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Murder in the Cathedral March 1977 by T S Eliot, directed by Mary Jones
Reviews: From Exmouth & East Devon Journal: ...Costumes were excellent, lighting very effective and background music superb.... Excellent Murder in the Cathedral at St. Margaret's Church St. Margaret's Church, Topsham, was the ideal setting for the Estuary Players' very professional production of T. S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral at the weekend. The Estuary Players was born out of the success of 'Topsham Tapestry' in 1975 and this production was decided on to commemorate both Jubilee Year and the centenary of St. Margaret's Church. The play is the story of the events leading up to the murder of Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in Canterbury cathedral in the year 1170. Philip Jones played the part of Thomas and gave an excellent performance as the dignified archbishop who resisted temptations put in his way by the king's followers. a Becket's tempters, who later doubled as knights, were realistically played by Tony Yates, Gordon Halliday, Robert Fynn and Rodney Dingle. After a Becket's death, these four, led by the forceful Tony Yates, (Reginald FitzUrse) justified the murder to the people of Canterbury. Gordon Halliday as Hugh de Morville, the scatesman among them, particularly suited his part. Once or twice I found Robert Fynn as William de Tracy difficult to hear, but this was more the fault of the acoustics in the church than his enunciation. The chorus of the Women of Canterbury was also good, particularly Miranda Leger, the leader of Cantoris, and Fenella Roberts, leader of Decani. Costumes were excellent, lighting very effective and background music superb. Mary Jones must certainly be congratulated for an ambitious but excellent production. The only drawback - the church was too cold for the performance which went straight through without an interval. Photos: Click a thumbnail to view larger |
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