UNCLE VANYA 2024 

Directors Note 

“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” - Anton Chekhov

I have always been fascinated with people, I have been drawn to stories where on the surface not much seems to happen, but within each small moment of silence, a glance, a word, the small glimpse of the inner life of each character is shown. This play doesn’t shout at you with what it's trying to say, the layers of complex characters and choices have led us to unfurl its hidden secrets in each rehearsal, constantly forcing our actors to ask questions of themselves and the world they are playing in. It shows us small glints of its secrets on every page. One could say not much happens at all but the meditation on life is slow and this is just a moment in time that we are given a chance to look in and take what we will.

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This is the third time that I’ve revisited this play with the majority of these actors. For some this is the second, and for our newest it is the first time. However we are all feeling the immense gift of spending time with this text, measuring our growth against the memory of the last rendition, approaching the text and relationships differently with our new lived experiences packed into our rehearsal tool kit. To have such a history with this cast and the openness of our new additions, my aim is to explore the text asking the actors and myself to remove all obligation to playing concepts or preconceived ideas. To try and find the whole truth of themselves and each other inside each scene and every moment. 

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With an adaption written for contemporary ears we have also set this as our guiding principle when approaching each scene, relationship, design element and the text. My hope is that you leave our play wondering about your own connection to the people around  you, the small moments that lead to one big picture of all life, what choices have you made to be where you are now and what leaps of faith do you need to make to change the cycles that have repeated themselves over and over.

 - Charlotte De Wit 

Romeo and Juliet: A Reimagining  2024 

Directors Note

In the heart of modernity, where technology and fast-paced living often overshadow the profound, there emerges a bold and explorative reimagining of Shakespeare's timeless classic, Romeo and Juliet. This contemporary adaptation seeks to bridge the gap between centuries, weaving the enduring beauty of Shakespearean prose with the visceral power of movement, dance, and physical theatre. The core question that this production dares to pose is one of profound significance: what stories can our bodies tell, and how can they, in turn, move audiences to rediscover the excitement of classic tales?

In this re-imagined work, audiences are invited to witness the fusion of past and present, as the hauntingly poetic words of Shakespeare take on new life through the language of movement. It is an immersive experience that transports history into the current day, effectively breaking down the barriers of time and allowing the universal themes of love, conflict, and tragedy to resonate with contemporary sensibilities. Through this creative alchemy, the production seeks to connect with young people, drawing them into a world where the passion and intensity of "Romeo and Juliet" feel as relevant as ever. As the actors bring the story to life through their bodies, this adaptation promises to ignite a renewed sense of wonder and engagement with classic theatre, proving that the timeless can still captivate and inspire the modern soul.

 - Charlotte De Wit