All's Well that Ends Well

27 June - 8 July 1995

Director: Eric Usher Venue: The George Hotel

'The time will bring on summer when briars shall have leaves as well as thorns and be as sweet as sharp' 'All's Well That Ends Well' has often been described as a 'problem play'. It is neither a comedy nor a tragedy. Nor can it be grouped with the late romances, for it is very different in tone. Some detect a similarity with the dark comedies such as 'Measure for Measure" but its shadows are lighter and the atmosphere generally is much brighter. In fact, it is the ambiguity of the play which gives 'All's Well That Ends Well' its special fascination. It is certainly a very challenging work to stage and we are very excited to be presenting it for the first time for 'Shakespeare at The George'. The play is rarely performed, which is regrettable as it is a distinguished and haunting work that manages to combine maturity and subtlety. A 'wintry play' which, nevertheless, manages to look forward to the glory of high summer as personified by the flowering of the sweet briar. We hope that the summer atmosphere of the courtyard will enable our audiences to truly appreciate this rather neglected play in the kind of setting in which it would originally have been performed.

Cast

THE DOWAGER COUNTESS OF ROSSILLION

Mo Pearce

BERTRAM, COUNT OF ROSSILLION, HER SON

Nicholas Thompson

HELENA, AN ORPHAN ATTENDING ON THE COUNTESS

Amanda Briggs

LAVATCH, THE COUNTESS'S CLOWN

Darren Rawnsley

RYNALDO, STEWARD TO THE COUNTESS

Jack Hyde

PAROLLES, BERTRAM'S COMPANION

Brian Williams

THE KING OF FRANCE

Michael Williamson

LORD LAFEW

Mike Storey

FIRST LORD DUMAINE

John Shippey and his brother

SECOND LORD DUMAINE

Bob Pugh

FRENCH GENTLEMAN

Andrew Suttie

INTERPRETER, A FRENCH SOLDIER

John Freeman

FRENCH LORDS AND SOLDIERS

Michael BlackHedley AllenJohn FreemanAndrew Suttie

THE DUKE OF FLORENCE

Aidan Hervey

WIDOW CAPILET OF FLORENCE

Marianne Tomkins

DIANA CAPILET, HER DAUGHTER

Shannon Milson

Crew

Director

Eric Usher

Stage Manager

Claire Goovaerts

Stage Team

Karen BuckleyJohn FreemenMatthew RedmanDouglas CooperJohn MorganMaureen YuleDee WormaldHedley Allen

Stage Construction

Nigel Callaghan & Team

Set Design

Bob Pugh

Poster Design

Kate Rogers

Costumes

Wendy UsherTerry DickMo Pearce

Continuity

Vivienne Dyer

Photographs

Simon Ellis ABIPP AMPA

Lighting Design

Andy Kendon

Lighting Team

Roger BlackmoreMalcolm LyonsMel PugsleyAndy Kendon

Sound Design

Gerry Davison

Sound Technicians

Graeme HammondMaggie RedgraveMel Pugsley

Make-up

Jan SheppeardKathy Williams & Team

Publicity

Martine Peulevé & Team

Box Office

Cheryl CookMichael Cook

Front of House & Sales

Adam GreavesTrish JamesFriends & Members of SATG