Be spellbound by Mary Rose

BE SPELLBOUND by a reworking of a JM Barrie play at South Hill Park later this month.

Conn Artists Theatre Company will perform its version of Mary Rose on Thursday, April 28.

Barrie was a prolific novelist and playwright of the late Victorian and Edwardian period. Best known for Peter Pan, his other major plays include The Admirable Crichton, Quality Street and Dear Brutus.

Mary Rose tells the story of an old Sussex manor house that is haunted by the ghost of a young woman who once lived there.

The action is performed with a cast of five. It interweaves some of Barrie’s stage directions as pieces of narrative, accompanied by original music and traditional folk songs.

The play was written following the first world war and flu pandemic of 1918 to 1920, and was first performed in London’s Haymarket Theatre in April 1920. It is an exploration of love, loss and hope that spans a time period of over 30 years.

Actor and producer Ross Muir said that the play is almost the opposite to Peter Pan.

“Barrie is exploring the loss that is felt by those of us who have been left behind after someone has gone,” he explains.

“And Mary Rose doesn’t realise her life has past and that she’s frozen in time.”

This adaptatione is directed by Nick Young, whose credits include working with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Nick says that Barrie’s understanding of character meant that he wrote “brilliant” stage directions.

“We chose a story that we want to resonate with our audience,” he says. “Working from this text has been a really enthralling journey.

“We’ve put our own spin on the narrative but stay true to the original text and explore feelings that uplift you with hope.”

The performance will begin at 7.45pm. Tickets are priced at £19.50, £16.50 for members, £17.50 concessions.