SIX MEMBERS OF THE CARNON DOWNS DRAMA GROUP

JOIN THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY CAST OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: A PLAY FOR THE NATION

AT THE HALL FOR CORNWALL IN TRURO

FOR PERFORMANCES FROM 10-14 MAY

Six members of the local amateur theatre company Carnon Downs Drama Group will join the Royal Shakespeare Company cast of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation, when it plays at Hall for Cornwall from Tuesday 10-Saturday 14 May.

Between February – July 2016, and as part of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the RSC is staging one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies in a production that will visit theatres in all 12 nations and regions of the UK.

Directed by RSC Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation will feature 18 professional actors, alongside the Carnon Downs Drama Group, who will play the six Mechanicals.

Peter Collett plays ‘Bottom’, Nicholas Vale ‘Flute’, Dorothy Nelson ‘Quince’, Charlie Springthorpe ‘Snout’, Colin Groom ‘Snug’ and Esther O’Brearagh ‘Starveling’ and their director is John Frankland. In addition Miriam Loosemore has taken on the role of rehearsal Titania, a vital part of the team allowing the cast to develop the scenes between ‘Bottom’ and the Queen of the Fairies.

Carnon Downs’ John Frankland introduces the mechanicals. “The cast I have assembled reflects our group and the great diversity and talent that is in every Amateur Dramatic Society. We are all hugely proud to be representing not just our company but the role that amateur drama plays in the strength of British Theatre. This tour is not just a celebration of Shakespeare’s genius but a recognition that Amateur Drama is a vital route on how an enthusiastic player may become a professional. Our Mechanicals like the artisans in Shakespeare’s play are a reflection of current Cornish society from a wide range of trades.

Pete Collett (‘Bottom’) has been working in local schools as a teaching assistant and cover supervisor and is currently embarking on the process to become a Primary School teacher. Nicholas Vale (‘Flute’) works as a Gardener. Dorothy Nelson (‘Quince’) joined us from Troy Players and is a retired teacher and proud grandmother. Charlie Springthorpe (‘Snout’) works for a local car firm (Hawkins Motors) as a car salesperson. Colin Groom (‘Snug’) is a very experienced amateur actor who has tackled roles of ‘Willy Loman’ in Death of a Salesman and King Lear, who by day is a Caretaker at the local Primary School, in Rerranwell which is the village where we perform. Esther O’Breagh (‘Starveling’) is the current Chairman of our Group and has recently discovered the world of amateur drama. She works for Cornwall Council. Miriam Loosemore (Rehearsal ‘Titania’) is an experienced amateur performer who currently works in a nursery school with children with special needs”.

RSC professional actor Ayesha Dharker will take on the celebrated role of ‘Titania’, Queen of the Fairies, performing with 29 local school children from Launceston College, who will play the roles of Titania’s fairy train. The children will be split into 3 teams of 10, appearing at alternating performances.

The Carnon Downs Drama Group (CDDG ) was born in 1970 when a young university student called Geoff Aver got together with the village W.I. to produce two one act plays. It was closely followed by the panto Cinderella which was a resounding triumph playing to packed houses including people beyond the boundries of Carnon Downs.

The membership grew as each new member invited others to join. Inviting performers and directors from outside the village to work with the strong local community based casts was the principal upon which the group was formed and that still happens to this day. Over the years the drama group has gone from strength to strength attracting many talented people of all ages.

The group has won awards for their pantomimes, plays and individual performances. Many have gone onto appear in the London’s West End. How proud the group is of that achievement.

In 1990 having outgrown the Carnon Downs Village Hall they moved to Perranwell where they have remained eversince. They kept their name which held such a good reputation for them and the group continues to wow their audiences 40 years on!