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Chesil Theatre
  • What's On
    • past productions
  • Get Involved
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Chesil Theatre auditions for AFTER ELECTRA

28/2/2017

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Chesil Theatre Winchester will be holding open auditions for the black comedy After Electra by April de Angelis on 18th and 19th March 2017. The eight-strong cast is headed by Virgie, an 81-year old with attitude!
 
Always more of an acclaimed abstract artist than a mother, on her birthday Virgie decides to flout convention with a shock announcement for her family and friends. She has enjoyed life, “had a good innings” but now with failing eyesight and hands that can’t hold a brush, she’s had enough.
 
April de Angelis’ plays have been widely performed at the RSC, National Theatre and Royal Court. In After Electra she treats serious subjects with humour in a moving examination of family, exposing past events that have shaped relationships.
 
An informal reading is being held on Friday 17th March 2017 at 7.45pm with auditions following on 18th March at 10.30am and 7.45pm on 19th March. Performances run from 20th to 27th May 2017. Full details are available from www.chesiltheatre.org.uk.
 
The full cast includes:
 
Virgie, in her 80s, an artist who has led a Bohemian lifestyle, owns an acerbic sence of humour but has a difficult relationship with her children, especially her daughter Haydn.
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Haydn, middle-aged with an air of sadness, finds her mother a trial.
 
Tom, a “still handsome” actor friend in his sixties, a flirt who fancies himself as a womaniser.
 
Sonia, Tom’s wife who lives an independent life. An author, she has taken up bongo drumming as a hobby!
 
Shirley, Virgie’s younger sister, a member of the House of Lords and former headteacher, she is conventional, intelligent and sensible.
 
Orin, Virgie’s son, a freelance illustrator whose wife has thrown him out for his drinking and lack of employment.
 
Roy, a taxi driver sucked into the world of these large characters.
 
Miranda, one of Virgie’s young former students who has an air of calm about her.


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Chesil Youth shines in The Willow Pattern

20/2/2017

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PicturePhoto credit: Peter Bateson
Chesil Youth Theatre gave two fine performances of The Willow Pattern by Judith Johnson on 16th and 17th February 2017.
 
Based on the willow pattern plate story, the princess (Amelia Eyres) followed her true love the Manadarin’s secretary (Ivor Berry) rather than the wealthy suitor her father the Mandarin (Will Hawkins/Charlie Danby) had chosen for her. Although revenge came upon the couple, their spirits found freedom when they were transformed into doves. There were feasts, fights, chases and an amazing gangnam style routine involved along the way. A true ensemble piece, all 14 members of the Chesil Youth Theatre junior section contributed to a highly entertaining evening. Chesil Theatre was pleased to welcome expertise not only from their senior youth  section but also from University of Winchester on the creative and production aspects.
 
Next on Chesil Theatre’s calendar auditions are being held for After Electra by April de Angelis on 18th/19th March with an informal reading on 17th March 2017. Full details available from www.chesiltheatre.org.uk.
 
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Titter Ye Not at the Chesil 25 February

15/2/2017

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Chesil Theatre Winchester welcomes a guest touring production for one night only, Saturday 25th February 2017, with Titter Ye Not written and performed by Paul Harris.
 
This play exposes the life of Frankie Howerd – described as a tour de force who was forced to tour. A talented comedian, he wowed audiences for almost 50 years. From top billing in the 1940s he then lost everything, including his health, before coming back to prominence in the 1980s.
 
Titter Ye Not delves into the personal and professional life of the star, at times both hilarious and heartbreaking. It is a lovingly crafted piece that has been well received throughout its national tour.
 
Paul Harris is a writer, broadcaster and performer who started with The Two Ronnies and has since continued an involvement in stage, radio and television. He recreates the great man with eerie accuracy. Audiences will be rolling in the aisles one minute and holding back the tears in the next.
 
Titter Ye Not is performed on Saturday 25th February 2017 at 7.45pm. Tickets are now available from www.chesiltheatre.org.uk.
 
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Spotlight on Chesil youth - The Willow Pattern

7/2/2017

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PicturePhoto credit: Tony Rogers
Chesil Theatre will be turning the spotlight onto their Chesil Youth Theatre on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th February 2017 with a production of The Willow Pattern by Judith Johnson.

This year the roles are all taken by members from the junior group for 8 to 12 year olds – some performing for the first time. Senior members are working on the creative side of the show and in stage management.


The Willow Pattern is a short play chosen for the National Theatre’s ‘Connections’ youth project. Based on the willow pattern plate story, but brought up to date, an important manadarin dotes on his only daughter, for whom he has arranged a wealthy suitor. The problem is that the princess prefers her father’s humble secretary, a stuggling poet. Will true love find a way? What if the mandarin finds out? Can a witty maid save the day? The story is both amusing and poignant.

The Willow Pattern runs from 16th to 17th February at 7.30pm nightly with tickets available from www.chesiltheatre.org.uk.

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