‘Vibrant’ Norfolk Theatre Company recruiting local ‘voices’ for new production

Winter 53 will feature chorus alongside professional cast

A popular professional theatre group is looking to recruit Norfolk people to take part in their upcoming production.  fEast made its name with two critically acclaimed productions, ‘Canada Boys’ and ‘Parachute’, both of which explored Norfolk themes.  The third play in writer Rob John’s trilogy is Winter 53, about the floods of 1953.  It will feature a chorus made up of local people who will be the voices of eye witnesses to the tragic events.  They will get to work alongside professional actors in a series of venues across the region. 

“The play’s six choral sections include poetry, the voices and verbatim memories of ‘53 survivors and factual information,” says Rob John. “They form a central narrative role in the production.”

fEast Theatre Company was formed by Mandy McKenna and Rob John in October 2010 with a commitment to developing and showcasing new work by professional writers, actors and directors from Norfolk and the Eastern region. “We have set out to create work which examines themes, characters and narratives which resonate for the people of the East and to tour that work to the widest possible range of venues in our region,” says Mandy.

fEast is holding a series of workshops where anyone interested in taking part in the chorus can come and audition.  The first is at Sheringham Little Theatre for a workshop on Sat. Nov. 28th 10am -12 noon.

As well as working alongside professional actors, the members of the chorus will be involved in voice and ensemble workshops to develop acting and choral skills.  They will be led by Mandy, who is the play’s director, and Rob, both of whom are professional theatre teachers.  “Ideally people should contact us first it they are interested in coming to a workshop,” says Mandy. 

Set in the fictional coastal village of Boxham in the months leading up to the catastrophic floods of January 1953, Winter 53 explores the complex and turbulent relationships of the Spence family who struggle to make sense of their tragic history in the face of unreliable and conflicting memories. As the great storm approaches voices from both past and the future start to echo through the house by the sea.

fEast Theatre will once again collaborate with innovative sound designer Mark Fawcett so that audiences will experience an authentic and haunting aural portrayal of Norfolk’s landscape and its people.

Last year the EDP described fEast as ‘a great local company [that] brings original, relevant and vibrant theatre to our region.’

“Norfolk and Suffolk are under-represented in contemporary film and drama,” says Rob.  “fEast Theatre is determined to redress that imbalance.” 

If you are interested in coming to a workshop, contact Mandy McKenna, mandy.mckenna1@btinternet.com or 07799 191492, or visit www.feasttheatre.com.   

fEast is also looking for sponsors to help fund the 2016 tour of Winter 53.  Anyone interested in finding out more about the opportunities for sponsors should contact Mandy. 

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More information:

Many McKenna, mandy.mckenna1@btinternet.com / 07799 191492 or www.feasttheatre.com.   

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