Crescent Theatre Blog

One of the best things about directing a play is researching who wrote the play and why, especially if it’s a period piece like Mary Stuart. Mary Stuart, better known as Mary Queen of Scots in this country, was descended from the first Tudor king, Henry VII, and Schiller’s play revolves around hers and Elizabeth I’s competing claims to the English throne. Considering they occupied such a short period in history the Tudors still exert a surprising hold on the popular imagination and last weekend I found myself reading Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and watching David Starkey’s TV documentary Elizabeth so I’m not short of research material.

Schiller was an 18th century German republican so he had his own take on the 16th century English monarchy. It’s no coincidence that the French Revolution ended in 1799 the year before Mary Stuart opened in Germany; for Schiller, the story of Mary and Elizabeth is a parable about the corrupting influence of power which he witnessed in the French Reign Of Terror and to do justice to his original intentions I want our 2010 production to look for equivalent contemporary political parallels.

So with the production still three months away I’m juggling three separate timelines in my head; the 16th century English monarchy, 18th century European republicanism and 21st century abuses of power. I think some kind of a show is starting to emerge out of all that but in the end the cast will determine most of what the audience sees so the next milestone will be the auditions.

It’s not all about plays, plays, musicals and plays (and the Wassail) at the Crescent. There’s also a thriving social side to the theatre including the Half Moon Comedy Club (run by member and comedian Craig Deeley) and the upcoming Unplugged musical night. Both of these events take place in the Crescent bar and are always great nights. I went along last night to enjoy the comedic talent and especially Barabara Nice (pictured).

Mary Stuart, otherwise known as Mary Queen Of Scots, is detained without trial on suspicion of plotting to depose Queen Elizabeth I. As pressure builds on Elizabeth to authorise her execution, the supporters of both queens will stop at nothing to achieve their ends.

I am delighted to confirm that I have been invited to direct a new translation of Friedrich Schiller’s fascinating political thriller, Mary Stuart. The parallels with current politics are uncanny; internment without trial, religious fanaticism, a divided Europe and a Government struggling to establish a legal basis to act against a terrorist threat.

The performance dates are 6 - 13 November 2010 and it will be in The Ron Barber Studio. I’ll hold auditions in August but in the meantime you can download the script here

You can also download some background notes on the play here.

Andrew Cowie (director)

‘Big, bold and rude’ is how director Robert Ball describes the summer tour production from the Crescent Theatre of ‘Merry Wives of Windsor’. Which is as it should be. Catch the fun at many lovely venues around the West Midlands starting at the Botanical Gardens on June 29th and ending on 18th July at Harvington Hall.

The inventive Crescent Youth Theatre are currently hard at work rehearsing ‘The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty’. Directed by Rachael Veazey this show doesn’t have long to go until first night on 25th June. The Youth Theatre shows are always well sold so book your tickets now. [click on the picture for more rehearsal images]

Many weeks of rehearsal and preparation from the Festen cast and crew is about to come to fruition as it moved to the studio at the weekend and had its first dress rehearsal last night. Pictured is Conny Rose. Runs from the 5th to the 12th in the Ron Barber Studio.

The Acorn Antiques company are tip tapping their way through the 2nd dress rehearsal tonight and then onto the first night tomorrow. Book your tickets now for the joyous Mrs Overall, Miss Babs et al.