Farewell, Shakespeare, hello Agatha Christie

More than two hundred people attended this season’s Bard in the Yard outdoor production of As You Like It, with three of the five nights weather conducive and able to be staged in the covered courtyard at Muritai School.

Production manager John Marwick says The Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe’s recent production was their 23rd successive summer Shakespeare performance and they have come a long way since humble beginnings, when thespian friends would gather and read from books in his backyard in Konini Street.

It was a big cast of 23 for first time director Anne Manchester, 19 of those Eastbourne residents, with the balance making the regular sojourn for rehearsal or performance from Wellington and Lower Hutt.

Auditions were held before Christmas and rehearsals didn’t commence until well into January, John says

"But our local actors are used to that, used to having a short amount of time to get prepared for opening night. They and Anne did fantastically well.”

“It was a bit of a shaky start,” says Anne, “and at one point I thought, 'just keep breathing deeply'. But people came out of the woodwork and in just six weeks, it was show on.”

“One other thing I have loved about this production,” she says, “is the fact the cast ranged in age from 16 to 80. The young ones loved being in an all-age production too.”

With a thirty-year history in Eastbourne, BCTT put on three productions annually, of which at least one is a Shakespeare play.

“There is something magical about the outdoor productions,” John says.

“Shakespeare, live theatre as the sun is going down.”

An original member of the troupe Will Clannachan was making a return to the stage after a few years off, playing the role of Adam, servant to Olivia de Boys. John says it was marvellous to have him back.

“I did enjoy being back after a few years,” Will says. “It’s such fun to do. I think I’m going to do a few more now.”

“We are always keen to welcome new members too,” says John. “Not just actors, we are always on the lookout for back stage personnel, props, costumes, whatever their interests. A lot of folk work tirelessly in many roles to get a play on, but the reward for their efforts, through the glow of an audience, is very gratifying.”

Anne says that although she is now in the pool of directors the group can call on, that role is another in which they’d like to see new blood, fresh faces. “Lian Butcher, who was exceptional in the dual roles of Rosalinda and Ganymede