Arts Gloucester building skills with creative theatre offering

ONE of Arts Gloucester’s core objectives is to build theatre practice in Gloucester and provide locals the chance to develop new skills. 

Their upcoming production, “Twice the Drama”, is offering Maureen Hjorth the opportunity to rekindle her directorial skills while for John Galagher it is his directorial debut.

Hjorth told News Of The Area it has been fun going back to directing, giving her “a break from learning lines”.

Stretching himself theatrically was one of the key factors behind Galagher taking up the challenge of directing a show.

“I am comfortable being on stage as an actor, and I wanted to understand what it was like being the person who was responsible for the production,” he said.

Both Hjorth and Galagher were quick to point out that directing is far more than simply moving actors around the stage.

“I realised that the buck stops with me,” said Galagher.

“I wasn’t only responsible for the performers and the script but also what the audience was going to experience.”

Hjorth was drawn to ‘The Allergic Audience’ for its characters.

Hjorth said she has loved working with the actors to develop their characters and has relished the chance to experiment with the play’s format.

“I have never directed two actors, and although it has been intense at times, Gay Curran, Carol Bennett and I have been able to uncover the nuances of the play.”

Galagher describes his chosen play, “The Actor’s Nightmare”, as a love letter to theatre and the actor’s craft.

“I have been in a similar position as the leading character in the play, and I thought I could bring that experience to the directorial process. I also loved the comedy.”

Both Galagher and Hjorth are working with actors who have been former stage colleagues.

“I have been very lucky to have a group of colleagues who have encouraged me to take on a new role,” he said.

“Twice The Drama” will be performed on 30 April and 1 and 2 May at the Senior Citizen’s Centre.

Further details can be found on the Arts Gloucester website.

By Wendy BUSWELL