Research and development

After an incredible jam- packed 10 months on the touring circuit, fEAST have switched to concentrate on research and development for two exciting new plays. Both have been commissioned for production in our next season; ‘Elephant’ by Jeremy Page and ‘The Peggottys by Robin McLoughlin. The company is also currently holding talks to develop exciting partnerships with other arts organisations.

Watch this space!

Coming next ….
fEAST Theatre presents:

Elephant  –  Jeremy Page

In a house balanced on an eroding cliff in North Norfolk, local recluse Manny gets a surprise visit from his estranged sister, Jessie, whom he’s not seen for a year. She’s wildly unpredictable, searching for a long lost family secret, and has inexplicably brought along with her a petty criminal, Lee Farrier, trussed up in a sack. Jessie describes an unlucky series of events that have conspired to her making such a poor and rash decision, but Manny’s believing none of it. She’s done this kind of thing before.

As a rising tide eats away at the foundations, it’s the sudden appearance of a local girl, Cally, arriving with a damaged reputation and an uncanny ability to read minds, that forces all four of them to try and salvage something from the day before it’s too late. But as time runs out, and the uneasy truce turns towards possible violence, a hastily reckless plan begins to fall apart, exposing the bitter truths that have brought them together, the lies they’ve told each other, and against all expectation, the discovery of a strangely redemptive power that might just be buried beneath their feet.

REVIEW OF THE CANADA BOYS

by Chris Sadler

East Anglia’s premier touring theatre company, fEAST, kicked off their latest regional tour tonight with a welcome reprise of their classic play Canada Boys at Wells Maltings.

Crisply directed by Rob John, the play follows two brothers offered the chance to emigrate to Canada to start a new life in 1912; an opportunity provided by their employer, the legendary Colmans of Norwich. The conflict of known against unknown, the turmoil of choosing security over adventure, is explored thoroughly as each man’s life events influence his decision.

The audience is given time to connect with the characters and the play benefits hugely from this as seeds of empathy are sown, then bloom.

Canada Boys is engaging, funny, and moving.

The dialogue benefits from John’s characteristic comfort with the rhythm of language. And he’s not afraid to sugar the dish with odd moments of hilarity to sweeten and complement the meal.

All four cast members are uniformly excellent throughout. Robin McLoughlin delivers superbly as sympathetic firebrand Jack Craske.

Owen Evans shows his class, mixing strength with heart, as Jack’s uncomplicated but vulnerable brother, Eddie. Tabitha Woodgett excels with sophisticated simplicity as Ethel Hargrave, and Dawn Finnerty expertly salves her wounds to nurture with kindness as Kathleen Thirtle. The cast remain on stage even when not involved; like a genuine community they are present even in their absence. A triumph of concentration and dedication.

The play isn’t overburdened with incidental music which helps focus the reality of the performance (sound design by Mark Fawcett). Set design and build and props are economical and effective (Tabitha Woodgett, Stewart Woodgett, and Fern Blevins). Period costume is convincingly apt and practical (Libby Henshaw).

This is one of the few genuinely great Norfolk plays and I thoroughly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity to make hay while the January sun shines by purchasing tickets for one of the upcoming performances across the region.

Canada Boys will tour various venues across Norfolk and Suffolk throughout February until early March 2022. Check feasttheatre.com for details.