“This production is Bob Ryder’s fifth for Wick, since joining the company six years ago. His earlier directing credits with us were Alan Bennett’s Habeas Corpus (1991), Alan Ayckbourn’s A Chorus of Disapproval (1992) and, in his own translation, Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler (1992). Then came his production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (1994), for which he also composed the music for the songs.
In addition to these distinctive contributions as a director, he also acted in several Wick productions, including the lead performances in two modern classics – as Salieri in Amadeus (1991) and Henry Carr in Travesties (1993) – and in two knockout comedies – The Royal Pardon (1992) and Run For Your Wife (1994).
Following a successful couple of seasons of running practical workshops for the company, he has recently been appointed as coordinator of all our theatre-based activities.”
Publicity #1: Romeo and Juliet
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: March 31 1995 issue – page 13
Text Header: Wick stages greatest love tale of all time
Text: Content
WICK Theatre Company’s next production at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, is the ever-popular Shakespeare classic Romeo and Juliet. Tanja McGhie, who is just 15, will be playing Juliet, one of the theatre’s most challenging female rôles. Wick had an excellent reception for their production of Twelfth Night last season and are expecting a big demand for their performances of the Bard’s timeless love story. Director Bob Ryder, responsible for Twelfth Night, will be using the same clear-cut approach to get the energy and meaning of the play across to modern audiences.
Favourites
‘ Romeo and Juliet is full of astonishing contrasts ‘, he said. ‘There’s a great deal of comedy and crude joking as well as the stolen moments of love and the final tragedy.’
Wick’s production features a cast of 17, including some experienced local actors and several Barn favourites. There are also five new young faces making their debut with the company – John Garland, Ken Dorey, Peter Winstone, Alf Nicol and Liz Idle. In total more than 40 members of Wick are helping with this production, which is being staged from April 5 to April 8. Box-office: 0273 597094.
Review #1:
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: April 7 1995 issue – page 4
Reviewer: Petra Dalton
Text Header: Tanja’s as cool as a cucumber!
Text: Content
WHAT a veritable treat to see Wick Theatre Company’s performance of the timeless love story, Romeo and Juliet.
The Bard’s classic tale of interfering parents, romance, tragedy and bad timing for the two young lovers has all the elements of a modern-day, true-life story, coupled with comedy and crude jokes.
Whoever thought they would see a cucumber in a Shakespeare play!
Having studied the play at school, painstakingly interpreting every line, I had forgotten it was not merely a love story, but also a gripping adventure without the usual happy ending.
Tanja McGhie took the role of Juliet – one of the most difficult women’s parts – in her stride, showing no first-night nerves at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, on Wednesday.
At just 15, a year older than Shakespeare’s Juliet, she put over the emotions of the young girl betrothed to marry Paris [Andy Chalk] instead of her sweetheart Romeo [Phillip O’Brien].
Acclaimed
Spectacular sword fights, expertly choreographed by Roy Goodall, added to the excitement on stage, which had been cleverly transformed by use of just muslin curtains.
Making his debut was Ken Dorey, who played the ill-fated cousin Tybalt and slotted in with apparent ease alongside old Barn favourites.
Perfectly cast Romeo and Juliet’s acting was knocked into second place only by Rosemary Brown, who played Juliet’s nurse. Not once did she lose her ‘country yokel’ accent.
Director Bob Ryder, who was responsible for the Barn’s acclaimed production of Twelfth Night, certainly knows how to put on a good show – let’s hope he has more up his sleeve.
The play continues until tomorrow [Saturday] with nightly performances at 7.45pm and a 2.30 matinee tomorrow. Tickets, priced £4, are available from the Barn Theatre box-office on 01273 597094.
