Brentwood Shakespeare Company

Extra Auditions

2011-11-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

For the benefit of those who could not get to the Saturday morning audition, we will be holding an evening session.

Thursday 24th November

7:30pm to 10:30pm

The Friends Meeting House, Shenfield.

Brentwood Shakespeare Company has a policy of completely open auditions. Although previous performers often audition for parts, every production has had some actors completely new to the Company.

We are also looking for backstage and technical staff, so if you would like to become involved with productions by our multi award winning company, please contact us.

2012 Production

2011-10-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

Our 2012 production will be:

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

To be performed in May 2012 at the Brentwood Theatre

Open Auditions will be held at

The Friends Meeting House, Shenfield

Saturday October 22nd

from 10:00am to 1:00pm

Come one, come all

For full information contact:

brentwoodshakespeare@googlemail.com

Last Chance

2011-07-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

There is only one place left for the Shakespeare Workshop.

Please contact Lindsey Crutchett as soon as possible if you wish to attend.

2011-05-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

BRENTWOOD SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
invite you to join them in a
Shakespeare workshop
on
Saturday 23 July 2011
at The Friends’ Meeting House, Shenfield

This workshop is aimed at all ages and all levels of experience and will be suitable for both actors and literary enthusiasts. Using physical exercises to explore the text, as taught by Cicely Berry (Head of Voice at the RSC), literary knowledge and drama teaching, workshop leader Joanna Turner will open your eyes to new ways of approaching the Bard’s work and making the words your own.

Director Joanna Turner has an MA (Hons) in English Literature and an MFA in staging Shakespeare. Directing a mixture of Shakespeare, opera and new plays she has worked for Shakespeare’s Globe, Opera North, Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory and Manchester Royal Exchange amongst others. She also initiated the Bridewell Theatre’s highly successful Shakespeare lunchtime programme where city workers can see edited Shakespeare plays in their lunch breaks.

The workshop will be from 10.30 am – 3.30 pm with a short lunch break. You are asked to bring your own lunch although hot drinks will be provided. The cost will be £15 which is payable in advance. There are only a limited number of places so it is suggested, in the first instance, that you e mail brentwoodshakespeare@gmail.com to express your interest and secure your place.

It promises to be an exciting day – we do hope you can join us!

2011 Production - Hamlet

2011-03-22T04:18:00.000-07:00

Those concerned about the reknowned length of this play may like to know that we will be working from a cut version which should last 2 hours 15 minutes plus Interval.

2011 Production - Hamlet

2010-12-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

Prince Hamlet returns from University to find that his father the king is dead and that his mother has married his uncle Claudius. When Hamlet learns that his father has in fact been murdered, he is faced with a stark choice: to avenge the murder and face the consequences......... or to step back and risk shame and assassination. What stand do you take in life? What is courage? How can he resolve this existential crisis?

BSC presents Shakespeare’s timeless dissection of a family in chaos and a noble mind in turmoil.

Book now on 01277 200305 for the cultural highlight of the current Brentwood Theatre season.

Auditions for 2011 Production

2010-08-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

Brentwood Shakespeare are proud to announce open auditions for their 2011 production of 'Hamlet', to be directed by Glenda Abbott. The show will take place on the week commencing April 10th 2011. Auditions will be held on Saturday 30th October between 10:00am and 1:00pm at the Friends Meeting House on Hutton Road, Shenfield, CM15 8LA (Opposite Hussey & Greaves) (click for map).
Everybody is welcome to prepare an audition piece if they wish but it is not mandatory. Copies of audition pieces will be available on the day.

Advance registration is not required but if you have any queries or can't make the auditions please contact Glenda Abbott on 01277 219786, or email us at brentwoodshakespeare@gmail.com

2010-01-20T16:35:00.000-08:00

2010 Production Dates - Correction!

2009-10-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

We previously listed our 2010 production dates as w/c 19th April. Please accept our apologies; this was complete balderdash.

Our 2010 production will be w/c 12th April.

Sorry.

Auditions for 2010 Announced!

2009-09-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

Brentwood Shakespeare are proud to announce open auditions for their 2010 production of 'Much Ado About Nothing', to be directed by Louise O'Connor. The show will take place on the week commencing April 12th 2010. Auditions will be held on Saturday 31st October between 10:00am and 1:00pm at the Friends Meeting House on Hutton Road, Shenfield, CM15 8LA (click for map). Recommended audition pieces are all taken from the play and are listed here; everybody is welcome to prepare an audition piece if they wish but it is not mandatory - Louise would like to hear everybody read dialogue as well as declaim speeches! Copies of the audition pieces will be available on the day.

Advance registration is not required but if you have any queries or can't make the auditions please contact Glenda Abbott on 01277 219786, or email us at brentwoodshakespeare@gmail.com

Our 2009 Production

2009-09-03T02:58:00.000-07:00

BSC were proud to perform their 2009 production on 21 to 25 April 2009 at Brentwood Theatre. Great audiences and great comments confirmed that this was a triumph for BSC.

