Sherman 5 Night
Romeo and Juliet
Sherman Cymru, Theatre 1
Friday 3rd October
As Sherman Cymru launch their new season, the first of
new Artistic Director Rachael O’Riordan, it was great to see the theatre full
of people. Only this wasn’t the usual theatre-going crowd. Instead Sherman
Cymru opened their doors to local people who had never seen a production on
their stages.
The new audience was invited as part of the Sherman 5
scheme. Sherman 5 is headed up by Guy O’Donnell, supported by the Paul Hamlyn
Foundation, and is designed to reach out to people in the locality who have
never been to the theatre before. With the focus on disadvantaged groups, Sherman 5
will initially be focussing on the Communities First areas in Cardiff, which
according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation are in the top 10% of
social deprivation.
The scheme offers discounted tickets on special Sherman 5
nights and even offers a discount on the bar and theatre snacks.
As the first Sherman 5 event of the season a special
preview performance of Romeo and Juliet
was staged, allowing the first-timers to see the show before anyone else. Even
the press have to wait a few more days! (I’ll be publishing a review of the
press night next week)
On arrival there was a drinks reception and each audience
member was given a pack. This special pack contained the programme for the show,
a welcome to Sherman 5, a membership card and a sheet of frequently asked questions
about attending the theatre.
During the show itself it was great to feel the excitement
of the audience. There were a few shout-outs and more miovement in and out of
the auditorium than usual but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The
applause at the end showed true appreciation for the production.
After the main event there was cake and live music. The
foyer became a vibrant social space with people chatting about the show and planning
what to see next.
Going to the theatre as often as I do it has become a
common-place thing for me. Yet I couldn’t help but be swept up with the feeling
of a special occasion. It was great to be reminded how exciting it can be to go
and see a show, just to be in a theatre.
Sherman Cymru did a great job of making the space
accessible to all, the staff (as always) were really helpful and approachable,
removing any idea that the theatre isn’t for everyone. I really hope this
scheme will bring more people into the Sherman and will encourage these audiences
to see the great range of theatrical work being produced in Cardiff.
To find out more about Sherman 5 click here.
And if you’d like to know more about this production of Romeo and Juliet follow
this link.
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