“A good friend of mine asked me to write this blog post about my past theatre experiences on the Isle of Wight. This got me thinking. Without the island’s theatre scene, I wouldn’t have met this friend. In fact, I wouldn’t have met the majority of the wonderful, talented people that I am so lucky to call my friends.”
Category: News
RAISING THE CURTAIN #10: “Shakespeare at the Castle” by Maureen Sullivan
“Hmm, let me think – me, a Shakespeare nut, direct one of his funniest plays in the unique setting of our historic castle, beloved of Keats – less beloved, it has to be said, of Charles I… it took me all of five seconds to say yes.”
RAISING THE CURTAIN #9: “All The World’s a Stage” – by Mitch Hamer
It was in ‘As You Like It’ that Shakespeare wrote the famous words ‘All The World’s a Stage’, and my experience of performing Shakespeare on the Island has proved just that. Who says that the stage MUST be a traditional proscenium arch in the theatre with rows of chairs of audience.
RAISING THE CURTAIN #8: “Why Shakespeare?” – by Maureen Sullivan
Why Shakespeare indeed!
Shakespeare gives us characters who are timeless, who wrestle with the same issues we still grapple with – self-doubt, greed, pride, jealousy, love and hate, wanting revenge – and at the same time his characters are capable of providing farce, slapstick comedy and general stupidity. Most of all, Shakespeare’s characters are human.
RAISING THE CURTAIN #7: ‘The Costume’s the Thing!’ – by Maureen Sullivan
Let’s not forget the Wardrobe Department. As Maureen says, “the costumes maketh the play…”
RAISING THE CURTAIN #6: “I’m Putting Together a Team” by Olly Fry
The emphasis here is on the word ‘Team’. Our amateur theatre production teams on the Island, are indeed Premier Division. Olly Fy introduces us to an all-star team, where the motto of ‘One for all, and all for one” really does apply.
RAISING THE CURTAIN #5: ‘IW Theatre Lockdown’ – by Emily Scotcher
Emily reflects on when the theatre scene on the Island went dark as a result of recent events.. and how the Island Theatre community continues to burn bright for us all.
RAISING THE CURTAIN #4: ‘The Value of Isle of Wight Theatre’ – Verity Godwin
Verity Godwin takes us on a personal tour as she explores the value of theatre on the Isle of Wight and the opportunities for our young up and coming creatives!
RAISING THE CURTAIN #2: “Why Amateur Theatre?” by Maureen Sullivan
If someone asked you “Why amateur theatre?” , how would you answer? Maureen Sullivan picks up our Raising The Curtain baton and gives us an insight into her own amateur theatre origins story.
RAISING THE CURTAIN #1: “Two Planks, and a Wardrobe Malfunction” by Olly Fry
Olly Fry introduces us to one of his first “anecdotes of wisdom” and formative memories from The Dressing Room over the years. He also drops a theatrical gauntlet to the members and fans of the Island theatre community in the form of a question… Why it is that this scene has such a devoted following and why it is important …and most importantly, why it will continue to be so?
