The Conquest offering for the Autumn is a double bill by author Philip Ridley and the unusual (but very welcome) affiliation of the Conquest Youth Theatre with the Adult section. The two plays present one theme - that of the power of storytelling to comfort and heal, to challenge and define, to create bridges from past to present and to connect lives. Both plays were written for youth groups, but Brokenville (performed by a mainly adult cast) has made an interesting transition to an older cast!
The first of the plays is Sparkleshark, performed by some of the senior members of the Youth Group. The roof of a tower block is Jake's refuge from the world. A place where he cannot be bullied by Russell (otherwise known as the 'turbo dream babe') and his two sidekicks Buzz and Speed. A place where he can get on with writing his stories about dragons, forests and castles. A place to hide. When Polly finds him on the roof and is swiftly followed by Natasha and Carol it seems his fragile peace is at an end. When Russell, Buzz, Speed and Shane join them things get much, much worse for Jake. Will Jake's story entertain the crowd, will he even find the strength to tell it or will he get the thumbs down and be dangled over the edge of the tower block ....
The second offering is Brokenville. After a nameless horror, no-one can remember who they are. A child, stumbling through the ruins of her house, is consoled by a group of strangers, telling her stories of castles and dragons which somehow help them find their own identities as well. King and Queen, Prince and Princess, Witch and Wizard - childhood memories out of which adult character grew, and repositories of symbolism from which, if lost, it might be regained.
Jake … Alex Cofield
Polly … Joanna Handley
Natasha … Scarlett O'Donnell
Carol …. Freya Pugh
Russell … Josh Herriott
Buzz … Matt Oliver
Speed… Liam Stobart
Shane... Joe Rolt
Finn … Eliott Brinkworth
Directed & Designed by Barbara Hockley
Lighting ... Hugh Farey
The Girl … Ellie de Rohan
Satchel ... Hugh Farey
Glitter ... Emma Gibbons
Quiff ... Eliott Brinkworth
Bruise ... Gaynor Smith
Tattoo ... Mark Cox
Old Woman ... Ann Smith
Directed & Designed by Hugh Farey
Assistant Director/Prompt ... Sally Handley
Lighting ... Josh Herriott
Sound ... Joe Rolt
Stage Manger ... Libby Vale
ASM ... Hazel Cornwall
Set Construction (Sparkleshark) … Jim Rolt & Barbara Hockley
Set Construction (Brokenville) ... Hugh Farey
Poster Design ... Hugh Farey
Interval music by Corin Harper
Photos by Hugh Farey
This review appeared in 'Off The Record'
The double-bill at the Conquest (October 25th – 27th) was an excellent choice and use of resources – giving the audience food for thought with the connected themes which could be interpreted on different levels – but thoroughly enjoyable whatever you could take away.
Both plays by the contemporary writer Philip Ridley (b. 1967) were on the theme of a storyteller or, actually, tellers – working hard to create their way out of difficult situations. In both cases magical, fantastical stories were woven, ensuring those involved were transported away from their problems, and achieved in such a way that the audience started to feel involved, willing the plot along.
Philip Ridley is renowned for fantasy and his mix of the menacing and the magical. He writes in what has been described as ‘barbaric beauty’ and the Guardian once aptly named him the ‘master of modern myth’. This genre was well suited to the Conquest Youth and was evident in their performance of Sparkleshark. Written in 1996 this play for young people is compelling, original and extremely imaginative – combining the themes of childhood anxiety and fantasy. Directed and designed by the talented Barbara Hockley the Conquest Youth Theatre performed with verve and vigour and, the most important factor of all, they obviously really enjoyed what they were doing. Credible performances all round and it was nice to see young up and coming talent and some relatively new faces getting bigger parts. It’s not fair to single out anyone, but Alex Cofield and Joanna Handley deserve a little extra mention for giving well timed and poignant performances. It appears that the Youth Theatre continues to go from strength to strength.
The second play of the double bill, ‘Brokenville’ written in 1998 had all the elements of the first but seemed to be more intense in its message. The scene was one of complete devastation with a house in ruins after a nameless catastrophic event. The characters have no idea what has happened to them and are unable to remember who they are. Once again the audience is confronted with a dramatic situation, full of opposing characters who are eventually all drawn into telling fantastical stories to keep the child (and themselves) shielded from the real situation. This should be serious – it’s definitely thought provoking, but it was also very funny.
This was the turn of the adults (nice to see two performers who have given much to the Youth Theatre too – Emma Gibbons and Elliott Brinkworth), with an excellent performance by Ellie de Rohan as the frightened child. Directed and designed by Hugh Farey this was particularly well cast with characters highly suited to their actors. An absolutely excellent performance of the old woman by Ann Smith whose different characterisations are always so well portrayed. We were also treated to Hugh Farey himself as ‘Satchel’, and Gaynor Smith and Mark Cox all taking on their make-believe roles and drawing us into the stories.
This was an excellent double bill and both the Youth and Conquest Productions should be congratulated on their hard work and creativity. We look forward to their next project.
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