Too Much Punch For Judy
Presented by The Wednesday Players
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
Wednesday 19th September - Saturday 22nd September 2018
Presented by The Wednesday Players
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
Wednesday 19th September - Saturday 22nd September 2018
Too Much Punch for Judy tells the true story of an incident which happened on 20th May 1983, in Epping, Essex. An opening section of the play involves fast, funny physical theatre and then followed by naturalistic scenes of high emotional-intensity to make a tight production, which is as entertaining as it is thought provoking.
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Using only the words of those involved or closely affected, the play explores the problems surrounding the death of Joanna when her sister, Judy was at the wheel in a drink-drive incident.
Director, Claire Curtis (right), takes some time out to answer a few questions for Southend Theatre Scene... How long have you been a member of the Wednesday Players? I have been part of the Wednesday Players since 2010. Since then I have performed in many of their pantomimes, plays and cabaret. |
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Tell us about the play you’re directing, Too Much Punch for Judy?
Too Much Punch for Judy is a documentary play based on true events which occurred in 1983, in Epping. The story follows the main character of Judy, who drinks and drives, crashes and ends up killing her sister in the accident. All the dialogue used in the play has been taken from audio recordings from the people who were closely involved in the incident. Mark Wheeller, the playwright used the recordings to devise an interesting piece of drama, which balances out the highly emotional and naturalistic scenes and dialogue, with some fast paced, stylised movement and Brechtian elements.
Too Much Punch for Judy is a documentary play based on true events which occurred in 1983, in Epping. The story follows the main character of Judy, who drinks and drives, crashes and ends up killing her sister in the accident. All the dialogue used in the play has been taken from audio recordings from the people who were closely involved in the incident. Mark Wheeller, the playwright used the recordings to devise an interesting piece of drama, which balances out the highly emotional and naturalistic scenes and dialogue, with some fast paced, stylised movement and Brechtian elements.
Why did you want to put on this play?
I really wanted to put on this play to showcase the acting abilities of the Wednesday Players, as the play does not consist of lots of props, costumes and scenery, it’s very simple and concentrates on the story and the characters experience. This is a different kind of play than the Wednesday Players are used to putting on and I felt it may bring some interest to our society and attract new audiences as well as entertain our loyal followers. Also I knew that many secondary schools study this play as part of a Drama syllabus, so I though we may attract interest and boost our ticket sales with school group bookings.
How have rehearsals been going?
Rehearsals have been going really well. The cast are very enthusiastic about this project and their enthusiasm has made directing them an easier task.
Have you directed before?
This is my directorial debut for the Wednesday Players although I have been involved in putting on many plays, musicals and performances in my daytime job.
What is your daytime job?
I currently work at Shoeburyness High School as a drama Teacher and I am part of the fabulous Theatre Arts department there. I have worked there since 2002 and have, as part of that team, put on many productions.
I really wanted to put on this play to showcase the acting abilities of the Wednesday Players, as the play does not consist of lots of props, costumes and scenery, it’s very simple and concentrates on the story and the characters experience. This is a different kind of play than the Wednesday Players are used to putting on and I felt it may bring some interest to our society and attract new audiences as well as entertain our loyal followers. Also I knew that many secondary schools study this play as part of a Drama syllabus, so I though we may attract interest and boost our ticket sales with school group bookings.
How have rehearsals been going?
Rehearsals have been going really well. The cast are very enthusiastic about this project and their enthusiasm has made directing them an easier task.
Have you directed before?
This is my directorial debut for the Wednesday Players although I have been involved in putting on many plays, musicals and performances in my daytime job.
What is your daytime job?
I currently work at Shoeburyness High School as a drama Teacher and I am part of the fabulous Theatre Arts department there. I have worked there since 2002 and have, as part of that team, put on many productions.
Evil Snow Queen - Claire in panto costume
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Do you act as well and if so, what have been your favourite roles?
Apart from teaching Acting, I do also like to act. The Wednesday Players have given me the opportunity to play a variety of parts. I have played a few comedy pantomime characters, which I love. Last year I was the evil Queen in Snow White, which was a change for me having the children in the audience boo me, instead of laugh and cheer. |
What’s been the most challenging part of directing this play?
I have been lucky as I haven’t come across many challenges with directing this play, yet. The biggest challenge is probably my want to organise everything connected with it. As I just want it to be a success. I think I have taken over! Someone from the WP committee would say to me, ‘we need to think about the posters’ and I reply, ‘I’ve already got someone to design them, they are ready.’ Then the committee say, ‘Claire we need to think about the Programme’, I reply, ‘I’ve already designed it and passed it on to my graphic designer friend to create.’ I like to be organised.
I have been lucky as I haven’t come across many challenges with directing this play, yet. The biggest challenge is probably my want to organise everything connected with it. As I just want it to be a success. I think I have taken over! Someone from the WP committee would say to me, ‘we need to think about the posters’ and I reply, ‘I’ve already got someone to design them, they are ready.’ Then the committee say, ‘Claire we need to think about the Programme’, I reply, ‘I’ve already designed it and passed it on to my graphic designer friend to create.’ I like to be organised.
Claire in panto!
Tell us a bit about the cast and their roles in the play?
I’m very lucky with the cast. This play is designed that it can be performed with as little as 4 actors, with the actor’s multi role playing. I had 9 people who were interested, so we only see a couple of people double up on parts. There is a large age range with my actors, which has worked really well. 3 of the cast are ex pupils of mine from Shoeburyness High School, which is lovely to see they still have a passion for performing. It was important for me to find a strong actress to play the character of Judy, as it’s quite a challenging role. I called upon Megan Fane, who I had past taught, she joined the Wednesday Players to do this play. She is currently going into her last year at university, where she is studying acting. She wants to continue with the Wednesday Players after she finishes her studies.
Who’s your favourite actor and why?
My favourite actor is Gary Oldman, I love his versatility and how he transforms into all his roles.
What do you think the audience will come away with from the play?
I hope the audience will be entertained but also educated. The nature of this piece is that it is a very thought provoking piece of drama and the idea is that the audience remember it and its clear, strong message, which is don’t drink and drive.
What’s next for Wednesday Players?
The Wednesday Players' next production, after Too Much Punch for Judy, is their annual pantomime at the Palace Theatre, this January we will be putting on Dick Whittington. It is directed by Nick Poth.
I’m very lucky with the cast. This play is designed that it can be performed with as little as 4 actors, with the actor’s multi role playing. I had 9 people who were interested, so we only see a couple of people double up on parts. There is a large age range with my actors, which has worked really well. 3 of the cast are ex pupils of mine from Shoeburyness High School, which is lovely to see they still have a passion for performing. It was important for me to find a strong actress to play the character of Judy, as it’s quite a challenging role. I called upon Megan Fane, who I had past taught, she joined the Wednesday Players to do this play. She is currently going into her last year at university, where she is studying acting. She wants to continue with the Wednesday Players after she finishes her studies.
Who’s your favourite actor and why?
My favourite actor is Gary Oldman, I love his versatility and how he transforms into all his roles.
What do you think the audience will come away with from the play?
I hope the audience will be entertained but also educated. The nature of this piece is that it is a very thought provoking piece of drama and the idea is that the audience remember it and its clear, strong message, which is don’t drink and drive.
What’s next for Wednesday Players?
The Wednesday Players' next production, after Too Much Punch for Judy, is their annual pantomime at the Palace Theatre, this January we will be putting on Dick Whittington. It is directed by Nick Poth.
Below: the cast in rehearsal
£12.00
£11.00 Concessions
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
£11.00 Concessions
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.