In September of 1998 the Island's newest theatrical company, 'Wihtgar Productions Ltd.' was formed. Those involved were among a group of actors directors etc., who had been involved in a previous production of the Christopher Fry play, 'A Sleep of Prisoners', that had been directed by Michael Sheard, so well known to many fans of 'Star Wars' and 'Grange Hill'.'A Sleep of Prisoners ' had been critically acclaimed after its performances in Chichester, where the author had attended and spoken with cast members. This gave rise to the idea that Wihtgar's future productions should be of a standard that could be confidently played in theatres on the mainland.
First a promotional video of ' A Sleep of Prisoners', directed by Michael Sheard and Peter Boffin was filmed over three days at Niton Parish Church. Next, a production of the seldom seen Dylan Thomas work, 'Under Milk Wood', was staged, (soon to be played again).
The Canadian play 'Cold Comfort' by Jim Garrard was then performed, first on the Island and then again to great acclaim in Brighton.
'Teechers', by John Godber was superbly played by students of Sandown High, both here and in Southampton, and they have, (at the time of writing) been asked to play it again in Southampton.
Of the future productions planned, taking the company up to May 1999, five are earmarked to play various theatres on the mainland, two of them, and possibly three, are British premieres, and to our knowledge none of them have ever been performed on the Island.
Unfortunately we are already having to look to the mainland to recruit actors of the standard required, but we will always seek to give the first opportunities to Island actors.
So Wihtgar prepares to celebrate its first birthday and looks forward to an even more exciting second year with productions we hope, to thrill, chill and amuse.
Ian Rolf
48 Lincoln Way, Bembridge, Isle of Wight. PO35 5RR.
Wihtgar Productions Ltd.
Telephone: 01983 872818. Fax: 01983 868746
The wide expanse of one of Dickens' lesser read novels on the hardships of life during the Industrial Revolution is brought triumphantly to life in Stephen Jeffries' skillful adaptation.
Text from the programme notes of a Wihtgar production
Welcome to 'Hard Times'
The strength of this version is its preservation of the satiric vitality of Dickens' original, and a feel for the superb rhetoric of its prose.
In January of 1854, his instincts aroused by a twenty three week old strike fought in Preston, between the mill workers and owners, Dickens visited Lancashire to see the battle for himself. In April of that year, in the periodical he part owned, 'Household Words', the first part of 'Hard Times' appeared, and was an instant success. It is a fierce novel, dealing as it does with several issues of the day, and yet there is humour also.
Some of the dialogue between the pompous, bombastic, self made mill owner, Josiah Bounderby and Mrs. Sparsit must be among the most absurd Dickens has ever written, and that with Mrs. Gradgrind conjures up visions of a Monty Python sketch. Compare these scenes with the one in which Gradgrind coldly informs his daughter that the same Josiah Bounderby has asked for her hand in marriage, a chilling contrast.
Where does 'Hard Times' stand among Dickens' works? Many, George Bernard Shaw among them, considered it to be a neglected masterpiece.
You be the judge.
48 Lincoln Way, Bembridge, Isle of Wight. PO35 5RR.
Wihtgar Productions Ltd.
Telephone: 01983 872818. Fax: 01983 868746