The production will open at Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn on 13 & 14 October 2011 before embarking on a major tour of the UK, returning to Shropshire for a series of performances in March 2012.
In 1850, the Shropshire market town of Much Wenlock hosted its very own ‘Olympian Games’, which was to become an inspiration for the modern Olympics. Behind this seemingly mild-mannered event, where country sports combined with spelling and knitting races, lay a modern day struggle for equality and the right to health, set during the changing world of the Industrial Revolution.
In a captivatingly comic production that celebrates the Olympic Games’ unlikely UK roots, Much Ado About Wenlock reveals a local doctor’s determination to improve the health of all the townsfolk, rich or poor. Will Dr Penny Brookes inspire the working men to swap their tipple for triple jumping? Will Beatty the schoolmistress win over the cynical Reverend Benedict Wayne? Will little Eddie Sankey triumph over the bullying butcher’s boy, Archibald Blockley? And will our national love of the underdog be satisfied in this heroic piece of theatre?
A glorious full mask show, with original music, amazing physicality, and dance choreography, Much Ado About Wenlock is a hugely inventive adventure for audiences from 8 to 108!
Vamos Theatre brings together an experienced team of artists for this ambitious venture. Much Ado About Wenlock is written and directed by Rachael Savage (Trestle, Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse) with original music composed by Janie Armour (Trestle, York Theatre Royal, Chichester Festival Theatre). The masks are made by the exceptional Russell Dean (Strangeface, Trestle, BBC, The Old Vic), with Movement Direction from Neil Bettles for ThickSkin. Set Design comes from Rob Dicks (Doctor Who, Birmingham Rep, Oxford Playhouse).
Much Ado About Wenlock comes hot on the heels of Vamos Theatre’s Nursing Lives, which played over one hundred dates, touring to a variety of venues and rural touring schemes. Nursing Lives sold out at over fifty percent of venues, including The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Malvern Theatres, Exeter Northcott and Lincoln Drill Hall.
“If you've seen Trestle Theatre Company in days of yore, you'll know what to expect because Vamos have taken over their mime mantle with panache”. Chris Eldon Lee, Radio 4 Producer
“The magic of Rachael Savage's production is that it creates such a vivid world without voice and words.” The Guardian
“Mask theatre which blows people away. I weep and I laugh; comedy and pathos side by side - you can't beat it!” Sue Roberts, Shindig, Worcestershire Rural Touring.
To book at Theatre Severn:
Visit www.theatresevern.co.uk or Tel: 01743 281281
For more details including tour schedule visit www.vamostheatre.co.uk
or see the company in action on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/vamostheatre
