....... and then it rained.

(chairman's comments on Richard III)

Although I am very grateful (indeed relieved) that Freda has very kindly taken over production of the Society's Newsletter I do occasionally miss the opportunity of writing some personal thoughts for inclusion. So I very much hope that Freda f inds room for this!

Firstly I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in Richard III. Whilst each production we tackle has its own particular challenges it is not often that so many come together in one go to create what can only be described as a superchallenge! It does us no harm to look back on exactly what we achieved and the trying circumstances in which we achieved it.

Costing any big show has always been a major challenge for the Society and Richard III proved to be no exception. Like a car engine firing on only three cylinders Simon started rehearsals with something less than a skeleton cost and an even more limited production team: no production manager (on essential pre‑requisite for a production of this magnitude), no properties manager, no front of house manager and limited support for publicity and programme. Surely anyone in their right mind would have called it a day at this point?

Probably the one thing that keeps a director going at times like this is the thought of the final product: a sparkling production in the awesome Tithe Barn playing in front of a packed house. Well, with rehearsals well underway the first bomb shell was dropped with the surprise announcement by English Heritage that we would not, after all, be allowed to use the Barn. Those insane enough to still be in the game should surely packup and head for home now!

But not wanting to fall at the first hurdle (or even the fourth or fifth) a search was instigated for a new venue (many thanks to Phi] Courage for undertaking this in my absence). Top of the pile was Farleigh Castle, offered to us by English Heritage and with its own unique attractions: For starters it had a close association with Richard III. Second it had a nicely proportioned playing area, a suitable car park and some very helpful on‑site staff. So for so good, but there were drawbacks. Firstly, the only acceptable date was several weeks earlier than planned which necessitated a much compressed rehearsal schedule. The change of date also left Simon a couple of extra cost members short and (possibly worst of all) I wouldn't be around!

The change of date also brought some other problems that did not make themselves known at the time. Being Half Term, the Queen's &olden Jubilee and the World Cup also meant that anyone who was anyone was in the market for a marquee and that left us short of an audience covering (assuming that we would be allowed to erect it on site in the first place). But what the heck ‑ it wasn't going to rain in June!

With all these problems starting to pile up I began to think I was lucky not to be here for the week, but perhaps I  shouldn't have been such a pessimist. On my return from a very wet week boating, together with a group of 6, 1 came along on Saturday as a member of the audience. This is the first time in a very long while that I have allowed myself the luxury of just attending a show and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience! There were friendly faces to welcome me as I entered the particularly muddy carpark, someone to guide me into my mooring (oops, sorry parking space), more front of house staff to check my ticket, offer me the sale of a programme and even someone to escort me to my scat (which I am glad to say was completely dry!)

The show its self was fantastic, playing to an almost full house. The audience was attentive and even though the first Act was very long the time flew. The pace of the second act was quicker still and as the sun faded and the fighting started the lighting come into its own. If I hadn't been privy to pre‑show and half time panic by the lighting crew one would not have even realised that there were some very serious problems with the lighting equipment which meant that all the lighting effects had to be done manually ‑ no mean feat I assure you, especially for someone running the lighting desk for the first time!

 As I left Farleigh Castle that night I was hugely relieved that all these problems had been magically transformed into a unique and entertaining experience. It had finally stopped raining and even the thought of packing everything away the following day didn't seem too bad compensation for o superb evening's entertainment. I couldn't have been more wrong! Sunday morning brought more rain (as if that were possible) and by the time we left for lunch I and the rest of the packeruppers were well and truly soaked. Many thanks to all those that managed to get out of bed on Sunday to help with the clear‑up when any normal person would have been enjoying a well‑deserved lie‑in.

 In conclusion, the Society overcome some very considerable obstacles to produce an excellent show. Many old and loyal hands manned the pumps (almost literally) whilst there were also some new faces making a debut, or at least seen in a new light: a mention here for Down Feltham for taking on props and Martin Hudson who kept the lights shining in some very trying circumstances.

Many thanks also to Liz Gibson (and Adrian!) for volunteering to take on FOH.

 Finally a word of admiration for the director, Simon Mitchell. Not only did he manage to create a top‑class show, but he did it whilst also taking on many of the roles normally undertaken by the production manager, not to mention working on the programme too. Most would have thrown in the towel many moons ago, but Simon not only came through with the goods, he also did it without once losing his cool. For this we are all very grateful. Congratulations and very well done.

 Rob Hearn

A very grateful Chairman.

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