Ready Steady Act!
One group entering the 2000 Sawston Drama Festival took on the challenge of putting on a One-Act Play from initial read through to production in just three weeks.
Set up specifically for this venture, Checkmate Productions took up that challenge - to choose, read through and compete in the Sawston Drama Festival with only three weeks available. The play was chosen and read through with the proposed cast on March 1. Rehearsals began on March 6 and the play was performed at the Drama Festival on Friday, March 24, 2000. The play, Prisoners by Mike Wells, has roles for two actresses who are on stage throughout. So, apart from the time span challenge, actresses Sally Burgen and Rosemary Eason had the added challenge of learning dialogue and creating the characters in a very short space of time. The director, Julie Petrucci, said during the rehearsal period that she had every confidence that her cast could not only rise to the challenge but would acquit themselves well, giving a performance to be proud of. Her predictions became reality: Prisoners was awarded Second Place and was only beaten by one mark.
Rosemary Eason, Sally Burgen
Rosemary Eason, Sally Burgen
Sally Burgen, Rosemary Eason
With one success under their belts, Checkmate Productions achieved another by coming Third at Cambridge Drama Festival (Wednesday May 3, 2000) and winning the Lighting Award.
The final appearance of this production was at Luton Drama Festival (Wednesday May 17, 2000).
In addition to those mentioned above Checkmate Productions comprises Stage Manager Ken Eason and Sound Technician Graham Potter. Lighting for the Sawston performance was by Mark Easterfield. Lighting at Cambridge was a combined effort of Julie, Ken, the cast and Dave McRobb of the Mumford Theatre.
Julie Petrucci is Secretary to Waterbeach Community Players and has many directing credits with that company. Also she edits Combinations, the newsletter of Combined Actors of Cambridge.
Rosemary Eason is a leading member of BAWDS and also of Sawston Players whose Festival production of When The Bough Breaks by Frances Bartram won over twenty awards including Best Actress awards for Rosemary at Sawston and Luton Drama Festivals.