2011 TOURS

2011 VENUES

“a thoroughly enjoyable production which provides a fine introduction for newcomers to the play and a fresh view for those more familiar with Shakespeare’s first masterpiece.” Plymouth Evening Herald, 2004

"Chapterhouse Theatre Company know how to do things differently, and to do it well" Lincolnshire Echo, 2003

“This production was a real treat for the young and not-so-young in the audience” Eastern Daily Press, 2009

“imaginative and clever costumes” www.reviewsgate.com, 2004

“Philip is pure dynamite as Hamlet in a play performed with panache.” Swindon Evening Advertiser, 2003

"A magical evening of Shakespeare in spectacular surroundings with scenes of staggering beauty." The Derbyshire Times, 2000

“Chapterhouse has become one of the most well-travelled band of players in the country, rekindling the touring troupe tradition of Shakespeare’s time.” Edinburgh Evening News, 2004

“A light hearted romp” Carmarthen Journal, 2009

"stunning scenery and amazing acting is a match made in heaven..." Post Gazette and Advertiser, 2005

Summer 2010 Reviews

Pride and Prejudice

THE STAGE

Published Monday 14 June 2010 at 15:09 by Lisa Whitbread 

Pride and Prejudice, with all its opulence and grandiosity, is not an obvious choice for the rawness of open-air theatre, so the Chapterhouse Theatre Company is to be commended for tackling this Jane Austen classic.

The young cast of nine play the 22 characters well, without fussing too much over making each character so distinctly different. Particular credit goes to Tim Metcalfe-Wood for his delightful Mr Collins.

There is more comedy here than in the original novel and it is used as a successful device by director Rebecca Gadsby to dramatise what is a very wordy and sometimes stilted story.

Kate Elizabeth Ambrose’s shrieks of “Mr Darcy” become a catchphrase, the combination of dancing and dialogue and the neat touches from Matt Rothwell as the thieving Footman, help lift the pomp and ceremony of the period, making this an entertaining performance.

Hannah Lee is the perfect choice to head up the Bennet sisters, with convincing performances from Helen Jenkinson, Jennifer Burraston and Rhia Coles as Jane, Mary and Lydia.

Edwin Wright is suitably stern as Mr Darcy and James DuBois makes for a dashing Mr Wickham.

Durham Gala Theatre

11:14am Friday 13th August 2010

By Mark Tallentire

JANE AUSTEN’S classic novel, expertly adapted for the stage by Laura Turner, is delightfully presented by the touring Chapterhouse Theatre Company.

Although more used to performing outdoors at grand castles and stately homes, the nine-strong cast readjusted well to the Gala Theatre. They gave their audience – perhaps relieved not to have to brave the autumnal August weather – a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The production is much more comedic than many who know the tale will be used to, with Mrs Bennet and Mary Bennet in particular bordering on the ludicrous and slapstick.

But, for someone looking for a fun evening out, they bring welcome lighthearted moments. Kate Elizabeth Ambrose is excellent as the infuriating Mrs Bennet. Elsewhere, Tim Metcalfe-Wood is superb as both the long-suffering Mr Bennet and the ridiculous Mr Collins. Chapterhouse is currently touring with a number of plays and, from this evidence, it would be worth catching them whatever the show, wherever they go.

© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Leicester Mercury

IT IS a truth universally acknowledged that all Pride and Prejudice reviews begin with a parody of the book’s opening line. The Chapterhouse Theatre Company appeared in the beautiful gardens of Donington le Heath Manor House to present their adaptation of Jane Austen’s most famous novel.

The nine cast members were kept busy throughout the two and-a-half hour performance; with the exception of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, they all took on multiple roles.  It took place on a small stage with Regencyesque windows at the back, upon which a few judiciously chosen props could be moved to suggest locations. The actors had to raise their voices to be heard over the ambient noise of the garden, and one or two were closer to shouting than projecting, but the acting was of a generally high standard, and the action was well paced.

