Festival of One-Act Plays 2010
'Edge of the Woods' (written by Vic Mills)
Director: Neil Maidman
'Edge of the Woods' centres around a young girl called Shannon and her struggle with everyday life. Wild and unruly, she is moved from foster home to foster home and expelled from several schools. When she is threatened with expulsion from her current school, Shannon makes an accusation against her headteacher that has massive implications - not only for herself, but also for her headteacher and the rest of the staff.
'Edge of the Woods' is a gritty drama that deals with modern life, and some of the difficult issues faced by teachers and pupils in a secondary school.
Cast Characters
Gareth Baskerville/Mark Thomas Daniel Lewis
Jackie Huybs Carole Knighton
Steve Wride Bob Manley
Shelley Bethan Morgan Melanie Conn
Fay Grummitt Shannon McAndrews
Emma Percy Kelsey Majors
You can view the opening scene of 'Edge of the Woods', featuring Gareth Baskerville as Daniel Lewis, by clicking here.
This play competed in the Gwent One-Act Festival, where Daniel Lewis was played by Gareth Baskerville, and we made it through to the Welsh One-Act Festival - Mark Thomas then took over the role. However, we were unsuccessful.
Fay Grummitt won Best Youth Performance for her portrayal of Shannon McAndrews.
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'Gentlemen and Players' (written by Vic Mills)
Director: Neil Maidman
'Gentlemen and Players' is a hilarious comedy where Will Shakespeare takes his revenge on his best friend, Ben Johnson. Just when the Shakespeares were finally getting a coat of arms and becoming 'gentry' at last; Will was performing in a play for Johnson, in which a country family gain a coat of arms with the comic motto 'Not Without Mustard'. This appears to be a jibe at the Shakespeares motto, 'Not Without Justice'.
The play features an angry and troubled Will, a bemused and tormented Johnson and, with echoes of Hamlet, the touching appearance of the ghost of Will's father, John Shakespeare. This is a robust, bawdy comedy, but there are levels of complex enjoyment - with many references to the works and lives of the playwright for members of an audience who know and love Shakespeare - and a strong plot and comedy for those for whom all this is less familiar.
Cast Characters
Dave Livingstone Ben Johnson
Vic Mills Will Shakespeare
Peter Musto John Shakespeare
'Gentlemen and Players' is available to be purchased via the Drama Assosiation of Wales website - please click here.
This play won the Gwent One-Act Festival. We went on to compete in the Welsh One-Act Final but unfortunately we were unsuccessful.
To watch the first scene in 'Gentlemen and Players', please click here.
