By Harry Mottram: Summer is here and it’s nearly the summer solstice – and so fittingly there are two productions of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream locally. One In Axbridge and one in Wedmore. It may be nice and warm now but in November it will be very chilly in the courtroom drama Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial, set to be staged in Axbridge Town Hall – and you could be in it – details below. I’ve listed some details of what’s coming up – including the first poetry night at Axe Vale Arts Centre – so make a break from the telly and make the most of what’s going on.
Poetry please
Axe Vale Verse is planned to be held monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the newly acquired Axe Vale Arts Centre – the former Methodist Church in West Street. It will be an informal meeting led by Simon Rennie who has held similar events for years and has a day job of lecturing in poetry at Exeter University – and for many in the town is well known as part of the Axbridge Saxons Junior football scene on the Furlong. It’s an open mic (actually there’s no mic) event – and you don’t have to read or perform poetry if you don’t want to. There is no alcohol licence at the venue so teas and coffees will be available – and initially we ask for a suggested £5 donation (cash only) to help cover costs and to begin raising money for the new arts centre. So mark your diaries for Wednesday 23 July at 7pm.
Actors and production people wanted
There is an open meeting about Axbridge Community’s Theatre’s (ACT) autumn production of Liv Hennessey’s play Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial. Director Phil Saunders will give some background and explain the audition process on Sunday 22nd June 6.00 PM to 7.00 PM in Axbridge Town Hall in Somerset. And he will be taking names of those wishing to take part on or off the stage. There will be rehearsals during the summer and autumn for the production staged from Wed 26th to Sat 29th November.
Note: If you want to buy a script before the launch, they are available on Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial: Amazon.co.uk: Hennessy, LIV: 9780573013652: Books or Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial | Concord Theatricals (Concord do spiral bound for those who prefer that format)
The cast required is as follows: Lead – WAGS – Colleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy; Lead – Barristers – David Sherborne and Hugh Tomlinson QC; The Judge – Mrs Justice Steyn – not too many lines but obviously very important – it’s her courtroom!; There are also two excellent “pundit/reporter” roles, with quite a few lines, who comment on the action.; We also need crew to help with the following: Production Management, Set Design & Build, Sound Design & Operation, Lighting Design & Operation, Publicity & Marketing, Costumes, Props and Front of House.; More info from Phil on 07790 924160 and see ACT’s Facebook site and website. (Image from the West End production.)
Mrs Malaprop in Badgworth
There is just over a week to go until the Rain or Shine Company return to Badgworth with this year’s professional open air theatre production. They will be performing Sheridan’s The Rivals on Thursday 26th June at 7.00 PM. Bring you own picnic and enjoy this classic comedy.
Wikipedia has this summary: “The plot centres on the two young lovers, Lydia and Jack. Lydia, who reads a lot of popular novels of the time, wants a purely romantic love affair. To court her, Jack pretends to be “Ensign Beverley”, a poor army officer. Lydia is enthralled with the idea of eloping with a poor soldier in spite of the objections of her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, a moralistic widow. Mrs. Malaprop is the chief comic figure of the play, thanks to her continual misuse of words that sound like the words she intends to use, but mean something completely different (the term malapropism was coined in reference to the character).”
A share of box office goes to support the not-for-profit Badgworth Schoolroom venue. Full details and tickets on: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/…/202…/19:00/t-yaxynax……
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Last year Axbridge Community Theatre staged Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Town Hall – it was an outstanding success with a contemporary take on the comedy. Now Wedmore Theatre are staging the play – this time in Wedmore Village Farm in Plud Lane. It will have three performances – Saturday 21 st June – Midsummer’s Day – at 2:30pm and 7pm, with a preview on Friday 20 th June at 7pm. Full details can be found at www.wedmoretheatre.com where tickets can be purchased online. They are also available at Wedmore Village Store. Fun fact: ACT’s Will Vero takes the role of Lysander -the play is directed by Sue Rippon.
Another Dream
Taunton Thespians return to Compton House gardens in July with their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Bob Corwyn. The thespians have staged scores of plays since they were founded in the 1920s and usually have a touring play staged outdoors in the summer. For more info and tickets visit https://www.tauntonthespians.co.uk/2020-s
The play is on Thursday 24th July, 2025.
Send your local news to Harry at harryfmottram@gmail.com
Axbridge Review is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
Harry is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube etc
Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk
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