Inevitably, adaptations necessitate abridging, but certain key scenes – such as Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth, or his proposal  – were condensed so much they lost their impact. Darcy bore the brunt, with the reasons for Elizabeth’s softening towards him being passed over so quickly that one wondered why she was falling for the arrogant man. Fortunately, Austen fans know the source material, and at the end of the play there was an audible sigh of contentment as rose petal confetti fell over the happy couple.

Mid Somerset News

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I am a bit of a Pride and Prejudice fan.

Since I first read my schoolgirl version of the Georgian novel, I have acquired several copies of the book plus an audio cassette version, a radio recital, two I-pod audio-downloads (one abridged and another full-length), a video of the Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson black-and-white film, a VHS recording of the BBC series where Colin Firth walks dripping from a lake and a DVD of the more recent Keira Knightly film.

But sat watching the Chapterhouse Theatre Company present Pride and Prejudice on Friday evening, it occurred to me that no-matter how many times I enjoy a bit of P and P in the comfort of my own home, there is still something very special about attending a live performance that turns it from enjoyable literature into an occasion.

And can there be a more stunning occasion to witness Jane Austen in mid-Somerset than on a flood-lit stage with the castellations of the Bishops Palace as its backdrop?

With the rain holding off, a sold-out audience settled down to enjoy supper on the rolling lawns and witness the hard-working cast present what is arguably, the best-loved work that was ever produced from Jane Austen’s quill-pen.

Writer Laura Turner should be congratulated for condensing the plot and characters into two hours, while losing nothing of Miss Austen’s brilliant capturing of the Regency period. Sadly the limited number of actresses meant that the character of Kitty Bennet had to be sacrificed, which I felt was a bit of a pity as it is the competitiveness of the pair and later the secret compliance of Kitty, that encourages Lydia’s scandalous behaviour.

My other gripe is with the ‘humourous’ behaviour exhibited by the footmen as they moved the props around the stage.

I thought the use of footmen for such a role was clever, but their antics to me bordered on farcical. While there was sniggering from some of the audience, I felt it was an unnecessary distraction. Who needs farce when the clever wit of Jane Austen hangs in the air?

But while Darcy would say his good opinion, once lost, is lost forever, I am not so prejudiced and found the rest of the evening enchanting.

I truly enjoyed the wonderful recital of some of the play’s best lines. Yes the set was good and the costumes were wonderful.

It was some special performances by the multi-tasking cast that I shall remember, carrying on despite lighting failure, noisy youngsters in the nearby Rec and the sound of church bells rehearsing across the city.

The majority of cast had more than one role - which was pulled off with aplomb. They were also still in character both before the performance and during the interval, to sell tickets and programmes, bantering with the audience and enhancing the evening.

Their performances were complemented by their occasional flute-playing, country-dancing and a cappella singing, adding a poignancy to the play.

My only wish now was that I had tickets to see the open-air theatre’s next performance of Pride and Prejudice, at Lytes Cary Manor, near Somerton, later this month.

By Laura Frampton

Michael Hunter

5^th September 2010

Pride and Prejudice has been the first Jane Austen play that I have reviewed, and must admit that I was a little bit wary/scared of it. I have always loved the odd period drama when it had been on the television, but coming to review it – live- is another matter.

Pride and Prejudice is set in the backdrop of the Georgian era of wealthy landowners and cultural vibrancy.

Charting the story of Mr and Mrs Bennet and their three daughters, whom all are of the marrying kind, all of who make Pound signs to the parents. The parents can’t wait to let their daughters go and a bidding process of emotional toing and froing begins.

Mrs Bennet attends a ball with her daughters Jane and Elizabeth in tow, where the fanciable if not morose Mr Darcy is also present along with his friend Mr Bingley. Careful select dances and presumptions are made, all of which give the viewer an instant insight into the way the play is heading. Confusion reigns down on all of the participants as pecking order is overlooked by pride. Mr Bingley and Jane take an instant liking to each other and wedding bells are almost ringing out, but is the snobbish Darcy up to tricks, is the pride getting to him, it certainly looks like it when Mr Bingley leaves. Suspicions arise from Elizabeth that Mr Darcy is behind the sharp exit.

