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Son of Man

The Barn Theatre, Southwick Community Centre

April 5, 6, 7 & 8, 2000

Son of Man

by Dennis Potter

Directed by
Derek Fraser


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“Flawless production”
– Shoreham Herald –

Cast

Bob Ryder – Jesus

Adrian Kenward – Agitator

Alistair Reed – Centurion

David Goodger – Pilate

John Robinson – Commander

Joanna Hopper – Ruth

Dennis Evans – Caiaphas

John Garland – Peter

Simon Druce – Andrew

Peter Thompson – James

Kevin Isaac – John

Peter Milner – First Priest

Diane Robinson – Second Priest

Hazel Starns – Procla [Pilate’s wife]

Rols Ham-Riche – Judas

Jasper Astle – Money-Changer

Margaret Ockenden – Heckler & Onlooker

Michelle Wragg – Heckler & Onlooker

 

Production Crew

Stage ManagerDavid Comber

ASMJean Porter

LightingMike Medway

SoundSimon Snelling

Set ConstructionDavid Comber

Set ConstructionDave Collis

Set ConstructionBrian Box

Set ConstructionMike Davy

Set ConstructionMarc Lewis

Set PaintingFrances Thorne

Set PaintingSheila Neesham

PropertiesMargaret Davy

PropertiesSue Whittaker

CostumesFrances Moulton

Sound RecordingGreg Starns

MusicKatalin Szeless

Press & PublicityRosemary Bouchy

Press & PublicityFrances Thorne

Press & PublicityRosemary Brown

Design & GraphicsJudith Berrill

Box OfficeMargaret Murrell

Front of House ManagerBrian Moulton

 

Programme Note #1: Son of Man

A large part of the last 2000 years has been based on the life, death and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. At the start of another Millennium Son of Man looks at the man Jesus through the eyes of an original and successful playwright of the late 20th Century.

Dennis Potter has also been called controversial. In Son of Man he portrays a very Roman Jesus, with all His doubts and frailties as much, if not more than, His divinity. The title Son of Man [rather than Son of God] suggests this.

Son of Man is in no way sacrilegious, but there is no cut and dried certainty as to the divinity of Jesus. Like all god plays we are left to judge for ourselves. Son of Man was first presented on TV in 1969. The ending was ambiguous but the stage version ends on a triumphant note. It is a powerful and challenging piece of theatre, worthy of Wick.

DF wrote: “This play has been brought to the Barn stage through the effort and commitment of a great many people. I am indebted to them all – not only the large and enthusiastic cast, which includes several actors new to the Barn, but also the many other dedicated Wick members who have made this production possible. I hope that you will find Son of Man thought-provoking, as well as an absorbing piece of theatre.”