Southend Shakespeare Company Summer Production 2019
Aphra Behn's
The Rover
Aphra Behn's
The Rover
A band of soldiers, including Colonel Belvile and Captain Willmore, travel to hot foreign climes during carnival season: one in search of love and the other a good time…
INFATUATION
The portrait of a world-famous courtesan, Angellica Bianca, is put on display, announcing her arrival in the town. As other men fight over her, Willmore pulls down her portrait to gaze on as he has no money to buy her. Much to his surprise, Angellica invites him in and, bewitched by his boldness, declares her love and gives herself to him for free.
Hellena, a noble Spanish woman, is determined to experience love before being sent away to a convent. Florinda, her sister, is set upon following her own heart and marrying the English Colonel Belvile, against the wishes of her father (who wants her to marry a rich old man), and her brother Don Pedro (who plans for her to marry his friend Don Antonio). The sisters set off into the carnival in masquerade, where they encounter the Cavaliers. An immediate attraction sparks between Willmore and Hellena, and Florinda arranges to escape with Belvile late at night.
CONFUSION
Elsewhere, a wealthy gentleman, Blunt, is charmed into the arms of Lucetta. Believing she is in love with him, he is humiliated to discover she is a thief and a prostitute.
Willmore and Hellena's growing attraction is complicated when Angellica Bianca becomes jealous.
ANGER
Waiting for Belvile at her garden gate, Florinda finds herself fending off a drunken Willmore. As Don Pedro increases pressure on her to marry Antonio, she flees her home, running headlong into an angry, vengeful Blunt.
Willmore is pursued by Angellica. Goading him with reproaches for his infidelity and arrogance, she points a gun at him…
PASSION. HEAT. SEX. Have we got your attention?
Amid the fast and furious world of the South American carnival, three wandering soldiers roam whilst three women looking for love and fighting for a little freedom explore this vibrant, frenzied, dizzying world.
Aphra Behn was England’s first female professional playwright and a strong voice in early feminism. Don't miss out !
Ticket Prices for "The Rover" are as follows:
High Easter, Hanningfield & Belfairs Adults £10, Children £5 Family Discount £25 ( 2 Adults 2 Children) Family discount only available at the above venues.
Rayleigh Mount, Southchurch Hall and Leigh Library Gardens Adults £10, Concessions £8.00
Advance Booking is necessary for Hanningfield performance only. Box Office Number 01268 711001
See you on tour soon!
INFATUATION
The portrait of a world-famous courtesan, Angellica Bianca, is put on display, announcing her arrival in the town. As other men fight over her, Willmore pulls down her portrait to gaze on as he has no money to buy her. Much to his surprise, Angellica invites him in and, bewitched by his boldness, declares her love and gives herself to him for free.
Hellena, a noble Spanish woman, is determined to experience love before being sent away to a convent. Florinda, her sister, is set upon following her own heart and marrying the English Colonel Belvile, against the wishes of her father (who wants her to marry a rich old man), and her brother Don Pedro (who plans for her to marry his friend Don Antonio). The sisters set off into the carnival in masquerade, where they encounter the Cavaliers. An immediate attraction sparks between Willmore and Hellena, and Florinda arranges to escape with Belvile late at night.
CONFUSION
Elsewhere, a wealthy gentleman, Blunt, is charmed into the arms of Lucetta. Believing she is in love with him, he is humiliated to discover she is a thief and a prostitute.
Willmore and Hellena's growing attraction is complicated when Angellica Bianca becomes jealous.
ANGER
Waiting for Belvile at her garden gate, Florinda finds herself fending off a drunken Willmore. As Don Pedro increases pressure on her to marry Antonio, she flees her home, running headlong into an angry, vengeful Blunt.
Willmore is pursued by Angellica. Goading him with reproaches for his infidelity and arrogance, she points a gun at him…
PASSION. HEAT. SEX. Have we got your attention?
Amid the fast and furious world of the South American carnival, three wandering soldiers roam whilst three women looking for love and fighting for a little freedom explore this vibrant, frenzied, dizzying world.
