CHESTER THEATRE COMPANY WELCOMES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AS PART OF DUKE'S AWARD SCHEME

A Chester-based theatre company has given a budding young theatre director unique behind the scenes access as he works towards his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

Christleton High School student George Wheatcroft recently spent time with Chester-based theatre company Against The Grain, sitting in on rehearsals for their upcoming production of Harold Pinter's dark comedy "The Birthday Party" which is set to be staged at Chester Little Theatre from Thursday 13^th April - Saturday 15^th April. 

George 14, from Aldford was able to sit alongside the play's producers and gain a valuable insight in to how each scene is put together in the rehearsal room before the production transfers to the stage to be performed in front of a live audience.

Speaking about joining the cast and crew of "The Birthday Party", George said:

"I have found sitting in on rehearsals very interesting. I feel I've learned a lot about the directing and acting part of putting on a play. I have enjoyed writing my own notes and have seen how long it takes to practice one scene. Overall, it has been a brilliant experience and I'm looking forward to seeing the final production on stage."

George has also recently begun helping out with football coaching at a local Primary School as part of his ongoing work towards gaining his bronze award.

Speaking about George joining them at rehearsals for "The Birthday Party", Against The Grain said:

"It has been a pleasure to have George with us at rehearsals, we are honoured to be able to encourage the next generation of directors."

Written by acclaimed playwright Harold Pinter in 1957, "The Birthday Party" is set in a small rundown Seaside B&B which has one permanent guest, Stanley, who has been living there for some considerable time.  Life is peachy for the landlady, Meg, her husband Petey and Stanley at the B&B until two menacing strangers turn up with an unhealthy interest in Stanley. Against The Grain's production features Marian Newman (Small Tales, Mr Dumpling, Deathtrap) as Meg, Ray Bengree (The Prescribed Distance, Small Tales) as Petey, Mark Newman (Small Tales, Mr Dumpling, The Weir, Deathtrap) as Goldberg and Stuart Evans (Small Tales, Mr Dumpling, The Weir) as McCann. Joining Against The Grain for the first time are Richard Newton (The Ladykillers, Mindgame, Improbable Fiction) as Stanley and Natasha Emilia Williams (The Audience, A View From The Bridge, A Midsummer Night's Dream) as Lulu.

Full details of "The Birthday Party" can be found at: 

www.chesterlittletheatre.co.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.

Alternatively, contact TicketSource on:

0333 6663366

Pictured - Christleton High School pupil George Wheatcroft (centre) with the cast and crew during a break in rehearsals for "The Birthday Party".

(Photo credit - Fiona Wheatcroft)