Mr Wickham a young officer has befriended Elizabeth, but has told her that Mr Darcy hasn’t been very honourable towards him and has mistreated him. Bennets’ cousin Mr Collins also fancies tying the knot and sets his eyes on both Elizabeth and Jane, but when his advances are spurned he marries Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte Lucas and they both move away from the area. On visits to them Elizabeth finds out that Mr Darcy was responsible for Mr Bingley leaving the ball, and the rejection of love towards Jane. Mr Darcy soon reacts by proclaiming his love for Elizabeth, but under the circumstances of his disloyalty towards her family she refuses. His actions to counteract this take a more serious move when he writes a letter to her explaining that he was only trying to protect her against Mr Wickham, who had earlier tried to seduce his sister Georgiana.

Not sure what to do Elizabeth returns from her travels, only to encounter Mr Darcy again on a visit to Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle Mr and Mrs Gardiner, this time however he leaves his hurt behind and is more than happy to interact with Elizabeth, this is shattered by news filtering through that Elizabeth’s younger sister has run away with Mr Wickham. Only a short time later they are found and are forced to wed. Elizabeth finds out that it was Mr Darcy who both found them and also arranged the nuptials.  This obviously goes down well with her, and hope is in the air for Mr Darcy. Mr Bingley returns and proposes to Jane, this sets off more emotional tidings and soon Mr Darcy Proposes to Elizabeth.

Both Couples are married and calm returns to the Bennet household.

Set in the wonderful grounds of Alnwick Castle, I cannot imagine a more beautiful location, however this being the last of 47 shows-some magnificent venues have already been visited. I am right up there with Richard Main, the Producer who states “ I am frankly a little jealous of both the actors and the audiences for their chance to see each evening in its own special setting with all the idiosyncrasies that come with them”. With the wind blowing and the air crisp, I take my hat off (well only for a short time) to any actor/actress that can brave the elements for over 2 hours, especially in period dress costume. The audience were mesmerised at every turn of event, and even though they all dashed off to their respected cars and houses for a warm-I am sure they could have quite easily sat through it all again.

With an outdoor event at such a stately venue, you are expected to be treated to a good nights worth of entertainment, I certainly was, and thought the actors and the actresses on the night performed superbly.

Elizabeth played by Hannah Lee, and Jane played by Helen Jenkinson, both set the scenes with authority and gusto. Tim Metcalfe-Wood who superbly played four characters including Mr Bennet, brilliantly acted all of his parts with sincerity. I am looking forward to maybe catching up with some of his own independent work.

I can’t imagine with the cast being of such high calibre, that it was such a bind to get them all together and focus on what the public wanted, but the Director Rebecca Gadsby has managed to do it very successfully . A worthy mention to Laura Turner, who has re-wrote this play into a humorous and enlightening tale, I really didn’t think I would be chuckling along to a Jane Austen play but I did, and wish all Classic’s could be like this.

Watching and  reviewing Pride and Prejudice wasn’t such a terrible thing, it was a wonderful thing, and can’t wait to do it all over again.

Friday, 09 July 2010

The lush gardens of Picton Castle provided the backdrop for an enjoyable, engaging and memorable play on the evening of Wednesday, June 30.
An audience of approximately 180 brought their own chairs and warm articles of clothing to Picton Castle. There they enjoyed picnics, from coffee and quiche to wine and strawberries, and were treated to the Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s performance of ‘Pride and Prejudice.’

