Photos Reviews

Larkrise

November 1981

by Keith Dewhurst, directed by Keith Palmer

Cast:

Emma - Diana Lucas

Albert - Dick Dann

Laura - Kathryn Ley

Edmund - Paul Walker

Lark Rise Folk: -

Mrs Blaby - Lynn Trout

Mrs Peverell - Margaret Butt

Old Sally - Joan Bowditch

Dick - Fred Lewes

Mr Sharman - Bryan Stephenson

Grandfather - Gordon Halliday

Queenie Macie - Joyce Evans

Twister - Ben Grimsey

Mrs Beamish - Alison Lambourne

Martha Beamish - Karen Barrett

John Price - Richard Price

Algy - Richard Price

Mrs Andrews - Rosie Coveney

Polly - Gabrielle Borley

Landlord - John Spree

Mr Pridham - Sean O'shea

Young Girls - Elizabeth Walker & Kate Trout

Farm Labourers: -

Old Price - Roy Wheeler

Old David - Gordon Halliday

Boamer - Steve Langfield

Bishie - Jim Orford

Pumpkin - Richard Thorne

Stut - Ben Grimsey

Fisher - David Stevens

Mr Morris, the Baliff - Bryan Stephenson

Mrs Spicer - Sue Palmer

Other Folk: -

Old Postie - Ben Grimsey

Doctor - James Petitt

Rector - James Petitt

Carrier - David Stephens

Jerry Parish - Martin Bloomer

Squire Bracewell - Alan Lambourne

Tramp - Alan Lambourne

Garibaldi Jacket - Gillian Yates

Cheapjack - John Spree

Lady Bandsinger - Alison Bloomer

Production Team:

The Rank -

Martin Bloomer - Vocals, Triangle

Alison Bloomer - Vocals

Peter Bradshaw - Percussion

Steve Ewart - Bass Guitar, Mandolin & Vocals

Peter Gill - Sound Engineer

Brian Ley - Synthesisers

Jon Mills - Guitar, Five-String Banjo & Mandolin

Sean O'Shea - Vocals

Bob Powell - Melodeon Concertina & Harmonica

Chris Short - Fiddle, Mandolin & Vocals

Stuart Toms - Guitar, Tenor Banjo & Mandolin

Dancing in Lark Rise Fair - Great Western Morris

-

Production: -

Director - Keith Palmer

Assistant Director - Rosie Coveney

Production Secretary - Gillian Yates

Set Design - Sheila Kendall-Edgecombe

Set Construction - Mike Trout, Barry Matthews, Brian Bowker & Mark Trout

Props - Rosemary Stephenson

Costumes - Olive Rumford & Pam Daniels

Prompt - Sue Palmer

Lighting - David Blight

Make-up - Mary Jones

Front of House - Anne Atkinson

Publicity - Lynn Trout, Richard Thorne & Keith Palmer

Poster - Don Badger

Printing - Trumpets

Reviews:

From Exmouth & East Devon Journal - Sat. 12 Dec 1981:

...very much a team effort....

Lark Rise An Experience

The Estuary Players' production of Lark Rise, by Keith Dewhurst, was more than just an entertainment. It was an experience to be savoured and remembered.

Practically the whole of Matthews Hall at Topsham was transformed into the hamlet of Lark Rise 101 years ago, and under the capable direction of Keith Palmer, the players and musicians transported us back to the first day of harvest in 1880.

The poverty and the pride, the humour and the despair, the pleasures and the fears-all these sensations of the folk living the simple, rural life in Victorian times were sharply conveyed to the audience as we watched the ordinary day's happenings unfold.

Particularly telling was the scene in the fields when the labourers stopped for the half hour meal break. The actors taking part made the most of every line and, and what was more important, of every pause.

The whole production, which included an appropriate lead-in with the half-hour Lark Rise Fair before the action proper started, was very much a team effort. None of the players - some of whom portrayed more than one character - was particularly predominant. They all did exceptionally well.

....

Dancing, Games

The action and dialogue were neatly interwoven with folk songs and music provided by the Rank and File Band. Appreciated items of the Fair were the dancing by the Great Western Morris Men and games played by the pupils of Topsham Middle School.

David Blight was responsible for some effective lighting changes and the costumes were looked after by Olive Rumford and Pam Daniels.

- Reviewed by: George Pridmore

Photos:

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