Viva Theatre Company
Viva Theatre Company was set up, informally, in 2007 in order to give adult amateur theatre enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy what the youngsters of the district had been enjoying for 10 years!
Its brief was to present high-quality performances of established plays, prepared over a relatively short rehearsal period.
Its first production that May was Alan Bennett’s ‘Habeas Corpus’. The following year saw productions of ‘Blithe Spirit’ by Noel Coward, and ‘Steel Magnolias’. Members of the company performed extracts from Lysistrata and Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream in the NCCU concert in Witchford in May 2009.
It was clear that the company needed a higher profile and a more regulated structure within the Viva Arts and Community Group and after a hugely successful production of ‘Hobson’s Choice’ in September 2009, the company was formally established under the chairmanship of David Tickner, with a committee answerable to the Viva Board of Trustees.
More success followed in 2010, with Sean Dooley’s production of the cricketing comedy ‘Outside Edge’ breaking box office records, and Dan Schumann’s production of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ attracting highly complimentary reviews.
Earlier in 2010 came the news that Becky Green and Mark Parr’s production of ‘Hobson’s Choice’ had been awarded the NODA certificate for the best drama in the district for 2009.
In 2011 the group is looking at performing in local drama festivals and staging another major performance in the Autumn.
Past shows
- Habeas Corpus (Alan Bennett) directed by Steve Twigden – 2007
- Blithe Spirit (Noel Coward) directed by Joshua Schunmann – 2008
- Steel Magnolias (Robert Harling) directed by Sarah Dowd – 2008
- Hobson’s Choice (Harold Brighouse) directed by Becky Green – 2009 NODA REGIONAL AWARD WINNER
- Outside Edge (Richard Harris) directed by Sean Dooley – 2010
- The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde) directed by Daniel Schumann – 2010
- The Ark (Helen Griffin) directed by Sarah Dowd Crosby – 2011
- Prime Time Murder (Michael Burrell) directed by Michael Burrell – 2011
Past reviews
‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde, performed at The Brook, Soham, Friday 16th October 2010
‘Oscar Wilde’s wit never ceases to make us smile and in Viva Theatre Company’s production of his play ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, Oscar was indeed always present. The clarity of diction, inflection and delivery of the actors gave every ‘one-liner’ its full value. There was hardly a moment without the audience spontaneously laughing in recognition of his unique observations of life, courtship and marriage. Although the play is set in times gone by, it was quite relevant to the present and the audience knew it.
Daniel Schumann’s impressive work as Director was very much in evidence. This was a smooth-running, delightful production. ‘Algy’ (played by Joshua Schumann) was a real toff, his attractive eyes full of mischief, his gestures sweeping and grand. He teased his friend ‘Jack’ (or ‘Ernest’) (Darren Smith) mercilessly. Jack soon involved the audience in his emotional confusion as life seemed to deliver him blow after blow, starting with Algy preventing him from proposing to his ward, Gwendolen (Kirsten Green).
Gwendolen and Cecily (Hannah Goodger) were a pair of beautiful young ladies with the ability to charm, sooth or fight with real venom as their love lives were thwarted time and again. Central to the ups and downs of these characters and their relationships was the importance of the name ‘Ernest’. Lady Augusta Bracknell (Esther Hiller) enunciated her words to perfection as the domineering and meddling ‘Lady’. We waited with bated breath for her indignant words ‘a handbag?’ when she was told that the suitor for her daughter Cecily’s hand in marriage did not know his parents and had been found in a handbag at Victoria Station. She did not let us down, the words rang out delightfully with righteous incredulity.
Dr Frederick Chasuble (David Tickner) pontificated in a most affectatious manner, just like those over-seasoned vicars we recognise from times past. David also made an admirable butler (Lane). Miss Prism (Delia Tickner) easily became the lovable, pivotal character who tried to tutor her wayward pupil Cecily but was easily side-tracked by her affections for the vicar. However, finally she was the one who solved the mystery of the baby in the handbag and it was soon discovered that Jack’s name was really Ernest and all was well. Daniel, needless to say, caught servant Merriman’s disdain perfectly.
With the support of producer Sarah Dowd and an excellent crew, this production was a wonderful success.’
- Rosemary Westwell
Prime Time Murder by Michael Burrell, performed at The Brook, Soham, Thursday 20th October 2011
Viva Theatre’s production of ‘Prime Time Murder’ had all the requirements of a good night’s entertainment. The cast knew their jobs. The characters were clearly defined. The action moved smoothly and realistically. Michael Burrell’s script was deliciously savoured, especially the witticisms and strings of ‘one-liners’.
The audience became an integral part of the set immediately as they found themselves seated in a ‘TV studio’ during the recording of a game show called ‘If the cap fits’. At appropriate moments the audience was asked to vote as individuals, holding up their ‘if the cap fit cards’ when they thought a particular description of the background of a person matched the name given. In others’ hands, such activity could have easily detracted from the dramatic events on stage, but with this team, it became a natural and effective ingredient.
Central to the plot was the arrogant Game Show Host Jimmy Roscoe (played by Jon Bridgeman). His narcissism, meanness and history as a sexual predator darkened a script that was packed with the jaded banter of studio staff trying to overcome the inevitable in-fighting of such a tightly-knit community. The Director, Mary Haskins (Jenny Aspland), did indeed ‘direct’ proceedings and her calm authoritative voice brought sense and structure to a group of varied, sensitive beings.
Jackie (Delia Tickner), the Production Assistant, was everywhere, cheerfully battling to keep order relieving the tensions of her job with crowning moments of dry humour.
A delightful array of contestants enlivened events: Terrence Rainer (Lee Sherwood) and his macho crassness contrasted well with celebrity guest Veronica Mellows (Ann Pallet). More spice was added by Susan Barnold (Sara Lang), a well-focused driving test examiner, and the erudite Professor Humphrey Blethyn (David Tickner) pontificated wonderfully.
Events were further enhanced with Veronica’s two squabbling children Tom (Philip Evans) and Lucy Emily Palmer). Tom’s ‘look’ at the end of the show was priceless. Vision Mixer Michelle (Kim Turner), the calm assuredness of Inspector Wormald (David Moat) and his obliging constable PC Butterfield (Scott Robertson) and Studio Security (Josh Schunmann) were also essential contributors.
One of the most entertaining characters for me was undoubtedly the Make-up Artist, Susan Roach (Esther Hiller). Her naïve timidity and heartfelt outbursts as events turned out quite differently to those she had expected were portrayed magnificently. She was indeed one of the best of an outstanding cast.
Producer David Tickner is to be congratulated for a fine show supported by an excellent team, namely: Costumes (Lynn Quelch), Lighting and Sound (Nigel and Simon Thompson), Cameraman (Steve Evans), Box Office (Martha Waterhouse and June Lawrence) and Publicity (Alison Palmer and Oliver Waterhouse).
Viva Theatre’s expected participation in the RSC Open Stages project with a production of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ at Anglesey Abbey next July is a fitting complement to their admirable achievement tonight.
- Rosemary Westwell
Awards
- Noda Regional Award – Best Drama
- Haverhill Drama Festival – 2011 – The Ark – Best Show in the Festival, Best Actress – Esther Hiller as Agnes, Best Director – Sarah Dowd-Crosby, Best Stage Presentation
Contact
To get involved with Viva Theatre Company, email info@viva-group.org.uk or call Sarah Dowd on 07525 452 282
