'The Two Gentlemen Of Verona'

venue

Rykneld School

Dates

10th - 14th September 1957

Director

Bryan Izzard

Advertised as "Bejewelled with a multitude of unorthodox ideas" this production by the Junior Section of what was then called the British Empire Shakespeare Society (Derby Branch) would have been a great experience for the young people who took part.

This marked the first time that 'The Two Gentlemen Of Verona' had ever been performed in Derby, as well as the first time an in-the-round performance had been staged in Derby. It was also the first production by the company to use a 19th century setting, which enhanced the romantic elements of the play rather than the male-friendship aspect which was, at the time, judged to be of little interest to the contemporary audience.

Crew

Director - Bryan Izzard
Stage Director - Patrick Beck
Electrician - Stuart Graham
Properties - Janet Butler & Rosemary Woodward
Make-up - Pat Ellison
Wardrobe - Mrs. P. Beck
Master Carpenter - Ernest Arthur
Production Manager - Mrs. C. R. Lawrence
Production Assistant - Jill Taylor

Cast

Duke Of Milan - Frank Shekleton
Valentine - Neville Colledge
Protheus - Roger Swaine
Antonio - Michael Johnstone
Thurio - Stephen Orchard
Eglamour - Graham Headworth
Speed - Derek Britton
Launce - Christopher Carter
Crab - Penny
Panthino - Derek Bell
Julia - Carolyn Stiven
Silvia - Anne Hemmings & Anita Beck
Lucetta - Anita Beck & Gail Leeson
Ursula - Frances Bromage
Servants, Outlaws, etc. - Guy Saunders, Michael Perkins, William Still & David Lidgate