Rye Players much adone it!

The fortunes of Rye Players have ebbed and flowed over the past 100 years or so; something to do with our tidal locale perhaps? After a successful panto last December, the members wondered what to do next. When somebody whispered, “a Shakespeare”, nervous glances were exchanged. There was some giggling, maybe an actual guffaw.

And so to St Mary’s Church, Rye, for the very well-received Much Ado About Nothing. On a weekend that was packed with entertainment choices, over a hundred people came to see big ambitions fulfilled. The challenges were never about the commitment or the talent of the cast: they were about gathering enough actors in the first place and then fixing rehearsal and performance dates that 21 people could agree.

The folk responsible for juggling those particular cats were Paul Thomas, a hugely experienced director with serious Shakespeare credentials and his stalwart assistant, Sandi Bain, who also took a comedy role as Verges, a prototype Corporal Jones from Dad’s Army.

The production included accomplished Shakespeare veterans such as Ian Klemen as Leonato and an energetic rookie, Leo Robertson, aged 10, who nailed his dual roles as messenger and second watchman. Xan Kite shone as Leonato’s sister, Antonia, a simple switch of gender from the original Antonio as written. Panto lead, Rose Bain was a first-timer in the new genre but she put faith in the process and played a witty and charming Beatrice, toying with the affections of a reluctant Benedick, played very convincingly by Rye Harbour RNLI’s own Stuart Clark.

Their counterpart romantic couple, Hero and Claudio, were wonderfully portrayed by May Mayor and BAJ Dover, both 19. Venetia Sanders and Clare Hammond were gossipy and energetic ladies in waiting, Clare Murray a hilarious ass as the malappropriate Dogberry and Larry Wilson worked it as an idiotic first watchman and the slightly deranged Friar Francis. Royalty and the military were out in force with Bob Steen giving an authoritative performance as Don Pedro and Gareth Ward a menacing portrayal of the utterly nasty Don John.

It’s notoriously difficult to play a convincing drunk but Paul Thomas and David Bentley as Conrade and Borachio managed it so well that this audience member was looking around for security to come and throw them out.

Ok, full disclosure. I’m a member of Rye Players and my job last weekend was to run front of house. This production has renewed my hope for the future of theatre in Rye. We’re not passing through; we’re here already and there is a lot to look forward to. But enough from me, here are some unsolicited reviews from people who saw our Much Ado:

“It’s the best thing you’ve done! We loved it.” Pat the Bus.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this ensemble piece. The energy and enthusiasm for performing Shakespeare zoomed out in to the audience and the character portrayal from everyone on stage carried the comedy in the play wonderfully.” Arabella Ansar, a Rye Good Time.
“Who’s that young lad? He’ll go far.” Many people.

Rye Players will be holding auditions for their next play, Book Club, in the Tudor Room at the Mermaid Inn Rye on Tuesday, June 13 at 7pm. This play will be performed during the Rye Arts Festival in September.

Full details including character synopses and audition pieces are downloadable from their website: https://www.ryeplayers.com/auditions

1 of 19

Image Credits: Kt bruce .