The Common Players

Set on a magical desert island, Stormy Weather is an enchanting tale of brothers and sisters, storms at sea and magical fish. Sibling squabbles, lusts for revenge and emotional reunions, are all played out in an entertaining show for audiences of all ages which uses original music and evocative puppets as well as energetic performances from some funny actors.

For those who know Common Players’ summer productions from previous years, Stormy Weather should be even more exciting in that the audience will sit around an island of a stage. Also, the performance will start towards dusk, with special lighting and effects, providing a magical atmosphere as the night creeps in.

The production is being devised by the company led by Artistic Director Anthony Richards, and has developed a story loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Other members of the creative team include Andrew Whelan who composed the original music for last summer’s production of Robin Hood, Sam Pine who has designed six shows in the past for The Common Players, and Jon Primrose, who will be providing the lighting and special effects.

The acting company also includes three familiar faces: Michael Castleton, last
seen as Georgie the Chief Witch in Mrs Macbeth’s Hostile Bid, Rachel Thorne
who acted and sang in The Golden Fleece, The Podfather and Mother Country, and Jon Stokes who played the penguin-loving tractor driver in Taylor’s Tractor. New to the Company is London-based actress Clare Barrett

Stormy Weather, will be The Common Players’ 14th outdoor summer production, and probably the last which will be free of charge to most audiences as the Company is in its final year of regular funding from Arts Council England.