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.
Photos:
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