Aphra Behn was England’s first female professional playwright and a strong voice in early feminism. Don't miss out !
Ticket Prices for "The Rover" are as follows:
High Easter, Hanningfield & Belfairs Adults £10, Children £5 Family Discount £25 ( 2 Adults 2 Children) Family discount only available at the above venues.
Rayleigh Mount, Southchurch Hall and Leigh Library Gardens Adults £10, Concessions £8.00
Advance Booking is necessary for Hanningfield performance only. Box Office Number 01268 711001
See you on tour soon!
Jim Carter (below) talks to Southend Theatre Scene about being a member of Southend Shakespeare Company and his role in their latest Summer Production of The Rover which is about to begin its tour at High Easter and Rayleigh Mount this weekend!
When and under what circumstances did you start taking part in amateur dramatics?
I first became really interested at grammar school and took part in some school productions, although I tended to do mainly backstage stuff as I was quite nervous. However, through a friend I got involved in public speaking which gave me confidence and made me realise how great it was to make an audience laugh. I also had a super english teacher who made us read all sorts of plays out loud, particularly Shakespeare - which made them come alive. I saw my first RSC production of Othello at the Aldwych when I was sixteen which pretty much got me hooked on the Bard from then on. It wasn’t until my early twenties that a friend persuaded me to go with him to an audition for a Southend Shakespeare Company production of The Dream. 33 years later I’m still here.
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
Both my sisters have done some elocution and drama in their time. My sister Julie is also a member of the SSC.
Have you done any formal theatre or musical training?
No, I’ve never got round to it. I’ve just enjoyed watching and learning from others.
Do you have any special skills, from juggling to costume design, that have proved useful on stage?
Not as such, but I did graphics and photography at college which I can still put to use with our publicity.
Do you do any accents or impressions?
I enjoy doing an accent if there is an opportunity, particularly in comedy as it can really change the way you approach a part. As far as impressions I’m told I do a passable Michael Caine, Sean Connery & Alec Guinness. I also sometimes do impressions of members of the SSC that only SSC members would appreciate(!)
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your theatre career?
That’s a tricky one. Too many to name really. I don’t know if I have an absolute favourite as I’ve been very fortunate to play so many great roles.
Who is the most inspirational person you have worked with/been taught by, in your stage career?
As an actor and director Roy Foster was someone I admired enormously. He was a wonderfully talented and lovely man and a pleasure to work with.
When was your most embarrassing theatrical moment on or off stage?
I was in an outdoor production of Henry V at Stratford many years ago. I was standing at the top of a steep grassy hill in the darkness, ready to go onstage. However, I managed to lose my footing and slid on my backside right down to the bottom of the hill. Luckily only a few members of the audience noticed. It was pretty spectacular.
What do you do for a living?
I work for TSB Bank.
Has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage roles?
Not really. They are at different ends of the spectrum.
I first became really interested at grammar school and took part in some school productions, although I tended to do mainly backstage stuff as I was quite nervous. However, through a friend I got involved in public speaking which gave me confidence and made me realise how great it was to make an audience laugh. I also had a super english teacher who made us read all sorts of plays out loud, particularly Shakespeare - which made them come alive. I saw my first RSC production of Othello at the Aldwych when I was sixteen which pretty much got me hooked on the Bard from then on. It wasn’t until my early twenties that a friend persuaded me to go with him to an audition for a Southend Shakespeare Company production of The Dream. 33 years later I’m still here.
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
Both my sisters have done some elocution and drama in their time. My sister Julie is also a member of the SSC.
Have you done any formal theatre or musical training?
No, I’ve never got round to it. I’ve just enjoyed watching and learning from others.
Do you have any special skills, from juggling to costume design, that have proved useful on stage?
Not as such, but I did graphics and photography at college which I can still put to use with our publicity.
Do you do any accents or impressions?
