Shakespeare <strong>in</strong> the Park By Kristen Lackajis Beautiful weather, a stunn<strong>in</strong>g sett<strong>in</strong>g, and a talented cast held all the promise of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream be<strong>in</strong>g a night to remember… well two out of three a<strong>in</strong>’t bad (and yes, I’m talk<strong>in</strong>g about the weather!) A well-timed clap of thunder from the production’s sound chaps and the heaven’s opened, but even the ra<strong>in</strong> couldn’t dampen the audiences’ spirits as the show played on! Directed by Sarah Stanley, this refresh<strong>in</strong>g take on the Bard’s classic tale of love with a comedic twist, saw the cast donn<strong>in</strong>g 1970s disco gear whilst glitterballs hung from the tree branches <strong>in</strong> Sarah’s boogie wonderland <strong>in</strong>terpretation. We eagerly took our seat on straw bales, tucked <strong>in</strong>to our picnic, and waited for the show to beg<strong>in</strong>. If you’re not familiar with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it has a little someth<strong>in</strong>g for everyone… comedy, unrequited love, fantasy, music and mischief, and the highly acclaimed cast members brought the magic to life <strong>in</strong> the stunn<strong>in</strong>g sett<strong>in</strong>g of The Glade at Maple Hayes. The forlorn Hermia (passionately played by Abigail Skidmore) falls <strong>in</strong> love with Lysander (Nicola Townsend) but is forbade from marry<strong>in</strong>g him by her father, Egeus (David Stonehouse) who <strong>in</strong>stead favours Demetrius (Rachel Somers) as her worthy suitor. Meanwhile, Helena (Bethany Hibbert) is <strong>in</strong> love with Demetrius and the whole th<strong>in</strong>g appears to be an utter disaster! We followed the mischievous troublemak<strong>in</strong>g sprite, Puck (played by Chris Stanley), as he blundered the love potions created by his master, Oberon (Rob<strong>in</strong> Lewitt), which had highly humorous and almost catastrophic results, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Oberon’s lover Titania (Imogen Bloxham) fall<strong>in</strong>g for Nick Bottom (Elliot Beech) <strong>in</strong> a hilarious story that was capably woven together with a little 70s disco s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g, danc<strong>in</strong>g, and a lot of merriment. Needless to say, Elliot stole the show with his fantastic portrayal of Bottom/Pyramus, which had the audience howl<strong>in</strong>g with mirth and glee! Shakespeare <strong>in</strong> the Park is def<strong>in</strong>itely an annual performance not to be missed! You can f<strong>in</strong>d out more by visit<strong>in</strong>g www.sitp.org.uk. Paul Weller Rocks the Chase! By Kristen Lackajis Crowds gathered on Friday 9th June to watch The Modfather, Paul Weller, <strong>in</strong> action at Cannock Chase’s Forest Live gig, and what a night it was! Be<strong>in</strong>g 65 years of age certa<strong>in</strong>ly does not hold this rocker back and Paul played a 28-song set effortlessly to a bounc<strong>in</strong>g crowd. Cool and collected as ever, he warned us that the set was a ‘long one’ and promised someth<strong>in</strong>g old and new, and he certa<strong>in</strong>ly didn’t disappo<strong>in</strong>t. From golden oldies to new as-yet-unheard tunes, the gig could not have been more varied and it appear that the audience were enjoy<strong>in</strong>g it almost as much as the man himself! The former frontman of The Jam and Style Council, Paul was backed by an excellent band which <strong>in</strong>cluded Solihull legend Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene fame – much to the delight of the exuberant crowd. Supported by Far From Sa<strong>in</strong>ts, a cross-genre team-up featur<strong>in</strong>g Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones alongside Aust<strong>in</strong>’s Patty Lynn and Dwight Enterta<strong>in</strong>ment Section Baker of The W<strong>in</strong>d and The Wave, the entire even<strong>in</strong>g was a real treat for fans of rock and soul. And, as the sun slowly set beh<strong>in</strong>d the forest canopy and the dulcet gravelly notes of Paul’s ode to unatta<strong>in</strong>able love, You Do Someth<strong>in</strong>g to Me, rung out across the treetops of an <strong>in</strong>credible sett<strong>in</strong>g, I marvelled at this once-<strong>in</strong>-a-lifetime performance! Photo by Dave Cox Photo by Dave Cox
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