The Tempest of Lyme...Rehearsing

Rehearsals are marching on apace and everything is beginning to fall into place. And, most importantly, we are having enormous fun into the bargain. Last week was built around the Wedding dance (a jig in fact although extraordinarily unjig like from some of us!) and the music and cacophony of sounds required for the storm scenes. We are good it seems at making a noise! Some pictures below courtesy of Peter Wiles. (www.lymescapes.co.uk)

The Tempest- An Interview with Maya Pieris

Maya Pieris takes on the character on the Boatswain in the forthcoming production of The Tempest of Lyme. A busy woman, but she found the time to answer a few questions:

         What made you want to get involved in this production?

       Well it’s all Declan Duffy’s fault! 2 years ago I did a physical theatre weekend with Niki McCretton at Bridport Arts Centre and he was on and suggested I might want to do some amdram so I joined Encore who were about to do Oh What a Lovely War which was a fab experience. Then got a part in a first play written by Lorraine Parnell who lives in Bridport and was hooked! I then joined up for the Dorchester Community Play and saw then saw the ad for this production and decided to give it a go and audition. Clemmie was brill at the audition and flexible over time and put me utterly at ease. I said I would be happy with anything and landed the part of the Boatswain, one of the lesser known gems of the play, and in the chorus so was “well pleased”! so far all the rehearsals have been fun joined to hard work.

     And how are you enjoying the rehearsals etc?       

                           

   So yes I am enjoying the rehearsals and being part of a group-we all start together and end together with gentle and quiet leading from the front. And everyone’s fun and friendly and supportive.

      Have you a theatre background?

          I definitely have a theatre background- I played a cat aged 6, one of a group, dressed in pyjamas with a tail who were all doing a “turn” to What’s new Pussycat and having been terrified about going on I then had to be lifted off the stage as I was really enjoying it! I was then the wardrobe mistress for my 3^rd year primary school nativity play in charge of T towels for the shepherds, wrote my first play in turquoise ink, a whodunit, aged 12, was in Dido and Aeneas and then a brief break of 20 years before doing 2 more Baroque operas, another break and then Bridport and Lyme. One needs to rest!!

           You have been heavily involved in food since moving down to Dorset. How did that come about?

       My life as a “foodie” is in the past!! I did run Four Season Preserves, an apparently award winning preserves business though not much business and had 2 brushes with TV in the form of the Hungry Sailors and the Hairy Bikers one of whom I used to know “well” at college when we both had more hair and hair colour! I started the business back in Hertfordshire from where we moved in 2010 but for various reasons couldn’t regain the momentum. But everything has a season!! Like a cat I’d used up my 4!

      You are also known for your writing including a recent play. Can I twist your arm to tell us more?   

                                                                

        Since moving here I have regained my writing “mojo” and had some success over the last 4 years with publications and not always self-published. I used to write with Story traders in Bridport who provided a great chance to get back on the chair and sit at the desk and continue to attend Annie Freud’s poetry group in Cattistock and various courses run by the Bridport Arts Centre and others. And yes amazingly I’ve just won a Page to Stage award with the Tacchi Morris Arts Centre in Taunton- the prize was having the play performed and I had just over 2 weeks to get the actors etc! It was a scripted performance but was the first time I’d had to do production/direction too! And it went brilliantly with interest shown by a Lincolnshire community playgroup for me to take it there! The play is in 3 acts but it was the middle one that went forward for the award and it was about a strike by girls at Gundry’s net factory in 1912. The outer 2 acts are Punch and Judy shows! Hopefully the whole play will be done next year with Bridport Museum advertising it.The idea was inspired by research and writing undertaken by Carlos Guarita and a re-enactment of the strike by the Bridport Wildcats.

                                                                         WATCH THIS SPACE!    

                                                                         

          If anyone is undecided whether to come and see The Tempest of Lyme, how would you convince them?

          And as for coming to the play –well be there or miss one of the best events of the year in the area! Will be the best of community play working. I’m hoping to have a Hertfordshire group come down.

 Thanks Maya.           

              

GiveMe5 for The Tempest of Lyme

 With so many (wonderful!) local people involved in The Tempest of Lyme, the costs are going to be quite high for costumes, set and props. So we need some extra help to make it happen, and make sure it looks brilliant (to match the brilliant performances!)

Today and only today we have the chance to get every £5 donated to the cause match-funded by Local Giving. Please donate if you can, and share to friends and family and on social media. We need to raise around £1000 ie 200 x £5 donations. If you can help....please do. Thank you. 

https://localgiving.org/charity/marinetheatrelymeregis/project/TempestofLyme/

The Tempest of Lyme....An Interview......

.......with myself!!

While in limbo, waiting for some cast members to get back to me, I thought I would take on the task of interviewing myself. It's a dirty job...but someone has to do it!!

1. How long have you lived in Lyme Regis?

It will be twelve years in July. And very happy here.

2. What stage work have you done?                    

Very little. I suppose I always liked the notion of doing it, but never, ever envisaged in a million years that I would ever attempt it!

3. What then, got you involved?

Jenny Wiles had the idea to present Oh What A Lovely War in November 2014 and as I love the show, the songs and the message it puts across, I decided to take the plunge...and loved it. The Tempest of Lyme will therefore be my second foray into this strange world.

4. What are you enjoying most about this production?

I try to get to all the rehearsals because I enjoy seeing how each scene develops in the hands of an extremely talented director and equally talented local actors. I particularly like how everyone's input is considered, even if ultimately rejected! But really, the flow of creative ideas is quite amazing with everyone working hard to make the show a success.

5. What are your views on 'method acting'?      

Method? Acting? What?

6. You balance work and charity shop volunteering with your rather prolific writing. How do you do that?

Er....somehow. Although, believe me, I can be very lazy indeed. Often. 

7. Can we expect to see you on stage again?      

It's a possibility unless the public demand I don't!

8. And how come you look exactly like me?

Odd isn't it.

Tempest...Rehearsals Continue (as you would expect!)

Bit by bit, scene by scene, piece by piece, act by act, (you get the idea) The Tempest of Lyme is coming together. There has been much music this week, much singing, many Ariels, a weather-beaten Sea Venture crew and Thatcher's Gold cider although admittedly, that was only me... 

I am enjoying how the scenes evolve as we run them with new ideas, new angles being continually explored. A fascinating process and if that wasn't enough, I got to brandish a wooden sword at Brian! And not just new angles and ideas either, but last night, re-writes! Hey, we coped admirably I thought. One of the key words of the show will be ENERGY and we certainly got a feel for that yesterday evening: running around, yelling, shouting, pushing, shoving, verbally abusing others. I'll leave you to decide whether all that was part of the rehearsal! Some pics from Theatre Square:

'King' Stephano lording it over Lyme.

Ah, we have singers!

One of those quiet moments...

Lyme gives us a stunning backdrop.

Tempest of Lyme Rehearsals......

I know one thing for sure...I am in awe of the talent in this show. Now, I can't act for toffee (although make it a cider and I'll give it my best shot)but these guys go from an initial read-through to full blown performance in the twinkling of an eye (well, ninety minutes or so anyway). And the evolution of each scene is satisfying to see, how the characters themselves evolve depending on each actor's interpretation. Clemmie is quick to involve everyone in the dynamics of how each scene enfolds. Everyone has an input. Love it. The Tempest of Lyme is going to be very special indeed.

Here is Prospera (Nicca) looking up to one of her Ariels (Melissa).

We have five Ariels in the show. Why five I hear you ask. We thought with multiple Ariels we will be sure to get a better reception from the audience!

Mark those dates: 19th - 24th July.

Marine Theatre

Be there.