I enjoy doing an accent if there is an opportunity, particularly in comedy as it can really change the way you approach a part. As far as impressions I’m told I do a passable Michael Caine, Sean Connery & Alec Guinness. I also sometimes do impressions of members of the SSC that only SSC members would appreciate(!)
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your theatre career?
That’s a tricky one. Too many to name really. I don’t know if I have an absolute favourite as I’ve been very fortunate to play so many great roles.
Who is the most inspirational person you have worked with/been taught by, in your stage career?
As an actor and director Roy Foster was someone I admired enormously. He was a wonderfully talented and lovely man and a pleasure to work with.
When was your most embarrassing theatrical moment on or off stage?
I was in an outdoor production of Henry V at Stratford many years ago. I was standing at the top of a steep grassy hill in the darkness, ready to go onstage. However, I managed to lose my footing and slid on my backside right down to the bottom of the hill. Luckily only a few members of the audience noticed. It was pretty spectacular.
What do you do for a living?
I work for TSB Bank.
Has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage roles?
Not really. They are at different ends of the spectrum.
Madeleine Ayres outside Leigh Library Gardens, one of the venues for the Summer Production
Tell us about your current production of The ROVER and your role in it
It’s a very funny play from the 17th century about a band of soldiers, including Colonel Belville and Captain Willmore, who travel to hot foreign climes during carnival season, one in search of love and the other a “good time”. Willmore – “The Rover” of the title is a real character and a terror for the ladies. The play is all about the soldiers and their relationships with women, who are all strong characters and are more than a match for the men! There’s a great carnival atmosphere about the play which is infectious and we’ve had a great time rehearsing it. It’s a super choice for us to do in the open air.
Which actor do you most admire and why?
I don’t have an all time favourite, but as far as the stage goes I’ll try and go and see anything with Roger Allam or Simon Russell Beale in it.
What role would you most like to play and why?
Hmm. I wouldn't mind having a go at another American play some day. I’d also like to do another Chekhov if the opportunity arises.
What future roles have you got lined up?
I’m going to be in our Autumn production of “Private Lives” by Noel Coward at the Dixon Studio in October. It's a real classic with a great cast and I’m very much looking forward to it.
Any tips to pass on for learning your lines?
No, because I’m rotten at it. I tend to record all of my cues and listen to them over and over which seems to work for me. Eventually I get there, but it gets harder with age!
Any other tricks of the trade to pass on?
Be reliable and don’t turn up late. If you really want to learn about acting go and see as many plays
as you can afford. If you see something good that an actor does steal it, because the chances are that they have already stolen it from somebody else.
It’s a very funny play from the 17th century about a band of soldiers, including Colonel Belville and Captain Willmore, who travel to hot foreign climes during carnival season, one in search of love and the other a “good time”. Willmore – “The Rover” of the title is a real character and a terror for the ladies. The play is all about the soldiers and their relationships with women, who are all strong characters and are more than a match for the men! There’s a great carnival atmosphere about the play which is infectious and we’ve had a great time rehearsing it. It’s a super choice for us to do in the open air.
Which actor do you most admire and why?
I don’t have an all time favourite, but as far as the stage goes I’ll try and go and see anything with Roger Allam or Simon Russell Beale in it.
What role would you most like to play and why?
Hmm. I wouldn't mind having a go at another American play some day. I’d also like to do another Chekhov if the opportunity arises.
What future roles have you got lined up?
I’m going to be in our Autumn production of “Private Lives” by Noel Coward at the Dixon Studio in October. It's a real classic with a great cast and I’m very much looking forward to it.
Any tips to pass on for learning your lines?
No, because I’m rotten at it. I tend to record all of my cues and listen to them over and over which seems to work for me. Eventually I get there, but it gets harder with age!
Any other tricks of the trade to pass on?
Be reliable and don’t turn up late. If you really want to learn about acting go and see as many plays
as you can afford. If you see something good that an actor does steal it, because the chances are that they have already stolen it from somebody else.
Jim (Centre Front) with the Cast of The Rover