All of Jericho’s a stage

You might have thought that Shakespeare in Love was the bard's major exposure for 1999. If so, you haven't heard of the Jericho Film and Theatreworks production of As You Like It, which will be staged from 21 to 26 June this year at the Old Fire Station. Jericho Film and Theatreworks has a core of around nine people based in the Community Centre. The company has already made a short movie, The Bird, which was filmed at the Phoenix cinema and should shortly be shown there. For this epic, however, the cast will be extended to number 30, almost all of whom have been recruited from Jericho. A further 17 people make up the stage crew, most of whom are employed at OUP and live in the neighbourhood. Producer and director Maggie Shade, who lives in Castle Mill House, says: "Our project is centred on learning for ourselves how we can all create something together as part of a community. Jericho has a long history of amateur theatre production - particularly when we think of people like Bill Clifford, now 92, who was around when a hugely active drama group was part of the community centred around St. Barnabas Church. They put on everything from musicals to Christmas pageants to Shakespeare, and even Lord Byron. So we are tapping into something that has been around here for a long time." This will be a modern-dress production with a fairly minimal set. As Maggie says: "It makes more sense that way ... We don't want the play to be stuck in some world that nobody knows about". Most of the casting is now complete, but the company is still looking for people to help with the costumes. Musicians would also be welcome, and if anyone is very keen to act, there is always room for more. Maggie and the company feel that, as a community effort, all who wish to take part should be made welcome. If you would like to lend a hand, please call 552569. But in any case make a note in your diary for the last week in June. On a slightly smaller scale, you might also like to know that St. Barnabas School is presenting 'The Hobbit' on 18 and 19 March at 6.00 p.m. in the school hall.