Sewell Barn Theatre, Norwich
11 – 21 October 2017
In Lark Rise, performed at Sewell Barn Theatre in Norwich, Marie Cooper played Mrs Blaby and Mrs Beamish.
Mrs Blaby always seemed to be hanging about outside her cottage, gossiping with the other women-folk of Larkrise. She had a love of dressy fashion, despite mostly being a year out of it by today’s standards, as she relied on her daughter sending her clothes parcels from London.
Heavily pregnant Mrs Beamish was proudly getting her young daughter Martha all smart and ready to find her petty place in Larkrise so that she could earn her own living. With a new mouth to feed on the way, the family needed the income. A year in training and Martha might be ready to move on to proper gentleman’s service.
It was a huge production and the final show at Sewell Barn for the Director, Robert Little. It was great fun and a privilege to be part of the wonderfully large and diverse cast, with ages ranging from young teens, through to students from the University of East Anglia’s drama course, right up to the not-quite-so-young seventies. It was one big, happy theatrical family. I even got to share the stage with one of the actors from Harry Potter, the young Sirius Black, Rohan Gotobed, and it’s not every day I get to say that.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Evans
Lark Rise
Written by Keith Dewhurst
Adapted from the novels by Flora Thompson
Directed by Robert Little with
Sewell Barn Theatre
Music Directed by Michelle Glover
Photography by Andrew Evans
Cast
Emma Timms Wendy Atkinson
Albert Timms Martin Dabbs
Laura Timms Connie Reid
Laura Timms Charlotte Woollsey
Edmund Timms Bradley Flint
Bishie Shem Jacobs
Boamer Chad Mason
Old David / Dick / Twister Terry Dabbs
Pumpkin Colin Barrett (Baz)
Old Price / Old Postie / Grandfather / Rector Dave Dixon
Bailiff / Doctor / Squire Bracewell Robert Little
Old Stut / Tramp Danny Burns
Fisher Liam Purshouse
Jerry Parish / Cheapjack Rohan Gotobed
Mrs Spicer / Garibaldi Jacket Ruth Howitt
Mrs Blaby / Mrs Beamish Marie Cooper
Mrs Peverill / Queenie Ros Mace
Old Sally Anne Giles
Mr Sharman / Landlord Peter Jackson
Mrs Miller / Mrs Andrews Diane Webb
Martha Beamish Connie Reed
Martha Beamish Charlotte Woollsey
John Price Sam Webber
Polly Ella Daymond