The organiser says:
“Lord what fools these mortals be!”
Art imitates life in this sixty minute version of Shakespeare’s much loved comedy as six actors and a musician come together to perform for the first time since the lifting of restrictions on open air theatre.
As casting is swiftly assigned, the timeless story of fairy rivalry, Athenian nobility and local tradesmen plays out apace with music, songs, plenty of laughs and even a bit of classic French mime thrown in for good measure!
“… if we cannot for the time being go large, then we go local.” James Graham
Half Cut Theatre is a new company set up by James Camp and George Readshaw after being inspired by playwright James Graham’s article in the Financial Times on 14th August 2020.
In referring to how many communities are often excluded from theatre for a multitude of reasons (financial, geographical, racial, generational etc.), Graham wrote how “the culture of culture can change” into a more inclusive environment and how the first step should be to make work again, “Any work. Anyhow. Anywhere” he went on to say.
So, in double quick time…we did! As a ‘Covid responsive’ company we have been able to create our model around the restrictions of the pandemic rather than having to adapt to them which in many ways has been a blessing rather than a curse and we operate on a post show ‘pay what you choose’ basis to ensure that the performance is open to all.
CAST
THESEUS (Duke of Athens) / OBERON (King of the Fairies) / SNOUT
played by HARRY HUMBERSTONE
HIPPOLYTA (Queen of the Amazons) / TITANIA (Queen of the Fairies) / PETER QUINCE
played by BESHLIE THORP
HERMIA (an Athenian Lady) / SNUG
played by MOFETOLUWA AKANDE
LYSANDER (suitor to Hermia) / FLUTE
played by GEORGE READSHAW
PUCK (a Fairy) / HELENA (an Athenian Lady)
played by ANNA-KATE GOLDING
DEMETRIUS (suitor to Hermia) / BOTTOM
played by JAMES CAMP
MUSIC played by OLLIE KING
CREATIVES
Adapted by TOBY HULSE, ALEX WILSON & GEORGE READSHAW
Devised by THE COMPANY
Designed by ROISIN MARTINDALE
Composer & Musical Director OLLIE KING
Additional lyrics by ALEX WILSON
Movement Director ANNA-KATE GOLDING