Ten talented actors, arrayed in Regency fashion, played over 20 characters from the Jane Austen novel, some of them also playing short tunes on the flute to mark scene changes.
From the moment the incorrigible Mrs. Bennett (Kate Elizabeth Ambrose) yelled for her husband, it was clear that we were on familiar territory; an adaptation faithful to the book, reminiscent of the BBC series, with comedy taking first place in the sparkling script.
Unlike the BBC series, however, at no point did Mr. Darcy emerge from a lake, but Edwin Wright acted his part with style. The struggle to reconcile his attraction to Elizabeth with his distaste at her circumstances was convincing. Elizabeth (Hannah Lee) was equally compelling in her change of attitude towards Mr. Darcy.
The actors were always clearly audible, and never seemed completely out of role, even during the interval when a raffle was held. One young lady celebrating her birthday was welcomed onto the stage before the performance continued, to receive the kind of birthday greeting only a man like Mr. Darcy could give.
Surprisingly, the company did not use the castle as a backdrop, but had erected a simple stage set of columns, steps and windows in the garden. This was modified into different scenes by the use of furniture, most of the scene changes being carried out by a surly footman in a way that was infectiously humorous.

The character of Kitty Bennett had been written out, but the other four sisters were there; Mary with her morals, Lydia and her elopement with Mr. Wickham (James DuBois), Jane (Helen Jenkinson) and her romance with Mr. Bingley (Matt Rothwell).
Jennifer Burraston, who played Mary and the housekeeper at Pemberley, also played Charlotte Lucas and treated her confession that she had agreed to marry Mr. Collins with just the right touch of pragmatic poignancy.

Tim Metcalfe-Wood’s performance as Mr. Collins was both amusing and effective, as it was easy to find him odious. What a contrast it was with his role as the long-suffering, gently satirical Mr. Bennett, where he seemed the most likeable man in all Georgian England!
Rhia Coles, as Caroline Bingley, oozed sophistication and sarcasm; she also sang extremely well, as befits the part.

In fact, judging by the sweetness of the gentle harmonies that accompanied the final wedding scenes, the cast would be equally suited to a musical production.
The play was directed by Rebecca Gadsby and produced by Richard Main.

Written by Jane Austen in the late 18th century and published in 1813, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ has enjoyed lasting popularity and countless adaptations for stage and film. It was satisfying to see how well writer Laura Turner had adapted the novel of complicated characters, romances and misunderstandings into an evening of outdoor entertainment.
Tuesday, August 24, is the date of the company’s next performance at Picton Castle. (A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

PATRICK OVENDEN

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

THE STAGE

Published Monday 28 June 2010 at 11:24 by Neil Bonner 

Chapterhouse know all about the vagaries of open-air theatre, touring as they do several productions across the UK and Ireland during the summer months.

Their staging of this play was washed out at Stoke just a few nights earlier but this time the weather lived up to the title. And the glorious Botanical Gardens provided the perfect setting for a lively version of this Shakespearean comedy, in which even resident peacocks played a part.

The staging was necessarily simple, if a little cramped, and even without amplification every word delivered by the enthusiastic cast could be clearly heard across the lawns.

With the inevitable restrictions of a touring company, some ingenious multi-tasking is required. Thus we have the fairies represented by the actors parading large, flappy-winged butterflies held aloft by, and operated from, long poles.

Annabel Bates makes an impressively feisty Titania, while Rosa Glover is equally engaging, giving her lovelorn Helena a comically hangdog aura. Adam Diggle, though, is a somewhat restrained Bottom and could make more of the huge comic potential there.

The nimble-toed and seemingly rubber-jointed Martin McCreadie is a perfect Puck, at once amusing and slightly sinister as he moves around the stage area and often amongst the picnicking audience. And Miles Eagling uses Snout’s Pyramus and Thisbe wall scene to great comic effect.

Salisbury Journal

Chapter House Theatre Company
Lainston House Hotel, Wincheser

IT’S hard to think of a more apt setting for a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, pictured.

