Directed by John Timewell. Banished from the court of the tyrannical Duke Frederick, Rosalind and Orlando play out their celebrated courtship against a backdrop of political rivalry and exile in the Forest of Arden. ‘All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players’. Shakespeare’s much loved comedy of mistaken identity and sweeping romance.
“A great performance which we all enjoyed. Thank you very much.”
“Thanks for a really superb evening of enjoyment of the play and conviviality at Stubbings House. We all found the friendly atmosphere of everyone involved to be exceptional. The performance was superb in all aspects in a fantastic setting. It was also very beneficial to have raised funds for SportsAble, Child Bereavement and Rotary charities.”
“Renate and I just wanted to say a big thank you for inviting us to the play last night, it was for both of us a unique experience (both our school day Shakespeare memories are somewhat faded) and we really enjoyed a wonderful evening in such pleasant surroundings with great weather for a change. Amazing acting talent on display —- the performers were exceptional.”
“We were really transfixed – I had forgotten how many of the lines I was able to recognise – what a talented cast !”
“Thank you on behalf of myself and my friends, for a fabulous Shakespeare performance last night. The weather was perfect and the sun even shone while we were eating our picnic. It really was a lovely evening out.”
“We had a fantastic time and the play was wonderful. The venue was a natural stage for the play – it was lovely.”
“We really enjoyed it last week and didn’t you have good weather. The production was great fun, we all had a fantastic evening.”
“I Thought the play was excellent last night.”
“The natural lighting provided by the setting sun provided a magical backdrop to the enchanting forest scenes, and you are swept up in the romance of the story.”
Cast List
The Court of Duke Frederick: | |
Duke Frederick, Duke Senior’s younger brother and usurper | James Couper-Johnston |
Rosalind, Duke Senior’s daughter | Grainne Harling |
Celia, Duke Frederick’s daughter and Rosalind’s cousin | Jan Edwards |
Touchstone, a court fool | Graham Weeks |
Le Beau, a courtier | Paul Seddon |
Charles, a wrestler and soldier to Frederick | Gerard Nolan |
The Exiled Court of Duke Senior in the Forest of Arden: | |
Duke Senior, Duke Frederick’s older brother and Rosalind’s father | James Couper-Johnston |
Jaques, a discontented, melancholy lord | Steve McAdam |
Amiens, an attending lord and musician | Liz Couper-Johnston |
The Household of the deceased Sir Rowland de Bois: | |
Oliver de Bois, the eldest son and heir | Tim Harling |
Orlando de Bois, youngest son. | William Branson |
Adam, a faithful old servant who follows Orlando into exile | Ian Cameron |
Country folk in the Forest of Arden: | |
Phebe, a proud shepherdess | Jackie Thornton |
Audrey, a country girl | Debbie Keenan |
Corin, an elderly shepherd | Archie Wilson |
William, a country man | Russell Carpenter |
Other characters: | |
Ladies in Duke Senior’s forest court | Jami Castell, Sarah Seddon and Cecilia Williams |
Pages and musicians | Debbie Weeks and Bernadette Nolan |
Hymen, God of marriage, appearing in a play-within-the-play; | Gerard Nolan |