Heroes

By Gerald Sibleyras, Translated by Tom Stoppard
Directed by Viv Baines, Musical Direction by Francis Madeira. Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Ltd.

Synopsis

Meet three World War I veterans who pass their monotonous days in a military hospital by engaging in verbal battles of long-forgotten military campaigns, grumblings about the staff, and reflections on their lives. Looking over the cemetery to the poplars beyond, they dream of freedom. Will today be the day they finally make it to Indochina or perhaps only as far as the top of the hill? Winner of the Olivier Best New Comedy award Gerald Sibleyras’ Heroes is both hilarious and poignant.

Cast

John McGee, Henri
Although I’ve lived in the Bracknell area for the past 30 years this is my first time treading the boards at SHP. I’m delighted to be playing the part of Henri, the "sensible" one in this funny and poignant play. My recent acting experience include; Mitch in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and Father Mullarkey in ‘Once A Catholic’, and as director of Pinter's ‘The Birthday Party’ and ‘Home’ by David Storey.

David Moloney, Gustave
Returning to the stage for the first time in 37 years. I’m cantankerous, argumentative, sarcastic, spiteful, violent, evil-minded which is a shame because it has been said that I was once a man of some taste and talent.

Stuart Nicklin, Philippe
Often seen around South Hill Park and Wokingham Theatre playing various flawed characters, including; Marquis in ‘Marat/Sade’, Duke of Milan in ‘Two Gentleman of Verona’, Antiochus in ‘Pericles’, Ketch Freeman and Major Robbie Ross in ‘Our Country's Good’, and most recently Hamm in ‘Endgame’ (with this shows producer, Clive, playing Clov).

Creative Team

Clive Elkington, Producer
This is the second theatrical venture that we have produced. The previous production, a one man show about the life of Charlie Chaplin, which premiered here in the Studio Theatre in 2012 and later adapted in 2013 to then head to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At LivelyWood Pictures, we primarily produce video and media work, but as Clive Elkington, LWP Producer, is also an actor, Theatre is an obvious medium to make work in too. Having begun in 2011, LWP has since been making short films, promo videos, wedding videos, co-producing events such as Bracknell’s Got Talent, music videos… the list goes on, and is far from ending.
When I was looking around for a production to put on this year, it made sense that it would be good to tie in with the centenary of WWI. Knowing that inevitably there would be a lot of similar shows being produced around this time, I chose to find one slightly different. Heroes popped up and it was perfect. Three old boys who while away their time by bickering and winding each other up, but at the same time, probably couldn’t live without each other. Filled with wonderful moments, ‘Heroes’ had to be the one. I’m very pleased with the team I’ve had working on this show, and the cast have come together wonderfully too. So, thank you for coming this evening, and enjoy the show.

Viv Baines, Director
Heroes has been a slow unfolding of the talents of the cast as they have discovered and rediscovered different aspects of the characters. Shaping and re-shaping scenes to collect the nuances of the interactions between the men in their trapped existence. All of them heroes for their participation in WW1, and now living out their days in mundane repetition. Their bid for freedom and striving for the epic is reminiscent of the part of us all that wants to break our bonds and fly.
Viv is delighted to be back at SHP as director for Heroes. She has been involved in many productions over the years and can most often be found in a dance studio.

Francis Madeira, Musical Director Having been associated with music and theatre at South Hill Park from its inception, I found the opportunity to use the accordion in a French play absolutely irresistible! My approach to Heroes was to draw on music from the period, both in France and also based on people's perceptions of what wartime music was all about in England. It is a subtle play, with many opportunities for introducing music to generate and support moods as well as to inject humour. It has been a rewarding experience to see the play unfold over the weeks, and a real pleasure to create a new view of the material in harmony with Clive and Viv.

Tabitha Baines, Stage Manager
This is Tabitha's stage management debut. She is an accomplished dancer and singer which she fits in between studying for GCSEs.

Lyndon Baines, Lighting Designer/Technician Lyndon is a technician for the Wilde Theatre working on a wide variety of in house and touring productions. He is very much enjoying the opportunity to be the creative lighting designer for Heroes.

Special thanks to South Hill Park, The Fire Services Preservation Group, ‘Gérald’ for his debut performance as ‘The Dog’ and his generous owners Lawrence and Lucy for allowing him to strive for the epic, John and Simone McGee for loan of the garden furniture, the cast for unflinching prop gathering, and of course you the audience for coming along and supporting the show.