The picture-perfect grounds of Lainston House hotel near Winchester filled with picnickers as the sun dipped behind the trees and the enchantment began. Open-air theatre company Chapterhouse delighted with its version of Shakespeare’s much-loved tale of frolicking fairies and bewitched young lovers (the complimentary champagne and strawberries went down rather well too).

Lainston’s steeply stepped lawn provided a natural amphitheatre for the performance and some impressive voice projection from the nine talented cast members ensured even those perched on its higher reaches could catch all the action.

Rosa Glova made an endearingly comic Helena, wailing miserably into the enchanted forest after Demetrius while Adam Diggle got the crowd giggling with his portrayal of the unfortunate donkey-headed Bottom. The basic but pretty set – a raised wooden stage decorated with flowers, a small gazebo and a stripy circus tent for costume changes – was pleasingly fairytale and added to the magical atmosphere. Children were captivated by delicate fairy puppets on flexible poles which were operated by the cast and frequently extended over the heads of those in the front row.

Just don’t forget a warm blanket and a cosy fleece – the enchanted forest gets a bit nippy once the sun goes down.

Kentish Gazette

Charmed by the perfect fairytale

WHAT could be more perfect than relaxing in one of our fine country settings as a Shakespeare comedy washes over you on a splendid summer’s evening? The charming amphitheatre at Strode Park in Herne proved ideal for that magical favourite A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed with great gusto and aplomb.

Following a picnic in the grounds, we settled down to watch the three interlocking plots allied to the celebration of the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens and the Amazonian queen Hippolyta. Into the mix come four young Athenian lovers Hermia (Nicola Day), Demetrius (Adam Grayson), Lysander (Christopher Coiley) and Helena (Rosa Glover), who fall prey to the fairies inhabiting the forest, and a band of lowly labourers bent on performing their inept play within a play about Pyramus and Thisbe. 

As the bard tells us so eloquently, “the course of true love never did run smooth” – and so it proves to be. Director Paul Wetherby chose to play it straight, with no modern day references, and a sprinkling of period music. There was no random Elvis appearing from the bushes with hilarious effect, like one Shakespeare production I saw. Martin McCreadie’s mischievous Puck is barechested twitchy creature, wriggling in and out of the audience, vying with Adam Diggle’s Bottom as the stand out character. It all descends into farce, of course, for the “rude mechanicals’” hilarious play within a play in the final act, in which Pyramus (Diggle) and Thisbe (Grayson) die in spectacular fashion and the Wall (Miles Eagling) has a starring role.

It would be invidious to leave out any member of such a talented cast, so honourable mentions are also deserving for Annabel Bates (Titania, Hippolyta) and Greg Smith (Oberon, Theseus). Not forgetting fairies Peaseblossom, Mustardseed, Moth and Cobweb dangling inventively on the end of sticks

Canterbury and Herne Bay Times

Simplicity at heart of play

A MAGICAL story deserves a magical location, and Chapterhouse Theatre’s production certainly had that. The venue was the openair Theatre in the Park at Strode Park, Herne, on a stage decorated with flowers. I did fear for its stability at times as the cast thundered about in a not-always-fairylike manner, but the overall effect was charming.

The story is one of Shakespeare’s most complicated but the experienced cast didn’t let the production get bogged down in the details, focusing instead on the different relationships of the characters and the strong humour in the script. Simple was the key word for the set, with scenes transformed by swapping the giant disc on the backdrop from sun to moon and adding a green carpet to indicate the woodland. 

Just nine actors shared all  the parts and each put in a polished performance. But my favourites were Rosa Glover, who somehow made Helena’s stalker-like tendencies seem likeable and amusing rather than intensely annoying, and Martin McCreadie, who played Puck in a beautiful balletic style. He was adept at using the whole theatre as his stage and frequently came into the audience, using everything from stray glasses of wine to hats as impromptu props. Miles Eagling did not have a major part, instead sharing four roles, but it was impossible not to notice his fantastic characterisation and faultless timing, and Adam Diggle was impressive as Bottom and frustrated father Egeus.

