Romeo and Juliet

by William Shakespeare

April  5, 6, 7, 8  1995

Directed by Bob Ryder

Programme note: "This production is Bob Ryder's fifth for Wick, since joining the company six years ago.  His earlier directing credits with us were Alan Bennett's Habeas Corpus (1991), Alan Ayckbourn's A Chorus of Disapproval (1992) and, in his own translation, Ibsen's Hedda Gabler (1992).  Then came his production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (1994), for which he also composed the music for the songs.

In addition to these distinctive contributions as a director, he also acted in several Wick productions, including the lead performances in two modern classics - as Salieri in Amadeus (1991) and Henry Carr in Travesties (1993) - and in two knockout comedies - The Royal Pardon (1992) and Run For Your Wife (1994).

Following a successful couple of seasons of running practical workshops for the company, he has recently been appointed as coordinator of all our theatre-based activities."

Cast

We have no archived reviews of this production

Outside Edge

 by Richard Harris

June  28, 29, 30  July 01  1995

Directed by Samir Rahim

SR wrote: "Richard Harris is razor sharp with his characterisations in Outside Edge.  From the myopic Roger to the utterly confused Bob, all his characters are wonderfully written.  This play is more than a light breeze through a Saturday afternoon game of cricket.  It talks of relationships and the breakdown of communication.  It deals with age and the constant battle between manhood and its responsibilities and the pursuit of youth and its frivolities.  His wit and humour aids us to share, feel and indeed accept the players' failings even through the cruelest [sic] actions and comments.  I am guilty of watching one episode of the TV series and am happy to say there is no comparison between this production and that one.

We have a fast paced, hilarious trip into the territory of Roger as he guides his team to the toughest task yet - pitching his men against the opposition of the combined and slightly more than belligerent might of the British Railways [Maintenance Division], Yeading East!

I would like to thank the Wick Theatre Company for this opportunity to direct with them.  My thanks to the cast and crew and all those members who offered their services so willingly.  I would also like to thank you, the audience, for coming to see the show and keeping live theatre just that     ....ALIVE"

We have no archived reviews of this production

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Adapted by Christopher Hampton
from the book by Choderlos de Laclos

October  4, 5, 6, 7  1995

Directed by Margaret Ockenden

MO wrote: "The book by Choderlos de Laclos, Les Liaisons Dangereuses shocked eighteenth century France, so much so that the first edition sold out in a few days.  Mothers would give the volume to their daughters to read on the eve of their wedding.  A bound copy, suitably disguised, was found in the library of Marie Antoinette.

The critics were uneasy, as they consider that immorality was presented persuasively and appeared to be attractive.  This brilliant adaptation of the book is true to the text, and I wonder whether those same critics would have revised their opinion had they seen Christopher Hampton's play.

It has been a great pleasure to work with such a script and with so dedicated a team, both on and off the stage.  You could spend the evening working out how many 'Dangerous Liaisons' there are, but I would advise you just to relax and enjoy the play."

Cast

We have no archived reviews of this production

The Plotters of
Cabbage Patch Corner

by David Wood

December  28, 29 [+ mat.], 30 [+ mat.], 31 [+ mat.]  1995 
January  01 [+mat.]  1996

[but indications from clippings of the day are
that the show ran for just six performances]

Directed by Ray Hopper

RH wrote: "I first met the author, David Wood, at the end of the fifties, when we were both members of the West Sussex Youth Theatre.  His talents as an actor / musician / performer were obvious then, and it was no surprise to see his rise to success at Oxford in the Burton / Taylor production of Dr Faustus continuing with his leading rôle in Lindsay Anderson's film If.  He was also a nominee for the Plays and Players Newcomers Award.

As an aside to this, we appeared together at the Barn Theatre, in 1961 - I think, in a revue which I produced and I seem to remember that I never paid him his 2/6d train fare expenses.  Perhaps this production might ease that debt, although I have kept a spare half-crown by - just in case!

