Tribute to Great Actor

Historical Drama - From left: Lance Hodges, Richard Abrams, Sophie Wallis, Luke Mooney, Paul Felix, Wendy Vickery, and front, Richard Large

Lance Hodges is following in the footsteps of Ray Nash, one of Swindon's most respected amateur actors, tonight.

Lance, from the Old Town Theatre Company, takes on the role of Henry II in The Lion in Winter.

He was given some theatrical memorabilia and scripts belonging to the late actor by Ray's daughter Catherine, and amongst them was the script for Lion in Winter and a photograph of Ray, as Henry II.

"It was such a coincidence as OTTC had just decided to perform the play," said Lance.

"Henry II is such a challenging role and Ray was a truly great actor. I am acutely aware of him when I am rehearsing, almost to the extent of hearing the intonation in his voice when I am going over the lines in my head."

One of Ray's last roles was with OTTC in the The Madness of George III.

Lance said, "Our Lion in Winter is a tribute to one of the town's leading actors and a thank you for the work he did for us."

The Lion in Winter is set during Christmas 1183 at the King's castle in Chinon, France.

The play is directed by Michael Bull. He said, "It is a powerful story of a royal family gathering to decide who will succeed Henry when he dies."

Wendy Vickery plays Eleanor of Aquitaine. She said, "Eleanor favours her eldest son, Richard the Lionheart, but Henry wants John to follow him and Geoffrey doesn't get a look in. It all adds up to a very dysfunctional family."

The blockbuster movie of the same name starred Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. The Lion in Winter was written by James Goldman and is performed at Swindon's Arts Centre from tonight [2nd March 2006] until Saturday, starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £6 from 01793 614837.

Flicky Harrison
Swindon Advertiser

The Lion in Winter Previewed on BBC Radio Swindon