Liz Crudgington

Newark Advertiser 

Summer comedy a magical treat

Review

TRYING to talk through the wall, played by Miles Eagling, are, left, Adam Diggle as Bottom being Pyramus and right, Adam Grayson as Flute being Thisbe in A Midsummer Night’s Dream - 250610JT6-32

Chapterhouse Theatre Company put on a midsummer night’s treat with their production of Shakespeare’s most famous comedy at Sconce and Devon Park, Newark. The Lincoln-based company provided a magical evening of entertainment in a secluded part of the park on Friday, June 25, as they continued their nationwide tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Richard Main’s production, directed by Paul Wetherby, was full of exuberance and humour and the actors really got into the spirit of the occasion. The Shakespearean verse was brought to life with clever asides and actions which made it accessible even for a newcomer to the Bard.

As is usual with this play, the Mechanicals stole the show with their hilarious antics in their amateur performance of Pyramus and Thisbe, a Roman tragedy. Adam Diggle provided a comic master class as Bottom, but it was the brilliantly executed whole-cast scene in which the tragedy is performed that brought the most laughs. Miles Eagling, originally of Southwell, played a large part in the frolics as the wall that separated the two lovers. His training as a Southwell Minster chorister was also put to good use with a solo singing performance.

The songs throughout were well chosen and lifted the production, adding an extra bit of magic to the occasion. The actors’ singing talents gave an imaginative touch to the portrayal of the fairies in the play, which were represented by puppets on long telescopic poles. Each actor hummed while they floated the fairies over the stage and sang their lines in harmony.

Martin McCreadie’s impish interpretation of Puck was excellent and revealed his background in physical theatre. Other notable performances were from Rosa Glover as Helena, Nicola Day as Hermia, and Adam Grayson as Demetrius and Thisbe.

Chapterhouse return to Newark on August 18 with a production of The Merchant Of Venice in the castle grounds. 

On the basis of this performance, it will be one not to miss — AM.

Beauty and the Beast

Cambridge Families Magazine

Review of Beauty and the Beast - Milton Country Park, 27th July 2010 by Cordelia Carr aged 6

“I was very excited when Mummy told me that I would be going to see Beauty and the Beast at Milton Park because last time I saw it when I was little, it was dark in the theatre and I was scared.

I couldn’t wait for the taxi to arrive (because Mummy had broken our car again) but I wished the sunshine would come out. Mummy let me choose our picnic and we had cheese and crackers, some fruit and chocolate.

When we got to Milton Park we saw arrows showing us where the play would be and I picked some blackberries on the way. It felt like we were on an adventure.

We turned a corner and I saw a stage covered with red roses. It was beautiful!

We ate our picnic and then it began! It was different to the other Beauty and the Beast and not what I thought, but when they started telling the story it was very interesting and I got the giggles when they told Milky White, the cow to be the Beast and he said “MOO!”

The other funny things were Cinderella’s stepmother’ voice and the bit in the carriage song when they interupted Julia and carried on singing!

My favourite character was Louisa because she did the most acting and she was kind to the children when they played the fairy game, but I think Dorothy had the nicest voice. My other favourite was tick tock and I thought the mirror was very clever.

I had a lovely time at Milton Park and I LOVED the play, I didn’t even mind the rain but Mummy got a wet bottom.

Please may I go again.”

Thank you from Cordelia

Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald

THE Chapterhouse Theatre company visited Culzean Castle and Country Park to perform an innovative new take on the Brothers Grimm classic Beauty and the Beast.  

Adapted by Laura Turner, Chapterhouse’s version of this classic fairytale was aimed at children from three-ten-years-old and it really was the perfect play for them. Families were encouraged to bring along picnics and make an evening of it in the idyllic gardens of Culzean Castle, where during the interval the children got to meet the actors, including Georgina Sherrington who shot to fame in ‘The Worst Witch’, and join in with them for the traditional Chapterhouse fairytale parade during the interval.

