The Story So Far...: May 2017

Then, Now and What's To Come.

Been a while, hasn't it?

I plead learning to walk whilst running pell-mell down a hill; or, if you prefer, getting to grips with technology and the ridiculous amount of 'stuff' that seems to be needed to be done just to keep pace with everything else.

We at the Inn aren't particularly 'tech savvy' (something you may have gathered already!) but when there's one bloke trying to all this tech stuff that, to be honest, he doesn't quite get, then that could - perhaps should - be a recipe for confusion and despair: not to say disaster.

Facebook, Twitter, Web-site...and don't even bother to mention all the other 'absolutely vital' methods of communication/social media that are out there: Pintrest (what does that even do?); Tumblr; Snapchat and on and on and on.

Fortunately there are only 24 hours in a day! And sleep, I'm afraid, is a necessary and vital component for sanity and survival.

And what, exactly, have we been up to that demands this resounding silence on the blog front?

Well we haven't been resting on our laurels, that's for sure.

Here follow pictures to illustrate a few of things that have been going on in the 'then', as it were!

Here's the magnificent cast from our 2016 tour of Twelfth Night (with Theatre Hub ) and as you can see, we went all over the place and had pretty good time doing it!

All this was going on as we were also preparing for the 2016 Dartmouth Shakespeare Week production of Romeo and Juliet.

We are nothing if not gluttons for punishment! Yet (and I think all those involved would agree) if we didn't have fun doing it, and saw the pleasure it brings to the audiences, then we'd stay at home and watch 'spectacular' TV shows.

And here's the Dartmouth Shakespeare Week production in question. Another full on spectacular, with the added bonus of losing our Romeo four weeks before the off and managing to get the amazing talents of one Joe Tapper. He stepped in a knocked it out of the proverbial park! An absolutely incredible performance.

This is the gentleman in question, bidding farewell to his love (played by Kylie Storman) and moving on to meet to meet his own untimely end.

We were more than little chuffed that both these productions were in the Tripadvisor top ten must-see productions for #shakespeare400 (it was the anniversary of Will's death in 2016) and included in the Expedia map of celebratory productions that exemplified professionalism and showed The Bard's work off to best effect!

And while all that was going on, we were also in the throes of planning the 2017 Dartmouth Shakespeare Week production and the 2017 tour!

Here's what we've come up with for 2017:

Once again we've lined up an incredible cast for this year's Dartmouth Shakespeare Week production of Othello.

All life is here, with several new faces that have joined us for this powerful play and a few familiar friends who just can't seem to stop spending their summers prancing about at Dartmouth Castle!

We are particularly happy to welcome to the fold, the excellent Alphonso Brown, who is taking on the challenge of playing the eponymous lead. Alongside him will be our very own Clare Purdy as Desdemona, James Osben as Iago, Benjy Hamilton as Michael Cassio and Joe Tapper (remember him?) as Roderigo.

This one promises to be magnificent!

2017's tour (again with Theatre Hub)kicked off on 28th May in the atmospheric location that is Torre Abbey, in Torquay.

The weather managed to be kind to us for the performance (although it was touch and go) and finally gave up its struggle as the audience were leaving! Which was nice.

The rest of the tour will be taking place at various venues throughout Devon over the coming month of June.

2nd June sees us as part of the lovely Exmouth Festival then it's on to Avon Mill on 16th & 17th then we finish it all at Shakespeare in the Garden at Pecorama in East Devon.

Then it's back to work on Othello.

Another slow-paced and relaxing summer for us all then.

What's To Come?

Good question. The answer to which is...we don't actually know. After fifteen years of presenting Dartmouth Shakespeare Week (Othello is the fifteenth anniversary production), three plus years of touring and six years of affiliation to the Royal Shakespeare Company we find ourselves, apparently, about to fall victim to these dire financial times.

As you are no doubt aware, the Inn Theatre Company is funded entirely by advertising sponsors, generous friends and ticket sales. We receive absolutely no grant-aided assistance from any of the many bodies set up to help.

And we perfectly understand that sponsors can - and do, and have - placed their monies elsewhere, in terms of advertising. That is their choice and one which we wholeheartedly respect.

However...it leaves us in a quandry. We are working hard to find new ways and means of keeping Dartmouth Shakespeare Week and the Inn Theatre Company going, but if we do not find this aid soon and if this year happens to be the year that the rains come (always a possibility) and the audiences go away, then this production of Othello would be our last. And that's something that we, as a company, do not want to happen.

We hope against hope that everyone's hard work over the years will be acknowledged and people will step-up to the plate and help.

Maybe you can offer something?

If you would like to know more about us as company, then please visit our web-site: www.theinntheatrecompany.co.uk or drop us a line at theinntheatrecompany@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you.

Here's hoping then. It would be a real shame to lose magical moments and fantastic people like these: