NEWS - ARCHIVE
New challenges
2 Nov 2009
The latest Mercury Theatre Company production in rehearsal, Through the Leaves which opens in the Mercury Studio Theatre on Thursday 19 November, sees three Mercury women stepping up from their regular roles to take on new challenges. And it starts with no less than Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Dee Evans picking up a script and turning her hand to acting for the first time in twelve years after discovering the original cast were unable to perform. Having overseen more than 70 Mercury Theatre Company productions, this will mark Dee’s acting debut for the Mercury Theatre Company.
For two of Dee’s younger Mercury colleagues, Through the Leaves by Franz Xavier Kroetz will mark their professional debuts as set designer and lighting designer.
Former Sir Charles Lucas student Rhiannan Howell can usually be found knee deep in paint pots in the theatre workshop, where she has worked as a scenic artist for the last three years, following a stint as a casual stage hand on pantomime.
“It’s a bit scary designing a show for the studio theatre and the company; I have had no professional training, three years ago I did some work experience with MM Productions when they did the lighting for an operatic show and one thing led to another. I was very lucky that the Mercury created a job for me and I have learnt from the ground roots up with hands on experience every day. Sara Perks – an amazing designer has been my mentor and having people like our workshop manager Simon Sharman and production manager Andy Franks to call on, has been a great experience.”
Lighting the play is the responsibility of Emily Holmden, who grew up in Billericay and attended the Anglo European School in Ingatestone.
“It all started with a visit to see Starlight Express when I was nine or ten. I was never any good at the theory of physics at school but I loved the practical elements and in the year I have spent at the Mercury as a general technician I have built up so much knowledge.”
Depot - the Mercury Theatre Company’s tenth anniversary production which took place in the old tram shed on Magdalen Street, saw Emily assisting with lighting alongside designer Ben Payne. Her aims are high, in a profession dominated by men; last year she just missed out on a coveted place to do her MA in Lighting Design and Stage Electrics at RADA and hopes to apply again this year – hopefully after she has had the opportunity to design the lighting for a main house Mercury Theatre production.
Through The Leaves, directed by Associate Artist Tony Casement, acclaimed for The Promise and Journey’s End, is an intimate portrayal of a destructive relationship and a funny, sad and poignant play about the heartfelt expression for the moments of ‘deep longing’ which remain unfulfilled in all of us.
Through the Leaves will be performed in the Mercury Studio Theatre from Thursday 19 to Saturday 28 November. Tickets, priced at £9.50 / £6 concessions, are available from the Mercury Theatre Box Office on 01206 573948 or online at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk
Through the Leaves contains strong language and scenes of an adult nature. Suitable for 16+ years.