An adaptation which drastically differed from the much-loved disney film, saw a play within a play as six evacuee children decide to stage their own version of Beauty and the Beast with their favourite pet Milky White the cow playing the beast.

This was open air theatre with a difference that wowed the young audience with songs and of course all the danger and romance that goes hand in hand with fairytales and kept the kids in the audience on the edge of their ‘seats’ with delight watching the speaking clock and the dress that came to life.

This was a play aimed at kids - and that is where it succeeded so wonderfully with a style all of its own.

By Lauren Campbell

Henley Standard

WITH Mapledurham House as a back drop, Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s production of Beauty And The Beast was a treat to be enjoyed by adults and children alike. With the sun teasing us all afternoon, dodging in and out of the clouds, it was the perfect venue to enjoy a picnic, and escape into the world of make believe.

On starting their performance, one of the cast announced that a member had been taken ill, and they would, where necessary, be improvising to make up for the absent person. I have to say at no point was it apparent that they were "one down" as such.

The multi-talented cast of just five performed on a simple stage, with minimal set, relaying the traditional fairytale. With their own version of Beauty And The Beast written by Laura Turner, the tale was far closer to the original French fairy story, while still retaining some of the magic of the Disney version.

The young audience sat enthralled by the performance — it was a pleasure to sit amongst so many Belles. A huge amount of the girls had dressed as the character for the occasion and it was delightful to watch the many princesses dance and play amongst the lush green lawns of Mapledurham with the spectacular house in the background.

During the interval cast members played and organised games and parades for the children, which was superb. There was also a tea tent with ice-creams and amazing cakes, a complimentary duck-hooking game, bouncy castle, massive inflatable footballs and book stall to ensure that all children were well entertained for the duration of their visit.

My only disappointment with the afternoon was the costumes and in particular Beauty’s. I understand that with a cast of only five, the need to move continuously from one character to another with simplicity and ease of changing costumes is essential.

This was in fact performed very well, with a simple mask for the beast, an oval ornate frame for the "magic mirror", wig and dress for the step-mother, jacket and very good accent for the father! But Beauty remained in a simple dress for the whole performance, no bows and frills, no veils or tiaras and so like me, I am sure that there were a few disappointed Belles within the audience who were hoping to see a Beauty in all of her finery.

Scunthorpe Telegraph

A tale as old as time

THEATRE-goers in North Lincolnshire were given a magical treat at Elsham Hall gardens on Friday, when the cast from the Chapterhouse Theatre  company took to the stage in Beauty And The Beast. A packed family audience set up picnic blankets to escape into a fairytale world. The lively cast did a tremendous job of re-enacting the script written by Laura Turner, told through the characters of children playing dress-up in a 1940s garden.

The blustery North Lincolnshire wind enhanced the drama of the storm scene, while the whole cast captured the joy of the music when they  performed their very own catchy songs. Former children’s TV star Georgina Sherrington, who played the leading lady, was perfect: Her warm character mixed well with the quirkiness of the others.

A special fairytale parade held before the interval saw scores of youngsters, many of whom donned princess dresses and prince costumes, step into character for a musical medley to give a happy ending all round!

Donington Le Heath Manor House

WITH recent downpours abated but threatening to return at any moment, there was an already tense atmosphere to this outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s curious comedy of property, revenge and antisemitism.

Half-way through their openair tour, the players of Chapterhouse Theatre were obviously accustomed to projecting across spaces where their lines might be lost, and they married volume with subtlety for this bawdy yet sobering tale.

The various crossed lovers were all compelling and believable in love, lust and plight, particularly Annabel Bates’ assured Portia and Martin Mc-Creadie’s brash Graziano. Miles Eagling played Shylock in a way that was easy to empathise with but difficult to love, hinting at rather than wallowing in the moneylender’s bitterness and rage with an accent that never settled down long enough to be identifiable.

