedral Map location: 7 Cost: £15 Concessions: £12 WORKSHOP
CLARKE PETERS Musical Memories Clarke Peters has had a varied career in musical theatre, television and film, including Five Guys Named Moe, Nat King Cole, The Wire and Three Billboards. In this workshop he will explore how dialogue and lyrics work. Why do some songs work in a musical while others don’t? What is it that lifts a scene into song? Why have songs at all? What can a song do that words can’t? Let’s find out together. Clarke will use examples of songs from the following shows: Guys and Dolls. West side story. Oliver. My Fair Lady.
10 11 Date: 13th July Time: 19:00 - 21:00 & 14th July Time: 19:00 - 21:00 Venue: Cathedral Green Map location: 5 Cost: £15 Concessions: £10 PERFORMANCE ROMEO & JULIET
Shakespeare’s classic Introducing story of star-crossed Beth Millward (16) lovers. Torn apart as Juliet and by their feuding Julian Laws (15) families, caught as Romeo. between duty and Directed by desire and forced to Rosalind Johnson irreconcilable action. and This is a Romeo and Louise Miller. Juliet cast drawn entirely from the local Wells community. A first, it will be performed in front of the stunning Wells Cathedral.
The Company
12 13 Dates: 13th July Time: 16:00 - 17:00 & 14th July Time: 16:00 - 17:00 Dates: 13th July Time: 21:30 - 23:15 & 15th July PERFORMANCE Venue: Almhouses Chapel Map location: 2 Cost: £10 Concessions: £7 Time: 12:30 - 14:00 Venue: The Globe Inn Map location: 3 Cost: £2 Concessions: FREE PERFORMANCE
CHOPPING CHILLIES SPOKEN WORD A hit at Edinburgh 2016: From Kerala to The first ever Wells Theatre Festival Poetry Camden, an epic, mystical tale of love, loss and Slam, being run by the Hip Yak Poetry soul-food. Shack. A quick-fire knock-out incredibly cuddly poetry competition, featuring up to A cobbler and a cook concoct a delicious 8 slammers. Prepare for fun, friendly and transcontinental enchantment as tragedy and exhilarating poetry for both audience and chance entwine. Katie dreams of curries and poets, hosted by national spoken word stars chapatis; Ajna, of holy souls and reincarnation... Jonny Fluffypunk, Chris Redmond and Liv A delightful, poetic, magical yarn that conjoins Torc. Poets will be competing for a feature the spirit of India with the heart of London. slot at Sunday’s Hip Yak Poetry Session plus the admiration of their friends. Everyone Directed by Olivier Award winner (for welcome, new and old. ‘Morecambe’) Guy Masterson. Jonny, Chris and Liv will also be performing “An extraordinary, humbling story of feature slots before and after the slam. love, family, loss, grief, new beginnings. A delicious, appetising, spicy feast of a “The imprint lasts long after the show!” (Edinburgh Guide, 2016) performance ends.” (Three Weeks, 2016)
Dates: 13th July Time: 21:30 - 22:30 & 14th July Time: 21:30 - 22:30 Dates: 12th July Time: 19:00 - 21:30, 13th July Time: 19:00 - 21:30 & 15th July PERFORMANCE Venue: Cedars Hall Map location: 6 Cost: £15 Concessions: £12 Time: 19:00 - 21:30 Venue: The Bishop’s Palace Map location: 9 Cost: £15 Concessions: £10 PERFORMANCE
COLIN CLOUD KING LEAR The Sherlock Holmes of entertainment, with Following on from the success of last year’s a flair for comedy. The Great Detective of critically acclaimed debut production of live events, from New York, to Las Vegas and Hamlet, Wells Theatre Company are returning Hollywood. This forensic mind reader will to The Bishop’s Palace to perform another read you like a book. William Shakespeare masterpiece, King Lear. His astounding deductions and outrageous The play will be performed in Promenade, a stunts have stunned audiences and format which proved such a hit with residents astounded sceptics the world over. He’s and visitors walking with the actors from attracted hundreds of millions of online scene to scene through rooms and grounds views, starred in ‘The Illusionists – Live of the Palace. from Broadway’ and colluded with the BBC ‘Sherlock’ Christmas Special. In 2017, Cloud King Lear has ruled for many years. As age appeared on the Royal Variety Performance, and ill judgement overtake him, he divides in 2018, he returns to the UK for his his kingdom amongst his children. Misjudging nationwide theatre tour. laugh, gasp and be utterly amazed as Colin their loyalty, he finds himself stripped of all Cloud reveals all. the trappings of state, wealth and power that Colin Cloud’s award-winning act leaves had defined him. audiences bewildered and mesmerised. “We could rule the world together.” (Simon Cowell) For more information see: His mind-blowing presentation challenges the www.wellstheatre.co.uk way we all think about the world. Prepare to “Utterly mind-blowing.” (Prince William)
