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The Young Theatre
(at Harrow)

THE LAST OF THE WIZARDS

by David Pownall

Friday & Saturday, 12th & 13th May 1972

St. Alban‘s Church Hall, Norwood Drive, North Harrow

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Cast & Crew Rehearsal Photograph Press

Harrow Observer

Please scroll down to see the newspaper review and below that, a transcription of it.
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A Transcription of the Harrow Observer review by Jack Rowley

Feather in cap for The Young Theatre

This strange and confused new morality play was a real challenge to these young people. Under the enthusiastic direction of Andrew Kitchen, this complex production was most successful in both intention and achievement.

The grouping and constant movement was quite masterly and the young folk (and let it be clear most of them were very young) all showed a good sense of interplay, responding with commendable discipline in the recurring chaotic stirrings.

One of the most difficult tasks for any young director is to create an acceptable sense of chaos and to control it. This was happily achieved. The flow of the Enemy to and fro, and particularly the demented antics of the four brides, those daughters of the wicked Doom Empress, were fascinating to watch.

On the other hand, there was much that could have been done as to speech and projection. Admittedly many of the players spoke up well, yet there remains the necessity for the audience to hear and understand everything. The overall pace was laboured owing to some slowness in picking up cues in the narrative.

The single setting was quite acceptable, with ingenious use of rostra. Lighting by Graham Fryer was most successful in a complicated 'plot'. Stage Manager Alan Highet and his team kept things going. Props by Nikki Burn and costumes under Janet Gwyn, particularly the brides' dresses, were first rate, as was the Master's cloak made by Mrs. K. Pepper, except for the restricting collar.

Indeed this whole production was a Feather in the cap for The Young Theatre and a colourful contribution to Festival 1972.

With 40 in the cast, all working well, only a few, alas, can be mentioned. The compere was the Painter, presumably Nature proceeding to programme and viewing all human strife. Played by Margot Hopkins, in humorous nonchalant manner, fair rapport was made. However, if only she had come down for her comments and explanations, these would have been more clear and audible.

All four brothers, seeking brides, were well characterised. On the Friday, Gordon Cochran, well-voiced and authorative, was Skel, with Eric Bottomley warm and homely as Bormond. Clive Saunders was earthily naïve as the tousled Rigg and Peter Lock as stonemason Jenkin a little hesitant. Notable was the 'freezing' of all these when under the spell.

An outstanding performance was that of Julian Flack as Ulf the last wizard. He involved the audience in his crusade to save the people, resulting in his own extinction. However he did shout towards the end, when light and shade was essential. A sincere reading, a little overpressed.

The Children's Chorus, so helpfully sympathetic to poor Ulf was led by David Keary and Linda Bowyer, both clear in voice and action. Stella Stavrides and Jill Horrocks argued as neighbours.

Turning to the powers of doom, Jacquie Russell as the Empress was firm in her endeavour, dominating her scenes. Her daughters were Sue Macfarlen, Rowena Gura, Sue Bright and Margaret Tweedy, all good in individual cameos and striking in concert. Her 16-strong Army, led by Louise Brooks and Terina Brennan as spies, was well disciplined and menacing.

Andrew Kitchen was an impressive Master, a part spoken with grace and understanding.

If The Young Theatre continue to progress in this way, their future is assured. The next youthful Festival contribution is awaited.

JACK ROWLEY


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The Last of the Wizards : The Young Theatre (Harrow) was first published here on 21 October 2016