Director's Review

Why do a Shakespeare? What's the point, and is it relevant to OTTC, considering our much heralded statement that we “focus on the works of contemporary playwrights”?

Well, first of all, it is also much heralded that the themes and values, the mechanisms and plot structures used by all modern playwrights can be traced back to the works of Shakespeare.

Also, if a play that is full of ambition, lust, powerplays, conspiracies, blood and violence, unearthly omens, sexual blackmail, murder, comedy and the emotional roller-coaster of unravelling complex relationships isn't relevant to audiences today, then what is?

We even threw in a 'rap' for good measure!

Delivering a play is a team effort.

For the director, bringing the script alive requires the debates and spiky exchanges that help to reveal the 'truth' behind the characters and allow interpretations to fashion the play in a style that is both powerful and convincing. It was fantastic to have new members to add to this challenging mix.

For the actor, there's the opportunity to explore Shakespearean text, both for your own character, and within the group context. It is a rewarding experience seldom found at our level.

In our production we also made particular demands of the crew - all of whom were willing to go that extra mile to make sure the production was truly memorable.

In my opinion, stretching ourselves by exploring and performing a Shakespeare play makes us stronger, both individually and as a group. This was an enthralling, high-energy and visually stimulating production... and all this in an historical drama!

Lance Hodges, Director

Brave New Slant on the Bard Pays Off

Old Town Theatre Company produce about four plays a year - give or take. They are as diverse in content as you could possibly get.

This modern dramatisation of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar was no exception.

A minuscule audience on the first night gave vent to my opinion that Shakespeare is a chosen art form that a great many of Joe Public still does not understand , and for that reason most drama groups would not attempt it. Not so OTTC.

Once again the gentlemen of this group of players performed out of their skins to produce a piece of theatre that had a great many plusses in its content. The simple set was inspirational and the direction by Lance Hodges was up to its usual standard.

I always have to work my way in to the language of Shakespeare and so after about 10 minutes I was hooked.

Peter Edge-Partington as Cassius had the delivery of many Shakespearean actors. He seemed a natural in this role. David Howell was very convincing as Brutus, while Julian Smith performed (black tights and all) with his usual expertise.

This was a modern version taken into the 21st Century with the use of guns instead of swords and the cast dressed in combats or suits. Did it work? Yes, I think so.

Ros Hollands