Candleford
December 1986
by Keith Dewhurst, directed by Keith Palmer
Cast: Laura - Elizabeth Walker Edmund - Andy Pearson Emma Timms - Lynn Trout Albert Timms - Keith Palmer Mrs. Peverill - Rosemary Stephenson Mrs. Andrews - Joyce Evans Dorcas Lane - Diana Lucas Zillah - Margaret Butt Matthew - Gordon Halliday Bill - Mike Pigott Bavour - John Halliday Solomon - Jim Orford Thomas Brown - Brian Bowker Mrs. Gubbins - Mary Jones Mrs. Macey - Rosemary Whitehurst Sir Timothy - Richard Thorne John Gaskin - James Pettit Robert Bowler - Robbie Edwards Mr. Chitty - Ben Grimsey Cinderella Doe - Miranda Leger Loony Joe - Mike Boston Cowman Jolliffe - Bryan Stephenson Mr. Coulsdon - Fred Lewes Mr. Wilkins - Ben Grimsey Minnie Hickman - Miriam Fishwick Ben Trollope - John Spree Tom Ashley - Martin Bloomer Mr. Cochrane - Bryan Stephenson John - Keith Palmer Laura (as an adult) - Lynn Trout Villagers - Alison Palmer, Claerwen Evans, Joseph Evans, Carol Pettit, Joyce Evans & Rosemary Stephenson | Production Team: The Rank and File Band: - Musical Director - Martin Bloomer Dance arranger - Mike Boston Director - Keith Palmer Stage Manager - Chris Scanes Set Construction - Chris Scanes, Mike Trout, Barry Matthews, Brian Bowker, David Hopper & Philip Jones Props - Rosemary Stephenson Costume - Olive Rumford, Miranda Leger and Megs Rimmer Lighting - Arthur Wheat Front of House - Carol Pettit Publicity - Lynn Trout Posters - Diana Lucas Production Secretary - Carol Pettit Sign Writing - Norman Johnson Photographs - Donald Steven |
Reviews:
From Exmouth & East Devon Journal:
Full marks to the back stage team....
Transported on a 'journey of delight'
Audiences at the Estuary Players' presentation of Candleford at the Barnfield Theatre were transported back to rural life in late Victorian times - and it truly turned out to be a journey of delight.
The Topsham-based players maintained their reputation of staging productions of a high standard which are often away from the run-of-the-mill type. On this occasion, as in Lark Rise (1980/1) and Hard Times (1984), they were joined by the very talented Rank and File Band directed by Martin Bloomer.
Candleford covers one day in the life of the village of that name in January 1890, the action revolves around the post office and the blacksmith's shop. The atmosphere of both these centres of village life was captured perfectly by the well-designed and constructed set.
Under the capable direction of Keith Palmer, an enthusiastic cast brought the various village characters to life, making them all utterly believable.
As 'Laura', the central character who comes to work at the village post office, Elizabeth Walker gave an extremely sensitive performance, and so did Diana Lucas as 'Dorcas Lane', owner of the post office and the smithy.
Brian Bowker and Mary Jones gave excellent character studies as the religious postman and the grumbling postwoman, and Gordon Halliday really got into the salt-of-the earth character of the blacksmith.
Mike Pigott, John Halliday and Jim Orford brought a lot of fun into the proceedings with their interpretations of three young workers at the smithy, while Mike Boston handled the role of the village idiot very well.
Others portraying various characters very competently were Lyn Trout, Margaret Butt, Rosemary Whitehurst, Richard Thorne, James Pettit, Robbie Edwards, Ben Grimsey, Andy Pearson, Miranda Leger, Rosemary Stephenson, Joyce Evans, Bryan Stephenson, Fred Lewes, Miriam Fishwick, John Spree, and the director himself, Keith Palmer.
Musical director Martin Bloomer also portrayed one small character part very well. Giving good support as villagers were Alison Palmer, Claerwen Evans, Carol Pettit and Joseph Evans.
The 10 members of the Rank and File Band provided excellent musical support with some traditional numbers as well as some items from the National Theatre production of Candleford and some composed by members of the band themselves.
However, perhaps the one non-authentic aspect of the whole production was the amplification used by the band which, at times, tended to detract from the feel of the period.
Full marks to the back stage team lead by stage manager Chris Scanes - including those who were responsible for the excellent costumes and props.
Photos:
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