WELCOME TO THE OXFORD THEATRE GUILD SPRING PRODUCTION at THE OXFORD PLAYHOUSE 10th to 14th APRIL 2007 THE BROWNING VERSION and HARLEQUINADE by Terence Rattigan
Oxford Theatre Guild presents Rattigan’s Double Bill, The Browning Version and Harlequinade, at the Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 10 until Saturday 14 April. STEPPING INTO FAMILIAR SHOES Guild actor Nick Quartley is on familiar ground as a Classics master facing retirement in The Browning Version, a psychological study of great strength and poignancy, regarded by many as Rattigan’s best play. “I hope I don’t resemble Crocker-Harris too closely,” he says, “but it isn’t difficult to sympathise with him.” By coincidence, Nick himself retired last summer after 31 years as a Classicist at St Edward’s School, Oxford. “It’s fascinating to see how Rattigan parallels the Greek tragedy Agamemnon - his play takes its title from Robert Browning's translation - with his own very English public school setting,” says Nick. “It is also daunting to tackle the part that has been played on screen by both Sir Michael Redgrave and Albert Finney.” Nick's previous performances with the Guild have included Shylock, Malvolio and Dorn in The Seagull. One of Oxford Theatre Guild’s youngest members, 16-year old Josh Mullett-Sadones, will be playing the schoolboy who shatters Crocker-Harris’s composure. Josh has been acting since the age of 8 and is keen to make a career on the stage. He has performed recently in the musicals Oliver and Me and My Girl at the New Theatre; this is his first part in serious drama (see attached photo of Nick and Josh).
Harlequinade, originally written by Rattigan as a contrasting companion piece, is a hilarious farce set in the world of the post-war theatre. Ageing troupers Arthur and Edna Gosport are busy rehearsing their Romeo and Juliet, when an unexpected visitor arrives with news that upsets their cosy world. The two one-act plays were first performed in London in 1948. In 1949, their first amateur performance was directed on the Oxford stage by Gerard Gould, who has subsequently been a stalwart member of Oxford Theatre Guild. “In fact,” says the current Director, Janet Bolam, “Gerard told me how he wrote to Rattigan to ask permission to alter the script for his production. Rattigan replied personally, agreeing to the changes suggested, adding that he was making the same changes to the screenplay of The Browning Version, which he was writing at the time!” The Browning Version and Harlequinade will be at the Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 10 until Saturday 14 April. Tickets start from £9 and are available from the Box Office on 01865 305305 or online at Oxford Playhouse Theatre: The Browning Version (no booking fees). * * * * * Summer Production MOVE OVER SHAKESPEARE
For over 50
years the Oxford Theatre Guild has presented a summer Shakespeare in an
Oxford college garden, but for 2007 we have decided to have a change. So
next July we shall be doing a classic comedy from the late 18th century -
THE RIVALS by Richard Sheridan.
I chose this
play because I think it has all the ingredients needed to entertain
audiences who come to Oxford from all corners of the globe, and want to
experience and enjoy a taste of England. This story romps along with a
cast of colourful characters to amuse you.
Lydia
Languish sees life through rose tinted spectacles due to her addiction to
romantic novelists, and has chosen to fall in love with the penniless
Ensign Beverley, rather than the dashing Captain Jack Absolute. The only
problem is that these two soldiers are one and the same person'. This
topsy turvy state of affairs is due to the fact that our capricious
heroine has set her heart on love in an attic, in the belief that poverty
is a far more romantic option. Her aunt, Mrs Malaprop is furious at this
liaison as she has arranged a match between her neice and Captain Jack,
who is the son of a baronet. This is only the beginning of a riotous
series of deceits, misunderstandings and quarrels, before everything is
expained and......but why not come and see for yourselves.
Polly
Mountain, Director
Polly has
previously directed successful Oxford Theatre Guild productions at the
Oxford Playhouse, including THE SEAGULL by Chekhov, THE WAY OF THE WORLD
by Congreve, and THE SEA by Edward Bond.
The Rivals Audition Dates 22nd March 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the hall of the United Reformed Church, Collinwood Road, Risinghurst. 27th March 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at St Margaret's Institute, Polstead Road. 28 th March 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the hall of the united Reformed Church, Summertown.
The rehearsals will begin on Thursday April 26th and
will be held thereafter on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from
7;30 p.m. at the United Reform Church Hall on the Banbury road,
Summertown. From may 20th there will also be rehearsals from 2 to 5 p.m.
Of course , not everyone will be needed for every rehearsal, at least
not for the first few weeks.
Show Dates are July 18th to 28th not Sunday.
* * * * * Last Show
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