The School for Scandal - Programme, 2015
Title
The School for Scandal - Programme, 2015
Date
8 September 2015
Description
Two-sided programme for community theatre production of The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
What's the story?
The School for Scandal was the first production to be staged at the Theatre Royal Nottingham on 25 September 1865, therefore 150 years later it seemed right to revive the production as part of the venue’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
This new production was produced by the venue’s Creative Learning department and involved a community cast and costumes designed by students from Nottingham Trent University.
This production also sought to put the Theatre Royal itself as one of the ‘stars’ of the show by staging the show as a promenade production. Cast and audience moved from scene to scene, utilising the foyers, the portico, the green room and finally the actual stage itself, with the magnificent Phipps/Matcham auditorium as the set.
The actors in the show were Ade Andrews, Mercedes Assad, Emma Carlton, Edward Crook, Nikki Disney, Alice Gee, Mik Horvath, Alina Hughes, Fiona Johnstone, David Longford, Mavis Moore, Victoria Murphy, Charlie Osborne, Kayleigh Phillips, Deborah Porter-Walker, Jane Robertson, Michelle Smith, Madison Wales and Barbara Wisbey. Musicians were John Crawford and Richard Mecia.
The A4 sized programme was printed on thin card and printed on two sides. It was rolled up and tied with red ribbon, just to make this show even more of an event for the audience.
The design of the programme featured many elements from the Theatre Royal’s Victorian programme archive, such as different typefaces and advertisements. Even sections such as the interval details were taken directly from the Book of Words for The House That Jack Built, the first Theatre Royal Pantomime in 1865.
Director and Theatre Royal Creative Learning Manager David Longford write the following notes for the show programme:
REFLECTIONS, MUSINGS & RUMINATIONS ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION
Preparations for the 150th anniversary of the Theatre Royal commenced some time ago. In our initial meetings it was always felt that we should honour The School for Scandal, the very first production on the Theatre Royal stage in 1865.
Our promenade show provides an opportunity for the Theatre Royal building itself to hog the limelight as we celebrate its 150th birthday by enabling you to experience Sheridan’s brilliant comedy in a different way.
In acknowledging and paying our respects to that very first 1865 production, your hosts in our show are Mr Walter Montgomery, the Theatre Royal’s very first director and his team of clowning stage managers. Many of the words you will hear from Montgomery are lifted straight from the address he made from the Theatre Royal stage on the opening night of his production 150 years ago.
What a brilliant decision Montgomery made to choose this play as the curtain-raiser for Nottingham’s grand new theatre. Sheridan’s comedy is a genuine crowd-pleaser, full of witty word-play, extravagant characters and scandalous goings-on. It is a play that is still completely relevant, fitting in well with our world of celebrity gossip and instant scandal gratification via social media.
We have tried to bring in these contemporary references to our production, enhanced by the wonderful costume designs by the students from Nottingham Trent University.
Whilst I certainly didn’t want our production to be a museum piece from 1865, I hope that the spirits from all those involved in that original Theatre Royal production are looking on approvingly.
This new production was produced by the venue’s Creative Learning department and involved a community cast and costumes designed by students from Nottingham Trent University.
This production also sought to put the Theatre Royal itself as one of the ‘stars’ of the show by staging the show as a promenade production. Cast and audience moved from scene to scene, utilising the foyers, the portico, the green room and finally the actual stage itself, with the magnificent Phipps/Matcham auditorium as the set.
The actors in the show were Ade Andrews, Mercedes Assad, Emma Carlton, Edward Crook, Nikki Disney, Alice Gee, Mik Horvath, Alina Hughes, Fiona Johnstone, David Longford, Mavis Moore, Victoria Murphy, Charlie Osborne, Kayleigh Phillips, Deborah Porter-Walker, Jane Robertson, Michelle Smith, Madison Wales and Barbara Wisbey. Musicians were John Crawford and Richard Mecia.
The A4 sized programme was printed on thin card and printed on two sides. It was rolled up and tied with red ribbon, just to make this show even more of an event for the audience.
The design of the programme featured many elements from the Theatre Royal’s Victorian programme archive, such as different typefaces and advertisements. Even sections such as the interval details were taken directly from the Book of Words for The House That Jack Built, the first Theatre Royal Pantomime in 1865.
Director and Theatre Royal Creative Learning Manager David Longford write the following notes for the show programme:
REFLECTIONS, MUSINGS & RUMINATIONS ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION
Preparations for the 150th anniversary of the Theatre Royal commenced some time ago. In our initial meetings it was always felt that we should honour The School for Scandal, the very first production on the Theatre Royal stage in 1865.
Our promenade show provides an opportunity for the Theatre Royal building itself to hog the limelight as we celebrate its 150th birthday by enabling you to experience Sheridan’s brilliant comedy in a different way.
In acknowledging and paying our respects to that very first 1865 production, your hosts in our show are Mr Walter Montgomery, the Theatre Royal’s very first director and his team of clowning stage managers. Many of the words you will hear from Montgomery are lifted straight from the address he made from the Theatre Royal stage on the opening night of his production 150 years ago.
What a brilliant decision Montgomery made to choose this play as the curtain-raiser for Nottingham’s grand new theatre. Sheridan’s comedy is a genuine crowd-pleaser, full of witty word-play, extravagant characters and scandalous goings-on. It is a play that is still completely relevant, fitting in well with our world of celebrity gossip and instant scandal gratification via social media.
We have tried to bring in these contemporary references to our production, enhanced by the wonderful costume designs by the students from Nottingham Trent University.
Whilst I certainly didn’t want our production to be a museum piece from 1865, I hope that the spirits from all those involved in that original Theatre Royal production are looking on approvingly.
Type
Programme
Location of item
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Rights
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Contributor
Researcher: David Longford
Format
A4 programme
