The Learned Ladies
by Moliere
performed by
The Southend Shakespeare Company
Dixon Studio at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
23rd to 27th October 2018
by Moliere
performed by
The Southend Shakespeare Company
Dixon Studio at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
23rd to 27th October 2018
The Southend Shakespeare Company are back at the Dixon Studio this month with a classic 17th century comedy from the pen of Moliere - The Learned Ladies.
The wealthy home of Chrysale has been thrown into domestic chaos due to his wife, Philaminte's new passion for learning. Within this atmosphere of study and culture Henriette, the younger daughter, announces her desire to wed Clitandre. Her father approves but comes up against the forceful views and personality of Philaminte who is planning to marry her daughter to Trissotin whose poetry and intellect she greatly admires. A further array of lively characters populate this hilarious and lavishly costumed comedy which was the last but one of Moliere's plays. Don't miss it!
The wealthy home of Chrysale has been thrown into domestic chaos due to his wife, Philaminte's new passion for learning. Within this atmosphere of study and culture Henriette, the younger daughter, announces her desire to wed Clitandre. Her father approves but comes up against the forceful views and personality of Philaminte who is planning to marry her daughter to Trissotin whose poetry and intellect she greatly admires. A further array of lively characters populate this hilarious and lavishly costumed comedy which was the last but one of Moliere's plays. Don't miss it!
We ask director, Vanessa Osborn, a few questions before curtain up!
|
First of all, tell us a bit about yourself; how long have you been with SSC?
I joined the SSC in 2000 when I auditioned for a part in their production of Sheridan's "The School For Scandal." I had taken a break from acting and had been enjoying spending free time at dance classes, especially, Egyptian belly dance. I have loved being involved with shows since my early days at school and continued being involved at university, in Spain, where I lived for a few years, and back in Southend. What are your most memorable moments? One of my earliest drama memories was in Norway where I went to primary school in a little town near the Swedish border. I was cast as Mary in the Nativity and the caretaker made me a wooden donkey. My friend Oyvind, who was Joseph pulled me along as I sat on it with my favourite doll, Mandy. Half way to Bethlehem, at the centre and front of the stage the donkey collapsed and the audience roared! But at least I wasn't put off ever going on stage again! |
|
What parts will we have seen you play and which is your favourite?
I love performing as well as directing and The SSC in particular has given me the opportunity to take part in productions of real quality with very talented members in all spheres - backstage as well. I love that we put on five shows a year and choose plays of merit from ancient Greek authors, through a classical repertoire, to more modern writers. The variety and pace of productions is exciting. You can finish one and the next day be rehearsing the next! Some of my favourite roles have been in Shakespeare plays, including Rosalind in As You Like It, Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Lady Macbeth, Viola in Twelfth Night and Portia in The Merchant of Venice.
We are lucky to be able to perform at the Palace Theatre in Southend which is such a great venue and hub of local creativity and I feel very privileged to have the use of a beautiful old theatre on my doorstep.
I love performing as well as directing and The SSC in particular has given me the opportunity to take part in productions of real quality with very talented members in all spheres - backstage as well. I love that we put on five shows a year and choose plays of merit from ancient Greek authors, through a classical repertoire, to more modern writers. The variety and pace of productions is exciting. You can finish one and the next day be rehearsing the next! Some of my favourite roles have been in Shakespeare plays, including Rosalind in As You Like It, Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Lady Macbeth, Viola in Twelfth Night and Portia in The Merchant of Venice.
We are lucky to be able to perform at the Palace Theatre in Southend which is such a great venue and hub of local creativity and I feel very privileged to have the use of a beautiful old theatre on my doorstep.
Vanessa as Titania with Keith Chanter as Oberon
What’s the best thing about being a member of SSC?
The SSC also tour with an outdoor production every summer and that is brilliant fun. We pitch up with our tents and fairy lights and we are a proper little band of entertainers in the manner of hundreds of years ago. Last year we had a fabulous band and singers accompanying the action which added even more to the fun and enjoyment.
You are directing Learned Ladies, can you tell us a bit about the play and the storyline?
I am currently directing "The Learned Ladies" which is a very good comedy by Moliere. It has very lively and distinct characters with a fast-paced plot and is a thoroughly entertaining piece of farce. It was written in the late 1600's at a time when women were not encouraged to study and be intellectual and it is a piece of satire aimed at those women of the time who started to educate themselves in the higher echelons of society. He pokes fun at them but also at the male pedants who loved to show off their learning. However, although he is poking fun at the fashion for learning, there are also voices of support for the emancipation for women and their education and I am looking forward to seeing how the audience react to certain declarations made in this play!
The action is set in the wealthy home of Chrysale who is unhappy with the confusion his home has been thrown into by his wife's new passion for learning. Even the servants are being forced to study instead of carry out their usual duties. He has 4 daughters, one of whom would like to enjoy a more traditional role of wife and mother. He is terrified of his wife who rules the household. Both parents wish this daughter to marry different suitors, one of which is a poet whose self-belief is giant and who entertains the ladies with performances of his "poetry." There are several other engaging characters which populate this play and keep the action interesting and comic.
This ensemble piece is being played to wonderful effect by the actors and they are dressed superbly. Quite a spectacle!
The SSC also tour with an outdoor production every summer and that is brilliant fun. We pitch up with our tents and fairy lights and we are a proper little band of entertainers in the manner of hundreds of years ago. Last year we had a fabulous band and singers accompanying the action which added even more to the fun and enjoyment.
You are directing Learned Ladies, can you tell us a bit about the play and the storyline?
I am currently directing "The Learned Ladies" which is a very good comedy by Moliere. It has very lively and distinct characters with a fast-paced plot and is a thoroughly entertaining piece of farce. It was written in the late 1600's at a time when women were not encouraged to study and be intellectual and it is a piece of satire aimed at those women of the time who started to educate themselves in the higher echelons of society. He pokes fun at them but also at the male pedants who loved to show off their learning. However, although he is poking fun at the fashion for learning, there are also voices of support for the emancipation for women and their education and I am looking forward to seeing how the audience react to certain declarations made in this play!
The action is set in the wealthy home of Chrysale who is unhappy with the confusion his home has been thrown into by his wife's new passion for learning. Even the servants are being forced to study instead of carry out their usual duties. He has 4 daughters, one of whom would like to enjoy a more traditional role of wife and mother. He is terrified of his wife who rules the household. Both parents wish this daughter to marry different suitors, one of which is a poet whose self-belief is giant and who entertains the ladies with performances of his "poetry." There are several other engaging characters which populate this play and keep the action interesting and comic.
This ensemble piece is being played to wonderful effect by the actors and they are dressed superbly. Quite a spectacle!
Performance Dates Tues 23rd - Sat 27th October 2018
Adults £15.00 Concessions £1.50 off.
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat at 7.45pm. Sat Matinee at 3.00pm.
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
Adults £15.00 Concessions £1.50 off.
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat at 7.45pm. Sat Matinee at 3.00pm.
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.