Twelfth Night

Directed by Glenda Abbott (director of the eight times Brents nominated Othello)

The most romantic and English of Shakespeare’s comedies.

Twelvth Night Poster

2009-04-11T03:52:00.000-07:00

Spring 2008 - Othello

2008-10-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

In 2008 we scaled the heights of one of Shakespeare’s most passionate and tragic plays - Othello, directedf by Glenda Abbott.

Our cast was:-

Othello Ray Johnson
Desdemona Romy Brooks
Iago Elliot Porte
Emilia Lindsay Hollingsworth
Cassio Paul Sparrowham
Bianca Sarah Thompson
Brabantio Brian Terry
Lodovico Alan Ablewhite
Roderigo Sam White
Duke Ivor Jevons
Montano Alan Thorley
Gratiano Barry Howlett
Messengers, Senators etc Trevor Jones, Lisa Mathews, Sue Scott and Sam Thorley
Lighting Patrick Stevens
Stage Director Peter Farenden

Sprilng 2007 - Richerd IIII

2007-03-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

The devious machinations of the deformed villain, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, will lead you down a trail of treachery.

The cast was...

King Edward - Brian Terry

George, Duke of Clarence - Kevin O’Connor

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later King Richard III - Neil Gray

Duchess of York, mother to King Edward IV - Lesley Curtis

THE HOUSE OF LANCASTER

Queen Margaret, widow of King Henry VI - Lorraine Ely

Lady Anne - Romy Brooks

THE WOODVILLES

Queen Elizabeth, wife to King Edward IV - Chrissie O’Connor

Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers - Vernon Keeble–Watson

Marquess of Dorset, son to Queen Elizabeth - Abigail Farenden

Lord Grey, son to Queen Elizabeth - Stuart Hull

POLITICIANS

Lord Hastings, Lord Chamberlain - Martin Final

Duke of Buckingham - John Gadd

Lord Stanley, The Earl of Derby - Ivor Jevons

Bishop of Ely - John Morton

Lord Mayor of London - Jessica Randell

FOLLOWERS OF RICHARD

Sir William Catesby - Bill Wells

Sir Richard Ratcliffe - Danny Kingston

Sir James Tyrrel - Alan Ablewhite

First Murderer - Bill Wells

Second Murderer - Peter Farenden

Lord Lovel, Duke of Norfolf - Trevor Jones

OFFICIALS

Sir Robert Brakenbury, Lieutenant of the Tower - Barry Davis

THE TUDORS

Henry, Earl of Richmond, later King Henry VII - Lionel Bishop

Sir James Blunt - Nigel Smith

EXTRAS

Leader of Citizens, Messengers etc - Karen Osenton

Citizens, Messengers - Lin Pollitt, Darren Hannant, Nigel Smith

Spring 2006 - A Midsummer Night's dream

2006-04-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

The production is an ensemble production with a cast of 15 or so, many of whom are doubling. Thus nearly all the characters in "real life" in Athens are mirrored in the "dream world" of the forest. Theseus and Hippolyta becomes Oberon and Titania; Philostrate and Egeus become Puck and the Fairy, and some of the "mechanicals" become the fairies Moth, Mustardseed etc. The emphasis is on the farce, the poetry.........and the dark undertow.

Directed by Alan Ablewhite

Spring 2005 - The Merchant of venice

2005-04-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

Antonio, a rich merchant, risks his life for his lover, who gambles it for love and money. Jessica risks her father's love for her own happiness; while Shylock risks everything for revenge. And Portia, for love, risks discovery in a desparate plan to save her husband's lover. The award winning BSC presents a dark comedy of love, hate and hazzard.
At first glance, modern "political correctness" could almost rule-out putting on this play. But to a perceptive audience, the play will show why Shylock behaves as he does and why his behavior is no worse or no better that that of the Christians. Shylock makes a generous offer of an interest-free loan even though that is how he makes his living. He does this because he is taunted that Christians will make interest-free loans to each other, and he wants to stop himself and his people being seen as third class citizens - "dogs to be spat upon and mistreated". After all the years of being so badly treated, that offer is mocked, it is the last straw and so it is understandable that he thinks in terms of revenge.
So already we can see that the play is as much anti-Christian as it is anti-Semitic - in fact it is a play about the human condition and behaviour in extremes. Shylock is pushed to his limits by the racism of the society in which he lives and perhaps his only real guilt is that of being human.
And the pound of flesh? It starts as a joke - howbeit the joke of an embittered man. But, by the time of the trial, he has been unhinged by his daughter's betrayal and he sees the "pound of flesh" as the key to his revenge for the misery he and his community are suffering at the hands of the Christians.
We see in this play some of the worst in human nature but if we put ourselves in Shylock's shoes, how many of us would react differently? Come and see this powerful and thought-provoking play and then ask yourself how you would react.

