Great Expectations
Newbury drama group exceeds all Expectations
Newbury drama group exceeds all Expectations
Newbury drama group exceeds all Expectations
New Era Players: Great Expectations at New Era Theatre, Wash Common from March 16-18 and 21-25.
There are many tropes associated with amateur dramatics: wobbly sets, fluffed lines, wooden performances – all a far cry from New Era’s excellent Great Expectations showing in their converted chapel in Wash Common until Saturday, March 25.
Lisa Harrington’s contemporary ensemble direction makes full use of the large, gifted cast which is reminiscent of Complicité’s work. Furniture arrives and departs with fluidity, trellis comes off the walls to define smaller spaces and, when not working in the scene, the characters sit on benches around the stage, watching the action unfold, witnesses to the interwoven destinies of Pip and Estella.
The principal performers show a professionalism that is rare in community theatre, with some truly exceptional performances. Keith Keer’s Magwich is the perfectly pitched rough diamond, Stephen Bennett plays Jaggers with a commanding yet caring presence, and Georgie Gale draws out the eccentricity of Havisham’s character. Keith Phillips’ Pumblechook and Suzanne Pearson’s Miss Wopsle are played with lightness and good humour, David Tute brings out all the optimism and goodness of Joe Gargery, while Sean Strange displays great versatility as the upright Sergeant and corrupt Orlick.
Special mention must go the young company – Peter Lillystone is a wide-eyed but confident young Pip, while Sophia Bailey is spot-on as the cruelly playful, manipulative young Estella.
There is a good deal riding on Jack Harman’s shoulders as the older Pip, carrying a larger portion of stage time. He is brilliantly supported by Emily Beck as the older, haughty Estella who seems to find breaking his heart time and again, quite effortless.
However, this was an ensemble production in the truest sense, presented with nuance, skill and generosity, which made Dickens’ complex novel completely clear and accessible, in a thoroughly enjoyable two hours of live theatre.
TONY TRIGWELL-JONES
Cast
Young Pip – Peter Lilleystone
Mrs Joe/Molly – Karen Ashby
Magwitch – Keith Keer
Joe Gargery – David Tute
Pumblechook – Keith Phillips
Miss Wopsle – Suzanne Pearson
Mr Hubble/Wemmick – Ranjan Bhuyan
Mrs Hubble – Sheila Berry
Sergeant/Orlick – Sean Strange
Compeyson/Startop – Gareth Croft
Young Estella – Paige Warren on 16th, 21st, 23rd & 25th
Sophia Bailey on 17th, 18th, 22nd & 24th
Miss Havisham – Georgie Gale
Young Herbert – Lucas Atkins
Jaggers – Stephen Bennett
Pip – Jack Harman
Biddy – Sally Hall
Herbert Pocket – Oscar Flynn-Dalargy
Drummle – Chris Billingham
Estella – Emily Beck
Serving Wench/Chorus – Charis Higgins
Crew
Director – Lisa Harrington
Stage Manager – Gareth Capner
Lighting / Sound – John Cordery, Crispin Bishop
Prompt – Georgie Gale/Karen Ashby
Set – Nigel Winter, Alessio Falino, Brian Harrington, Stephen Bennett, Jane Read
Costumes – Brenda Agutter & Maddy Winter (for Miss Havisham, Young Estella, Pip & Herbert)
Props – Jane Read
Front of House – Gareth Croft
Publicity – Sally Hall
Box Office – Stephen Bennett
Programme – Editor Webb
Amongst the most familiar and well-loved of Dickens’ classic novels, ‘Great Expectations’ is brought to life on stage by New Era Players in this adaptation by Nick Ormerod and Declan Donnellan, which was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2005. Pip, an orphan from the marshes of Kent, comes into money in mysterious circumstances. His benefactor is unknown, but he suspects the hand of the eccentric recluse, Miss Havisham, in his good fortune. The story follows his life as he moves from poverty to wealth, from the lowly blacksmith’s to the streets of London, encountering a cast of colourful characters along the way. This stage adaptation retains the spirit and vivacity of Dickens’ prose, in a modern and lively production.
If you would like to see the story come alive on stage, tickets are available online at ticketsource.co.uk/new-era-players.
For other enquiries, email the Box Office at boxoffice@neweraplayers.org or call 07919 916009.
The show runs from 16 – 18 and 21 – 25 March 2023, at New Era Theatre, Andover Road, Wash Common, Newbury, RG14 6NU.
