Two new plays by Raspers
FRESH FROM THE highly successful production of ‘Alone it Stands’, the Rasper Players have already started to look forward to their next project.
They are putting the final touches to two one-act plays which will run at Gorey Little Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 25 and 26.
‘I Never Saw Another Butterfly’ by Celeste Raspanti, is directed by KathyAnn Murphy. It follows a true story of Raja Englanderova in Terezin Concentration Camp in Praque during the Holocaust.
The narrative follows Old Raja, played by Thelma Rath, who is coming to terms with her dark past in the camp, as the story is played out by her younger self, played by Katie Davis. The play also features 18 other child and teenage actors from the ages of 6 to 18.
Irena Synkova, played by Maggie Murphy, is the only glimmer of hope for the children in the camp as she teaches them to write, draw and paint, in an effort to escape the corruption of the camp.
The play is deeply moving, and with the use of poetry, song and dance, it brings the audience to a different world. KathyAnn said that with such a talented young bunch of actors, it promises to be a very surreal and captivating production.
The cast recently shot their promotional video in the grounds of Wells House and Gardens which can be viewed on the Rasper Players Facebook page.
This is KathyAnn’s first time directing and she said she is very honoured to have a chance to work with such a great cast.
The second play, ‘Me and My Friend’, by Gillian Plowman, is directed by Stephen Acton.
It is the Raspers’ one-act festival play for 2016. This offering, which is both comic and tragic, tells the story of two women who have been released into community care in England during Mrs Thatcher’s reign. It deals with subjects such as mental health, family, the health system, love, and escapism from the unwanted.
Tickets for the shows can be booked from October 16.