Happy Birthday Shakespeare, from The Apollo Players

Friday, 24th April, 2015. 

Last night the cast of the upcoming production of Shakespeare's “The Tempest” began  our rehearsal by sing a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” to the Bard! Then we got on with the really fun business of “polishing”....... adding detail and minor adjustments to movement and expression. 

I really enjoy this part of the rehearsal period; when we're all more-or-less off the book and can experiment. It's great having a wise director like Michael Whitehead who, having established his vision for the play, allows his cast to contribute to the production.

 It's also always a pleasure to feel part of a much larger team of set-builders, lighting, sound and costume designers who all contribute their skills to, not only creating dramatic art, but also maintaining the best little theatre on the Island.

Michael Arnell, Prospero in the Apollo's next production, The Tempest, which runs from May 15-16 and 19-23.

Six Dance Lesson in Six Weeks

Directing the Apollo's next play has been a labour of love for director Isabel Favell.

She first discovered 'Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks' on a twinning visit from Sandown to St Pete Beach in America, when the writer Richard Alfieri held a workshop to discuss his new play.

It went on to become one of the most regularly performed plays in the world, and can be seen at the Apollo on March 27, 28 and 31, and April 1 to 4.

The play tells the story of a formidable widow who takes private dancing lessons with an acerbic young dance teacher. Their different backgrounds give rise to a range of comic, and also emotional moments, as she eventually reveals her closely guarded secret, and he shares his greatest gifts.

The story revolves around each dance lesson as the characters - played by Helen Clinton-Pacey and John Abraham - dance the Swing, Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz, Cha-Cha, and Contemporary Dance.

Isabel said: "I have loved this play since the moment I was introduced to it, all those years ago. Richard Alfieri said it came about when he took his elderly mother to a tea dance at the Don Cesar Hotel, an imposing pink palace on the beach, and was surprised to see the number of elderly ladies dancing with young attractive men."

The assistant director Alain Smith has also been responsible for choreographing the dance scenes.

Online booking is now available at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk. Opening night tickets cost £8, and for other nights the cost is £8.50. 

Advance booking forms are available from a dispenser at the theatre's main entrance, and can also be downloaded from the website.