The Witches of Eastwick
Little Theatre Company
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
8-11 October 2014
Little Theatre Company
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
8-11 October 2014
Little Theatre Company was formed in 1948 by a dozen or so enthusiasts, most of whom had ‘some’ experience on the amateur stage. Fast forward to 2014 and judging by the performances they put on for myself and Steve (the photographer) on the night we went to have a chat with them, ‘a lot’ of experience has now been garnered by this extremely talented group. We sneaked in to the Wesley Methodist Church Hall, Leigh on Sea to see how rehearsals were going for their next production, The Witches of Eastwick and were fortunate enough to be treated to a rendition of two songs from the show. They even let us film them so we can let all our MyTownSouthend theatre fans have a glimpse of just what’s in store.
The show is coming to The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on 8-11th October and with just two weeks to go until curtain up, the group claim that they are at that stage where they just need an audience. The group have been rehearsing since May and Tim Cater, who will be playing Darryl Van Horne, is looking forward to getting in front of an audience. Tim is no stranger to The Palace Theatre stage as he has performed in many shows with LTC; perhaps his most memorable show being Buddy The Musical where he played the iconic Buddy Holly to rave reviews. Tim says that during the 10 years he has been a member of the group, Buddy will always stand out as one of his favourite performances although he says, laughing at the memory, that he really enjoyed himself and had great fun performing in Copacabana. Daryl Van Horne, he admits, is building up to be another favourite.
The storyline is based around three female protagonists, the 'Witches' Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart, and Sukie Rougemont. Frustrated and bored by their mundane lives in the town of Eastwick, a shared longing and desire for "all manner of man in one man" comes to life in the form of a charismatic stranger, a devil-like character, Darryl Van Horne. Seducing each of the women in turn Darryl teaches them how to further expand the powers locked within, though their new unorthodox lifestyle scandalises the town. As these powers become more sinister and events spiral out of control, the women come to realise that Darryl's influence is corrupting everyone he comes into contact with and resolve to use their new-found strength to exile him from their lives.
Tim is a very lucky ‘devil’ in that he gets to have not just one, but three leading ladies; Lianne Larthe as Alex, Claire Wilson who plays Jane and the part of Sukie is taken on by Louisa Strachan. All three ladies say how much they love being part of LTC and that working together has forged a friendship and bond which is clearly observed in their performances. I’m guessing it really helps that they all get on so well as rumour has it that this version of Witches of Eastwick is rather more raunchy than previous productions have portrayed. I ask them if this is true and Lianne admits that they all have to be rather overly tactile with Tim’s character. Tim says, with a hint of mock horror, that those parts of the show “have been a real struggle.” “Especially,” he adds wryly, “when I have my wife watching in the wings!” Tim and his wife Carla are one of many couples who have met whilst being members of the group.
The cast have nothing but praise for Bradley Green who, they tell me, has been an inspiring director. Louisa says, “He’s told us to just go for it, lose your inhibitions and don’t hold back.”
To be honest, losing their inhibitions is probably the least of the girls’ worries, as part of the show will have them literally flying over the stage. This is something that they won’t get the chance to do until they get to the theatre at the beginning of show week. “During rehearsals’, say the girls with a giggle, “we’ve just been waving our hands in the air and going on tip toes!” Let’s hope, come show week, they don’t discover that they have a sudden fear of heights.
The choreography has been left in the safe hands of Caroline Ahmet and, I spy, the Musical Director is the super talented Ashton Moore, who seems to be ever popular amongst musical groups in the area just now and who’s enthusiasm is more than a little infectious. You get the impression that this show is in very safe hands and frankly, if what I saw from the cast and chorus with two weeks until curtain up, is anything to go by, this production of Witches of Eastwick is definitely not one to be missed.
