Shakespeare in the Park

2014. SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

Shakespeare in the Park II got underway last Friday with Club members out to help build the Globe and Village once again. A number of members were not available, but those who were turned out and did a great job assembling the set. A gamble was taken on the weather and hay bales were put out. In the end the weather was brilliant on both nights. About 800 enjoyed Saturday night and a smaller (about 500) relaxed on the green in an evening sun on a balmy Sunday night.

Graham Duncan once again oversaw an event full of entertainment that was thoroughly enjoyed by the public, many of whom turned out in colourful medieval costumes.  

It was a brilliant production thanks to people like Graham, Gillian Davies, and Sharon Hildreth (Director).

The medieval stalls, featuring an old forge, leather making, cheese, and a chicken coop, attracted a lot of attention, but as the evening approached it was the Argentinean BBQ that had people queuing.

The same could be said for the very modern carts selling spiral battered potatoes and coffee, and if you wanted a really sharp kitchen knife then you could get a small one for about $250.

However the feature that attracted most attention was the jousting, a demonstration of the ancient art of knights with lances, on horseback charging at each separated by a fence called “the tilt”. Callum Forbes, of the Order of the Boar, had brought his team of horses, riders, and support crew up from Wellington.

One rider, Vicky Subritzky, had flown down from Whangarei, so keen was she to be part of the show.  The crowd enjoyed a lively display, but it ended prematurely on the first day, when one of the new lady riders was thrown from her horse. Fortunately she was unhurt.

Around the Globe, Gillian Davies had orchestrated Elizabethan village life, with local players acting out scenarios, particularly romps in the hay. Many of the actors from last year’s show turned out again and were warmly welcomed by the audience. A local chorale group entertained, as people were starting to claim their place in the globe. Around the perimeter, apple bobbing was very popular and fire eaters demonstrated what appeared to defy common sense.  A recorder group added their musical commentary to the maypole dancers

Suddenly the roar of seven Harley Davidson’s rent the air, marking the start of this production. They were delivering the actors to the steps which was the stage for the show. Queens “We Will Rock You” had everyone clapping in anticipation.

After delivering the stage actors, they roared off to the warm approval of the audience.

Then to the play, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (somewhat abridged)”. This was a professional production put on by local actors under the guidance of Sharon Hildreth.

Just three male actors were on stage for the whole show, taking female parts where necessary, but this was appropriate, because that’s what they did in the Bard’s time.

Two plays were placed as bookends of this greatly revised approach to Shakespeare. They were “Romeo and Juliet” at the start, and “Hamlet” at the end. In between 16 Shakespearean comedies were compressed into hastily orated lines, delivered in differing modes, a more popular one being rap style. This breathless race against time brought the show to half time with the second half devoted to “Hamlet”.

This was the most enjoyable part of the show, with a very popular segment involving audience participation.

And at the end, it was repeated at double time, then quadruple time, and for an encore, delivered backwards!

It was altogether a highly enjoyable program, but a pity so few availed themselves of this opportunity to see a brilliant production and enjoy the pleasure of dressing medieval, and enjoying a picnic tea in the wonderful Church Road grounds.

In 1999, Gillian Davies and Graham Duncan combined their theatrical and organisational talents to produce the highly successful"Bugsy Malone". This musical production raised $65,000 for Child Cancer Support Hawke's Bay.

In 2013 they linked up again to produce Gillian's dream. This was to produce the Shakespearian play, "The Merry Wives of Windsor", in a park setting.

Graham added to the dream by building an amphitheater complete with an Elizabethan village.

The result was the event called "Shakespeare in the Park"

From the Bulletin 14th March 2013 and other sources...

Well known drama and musical producer, Gillian Davies QSM, had long held a dream to produce a Shakespearean play outdoors in the Church Road Winery grounds in Taradale, Napier, New Zealand. Not just the play, she envisaged a setting capturing the Elizabethan era and the Globe theatre.

She had previously worked with Taradale Rotarian, Graham Duncan, in a successful production of "Bugsy Malone" which raised $65,000 for Child Cancer. Graham saw the potential of her ideas, and set about creating an Elizabethan village.

And behind Graham was a group of people with the skills to create the necessary props. Clive Adams and ex-member, Alan Monk, worked for several weeks to build a dozen small stalls, and prior to the day, members from both Taradale and Greenmeadows clubs turned out to add their manpower to get everything erected in time. Bunting, banners and lights were put up, and hay bales placed to mark the Globe enclosure.

The authentic artisan stalls were manned by people like leather workers, bookbinders, metal workers, butchers etc. Local farmers loaned hay bales which outlines the "Globe" arena, while the stage was the steps of the Tom McDonald room.

By Sunday 3rd March the Church Road Parkland had undergone an amazing transformation.

The Bounce sound company placed their speakers all around the perimeter of the Globe (the sound on the night was excellent). The pit for the Argentinean BBQ was dug out, and by mid-afternoon the smell of roasting meat pervaded the ground.  

The audience of 1000 responded to the call by dressing up in Elizabethan costume by the hundreds, and made a magical scene as they wondered the stalls, watched the archers and jousting, and made their way to claim their spot within the Globe and feast on their evening meal and wine.

And then the play started. For many, following the twisting and scheming of the characters, was difficult, but that did not to distract from the enjoyment of the evening. The evening ended with the lowering of the white Globe flag, to be passed to someone to hold for a year and raised at the next Shakespeare in the Park. To all spoken to, that is something they want to see happen.

The dream of Gillian Davies, that Taradale and Greenmeadows should have a major Shakespearian annual festival, has made a great start, and the Club can only be delighted that with Graham leading, it is part of that dream. 

On Monday Rotarians returned to pack up and store the set for next years production, while others cleaned up the grounds and returned it to its pristine state.

Indeed an Elizabethan theatre had emerged from the mists of time and then just as magically disappeared from whence it had come.

Takings grossed about $35,000. The profit was $15,000 of which $10,000 went to HB Child Cancer Support.

 Everyone praised the production and it will be repeated in 2014.