Tickets are £12 each. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Newbury drama group exceeds all Expectations
Newbury drama group exceeds all Expectations
New Era Players: Great Expectations at New Era Theatre, Wash Common from March 16-18 and 21-25.
There are many tropes associated with amateur dramatics: wobbly sets, fluffed lines, wooden performances – all a far cry from New Era’s excellent Great Expectations showing in their converted chapel in Wash Common until Saturday, March 25.
Lisa Harrington’s contemporary ensemble direction makes full use of the large, gifted cast which is reminiscent of Complicité’s work. Furniture arrives and departs with fluidity, trellis comes off the walls to define smaller spaces and, when not working in the scene, the characters sit on benches around the stage, watching the action unfold, witnesses to the interwoven destinies of Pip and Estella.
The principal performers show a professionalism that is rare in community theatre, with some truly exceptional performances. Keith Keer’s Magwich is the perfectly pitched rough diamond, Stephen Bennett plays Jaggers with a commanding yet caring presence, and Georgie Gale draws out the eccentricity of Havisham’s character. Keith Phillips’ Pumblechook and Suzanne Pearson’s Miss Wopsle are played with lightness and good humour, David Tute brings out all the optimism and goodness of Joe Gargery, while Sean Strange displays great versatility as the upright Sergeant and corrupt Orlick.
Special mention must go the young company – Peter Lillystone is a wide-eyed but confident young Pip, while Sophia Bailey is spot-on as the cruelly playful, manipulative young Estella.
There is a good deal riding on Jack Harman’s shoulders as the older Pip, carrying a larger portion of stage time. He is brilliantly supported by Emily Beck as the older, haughty Estella who seems to find breaking his heart time and again, quite effortless.
However, this was an ensemble production in the truest sense, presented with nuance, skill and generosity, which made Dickens’ complex novel completely clear and accessible, in a thoroughly enjoyable two hours of live theatre.
TONY TRIGWELL-JONES
Cast
Young Pip – Peter Lilleystone
Mrs Joe/Molly – Karen Ashby
Magwitch – Keith Keer
Joe Gargery – David Tute
Pumblechook – Keith Phillips
Miss Wopsle – Suzanne Pearson
Mr Hubble/Wemmick – Ranjan Bhuyan
Mrs Hubble – Sheila Berry
Sergeant/Orlick – Sean Strange
Compeyson/Startop – Gareth Croft
Young Estella – Paige Warren on 16th, 21st, 23rd & 25th
Sophia Bailey on 17th, 18th, 22nd & 24th
Miss Havisham – Georgie Gale
Young Herbert – Lucas Atkins
Jaggers – Stephen Bennett
Pip – Jack Harman
Biddy – Sally Hall
Herbert Pocket – Oscar Flynn-Dalargy
Drummle – Chris Billingham
Estella – Emily Beck
Serving Wench/Chorus – Charis Higgins
Crew
Director – Lisa Harrington
Stage Manager – Gareth Capner
Lighting / Sound – John Cordery, Crispin Bishop
Prompt – Georgie Gale/Karen Ashby
Set – Nigel Winter, Alessio Falino, Brian Harrington, Stephen Bennett, Jane Read
Costumes – Brenda Agutter & Maddy Winter (for Miss Havisham, Young Estella, Pip & Herbert)
Props – Jane Read
Front of House – Gareth Croft
Publicity – Sally Hall
Box Office – Stephen Bennett
Programme – Editor Webb
Amongst the most familiar and well-loved of Dickens’ classic novels, ‘Great Expectations’ is brought to life on stage by New Era Players in this adaptation by Nick Ormerod and Declan Donnellan, which was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2005. Pip, an orphan from the marshes of Kent, comes into money in mysterious circumstances. His benefactor is unknown, but he suspects the hand of the eccentric recluse, Miss Havisham, in his good fortune. The story follows his life as he moves from poverty to wealth, from the lowly blacksmith’s to the streets of London, encountering a cast of colourful characters along the way. This stage adaptation retains the spirit and vivacity of Dickens’ prose, in a modern and lively production.
If you would like to see the story come alive on stage, tickets are available online at ticketsource.co.uk/new-era-players.
For other enquiries, email the Box Office at boxoffice@neweraplayers.org or call 07919 916009.
The show runs from 16 – 18 and 21 – 25 March 2023, at New Era Theatre, Andover Road, Wash Common, Newbury, RG14 6NU.
Tickets are £12 each. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.