Imagine Italy - 1950's
Black & White - Grainy
Sharp Armani Suits
Sharper wit
Atmosphere - electric
Unmissable
(Mary Redman's article from The Brentwood Gazette)
SHARPLY tailored Armani-type suits, designer violence and a stunning silver and gold set are the keynotes of David Cottis's forthcoming production of Romeo and Juliet for Brentwood Shakespeare Company. The set alone has taken £250-worth of gold paint in this 1950s, La Doice Vita-style, new money versus old money version of Shakespeare's timeless love story.
Director Cottis is literary manager of London's Etcetera Theatre in Islington and the set has been created by professional London designer Irene Stewart. Stewards theatrical pedigree includes having been trained by the legendary Motley team of stage designers. For the first time the Brentwood Theatre will be used in traverse form so that the opposing families of nouveau riche Montagues and upper middle class Capulets will be confronting each other in a face-off which can only lead to tragedy. The stage fights have been choreographed by Dan Shadrake from Basildon who worked professionally on the film Gladiator. On keyboards The backing music of 1950s' jazz classics will be played live on stage by local young musicians Alex Rushent on guitar, Mayflower School pupil Adam Morris on keyboards and Alistair Bennett down from Cambridge to play sax.
With a predominantly young cast the production is lively, witty, violent, tragic and scheduled to run at a fast and furious pace lasting no longer than Shakespeare's famous "two hours traffic of the stage." This really should be an interesting new look at Shakespeare which will be relevant and accessible for all types of audience. Romeo and Juliet runs at the Brentwood Theatre from April 3 until April 7 at 8pm nightly.
The Tuesday performance is a special preview with what will be an interesting pre-show talk by director David Cottis. On this night there is a special offer of one free £5.50 ticket with every 10 purchased. Tickets for other performances cost £7.50 with £5.50 concessions on Wednesday and Thursday only, available on 01277 200300 or possibly at the door. The lead role of Juliet is being played by Claire Miller (a familiar voice on Essex FM) while Neil Gray acts as Romeo in the production which will certainly be different from the normal Romeo and Juliet offering.
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The Director David Toltek
The Director Alan Ablewhite
Bringing Shakespeare Alive
About BSC
Brentwood Shakespeare Company was formed in 1994 - when the dream of a small group of people became reality. Their vision was for people in the community to bring Shakespeare to life in the wonderful acting space of Brentwood Theatre. Productions were to be of the very highest standard. They would achieve this by concentrating on just one production each year, with a professional director of outstanding talent and creativity. And every year since then that vision has resulted in productions that achieve critical acclaim and stun audiences with their vitality.
Previous Productions
- December 2017 (4)
- January 2014 (1)
- June 2013 (1)
- March 2013 (1)
- May 2012 (1)
- December 2010 (1)
- January 2010 (1)
- September 2009 (1)
- October 2008 (1)
- March 2007 (1)
- April 2006 (1)
- April 2005 (1)
- April 2004 (1)
- April 2003 (1)
- April 2002 (1)
- April 2001 (1)
- April 2000 (1)
- April 1999 (1)
How BSC is run
Brentwood Shakespeare Company is run by a management committee. There is no company of actors. Open auditions are held each year to ensure freshness. Actors from a wide area audition for parts. Sometimes they have worked with us before but often not.
Contact us if you would like to offer assistance - backstage, painting sets, publicity or with any of the many roles that work together to produce something magical and unforgettable:
Contact us if you would like to offer assistance - backstage, painting sets, publicity or with any of the many roles that work together to produce something magical and unforgettable:
brentwoodshakespeare@gmail.com
Director David Toltek
David has directed Richard III, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Twelvth Night for BSC.
Born in Bristol, David Toltek studied at Anne Davies School Of Drama followed by another year at Hartley Hodder. Since then his career has embraced acting directing, playwriting, drama coaching and teaching.
His recent directing work has included prize-winning productions of Shakespeare for The Brentwood Shakespeare Company as well as RICHARD III for a fringe production at Camden Peoples Theatre.
Recent acting roles include Oberon in The DREAM, HENRY V in that play and Benedick in MUCH ADO
Congratulations also to David for recently winning the Jackson Cup for outstanding contribution to local amateur theatre, including several memorable BSC productions.
The Director David Toltek
Director Alan Ablewhite
Alan has directed Midsummer Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice for BSC.
Alan is a founder member of BSC and is one of only three people who can proudly boast to have been on stage in every production.
Since his retirement, Alan has been even more involved with the Brentwood Theatre and can be found there much of the time (between exotic holidays!).
The Director Alan Ablewhite