A fledgling Lichfield-based amateur theatre group is looking to push the boundaries of community theatre that little bit further.
Dan Branch, a noted local actor and director, has formed Different Animal Theatre Group, whose aim is to perform plays that will entertain and challenge audiences.
“We believe that the label ‘amateur’ does not have to be an indication of inferior performance or production,” said Dan. “It simply means that those involved have fewer resources and therefore need greater creativity to bring a play to life on the stage.”
Their first production will see adults playing a group of children.
Blue Remembered Hills, originally written for BBC television by Dennis Potter and featuring Helen Mirren, was so popular the author turned it into a stage script.
Dan, who directs the play, said: “It features a group of children playing in a Gloucestershire forest on a summer afternoon during the Second World War.
“While Willie and Peter discuss why the British are using dirty cooking apples to kill Germans, Raymond and John are trying to dislodge a squirrel from a tree. Meantime the girls are teaching ‘Donald Duck’ to play with dolls in the barn.
“Yet with an act of childish cruelty the events of the day take a harrowing turn and the children soon begin to lose sight of their innocence.”
Speaking about the production Dan said: “Obviously much humour can be drawn from seeing adults redress to their youthful selves – but there is also a poignant, sometimes disturbing sense of nostalgia and longing that is brought to the surface because of the performance style.”
The play features several well-known local performers, including Ken Knowles, David Stonehouse, Jessica James, Hannah Davies, Chris Stanley, Nigel Lowe and Steve Appleyard.
Blue Remembered Hills will be presented in the Lichfield Garrick Studio from Tuesday February 21 to Saturday February 25 at 7.30pm
Tickets are £12 (£10 students) from the Lichfield Garrick box office on 01543 412121 or book online: www.lichfieldgarrick.com.
