Preview – To Live, To Love, To Be
Company 5
Sherman Cymru, Theatre 2
17-20th April
Once
a month, every month, a sinister band comes together to summon the spirits of
years gone by. Last month they entered dangerous territory by summoning the
spirit of Adolf Hitler. This month they have gone for an ‘easier’ option –
William Shakespeare. But will their investigations into the Bard’s background
be as safe as they think?
The Play
To
Live, To Love, To Be is a newly commissioned play by award-winning
dramatist D.J. Britton, who also penned Sherman Cymru’s take on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. The unusual script
aims to explore why Shakespeare wrote what he did and what influences inspired
his imagination. Around the 6 metre revolving table debate is sparked between Shakespeare’s
Welsh grandmother, his father – Mayor of Stratford, travelling players, Ariel
from The Tempest and other characters
from his plays.
The Company
Company 5 consists of 13 members between the ages of 18
and 61, some with no previous theatre experience at all! In a chat with
Director Phil MacKenzie he stressed the importance of the company’s open door
policy, “there are no auditions, all that’s needed is commitment.” The result
is an incredible mixture of people from all kinds of backgrounds; one is a
professional actor, others are drama students, some just have a passion for
theatre. For those new to treading the boards, what a way to make their
theatrical debut!
Phil says that even in the week before the show he is not
completely sure what the finished production will be. “If you think of the
process as a hill – we are nearly at the top of it now. By next week we will be
at the top of the hill and the momentum will just carry us through.”
Despite being unsure what to expect as the audience comes
in Phil’s passion for the project is characteristically infectious. Staging
such as experimental and unusual production with a group such as Company 5
could be a huge risk if the actors were not completely on board with the idea,
but whilst watching them rehearse it was clear that every person on that stage
is committed to putting on a high quality performance that will begin to bridge
the gap between amateur and professional theatre.
The Rehearsal
In Sherman Cymru’s Theatre 2 it seems that every company
finds a new way to use the adaptable space. Company 5 have decided to take the
idea of performing in the round to the next level. The huge revolving séance table
takes up most of the stage meaning that the audience are placed above the
action on the balcony looking down on what Phil calls “the mysterious
world of the afterlife.”
The set is incredible and it’s hard to believe that
this isn’t a professional production with a large budget. The attention to
detail is astonishing and extends to the lighting, costume and even the smell
in the room.
One of the most impressive parts of the production is,
without a doubt, the music, which has been specially created by Welsh composer
John Rea. He has constructed atmospheric soundscapes to accompany the action that
Phil grandly calls “sonic provocations”. They certainly live up to their name
adding a dark tension to the room. As if this wasn’t already a hard enough job John
had the extra challenge of creating the sound only from music that has been
composed in response to Shakespeare’s work. The final result is perfect for the
mysterious and somewhat sinister production.
Although this was a rehearsal in which details were
constantly changing with actors having to redo sections over and over there
were still some eye-catching performances. There is a clear ensemble approach
and it is obvious that the company have done a lot of work on movement and text
meaning that they are free to experiment and produce something new and
exciting.
This
is sure to be yet another daring and innovative production from Sherman Cymru’s
Company 5. By the time the audiences are coming in this is sure to be a
polished and exciting production. If you are a Shakespeare buff, a new writing
fan or are just looking for something a bit different get your tickets now!
To Live, To Love, To Be will be at Sherman
Cymru, Cardiff from 17-20 April, 8pm. Tickets : £8 / £6 conc / £4 under
25s.
Tickets
and info: 029 2064 6900
The project has been supported by RSC Open Stages and The
Paul Hamlyn Foundation both of which stress the importance of high quality
experiences and the importance of maximising the potential of everyone.
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation: www.phf.org.uk
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