Our Director will be Alan Ablewhite.
The all star line up is:
Antonio - Brian Terry
Bassanio - Neil Gray
Portia - Clare Azeem
Nerissa - Lorraine Ely
Shylock - John Gadd
Gratiano - Guy Harding
Saleria - Louise O'Connor
Solania - Jean Summers
Lorenzo - Matt Polley
Jessica - Victoria Hendley
Morocco - Martin Goldstone
Duke and Arragon - Ifor Jevons
Launcelot and Tubal - David Pitchford
Balthasar and Clerk - Trevor Jones

Spring 2004 - The Taming of the Shrew

2004-04-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

"I will not shy away from it" Says Director David Toltek Set in Italy of today, specifically in the power-house outward looking atmosphere of the north. An invigorating society of contrasts - football/opera, machismo/feminism, old/ new, catholicism/secularism - and where anything 'new' is rapaciously absorbed and re-invented in a way that only Italians can do with such style. You can be sure that this will be a production that will have you rivited to your seat.

The Cast
Baptista Minola - Brian Terry
Katerina - Laura Kelly
Petruchio - Michael Keane
Grumio - Bill Wells
Curtis - Trevor Jones
Tailor/Haberdasher - Louise O'Connor
Bianca - Victoria Hendly
Gremio - Alan Ablewhite
Hortensio -Alec Gregory
Lucentio - Adam Moulder
Tranio - Guy Harding
Biondello - Barry Davis
Vincentio - Alan Thorley
A Pedant - Les Rictus
A Widow - Lindaey Crutchett
Officer - Danial Fryd
Servants Debbie J Nash, Georgina Rodney-Jones, Laura Grogan

Spring 2003 - Macbeth

2003-04-07T09:47:00.000-07:00

From Director Rob West comes what is probably Shakespeare's most famous play. It will be amazing.

Spring 2002 - The Merry Wives of Windsor

2002-04-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Merry Wives Of Windsor

Shakespeare's rural comedy, which features the ever-popular Falstaff.

Director David Toltek writes: " This is the only comedy which Shakespeare set in England. It is a play of mangled language and relationships. The pace is fast and furious. We will be setting the play in the context of an English rural middle class society where the man had his "castle", work, pets, friends, children and his wife (probably in that order of priority!). However, the women are rebelling - they are bored with their lot and, just for the fun of it, begin to make mischief. Apart from the obvious "romp" aspects of the play, in this production we will explore the darker side of human kind. There is a vicious gulling of a foolish fat man including, in Windsor Forest, an actual bodily assault of the poor wretch. The forced, arranged marriage of a pretty, young girl.
There are even hints at racial prejudice with the kaleidoscope of regional accents that the play demands, not to mention a Frenchman who verges on the incomprehensible. And, of course, greed and avarice. The play contains many cameo parts that, without exception, are fun to play. Every single person in the play has failings and once their character defect is identified, the rest will fall into place.
Our Players
George Page - Brian Terry
Mistress Page - Lorraine Ely
Anne Page - Grace Claydon
William Page - Adam Moulder
Frank Ford - Stephen Prater
Mistree Ford - Lesley Curtis-Waller
John - Trevor Jones
Robert - Ray Howes
Sir Hugh Evans - Michael Keane
Doctor Caius - John Gadd
Mistress Quickly - Glenda Abbott
John Rugby - Alec Gregory
Host - Barry Barnett
Fenton - Adam Bagshaw
Sir John Falstaff - Julian Jones
Robin - Jonathan Fincham
Bardolph - David Laws
Pistol - Barry Davis
Nym - Martin Goldstone
Robert Shallow - Alan Ablewhite
Abraham Slender - Dean Marriott
Simple - Jenny Kenyon
Townspeople Debbie Nash, Kate Williamson and Boys & Girls from Brentwood Preparatory School

Spring 2001 - Romeo and Juliet

2001-04-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

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.

Spring 2000 - The Winter's tale

2000-04-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

THE WINTERS TALE
CAST LIST
LEONTES - David Toltek
POLIXENES - Martin Final
HERMIONE - Jean Summers
PERDITA - Joanna Butler
FLORIZEL - JohnHeffeman
CAMILLO - NickLevene
ANTIGONUS - John Gadd
PAULINA - Lesley Curtis
AUTOLYCUS - Alan Ablewhite
OLD SHEPHERD - Bryan Terry
CLOWN - David Pitchford
MAMILLIUS - Thomas Gupta
TIME - Denise Chamberlain
EMILIA - Jennifer Godwin
MOPSA - Sarah Webb
DORCAS - Debbie Nash
CLEOMENES - Sue Maybee
DION - Barbara Petho
ARCHIDAMUS - Stephen Prater

Spring 1999 - Twelvth Night

1999-04-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

From award- winning Director David Toltek
You saw:
A Sumptuous Art Deco Set from award-winner Barry Davis
Gorgeous Thirties Costumes
A sexy slinky Olivia
Orsino as you've never seen him before - angry, frustrated
Agucheek - yes.... She !!!!