Peter started taking photographs as a hobby over sixty years ago using a Rolleiflex camera and Royal-X Pan 120 film. He is well-known in Rye and Hastings for his creative flair and stunning photos of stage shows and has been involved in photographing the Creative Art exhibitions at Rye Creative Centre. He also has photographed at the Rye Jazz Festival: Jose Felliciano in 2018, Nigel Kennedy in 2019, James Taylor and Judy Collins in 2020.
Peter photographed the first two stages of the Hastings International Piano Competition when they were held at the Rye Creative Centre in 2022.
In his change of rôle, Peter directed the Barn Theatre production of Educating Rita by Willy Russell, last weekend, at Smallhythe, starring Zo Biba-Leonard as Rita and Mike Stonham as Frank. It was a brilliant evening’s entertainment and the audience was enthralled. It takes some courage to put on a production with just two characters on the stage throughout the show.
Educating Rita follows a Liverpudlian hairdresser, Rita, as she endeavours to find herself. She teams up with Frank, a failed poet who is her tutor for the Open University and who wants to spend his time in the pub.
Rita’s early dialogue is characterised by colloquialisms, slang, and a direct, often blunt, manner of speaking. This contrasts sharply with Frank’s more measured, sophisticated, and literary language.
The dialogue is infused with humour and wit, often arising from the clash between Rita’s directness and Frank’s intellectualism, and from the dramatic irony of their evolving relationship which creates many comedic moments.
Peter talks about the experience: “Directing Educating Rita involved working with only two actors and I found it more intense and demanding than a big cast play. There is more time with the individual actors, there is more time to explore characterisation and more time to work on the nuances of the script. The narrative in a two-hander tends to revolve more around the relationship and development of the characters, so there is a more intense focus on character dynamics. You have to be aware to maintain the audience’s attention.
Allowing the actors to explore different interpretations and choices within the agreed framework, trusting the actors’ abilities and instincts, was altogether a rewarding and satisfying experience.”
Image Credits: Kt bruce .