Bard and Bar: April 2019
An evening of Shakespearean Entertainment
The 15 Minute Hamlet by Tom Stoppard
Tom Stoppard has taken probably the greatest work in English literature and stripped it to the bare bones of the plot. However in so doing, he has robbed it of the depth of philosophical thought and angst against which Hamlet struggles in considering whether he will be jeopardising his immortal soul if he revenges the murder of his father by his uncle. The plot seems somewhat ridiculous in this brief precis form although the tragic effects of both Claudius’ actions and Hamlet’s lack of action have on those who surround them cannot be ignored.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
After much mayhem and mischief on the part of Puck who spends most of the play mixing up the love lives of all the characters, Theseus, Duke of Athens, has finally married his true love, Queen Hippolyta. They have enjoyed a fine wedding feast and now expect to be entertained. A group of “local yokels” have been busy rehearsing the tragic story of Pyramus and Thisby, a Greek version of the Romeo and Juliet story. It is indeed a tragic tale but the tears it brings to the eyes are those of laughter not sorrow!
Scroll down for cast and crew.
| Cast: 15 Minute Hamlet | Cast: A Midsummer Night’s Dream |
| Shakespeare: Hannah Jackson | Theseus: Dominic Pinkham |
| Horatio: Dorcas Henderson | Hippolyta: Phoebe Challinor |
| Ghost: James Ramsay | Philostrate: Suzanne Challinor |
| Claudius: Hannah Jackson | Bottom (Pyramus): Dorcas Henderson |
| Gertrude: Suzanne Challinor | Flute (Thisby): Sophie van der Louw |
| Hamlet: Dominic Pinkham | Quince (Prologue): Hannah Jackson |
| Polonius: James Ramsay | Snout (Wall): James Ramsay |
| Ophelia: Phoebe Challinor | Snug (Lion): Rosina Gilding |
| Laertes: Sophie van der Louw | Starveling (Moonshine): Valerie Pinkham |
| Gravedigger: James Ramsay | Astley School Liaison: Lyn Reid |
| Fortinbras: Malcolm Barham | |
| Backstage | |
| Sound and lighting: Malcolm Barham | |
| Stage Managers: Yvonne Fulker and Lyn Reid | |
| Bar & Refreshments: Friends and members |
