WMcD wrote: ” Firstly, thank you to everyone who has come along to see the show today. Whether you are here to support your son or daughter, nephew or niece, or grandchild; your attendance is much appreciated. As always with a Young Wick production there have been moments when I wondered if we would ever reach opening night – but, here we are!
This is my last Young Wick show, so I take this opportunity to thank a few people for their support over the past three years. To everybody who gets involved behind the scenes at the Wick – you rock! Whether it is getting involved with the workshop, stage managing, front of house, or producing the company’s Newsletter, you give up your time without ego, to help put these shows on and without you Wick would not exist.
Particular thanks go out to John Garland, Peter Joyce, Martin Oakley, Mark Best and Isi Fink, without the various kinds of support you have provided, the last three years would have been a much less successful experience. My thanks are immeasurable.
And to the youth themselves of course! While at times you have driven me slightly crazy [how I wish you had learned your lines earlier!], you are the reason Mark, Isi and I give up our time – so ‘thank you’ you all for the time and effort you have put in. I wish you all the best in all your future endeavours.
Finally, I must thank Claire Harding for stepping in to the role of Livia, at the last moment.
Publicity #1: After Juliet
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: January 29 2015 issue – page 28
Correspondent: Elaine Hammond
Text Header: “Exciting Juliet tale inspired by actress”
Text: Content
MOVIE star Keira Knightley was the inspiration behind the story chosen for Young Wick’s next production in Southwick. At the age of 13, the actress saw Baz Luhrman’s 1996 movie version of Romeo and Juliet and asked her playwright mother, Sharman Macdonald, ‘so, what happened next?’.
Sharman set about writing the poetic, tense, exciting and surreal play, After Juliet. Young Wick will be performing the drama at the Barn Theatre in Southwick on February 6 and 7.
Judith Berrill, from Wick Theatre Company, said: “So what does happen next? Does the nurse get the sack? Who gets the blame? Did Rosaline really love Romeo? Come and find out by spending a highly enjoyable and intriguing evening with the Young Wick’s production of After Juliet.”
The Capulet and Montague families have called a truce after the death of Romeo and Juliet, but it soon falls apart as both sides rage against each other. A trial is taking place to find out those responsible for the deaths of the star-crossed lovers, the aftermath of a volatile community divided. Amid the turmoil more doomed love springs up between the main character of the play, Rosaline, Romeo’s former flame, and Benvolio Montague. Will the troubles ever be resolved?
Judith said: “Wick’s talented young actors stage this exciting drama in the round in the fine setting of the Barn Theatre. Unusually, this production is directed by three members of the company – Young Wick ‘graduates’ William McDonald and Isi Fink, and Barn stage favourite Mark Best, who has directed many of the excellent Young Wick productions in the past. All three have had great pleasure in working with the cast of young people who are playing characters of their own age, rather than having to act in parts written for adults, bringing their own ideas, energy and inventiveness to this timeless tale. “Come and see the other side of the world’s most famous love story.”
Performances are at the Barn Theatre, part of the Southwick Community Centre complex in Southwick Street, next Friday and Saturday at 7.45pm. Tickets are £10 for adults and £7 for students. Visit www.wicktheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01273 597094.
Publicity #2: After Juliet
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: February 5 2015 issue – page 40
Correspondent: Phil Hewitt
Text Header: “After Juliet”
Text: Content
Young Wick find out what happened After Juliet in their latest production. Spokeswoman Judith Berrill explains: “Poetic, tense exciting and surreal. After Juliet was inspired when actress Kiera Knightley, then aged 13, saw Baz Luhrman’s 1996 movie version of Romeo and Juliet and asked her playwright mother, Sharman Macdonald, ‘So, what happened next?”
“So what does happen next? Does the nurse get the sack? Who gets the blame? Did Rosaline really love Romeo? Come and find out by spending a highly-enjoyable and intriguing evening with the Young Wick.
Performances are on Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7, at the Barn Theatre, Southwick Street, Southwick. Curtain-up i at 7-45pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £7 for students from the box office on 01273 597094 or through the website www.wicktheatre.co.uk.