Fortunately this prevented the notorious part from slipping into caricature and allowed the rest of the gifted and eager company the space to inhabit their roles. Adam Diggle was  disarming and welcoming as the upwardly-mobile manservant Launcelot Gobbo, while Rosa Glover’s Nerissa, Portia’s maid, exuded world-weariness even as she threw herself into her mistress’s schemes.

Some of the Chapterhouse actors also doubled as musicians, giving the beautiful and historic setting of the Manor House even more of an authentic feel with intermission tunes played on early instruments.

Leighton Buzzard

Newark Advertiser

Castle makes ideal backdrop

Review

IN A scene from The Merchant Of Venice are Adam Grayson as Antonio and Miles Eagling as Shylock

Newark Castle provided a grand backdrop for the Lincoln-based Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s production of The Merchant Of Venice. 

The large audience was thankful for clear skies as it watched one of Shakespeare’s most contentious plays, performed by a talented group of actors. The cast had lost none of their exuberance and playfulness from their previous visit to Newark in June for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, despite the more weighty material.

The inventive characterisation of each role brought life to the play and, as last time, made the Shakespearean verse easier to digest for the audience.  Annabel Bates as Portia and Rosa Glover as Nerissa sparkled in their dialogues and made a brilliant comic double act.  Southwell native Miles Eagling’s performance as Shylock was another highlight. He ably conveyed the full dimensions of perhaps Shakespeare’s most rounded character, from his self-assured arrogance and consuming vengeance, to his impassioned plea for tolerance and final brokenness.

The anti-Semitic tone that Shakespeare seeks to subvert in the play was set right at the start with an attention-grabbing mimed opening, accompanied by dramatic drumming and a cappella singing. It echoed the creative use of the actors’ singing talents in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and introduced a foreboding atmosphere to the proceedings, but unfortunately was not repeated.

Martin McCreadie put in another energetic performance, this time as Gratiano, and turned a potentially distracting squeal of a motorbike along Castlegate into an improvised comic moment that delighted the audience. Adam Diggle again showed off his comic credentials as Lancelot despite not being afforded the same opportunity for laughs as in his role of Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Greg Smith, Adam Grayson, Nicola Day and Christopher Coiley were all very accomplished in their respective roles as Bassanio, Antonio, Jessica and Lorenzo. Smith and Coiley also provided hilarious turns as Portia’s suitors.

It was another wonderful evening of outdoor theatre from the Lincoln-based company, but lacking a little in the magic they conjured when last in Newark — AM.

Much Ado About Nothing

Shropshire Star

Shakespeare fans were in for a treat at Church Stretton Arts Festival last night (THURS) thanks to a highly enjoyable production of Much Ado About Nothing by Chapterhouse Theatre at Church Stretton School.

The company has already been asked back by the festival organisers for next year’s programme with their production of Cranford.

With a cast of just nine, many of whom played multiple parts, they kept the audience amused and intrigued for just over two hours. The play follows the story of two lovers, Claudio and Hero, whose romance is disrupted by the evil scheming of Don John, who conspires to make Hero appear unfaithful.

In a parallel comic plot, Hero’s cousin Beatrice and Claudio’s friend Benedick are tricked into confessing their love for each other. Despite, its darker moments, the play is a comedy and this production provided plenty of laughs.

The pace of the performance was good, with some amusing twists to the direction. There were some clever ideas in the staging as Benedick and Beatrice eavesdropped on their friends’ conversations. The dancing and singing added another dimension to the production and fitted in very well.

All the cast had their strong points in their different roles, but particular mention should go to Rhia Coles as Verges and Kate Ambrose as Dogberry.

Edwin Wright and Helen Jenkinson brought a lively chemistry to the roles of Benedick and Beatrice and provided a lot of the laughs in the course of the evening.

Chapterhouse is clearly a talented young company and based on last night’s performance, festival goers have a lot to look forward to next year.

By Sophie Bignall

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