The annual opening of Appley Tower will be held in Appley Park and Beach on 2nd July with a guided tour from the Mayor of Ryde Councillor Michael Lilley and the showcase of a new play specifically created to show the history of the Tower to be shown.
To celebrate the occasion, a new theatre group has been formed, the Appley Tower Players, to tell the story of the Tower with the premiere of the production to be held on Appley Tower Day at 12:00 on 2nd July.
“Where There’s a Will There’s a Way” was the motto of Sir William Hutt MP who had the Tower folly built in 1872.
The play is set on a summer’s day in 1878 when Sir William takes Miss Brigstocke of Ryde to view the Tower. He knows of Miss Brigstocke’s love of William Shakespeare and has organized a Shakespearian surprise.
Ryde Resident and director of the play, Rebecca Tremain says:
“Appley Tower has a magical quality that plays on the imagination just as Shakespeare’s words play on our emotions. Working with Ryde and island-wide actors and volunteers is such a joy. I hope this becomes an annual event to celebrate the history and heritage of the Tower and Ryde.”
Maureen Sullivan who plays Miss Brigstocke says:
“I love learning about the fascinating history of Ryde and our island, so I am delighted to be a part of bringing back to life Sir William Hutt and Miss Brigstocke, two people integral to Victorian Ryde and to have the opportunity to do so within a Shakespearean framework at such an iconic building”.
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Cllr Michael Lilley, Mayor of Ryde says:
“As the local Councillor for Ryde Appley and Elmfield I have always arranged for the Tower to open in the summer, but the last time was 2019 due to the pandemic. I have always given a guided tour on the history of the Tower and the people who used it, so delighted to be asked to play Sir William Hutt, the founder of the symbol of Ryde, the Tower.”
Great but open it as what? Shop, ice cream parlour?