WGRS to be part of RSC Open Stages project

The RSC has undertaken a massive project involving many amateur theatre groups in the UK in Shakespeare themed productions.

RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd said of the project; “... it seems madness to ignore the passion and creativity on our doorstep without harnessing it... I want the RSC to lead a step change in the relationship between professional theatre and the amateur sector; to celebrate its rich traditions, open our doors to its work and collaborate with partners nationally to leave a significant legacy.”

The brief was to stage a Shakespeare play or adaptation which would pose a challenge for the theatre group and show a spirit of adventure.

Quite a few of the suggestions for ‘new ways of working’ are things that WGRS has already embraced, such as working with a fight director or getting involved with a local dance school.

After a certain amount of discussion we realised that one thing we have not tried before is a promenade production and this formed the basis for our ’pitch’. Our application has been accepted and the plan is :-

Next summer to perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Gawsworth. (Gawsworth Hall is happy to be associated in principal but has to be sure that it will fit in with their other plans for the season). Then we shall take the same production, modified slightly, to Quarry Bank Mill as a promenade production which we will perform moving with our audience from the village to the Mill itself. The National Trust has embraced the idea with enthusiasm.

The project will include Regional workshops – the first were in July – and publicity material we can use to show we are part of this exciting undertaking.

To keep up to date with the project, visit the RSC Open Stages website.