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SWAN THEATRE COMPANY Walford Mill Wimborne July 2003 The Bournemouth Daily Echo review THE weather was perfect – almost Athenian, in fact – and the setting suitably sylvan, but somehow this production remained all-too earth-bound. However, it certainly had its magical moments, particularly in the excellent performances of Alan Colclough’s Faustian Oberon and Pam Goldsbrough’s imperious  Titania, both of whom plainly ran their wood with a rod of iron. Titania’s chief fairies, led by Lydia Fowler, showed confidence but the dozen or so others, made up of tiny Swish of the Curtain pupils, were just too young to show the discipline required on stage and, although prettily costumed, added little to the proceedings.Jean Dishington’s mischievous Puck was a delight, and there was plenty of humour from the Mechanicals, led by Peter Watson’s modest, bespectacled Peter Quince. I loved the Steptoe and Son theme tune that heralded their every entrance, and the Welsh-accented, ass-headed Bottom’s (Philip Redgrave) rendition of Men of Harlech. And among the other mortals, both Yvonne Henley (Helena) and Philip Hurst (Demetrius) displayed a particular ability to make their lines sound as if they might have been written only yesterday and proved perfect foils for their adversaries Demetrius (Chris Warde) and Hermia (Tracey Nicholls). But a little more fairy dust needed, I think. 
Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo. The Wimborne Magazine review SWAN Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was an inspired, innovative production in an idyllic setting. I spoke to a number of people afterwards, and they all loved it. This was an occasion when you didn’t need to be a Shakespeare aficionado to be entertained. Previously, Swan have chosen several venues for their summer open air production, but this year they opted for Wimborne’s Walford Mill for a four-night run, and each date was a sell-out! Diarist Samual Pepys said: “We saw A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which I have never seen before, nor shall ever again, for it is the most insipid, ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life.” Yes, it is silly, but that is the essence of much of today’s comedy, so little has changed. Arguably one of Shakespeare’s most familiar plays, director Geoff Whipp had the task of imbuing it with fresh ideas. This he managed to do in a number of ways. The most smile provoking was the arrival of a barbershop quartet – comprised of Roy Ellis, Terry Lyndon, Clive Rowe and Brian Smee – who performed By the Light of the Silvery Moon as a link with the dialogue. A further modern touch – the theme music from Steptoe and Son – heralded the arrival of the six men who were to perform the play within the play, Pyramus and Thisbe. Swan attracts actors from all the surrounding societies and regular patrons of the local amateur scene would have spotted familiar faces from groups from Wimborne, Ferndown, Broadstone and Lytchett. Alan Colclough, a stalwart of Castle Players, an actor with oodles of stage presence, made an impressive Oberon, and Tom Sainsbury from Broadstone, as Francis Flute aka Thisbe,  is a young man to watch in the future.However, even among such experienced players there was one man whose performance stood out, drawing giggle and guffaws from the audience. Philip Redgrave gave a five star portrayal of the extrovert Nick Bottom, a weaver, taking on the role of Pyramus. He was so over the top with exaggerated speech and movement that he dominated the stage. His ‘death scene’ showed a mastery of his art. The fairies were students from Swish of the Curtain Drama School and they were delightful, dancing with such confidence. This was amateur theatre at its very best and I would like to think that Swan have set a standard to which other groups will aspire. Marilyn Ayres Courtesy of Wimborne Magazine The photographs are: 1. Puck (Jean Dislngton) putting the love-juice in the eyes of Lysander (Chris Warde). 2. The Mechanicals (from left to right) - Dave Vinter, Peter Watson, Tom Sainsbury, Chaz Davenport and Simon Jackson. 3. The Fairies, Puck and the Barbershop quartet comprising Roy Ellis, Terry Lyndon, Clive Rowe and Brian Smee. |
