‘A Journey of Self-Discovery’ was the play’s sub-title but everyone involved has been on such a journey. This celebration of life in our community revealed some wonderful skills and forged many new friendships among the cast members aged 7-73! It feels right for the play to have been Chute’s contribution to the Pewsey Deanery Pilgrimage, and we are extremely grateful for the generous support of the Aldhelm Mission Trust, which is ‘how’ we were able to do the play.

‘Why’ is because Nicodemus, Pontius Pilate, Mary Magdalene and others from our millennium Passion Play wanted to do another play but ‘what’ was the question? A Shakespearean play? A biblical story? Aesop’s Fables? ‘Toad of Toad Hall’ was even mentioned, and finally all we could agree on was that is should be ‘something nourishing’. We consulted James, who had played Jesus and directed us ten years before, and his response, incredibly, was to write a play for us – and what a play! So cleverly constructed that it could accommodate any number wishing to take part and, with scope for non-actors to be involved and (wonderfully) creative, the play had, literally, a little bit of everything!

‘The Bench Beneath the Velvet’ (a quotation from Napoleon) had epic archetypal storylines of love and sacrifice. Was it absurd theatre? A modern parable of Jesus’ teachings? A fairytale with biblical and Shakespearean quotations? Or a journey with truth, different aspects of love, silliness, surprises, fun, and pathos? Ultimately it was about trust, inner conflict, responsibility, forgiveness, humility, redemption, fear, sacrifice, courage, death and war; there was puppetry, mime, comedy and music; a touch of the Harry Potters meant messages were brought by birds, and there was even (briefly) a Monty Pythonesque parrot!

‘It’s a great adventure’ said the Old Woman and it certainly has been for those taking part. We hope you were amused and amazed, and were yet able to enjoy the underlying depths and truths that lay beneath the velvet, and underneath all the fun and the silliness.

 

Barry Caddick as the Angry Man

Nicky Banks as Wife, Tim Harker as the Leader and Chris Saunders as the Fool

The crowd are confused by the Leader's messages

Peter Bull as the Captain, having returned from the war

The angry dogs gather . . . . . .

Virginia Chambers as the Old Woman, surrounded by some of those she has helped.

The Leader confronts his demons (the Bear) in front of his daughter Lucy played by Jessica Warrender

The Wife and the parrot!

Happy days are here again.

 

The Company Director: James Burke-Dunsmore Producer: Amanda Holroyd Stage Manager: Claire Warrender Costumes: Carolyn Wall Music, Vocals & Sound: Rick Wall Marketing: Carolyn Wall Treasurer: David Brown Puppet Makers: Pat Caddick, Virginia Chambers, Claire Warrender, Mark Slade, Rosemary Casson, Judy Woods, Lisa Jackson, Jan Quirk, Eddie Quirk, Judy Mills, Tony Wallbank, Rosie Mills We would like to thank: Xpress News, the Andrews family, Hurstbourne Tarrant Post Office, the Lambert family, David Pike Builders, Home Care Services, Kenyons, Ludgershall Garden Centre, Tunneltec, William Stewart Hair Design, Chute Village Hall Committee, Chris Stock, Barry Smith, Mr and Mrs Marriott, the Hatchet Inn, the Cross Keys Inn, Bulpitt Print

The Cast Leader: Tim Harker Wife: Nicky Banks Son: Alex Warrender Fool: Chris Saunders Angry Man: Barry Caddick Old Man: Tony Peace Captain: Peter Bull Young Boy: Rory Burden Beth: Judy Mills Old Woman: Virginia Chambers Lucy: Jessica Warrender Ensemble: Bill Mitford, Rosemary Casson, Judy Woods, Tony Wallbank, Jan Quirk, Ita Lafferty, Claire Warrender, Helen Mitford, Amanda Holroyd, Lesley Shenton-Ryder Children: Rory Burden, Liam Burden, Meghan Foxen, Alice Jackson, Georgina Banks Puppeteers: Mike Taylor, Carolyn Wall, Jessica Warrender, Judy Mills, Liam Burden, Cilla Mitford, Helen Mitford, Pat Caddick, Claire Warrender, Rory Burden, Ita Lafferty, Mark Slade, Jan Quirk, Lesley Shenton-Ryder, Barry Caddick, Peter Bull

Details of James Burke-Dunsmore's theatrical involvements are available at http://www.beingjesus.co.uk. Apart from his many drama talents, James is an award winning artist. He received his first award from the Society of Wildlife Artists while he was still a student of Scientific Illustration. Further details of his fabulous work is available at www.jamesburkedunsmore.com