Stage 65 Youth Theatre presented Ghosts and Grimm Tales by Philip Pullman. Adapted by Phillip Wilson and additional material by Jayne Woodhouse who based her additional Grey Lady character on a local Salisbury legend.

Starting outside of the Salisbury Arts Centre the cast uses the graveyard area to set the scene to what lies ahead. Talks of Ghosts and things that go bump in the night are used to tempt the audience into the auditorium. You are told to hurry up as the Grey Lady who haunts the area does not like waiting.

Stage 65 Youth Theatre consist of around seventy performers, the all inclusive policy allows anyone to audition and take part of the production, something I strongly believe should always take place in all Theatre companies. Hopefully one day Theatre reaches a point where it no longer needs to be mentioned and will just become “normal”.

The architectural design of the Salisbury Arts Centre building gave a solid base to construct the gothic staging. Daniel Gent used the building’s arches and pillars as part of the staging. Its main stage was a section of a gothic-style building with steps on either side allowing the large cast plenty of scope for their performances.

The original Grimm fairytales from Hansel and Gretel to Little Red Riding Hood are watched from the sidelines by the Grey Lady, created by Jayne Woodhouse. She has become bitter and disillusioned over the years with life through some horrendous life experiences. However, as the story unfolds she hasn’t necessarily helped herself and had opportunities to change things if she had wanted to. Art imitates life as we can all change things if we work towards a better life, the journey begins inside yourself.

All of the cast appeared to have been enjoying their roles, some looked nervous but once they relaxed into their roles the production flowed more easily. Whether some continue into the acting world or take another path I am sure this production will remain in their memory and they should all be very proud of their performances.

With a cast of seventy young actors director Clare Threadgold created a very Grimm and Ghostly production. Where things did go bump during the night and you were never quite sure where the next action would take place.

Although the production has now finished its three-day run, the links below will provide information on upcoming shows at Salisbury Arts Centre and more information about Stage 65 Youth Theatre.

Photo credit Craig Fuller.

Three Stars.

https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/

Stage 65 Youth Theatre

The Grey Lady