demi-paradise productions


	NEWS

Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly .... in August?

Responding to popular demand our all star acapella associates Five in a Bar – (l to r) Diane, Carol, Val, Jude & Anne – take a break from recording their long awaited album of favourite songs that have featured in demi-paradise’s ever popular yuletide concerts over the last three years.

Sounds like the perfect Christmas stocking filler! We’ll bring you more information soon on the final selection and contacts for ordering.

Our sound engineer Tim Churchill - (www.sound-recording.co.uk) - has his recording equipment on the clerk of the court’s desk.

Our annual yuletide concert returns
playing Thursday 18th, Friday 19th, Saturday 20th,
& Sunday 21st December 2008
in the Shire Hall of Lancaster Castle at 19.30.

Tickets go on sale at Shire Hall on Monday November 3rd
at £12 Adults & £6 Children.
(Tickets include mulled wine/soft drink & mince pie)

Five in a Bar in the Shire Hall courtroom
during the evening of Sunday 17th August

Tim Churchill recording

'The Play's the thing .... '

Hamlet played to capacity houses. The last ticket was sold on the day we opened to the public, and the reaction has been overwhelming. Critics and audience members have been unanimous in their praise and appreciation, as the edited extracts below testify. A big thank you goes to everyone involved – performers, directors, designers, technicians, sponsors, co-producers and suppliers – for delivering what is probably the greatest Shakespeare promenade production yet at our extraordinary theatrical venue.

‘From the opening scenes the action bristled and crackled like the brazier around which the action took place…the apt locations from the battlements for the ghost scenes to the finale in Hadrian’s tower brought the production to life… from teenagers doing ‘A’ levels to a couple in their 70s who had never seen a Shakespeare play this production was thoroughly enjoyed by an audience of all ages…The acting was exceptional: Damian Warren-Smith in the title role gave a vibrant performance (and judging from the audience’s reaction they were very impressed with his athletic performance as he leapt up in one bound on to the set of the grave). We witnessed a range of emotions being wrung out of him, Claire Disley as Ophelia and Gareth Cassidy as Laertes. The facial expressions of Sarah Thurstan as Queen Gertrude were eloquent and Robert Garrett as the Player King with his booming voice was a gem… The audience were enraptured and enthralled. This was the best performance of this play I’ve seen in a long time. “Excellent”, “brilliant,” “fantastic” were some of the comments overheard as people left the castle. Well done demi-paradise and roll on the next production in two years time.’
[Gillian Petfield -Morecambe Visitor]

The insightful direction was a superb demonstration of how every inch of every level, width, breath and height can be utilised to vivid dramatic effect. This was a great achievement for a play which can seem so cerebral on the page. But this production sprang so dramatically to life with imaginative staging, bold use of gesture, physical exuberance and sensitive and sometimes whiplash changes in pace and tempo…The authentic sixteenth century music emphasised the developments of the story as it accompanied the movement of the audience from location to location. The effective lighting also underpinned the subtle mood swings…Hamlet, who has a record 40% of the total lines of the play, was wonderfully played by Damien Warren-Smith. The rest of the cast were consistently supportive in their varied and various roles. We are so lucky here in Lancaster to have the building, the local talent and the resources to give us world-class theatre like this. And just as with the weather on the night we went, we were totally blown away.
[Michael Nunn – Lancaster Citizen]

‘Claire Disley’s portrayal of Ophelia’s descent into madness was utterly spellbinding’ And David Frederickson as wise old Polonius held the play together with wonderfully understated acting. Amy Rhiannon worth as Guildenstern and Thomas K Lappin as Rosencrantz…almost stealing the show on occasion.’
[Sue Riley – Lancaster Guardian]

‘We thought it was brilliant! One of the best theatrical experiences we have ever had…..Damien Warren-Smith's Hamlet was perfectly suited to the context of a production within touching distance in an atmospheric castle. Claire Disley's Ophelia opened our eyes to this character as never before. In previous productions she has been a 'problem'....an unconvincing character. For the first time, for us, Ophelia became a great Shakespearean character. Claire made us understand why the girl's life was to end the way it did. She was passionate, proud, yet so used, so vulnerable. We thought Claudius was wonderful too......with his big ear-ring and his ill-fitting crown. He was utterly believable as the rakish, but conscience-stricken younger brother whose ambition has taken him beyond his compass. Superb casting, superb acting….the entire cast deserves congratulation. The singing too, and the costumes. And, of course, the direction. Bravo! Thankyou.’
[Mike and Nuala Ellwood]

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Hamlet (Damien Warren-Smith)
& Polonius (David Frederickson)

Gertrude (Sarah Thurstan)
& Claudius (Simon Kirk)

Laertes (Gareth Cassidy)
& Ophelia (Claire Disley)

Rosencrantz (Thomas K Lappin),
Hamlet (Damien Warren Smith),
& Guildenstern (Amy Rhiannon Worth)

Hamlet (Damien Warren-Smith)
meets the ghost of his father (Robert Garrett)
on the battlements