What’s new at Workington’s Theatre Royal?
The Workington Playgoers have had a busy few months with some very successful productions.
Their most recent was Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The large cast was kitted out in stunning period costumes, which kept the hardworking wardrobe mistress, Helen Earl, extremely busy.
Rehearsals have started for Trevor Griffiths’ ground-breaking play ‘Comedians’ which runs from the 15th to the 19th of October. The play raises important questions about the nature of comedy, social class and racial stereotyping.
Soon after that, Theatre Royal Youth members (aged 8 to 18) will perform a stage version of Arthur Ransome’s children’s classic ‘Swallows and Amazons’ on the 31st October to 2nd November. And their final 2019 production will be the ever-popular ‘Vicar of Dibley’ which runs from the 3rd to 7th of December.
As well as putting on a full programme of performances, the Playgoers have found time to make major improvements to their theatre. In June, McGuckin Audio and Lighting installed a state-of-the-art flying grid, making the Theatre Royal one of only two theatres in Cumbria with this feature, which makes it possible to include sophisticated lighting and scene changes in productions.
This complex project cost £42,000, of which the club provided £12,000. They are very grateful to Garfield-Weston, Workington Town Council, the Cumbria Community Foundation and the Hadfield Trust, who provided the rest of the funding.
Like all clubs, the Workington Playgoers rely on their members, who turn their hands to all sorts of jobs. If you would like to get involved, visit www.theatre-royal-workington.co.uk or contact Pat Brinicombe on [email protected]
Better still, why not pop into one of their weekly coffee mornings which are held every Saturday, between 10 and 12.
Whether you’re interested in acting, set building, making props or costumes, operating sound or lights, helping behind the bar on show nights, or assisting with admin, the Playgoers will welcome you with open arms!
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