Maureen Sullivan is a regular contributor to Island Echo’s coverage of the Arts on the Isle of Wight. Maureen has been actively involved in the Island’s amateur dramatics scene for several years, appearing in many different roles and guises with several theatre companies. In her free time, Maureen also writes and reviews at iwtheatre.org.
Catch Maureen’s column each month for the latest theatre and art happenings...
Welcome to the October theatre line up.
Season of mists and….great theatre shows! Autumn has some wonderful thespian treats coming up…
Trinity Theatre is staging the black comedy ‘Wife After Death’. Written by Eric Chappell (of ‘Rising Damp’ fame) the play begins at the funeral of much-loved comedian and National Treasure, Dave Thursby. Not the most obvious setting for humour one would think, but as different memories of Dave surface, the mysterious Kay arrives and everyone tries to keep up appearances for the sake of the widow as it becomes clear that no one knew the deceased as well as they thought they did…..
So come along to Cowes’ lovely theatre where the show runs from October 19th – 22nd and enjoy the the fun. Tickets are available via the CAODS website at www.caods.org.uk or on 01983 295229.
The Apollo Theatre have respectfully postponed their much-anticipated comedy ‘Handbagged’ due to the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, but the show will still form part of the season next year.
Meanwhile, the Island Savoyards present the acclaimed musical ‘Guys and Dolls’. Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, the show is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile his girlfriend, nightclub performer Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for 14 years with no sign of a wedding. Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for funds; Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown.
Presented in well-known Savoyards way with a full live orchestra and amazing sets, singing and dancing, ‘Guys and Dolls’ takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana and even into the New York sewers, but everyone ends up where they belong, and tickets are on sale now for evening performances on 27th, 28th and 29th October, with a matinée on Sunday 30th October. Get your tickets from www.shanklintheatre.com or on 01983 868000.
The Pepperpots are also preparing for their next show, ‘Curtain Call’. The company has been providing live entertainment on the Isle of Wight for 50 years. Based on the South Coast of the Island, the Pepperpots also perform regularly on the big stage at Shanklin Theatre, and are always keen to welcome new members, interested in working on or off stage.
Curtain Call tells the story of a chaotic day in the life of a theatre company… not that we’d know anything about that, of course. The poor harassed manager, Alec, has a lot to deal with in advance of a production of Oklahoma. To give you some idea, the director wants to use real horses in the production… ‘Curtain Call’ will be staged at Nixon Village Hall on 28th and 29th October with a matinee on 30th. Tickets are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/pepperpots
Tickets are also on sale now for the very last chance to see ‘Hamlet’ as you’ve never seen it before. Whether you are a Shakespeare devotee or not, you will laugh – yes, really! – be surprised, marvel at the expert fight scenes and fully appreciate the tragedy of this most famous play, brought to you by many of the incredibly talented actors who were part of many successful productions such as Merry Wives of Windsor, Much Ado About Nothing, Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest over the years at Carisbrooke Castle. This year they gathered together under the banner of the well known Ad Lib Theatre Company to perform ‘Hamlet’ at Northwood House as an open air show in June. Following complete sell out performances every night and incredible audience feedback the production is being brought indoors for two performances at 14:30 and 19:30 on 5th November.
The June review of the show said ‘Ad Lib Theatre promised a ‘unique outdoor theatre experience’ and they delivered exactly that. Minimal set, minimum props, maximum talent…… To see or not to see.. that is the question? You’d be a fool to miss it!’ The Ghost famously commands Hamlet to ‘Remember me’ – and we advise you to remember, remember: ‘Hamlet’ is on the 5th of November – but get your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
And that’s it for now – more coming up next month though!