14 15 Date: 14th July Time: 11:00 - 11:40 & 13:15 - 13:55 Date: 14th July Time: 14:00 - 16:00 PERFORMANCE Venue: South Lawn at the Bishop’s Palace Map location: 9 Cost: £9 Concessions: £5 Venue: Education Room, Wells Cathedral Map location: 7 Cost: £10 WORKSHOP
REYNARD THE FOX HARRY BURTON The tale of Reynard the Fox follows the Harold Pinter woodlands most infamous scoundrel who prides himself on being the trickster of Harry Burton provides an insight into his long the forest. But when the Woodland Court working association with Harold Pinter and announces the theft of the King’s Crown opens up a deep understanding of Pinter’s Jewels the animal kingdom immediately 50 year career. Participants will have the blame the fox. Reynard must do everything opportunity to work through some scenes he can to prove his innocence and avoid from Pinter’s plays. Maximum 20 participants. certain death, as well as maintaining his Age from 12+ devious persona. Will the gift of his silver tongue be a shade too bright against his roguish red fur to save his own tail? Reynard the Fox is a new piece of engaging outdoor theatre for family audiences of all ages, using The Fabularium’s unique aesthetic, strong imagery and all performed Date: 15th July Time: 11:00 - 12:30 upon their traditional wooden cart. It will Venue: Wells Museum Map location: 8 Cost: £10 Concessions: £7 WORKSHOP feature storytelling, puppetry, original live “What a great show, the kids loved it. music and The Fabularium’s bespoke animal Great to meet the guys involved after and headpieces. they were brill with the children. DOMINIC MAFHAM If you get the chance go see the show, Acting at the Globe Please Note: Ticket price includes entrance to thoroughly recommended” the Bishop’s Palace and grounds. (Audience member) Dominic gives us an insiders account from his own experience of acting at the Globe Theatre. Date: 14th July Time: 10:30 - 12:30 Merchant of Venice at the Globe WORKSHOP Venue: The Dance Studios at Wells Cathedral School Map location: 4 Cost: £10 This production came at a particularly interesting time in the Globe’s history as it was STAGE COMBAT revived for a world tour under the new artistic directorship of Emma Rice. Emma’s introduction Based on the fight sequences used in “Romeo of technology, of lights and amplified sound, and Juliet”, fight choreographer Neil Johnson was controversial and the arguments raged will demonstrate how to fight realistically but bitterly on both sides. Ultimately Emma’s safely on stage in both unarmed combat and tenure was short lived and she left the Globe. with weapons. Merchant of Venice was unique in that it was Please Note: Age 12+ performed both in ‘original practice’ (the Globe world tour starting in New York. It travelled term describing how it’s productions adhere as to Washington DC and Chicago before a trip closely as possible to those of the Elizabethan to China. The contrast couldn’t have been theatre), and with a full lighting design later on. greater! Dominic will give a talk describing the The show started its life with Jonathan Pryce experience and being the story to a happy playing Shylock at the Globe and received rave ending when the company arrive in Venice itself reviews, not only for Pryce, but for its clarity. for a final week at the glorious Teatro Goldoni. Often seen as a ‘difficult’ play - this Merchant This will be followed by a Q and A and the made sense. It was then revived for a major opportunity to ask any questions you like.
