If you go down to the woods today you're sure of a big surprise! Yateley's own theatre group, Theatre64, is now in its fortieth year and since February, seven actors have been working with guest director Kelly McManus to produce one of Dennis Potter's best-known plays, Blue Remembered Hills.
The play was originally written directly for television. It relates the activities of seven West Country seven-year olds during one summer afternoon during the Second World War. Out in the woods on their own, the children play, fight, fantasise and swagger, and reveal their aggressions, fears, hostilities and rivalries.
This is a straightforward realistic play, but Potter's script still packs a powerful punch. The most striking thing about the play is that adult actors play the parts of seven-year-old children. The cast have been climbing trees, chasing squirrels and rolling in mud in an attempt to recapture the innocence of their youth. Kelly McManus has extensive directing experience in such diverse places as Thailand, Moscow and Northern Ireland and is currently Head of Drama at Fernhill School. She is working with Theatre 64 for the first time and has enjoyed the experience. "I have been continually amazed by the commitment, skill and energy of the cast. They have worked incredibly hard, both physically and mentally, to convey the reality of children at play which is not always as innocent as it seems."
As a new departure for Theatre 64, this production will be a promenade performance in which the audience will be encouraged to walk among summer leaves and woody hollows. They will be able to move alongside the performers and share their experiences. It is a relatively short play and strategically placed hay bales will enable occasional rests. Additional seating is available on request.
Performances are in the Main Hall, Yateley Centre, Yateley, from Wednesday June 2nd to Saturday June 5th 2004 at 8.00pm.
Tickets are £6.50 for adults, £4.50 for concessions. If booked and paid for by 24th May, prices are reduced to £6.00 and £4.10 respectively. For the Wednesday performance only, there is a special pre-booked price of only £3 for English language and drama students.
