Today we had a full rehearsal of act one in the morning and act two in the afternoon. I expect is was the same for others because for me appearing in one small scene it was great to see how it all fits together. For my part we rehearsed the use of multiple gavels which was great fun. Maybe this could catch on in the legal profession. We finished of with a bit of subtle and tender acting as you will see in the attached YouTube Video
After I had bemoaned the lack of a Judges Gavel my father dug through the tools of his former trade and brought 4 potential ones to rehearsals in Stanhope. He made the fourth one himself that very morning. Mr Director/Dictator Paddy declared we should use them all for comic effect thus increasing the complexity of my part once more.
Below is Jack Burton. He’s not standing on a pile of sheep hurdles that’s the Unthank Stage (or soon will be after the stage floor goes down). That’s not junk to the side – it’s props! – 39 days to go ’til show time and counting.
Click to enlarge (The picture not the head)
With my ego growing to match my increasing acting prowess in the play it has become necessary to measure my head to ensure it’s safe passage through rehearsal room apertures.
Actually it is the measurement for my wig. This has yet to arrive as has promised gavel resulting in various destroyed household implements called upon over the past weeks to substitue for this prop.
The Shed was blessed by His Excellency Tomasz Czepaitis. The ribbon was cut and the shed becomes “Unthank Theatre”. The ribbon remains attached to James Percy’s thumb to this day but we can live with that. Video by Rob.
Click To Enlarge
Today was a special day in many respects. Firstly we began counting down from 50 days til showtime. Then we had a visitor from Lithuania, Tomasz Chzpaitis, The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzhupis. Together we all traveled to Stanhope where the shed in Unthank Park began its metamorphosis to “Unthank Theatre” at the hands of Joseph and his team. Tomasz blessed the building with a paint brush and the chair of the steering panel, James Percy cut the ribbon with a pair of wire snips. This was a launch on an industrial scale.
Next we traveled to Weardale Primary School for a reception for Tomasz and a presentation of the project so far including Episode 3 of the Soap Opera, Pence A Day and a sneak peek at the Battle of Stanhope re-enactment film which the children watched twice. The children had created some Uzhupis flags which delighted Tomasz. They asked some really good questions and Tomasz gave some quite profound answers. In his Lithuanian way they were sometimes funny, sometimes indecipherable but always most entertaining and heartfelt.
Finally we visited Killhope Mining Museum which James Percy had very kindly laid on. The visit was both very interesting and very cold, set against the wintry landscape. This too made an impression upon Tomasz. He has declared he will return for the Community Play and maybe also bring others from the Republic of Uzhupis.
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BONNY MOORHEN CAST
(please let us know if we have spelt your name incorrectly)
speaking/singing
BILLY BELL Tom Burton
WILLIAM BELL Mike Daynes
HELEN BELL Pat Davison
GEORGE BELL Jeremy Warr
MARY SIDDLE Helen Mills
JOSEPH DAWSON Alan Anderson
GAMEKEEPER 1 Adam Heslington
MR JENKINS Mike Hamp
BOY Patrick Johnson
MINER 1 Kevin Robson
MINER 2 Aidan Robson
MINER 3 TBC Robson
HARRY BARKER Mike Daynes
ROSIE THOMPSON Hannah Thompson
LADY BEAUMONT Jackie Johnson
THE BISHOP Helen Mills
CECIL Jonathon Liddle
SID GAVINS Ben Jackson
DIANE MEREDITH Laura Emerson
KEEPER BEADLE Adam Heslington
JUDGE 
LAWYER Ruth Haynes
CHILDREN Lia Hamp, Catherine Johnson, Keziah Yates, Alistair Johnson
GOSSIP 1 all other parts to be taken by the cast or late volunteers!
GOSSIP 2
AGENT 1
AGENT 2
NARRATORS
non-speaking
poachers
CHARLES SIDDLE, ANTHONY SIDDLE, JOCK CURRY, JAMES CRAGGS,DICK WATSON
THOMAS LOW
gamekeepers
FRANK JOHNSON, GEORGE GIBBON, JOHN ROBINSON, JAMES SMITH,
OLD WILLY WILSON, JOSEPH HOPPER, JOHN BOWBANK, MILES FORDY
THOMAS DOBSON
Click to enlarge
Some great photos taken by Helen at the afternoon workshop on Sunday 22nd January of the rehearsals (sadly minus Mr Steve!) and the animation workshop which lots of our mums took part in.
Click link below for more pics
Click image to enlarge.
Rehearsals began in earnest today with director Paddy Burton putting the players through their paces. The picture above is from Scene 13, “The Courtroom” with the three players in the scene and the director.
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5 Hamsterley stalwarts attended a workshop today at Hamsterley Primary School to develop the Drama in The Dales Digital Map. Take a look here – largely practice material now but these folks and the school will take this part of the project forward.