16 17 Date: 15th July Time: 14:00 - 15:15 PERFORMANCE Venue: Cedars Hall Map location: 6 Cost: £15 Concessions: £12
I FOUND MY HORN Remember learning an instrument as a child? And dropping it like a stone as soon as you could? Then years later, regretting that your teenage self had not been quite so headstrong? I Found My Horn is the inspirational story of just someone who, languishing unfulfilled in middle age, decided to do something about it. The French horn, officially the most difficult instrument in the orchestra, is not for the faint- hearted. When Jasper retrieves his old horn from the attic after 31 years, he determines to play a Mozart horn concerto in front of the scariest audience imaginable: the British Horn Society. Will it all go horrendously wrong? What will his grouchy teenage son think of him? And why does adapted by Jonathan Guy Lewis and Jasper Rees the horn start talking to him in a Czech accent? and directed by Harry Burton. I Found My Horn, starring Jonathan Guy Lewis, is “A shot of pure joy. Delightful, often laugh- based on the acclaimed book by Jasper Rees. It is out-loud funny” (Daily Telegraph).
Front row tickets to achieving your financial aspirations
For a free consultation, please contact Lisa Anderson in our Wells office on 01749 335017.
www.oldmillgroup.co.uk
18 19 ACCOMMODATION
Here is a selection of places to stay in and around Wells. Please contact the owners and managers of the accommodation directly (we have no involvement in arranging rooms).
HOTELS
THE CROWN THE SWAN HOTEL Set in a 15th-century coaching inn, this quaint pub Searching for Somerset hotels? Our hotel is located with rooms is a 3-minute walk from both Wells in the heart of England’s smallest cathedral city. It is Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace, making it a great directly opposite the magnificent West Front of Wells base from which to explore this wonderful part Cathedral. of Somerset. The Crown was once director Edgar The hotel boasts 48 individually designed non- Wright’s ‘local’ and so is the pub in the film Hot Fuzz. smoking bedrooms, a courtyard garden, conference There is a choice of affordable en-suite rooms, facilities for up to 90 delegates and provides the including four poster and family rooms. All are perfect getaway. comfortably furnished and have Egyptian cotton Contact: sheets and bath sheet towels as standard. There is 01749 836300 free Wifi throughout the building. A great selection of imaginative dishes, including tasty vegetarian options, are served in Anton’s åBistrot at BED & BREAKFAST The Crown and the Penn Bar throughout the day. MAGDALENE COTTAGE All dishes are freshly prepared to order using the 14 St Thomas St, Wells BA5 2UX. finest local produce, wherever possible. Friendly service in relaxed surroundings. Everyone is 2 minutes walk from the Cathedral and city market very welcome. place. Also available to book via Airbnb.
Contact: 01749 673457 Contact: 01749 938682 or mobile 07745840707 Website: magdalenecottagewells.co.uk THE WHITE HART HOTEL Winners of Channel 4’s ‘4 in a Bed’ TV programme in November 2016, The White Hart Hotel in Wells is situated just 10 short steps from the famous Cathedral & Bishops Palace in the Heart of England’s Smallest City. Contact: 01749 586080
USEFUL INFORMATION
Box Office/ Information Hub: Toilets: Marquee on Cathedral Green. This will also be a pay Public Toilets are available in the market square by bar on Friday 13th and Sat 14th from 6pm - 10pm. the town hall. Also in the Union Street Car park and Parking: o ff S i l v e r S t r e e t n e a r t h e B i s h o p s B a r n . Additional parking is available for up to 200 cars on Bishop’s Palace’s 10 acre field. Please follow signs at Temporary toilets are available on the road adjacent the top of Silver Street. to Cathedral Green opposite the Deanery. Access: Most of our venues have access for wheelchair users. If in doubt please ask one of our festival team at the venue.
