Shakespeare in the Park |
2014.
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
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Shakespeare in the Park II got underway last Friday
with Club members out to help build the Globe and Village once
again. A number of members were not available, but those who were
turned out and did a great job assembling the set. A gamble was
taken on the weather and hay bales were put out. In the end the
weather was brilliant on both nights. About 800 enjoyed Saturday
night and a smaller (about 500) relaxed on the green in an evening
sun on a balmy Sunday night.
Graham Duncan once again oversaw an event full of
entertainment that was thoroughly enjoyed by the public, many of
whom turned out in colourful medieval costumes.
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It was
a brilliant production thanks to people like Graham, Gillian Davies,
and Sharon Hildreth (Director).
The
medieval stalls, featuring an old forge, leather making, cheese, and
a chicken coop, attracted a lot of attention, but as the evening
approached it was the Argentinean BBQ that had people queuing.
The
same could be said for the very modern carts selling spiral battered
potatoes and coffee, and if you wanted a really sharp kitchen knife
then you could get a small one for about $250. |
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However the feature that
attracted most attention was the jousting, a demonstration of the
ancient art of knights with lances, on horseback charging at each
separated by a fence called “the tilt”. Callum Forbes, of the Order
of the Boar, had brought his team of horses, riders, and support
crew up from Wellington.
One rider, Vicky Subritzky,
had flown down from Whangarei, so keen was she to be part of the
show. The crowd enjoyed a lively display, but it ended prematurely
on the first day, when one of the new lady riders was thrown from
her horse. Fortunately she was unhurt. |
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Around
the Globe, Gillian Davies had orchestrated Elizabethan village life,
with local players acting out scenarios, particularly romps in the
hay. Many of the actors from last year’s show turned out again and
were warmly welcomed by the audience. A local chorale group
entertained, as people were starting to claim their place in the
globe. Around the perimeter, apple bobbing was very popular and fire
eaters demonstrated what appeared to defy common sense. A recorder
group added their musical commentary to the maypole dancers |
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Suddenly the roar of seven Harley Davidson’s rent the
air, marking the start of this production. They were delivering the
actors to the steps which was the stage for the show. Queens “We
Will Rock You” had everyone clapping in anticipation.
After delivering the stage actors, they roared off to
the warm approval of the audience.
Then to the play, “The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare (somewhat abridged)”. This was a professional production
put on by local actors under the guidance of Sharon Hildreth.
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Just
three male actors were on stage for the whole show, taking female
parts where necessary, but this was appropriate, because that’s what
they did in the Bard’s time.
Two plays were placed as bookends of this greatly
revised approach to Shakespeare. They were “Romeo and Juliet” at the
start, and “Hamlet” at the end. In between 16 Shakespearean comedies
were compressed into hastily orated lines, delivered in differing
modes, a more popular one being rap style. This breathless race
against time brought the show to half time with the second half
devoted to “Hamlet”.
This was the most enjoyable part of the show, with a
very popular segment involving audience participation. |
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And at the end, it was repeated at double time, then
quadruple time, and for an encore, delivered backwards!
It was altogether a highly enjoyable program, but a
pity so few availed themselves of this opportunity to see a
brilliant production and enjoy the pleasure of dressing medieval,
and enjoying a picnic tea in the wonderful Church Road grounds. |
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2013.
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK |
In 1999,
Gillian Davies and Graham Duncan combined their
theatrical and organisational talents to produce the highly
successful"Bugsy Malone".
This musical production raised $65,000
for Child Cancer Support Hawke's Bay.
In 2013 they linked up again to produce Gillian's
dream. This was to produce the Shakespearian play, "The Merry
Wives of Windsor", in a park setting.
Graham added to the dream by building an amphitheater
complete with an Elizabethan village.
The result was the event called "Shakespeare in
the Park"
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From the Bulletin
14th March 2013 and other sources...
Well known drama and musical producer, Gillian Davies
QSM, had long held a dream to produce a Shakespearean play outdoors
in the Church Road Winery grounds in Taradale, Napier, New Zealand.
Not just the play, she envisaged a setting capturing the Elizabethan
era and the Globe theatre.
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She had previously worked with Taradale Rotarian,
Graham Duncan, in a successful production of "Bugsy Malone" which
raised $65,000 for Child Cancer. Graham saw the potential of her
ideas, and set about creating an Elizabethan village.
And
behind Graham was a group of people with the skills to create the
necessary props. Clive Adams and ex-member, Alan Monk, worked for
several weeks to build a dozen small stalls, and prior to the day,
members from both Taradale and Greenmeadows clubs turned out to add
their manpower to get everything erected in time. Bunting, banners
and lights were put up, and hay bales placed to mark the Globe
enclosure.
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The authentic
artisan stalls were manned by people like leather workers,
bookbinders, metal workers, butchers etc. Local farmers loaned hay
bales which outlines the "Globe" arena, while the stage was the
steps of the Tom McDonald room.
By Sunday 3rd March the Church Road Parkland had
undergone an amazing transformation.
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The Bounce sound company placed their speakers all
around the perimeter of the Globe (the sound on the night was
excellent). The pit for the Argentinean BBQ was dug out, and by
mid-afternoon the smell of roasting meat pervaded the ground.
The audience of 1000 responded to the call by
dressing up in Elizabethan costume by the hundreds, and made a
magical scene as they wondered the stalls, watched the archers and
jousting, and made their way to claim their spot within the Globe
and feast on their evening meal and wine.
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And then the play started. For many, following the
twisting and scheming of the characters, was difficult, but that did
not to distract from the enjoyment of the evening. The evening ended
with the lowering of the white Globe flag, to be passed to someone
to hold for a year and raised at the next Shakespeare in the Park.
To all spoken to, that is something they want to see happen. |
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The dream of Gillian Davies, that Taradale and Greenmeadows should have
a major Shakespearian annual festival, has made a great start, and
the Club can only be delighted that with Graham leading, it is part
of that dream.
On Monday
Rotarians returned to pack up and store the set for next years
production, while others cleaned up the grounds and returned it to
its pristine state.
Indeed an Elizabethan theatre had emerged from the
mists of time and then just as magically disappeared from whence it
had come.
Takings grossed about $35,000.
The profit was $15,000
of which $10,000 went to HB Child Cancer Support.
Everyone praised the production and it will be
repeated in 2014. |
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