“The Capulets and Montague families have called a truce after the death of Romeo and Juliet, but it soon falls apart as both sides rage against each other. A trial is taking place to find out those responsible for the deaths of the star-crossed lovers. The aftermath of a volatile community divided. Amid the turmoil, more doomed love springs up between Rosaline an, Romeo’s ex-flame, the main character of the play and Benvolio Montague. Will the troubles ever be resolved?
Wick’s talented young actors stage this exciting drama in the round in the fine setting of the Barn Theatre.
Unusually, this production is directed by three members of the company: Young Wick graduates Will McDonald and Isi Fink; and Barn stage favourite Mark Best, who has directed many of the excellent Young Wick productions in the past.”
Review #1: After Juliet
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: February 12 2015 issue – page 34
Reviewer: Simon Robb
Text Header: “Teenagers prove there is still life after Juliet”
Text: Content
TEENAGERS from the Young Wick’s players brought a modern classic to life last weekend in the gripping sequel to Romeo and Juliet.
The work of Sharman Macdonald — actress Keira Knightly’s mother — was brought to fruition in the 90s after her daughter watched Baz Luhrman’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet and asked ‘what happened next?’. A small cast took on the production of After Juliet at Southwick Community Centre’s The Barn on Friday and Saturday.
Despite audio problems, and the eternal hissing from overhead speakers that sounded like rainfall, the young actors carried on through the two acts without distraction.
Comic relief was brought by the characters of Lorenzo and Gianni, Juliet’s cousins, played by Luke Mepham and Josh Perrera. Both were quick-witted, full of expression and confident on the stage. Luke stood out as the most capable of the two with his perfect timing, silly quirks and ‘numb tongue’ dialogue.
Given that it had been some years since reading Shakespeare’s tragic play, it was difficult to follow the plot at times, but did not make it any less enjoyable.
The stage was kept simple with a shrine for the recently-lost young couple, adorned with paper flowers and a bench where many recitings took place. The bench felt on par with Juliet’s iconic balcony.
Another of Juliet’s cousins, Alice, was reminiscent of Regina George in Mean Girls. An interesting take on a typically unlikable Shakespearean character that made it all the more engaging. Courtney Everett, who played the role, was confident, snarky and at times funny. Another favourite to watch.
But many of the players were overshadowed by the strong, mesmerising performance of Lisa Pepper in the lead role of Rosaline, another of Juliet’s cousins. Rosaline had been left heartbroken after the loss of Romeo, who was a former love interest of hers before Juliet came into the picture. Lisa’s soliloquies were eloquently delivered with a passion and fervour that is usually detected in a much more experienced actress. She simply stole the show and has a promising career in the arts ahead of her.
Although the story lagged in the first half, it picked up by the second act, with sword fighting, creepy premonitions and a clear thirst for blood between the forever duelling Montagues and Capulets.
Other notable performances were by Matt Rouse and Ted Gibbs who played the two romantic interests for Rosaline.
The only disappointment is the play had a life span of two showings, but it is hoped many of these actors will return in another splendid Young Wick’s production.
So, what happened next? Maybe a third entry should be in the cards.
Review #2: After Juliet
Publication: Brighton Argus
Publication Data: February 9 2015
Reviewer: Louise Schweitzer
Text: Content
We learned several things from After Juliet, a play by Sharman McDonald, performed by the Young Wick Theatre Players.
First of all writing a sequel to anything by William Shakespeare was a daunting task: the greatest dramatist in the English language is a hard act to follow. Secondly, we learned that although love never dies, hatred and family feuds never do either.
The youthful cast’s presentation of the teenage families of Romeo and Juliet was appreciated: their age and innocence served both them and the original story.
And the skill and competence of Young Wick came across. The play, set anywhere, anytime, demanded an ability with Shakespearean language, rhyming couplets and playground vernacular.
The actors were required to move swiftly through a complicated series of short scenes: only Rosaline – the brilliantly confident Lisa Pepper – had longer, powerful monologues.
Matt Rouse was convincing as the boy who would love her, Courtney Everett flounced with bolshy charm as Alice and Luke Mepham and Josh Perrera were wonderful comic relief as dead Juliet’s cousins.
Finally we learned second acts are better than first ones, allowing tension to build and character to develop.
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