20 21 PICNICS SPONSORS
Why not order a picnic for the Wells Theatre Festival? Your Wells Theatre Festival Picnic Menu Choices:
THE MEAT PICNIC AT £12.90 THE VEGETARIAN PICNIC AT £10.90 PER PERSON INCLUDES: PER PERSON INCLUDES: Salad Salad Ntolmades Ntolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs) (vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs) LOGO Bread Bread Tzatziki Dip Tzatziki Dip Houmous Houmous Courgette and feta pie Courgette and feta pie Greek sausages Aubergine in red wine and feta and and Baklava Baklava
Call 01749 939533 or visit: www.sungreektaverna.co.uk/wells-theatre-festival/ for further details or to book your picnic
To be or not to be SUPPORTERS
a commercial success David Morgan-Hewitt Paul Dickinson
Caroline Bruce Tony Dent That is the question Eurilait Limited Jo Gatenby Jenny Hooper Sue Jennings Eva Lederman Emma Lefevre James Lot Francis Lynch Proud creative marketing partner Andrew Martland to the Wells Theatre Festival Paul Millward Kevin Newton Lois Rogers 01934 820854 Strategy I Design I Print I Digital www.just-us.agency CS Villiers
22 23 Thu 12th - Sun 15th July 2018
PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS THEATRE FESTIVAL TO SUIT YOUNG AND OLD, IN BEAUTIFUL VENUES ALL OVER THE CITY
PATRONS: Dame Judi Dench & Sir Richard Eyre PROGRAMME OF PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS
Time Price Concession THURSDAY 12TH JULY p7 L_VE HANGMAN Mufti Games Theatre Co 11:00 | 13:00 FREE FREE p7 STICKY ENDS Brave Bold Drama Theatre Co. 14:15 £8.00 £5.00 p9 STOLEN Devil’s Violin Theatre Co. 19:00 £10.00 £7.00 p15 KING LEAR Wells Theatre Company 19:00 £15.00 £10.00 p10 GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY Scratchworks Theatre Company 21:15 £10.00 £7.00
FRIDAY 13TH JULY p11 DIRECTING SHAKESPEARE Sir Richard Eyre 13:00 £15.00 n/a p11 MUSICAL MEMORIES Clarke Peters 14:30 £15.00 £12.00 p14 CHOPPING CHILLIES Clair Whitefield 16:00 £10.00 £7.00 p12/13 ROMEO & JULIET Theatresaurus Theatre Company 19:00 £15.00 £10.00 p15 KING LEAR Wells Theatre Company 19:00 £15.00 £10.00 p14 COLIN CLOUD LIVE Colin Cloud 21:30 £15.00 £12.00 p15 SPOKEN WORD From the Horse’s Mouth 21:30 FREE FREE
SATURDAY 14TH JULY p16 STAGE COMBAT IN CONTEXT Neil Johnson 10:30 £10.00 n/a p16 REYNARD THE FOX The Fabularium Theatre Co. 11:00 | 13:15 £9.00 £5.00 p17 HAROLD PINTER Harry Burton 14:00 £10.00 n/a p7 STICKY ENDS Brave Bold Drama Theatre Co. 14:15 | 15:15 £8.00 £5.00 p14 CHOPPING CHILLIES Clair Whitefield 16:00 £10.00 £7.00 p12 ROMEO & JULIET Theatresaurus Theatre Company 19:00 £15.00 £10.00 p14 COLIN CLOUD LIVE Colin Cloud 21:30 £15.00 £12.00
SUNDAY 15TH JULY p17 ACTING AT THE GLOBE Dominic Mafham 11:00 £10.00 £7.00 p15 SPOKEN WORD From the Horse’s Mouth 12:30 £2.00 FREE p18 I FOUND MY HORN Jonathan Guy Lewis 14:00 £15.00 £12.00 p15 KING LEAR Wells Theatre Company 19:00 £15.00 £10.00
FAMILY TICKETS AVAILABLE TICKETS SUBJECT TO A BOOKING FEE
For more information and to book tickets: www.wellstheatrefestival.org Booking fee required