Grab your tickets now for what looks likely to be a devilishly good show!
www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the Box Office on 01702 351135
If you would like to get in touch with, or become of a member of Little Theatre Company please go to their website www.littletheatrecompany.co.uk
Facebook: Little Theatre Company
Twitter: @official_LTC
Little Theatre Club will also be performing songs from The Witches of Eastwick at the Southend Book and Arts Fair which is being held next Saturday 4th October at The Forum, Elmer Square in Southend on Sea, along with other local musical groups. Contact www.theforumsouthend.co.uk for further information or telephone 01702 215011.
Click here for Review
The show is coming to The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on 8-11th October and with just two weeks to go until curtain up, the group claim that they are at that stage where they just need an audience. The group have been rehearsing since May and Tim Cater, who will be playing Darryl Van Horne, is looking forward to getting in front of an audience. Tim is no stranger to The Palace Theatre stage as he has performed in many shows with LTC; perhaps his most memorable show being Buddy The Musical where he played the iconic Buddy Holly to rave reviews. Tim says that during the 10 years he has been a member of the group, Buddy will always stand out as one of his favourite performances although he says, laughing at the memory, that he really enjoyed himself and had great fun performing in Copacabana. Daryl Van Horne, he admits, is building up to be another favourite.
The storyline is based around three female protagonists, the 'Witches' Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart, and Sukie Rougemont. Frustrated and bored by their mundane lives in the town of Eastwick, a shared longing and desire for "all manner of man in one man" comes to life in the form of a charismatic stranger, a devil-like character, Darryl Van Horne. Seducing each of the women in turn Darryl teaches them how to further expand the powers locked within, though their new unorthodox lifestyle scandalises the town. As these powers become more sinister and events spiral out of control, the women come to realise that Darryl's influence is corrupting everyone he comes into contact with and resolve to use their new-found strength to exile him from their lives.
Tim is a very lucky ‘devil’ in that he gets to have not just one, but three leading ladies; Lianne Larthe as Alex, Claire Wilson who plays Jane and the part of Sukie is taken on by Louisa Strachan. All three ladies say how much they love being part of LTC and that working together has forged a friendship and bond which is clearly observed in their performances. I’m guessing it really helps that they all get on so well as rumour has it that this version of Witches of Eastwick is rather more raunchy than previous productions have portrayed. I ask them if this is true and Lianne admits that they all have to be rather overly tactile with Tim’s character. Tim says, with a hint of mock horror, that those parts of the show “have been a real struggle.” “Especially,” he adds wryly, “when I have my wife watching in the wings!” Tim and his wife Carla are one of many couples who have met whilst being members of the group.
The cast have nothing but praise for Bradley Green who, they tell me, has been an inspiring director. Louisa says, “He’s told us to just go for it, lose your inhibitions and don’t hold back.”
To be honest, losing their inhibitions is probably the least of the girls’ worries, as part of the show will have them literally flying over the stage. This is something that they won’t get the chance to do until they get to the theatre at the beginning of show week. “During rehearsals’, say the girls with a giggle, “we’ve just been waving our hands in the air and going on tip toes!” Let’s hope, come show week, they don’t discover that they have a sudden fear of heights.
The choreography has been left in the safe hands of Caroline Ahmet and, I spy, the Musical Director is the super talented Ashton Moore, who seems to be ever popular amongst musical groups in the area just now and who’s enthusiasm is more than a little infectious. You get the impression that this show is in very safe hands and frankly, if what I saw from the cast and chorus with two weeks until curtain up, is anything to go by, this production of Witches of Eastwick is definitely not one to be missed.
Grab your tickets now for what looks likely to be a devilishly good show!
www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the Box Office on 01702 351135
If you would like to get in touch with, or become of a member of Little Theatre Company please go to their website www.littletheatrecompany.co.uk
Facebook: Little Theatre Company
Twitter: @official_LTC
Little Theatre Club will also be performing songs from The Witches of Eastwick at the Southend Book and Arts Fair which is being held next Saturday 4th October at The Forum, Elmer Square in Southend on Sea, along with other local musical groups. Contact www.theforumsouthend.co.uk for further information or telephone 01702 215011.
Click here for Review
The cast of Witches
click on picture to enlarge
click on picture to enlarge
