All the world’s a stage Words: Paula Hulburt
Standing under the spotlight, blonde hair topped off with a 1950’s style air hostess hat, Rose Platenkamp is in her element. Preparing for Marlborough Repertory Society’s newest show, comedy Boeing, Boeing, Boeing, Rose is concentrating her talents off stage, this time as director.
Originally from the Netherlands, Rose has been in Blenheim since 2015, making a name for herself as a both a talented performer and director.
Having read the play at home, she immediately knew it was one that needed to be brought to life.
The founder and creative energy behind Stagelab, she graduated from the prestigious School of Arts in The Netherlands and has been helping others make the most of their creative talents.
“When I was reading it alone, I was laughing a lot. I wanted to do this for my own pleasure and luckily the others agreed. “It’s comedy from beginning to end. I’m happy that in this moment, after Covid, that people can come together and just forget about everything and have some fun.” MATT BROWN
Above: Rose Plantenkamp is bringing her talents as a director to the Boathouse Theatre’s production of Boeing, Boeing, Boeing.
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s an actress and director, Rose is a natural on stage; quickly switching in and out of character as she poses for photos. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how she does it. Perhaps it’s the poise in a perky white-gloved pinkie, or the jaunty heel kicked up behind her? However she does it, it’s amazing to watch.
The play centres around Bernard, a bit of a Casanova, with three air hostess girl friends on the go; Gretchen from Germany, Gloria from USA and Gabrielle from Italy. He’s at the top of his game, a great job, money, a gorgeous apartment in Paris and the love of three women. Toss in his godson, Robert, bad weather and some faster planes and you have all the ingredients for comedy gold. “It’s so much fun because you can come up with the craziest ideas,” Rose says. “I do get nervous as you don’t know how the audience will react and you really want them [the actors] to do well.
She is obviously impressed with the calibre of actors who are breathing life into the play’s characters. But four days before they were originally due to open, the show was postponed as lockdown loomed. “It was heart breaking and I did cry a few tears. We did the performance for family and close friends so the actors could show what they had learned,” she says. “We had a bit of a party too.” “People will forget about all their sorrows and laugh from beginning to end. “Anything can happen and that’s so much better than Netflix.”
Be sure to check out this fast-paced comedy at the Boathouse Theatre from 26th August–5th September 2020. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
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