However, I was not aware of his writing talents until much later, when taking my delighted daughters to see most of his Christmas plays for children, which enjoyed great popularity in the seventies.

It was of course my eldest daughter Jo [out very own Maggot!], who persuaded me to direct for the Wick again after many years absence.  And what fun it's been!  How delightful to work on a play that appeals to those of us who think Winnie the Pooh and The Railway Children are the height of English literature. 

I do hope we are able to convey to you our delight in the charm, innocence and humour of this ideal Christmas treat for our children, and ... their grandparents!"

Cast

"I was delighted to hear that the Wick Theatre Company had decided to present Plotters.  Of my 40 or so musical plays for children, Plotters has a special relevance.  It was my first 'original' play as opposed to an adaptation from a well-known children's book, and as such taught me a lot about storytelling as well as the craft of playwriting!

The play was commissioned by The Swan Theatre, Worcester.  Alison Steadman, who had only recently left drama school, played Greenfly, and the play was directed by Mick Hughes, who later became [as he still is ] one of the country's top theatre lighting designers.  The premiere in 1970 was followed by a London production at the Shaw Theatre in 1971.  Jonathan Lynn, later to write Yes, Minister for television directed splendidly and Julia McKenzie played Ladybird.  Intriguingly, 'Whispering' Paul McDowell, the original singer with the Temperance seven, played the Great Mushroom!

I'm happy to say that the play has been in the amateur and professional repertoire ever since.  It's 'green' theme helped it take off in Germany in the late eighties.  And a recent professional production at Leeds Playhouse was hailed as a 'splendidly topical new play' by a young reporter on the local paper!  Needless to say I was delighted!

Delighted, too, that Ray Hopper, with whom I shared many happy times on youth drama courses in Sussex, is directing this production.  I wish him and his Company and audiences all the very best - 'may your garden grow'"

John Bedford

"Everything in the garden is lovely, apart from the Slug and his obnoxious behaviour"

The play tells the story of Slug and his insect friends, Maggot, Greenfly and Ant, who are fed up with the 'big ones' spraying them with insect spray.  The garden's other insects are quite happy with the situation, though, and do not want to see their home ruined by the antics of Slug and his gang.  A number of skirmishes between the two sides take place, including a tense situation when the heroic Red Admiral and his friends Ladybird and Bumble Bee are trapped in a flower-pot by Slug.

As you might expect , good wins the day and the 'big ones' decide not to build a garage on the garden after all.  As with all the best pantomimes, the audience were heavily involved in helping the plight of the goodies - booing and hissing Slug and even taking on the guise of the 'big ones' to scare off the nasty creature.

An enthusiastic cast, dressed in some very clever costumes, seemed to enjoy themselves almost as much as the audience, who were soon singing along with the cast in some catchy tunes.  Kids of all ages left the Barn Theatre, Southwick, no doubt wishing they could get that very catchy tune out of their head and with a totally different attitude to the little insect friends that we have all cursed in the past.

Mind you, I would think twice about tackling a slug the size of the one in this play.

Review

Jayne Guildford of the Ringmer Players
[who produced the Plotters three years ago}

The audience were treated to a magnified view of a garden where we meet an array of insects and shared in their efforts to deal with the implications of constant spraying by the 'big humans'.  An ingeniously designed larger that life set provided a magical environment where the actors were completely at home.  The lively, all-singing, all-dancing cast formed a strong bond and an air of pantomime prevailed.  The characters carried few insect-like features and their introduction was largely offered by the script.  However, costumes were colourful and expressed the simplicity of normal everyday dress whilst creating additional interest using comic characterisations: a gangster Slug, a green Janet Street-Porter lookalike called Greenfly and cheeky Maggot, glorious in cap and short trousers!  One highlight was undoubtedly an elderly Mushroom with a bad cold - and a North country accent.

At the end, captivated young collaborators from the audience helped the insects to rebuild the garden with potted plants and flowers - such a joy to see in the depth of winter!  This excellent production retained a gentle innocence so lacking in children's entertainment today.