It was not just in the isolated environs of magnificent Willoughby Chase that danger lurked: ravening, wolfish characters whose calculated cruelty exceeded their animal counterparts populated the play.īen Stillman gave an assured, stand-out performance as Miss Slighcarp, the scheming governess who seeks to seize Willoughby Chase for herself. All the while, the wolves howled, overlaying Josh Robinson’s suspenseful music. Toots Butcher’s evocative set and Pete Maxey’s lighting transported us from frozen forests to urban squalor.

The Dickensian elements of the story: innocence abused, wicked authority figures, harsh landscapes and repeated peril mitigated by kindness, love, loyalty and courage delivered a gripping tale. She made full use of the theatre space itself, including the gangways and gallery to engage the audience in the fast-moving action. Director Beth Flintoff skillfully galvanized a large youth cast spreading the narrative lines around to ensure a strong ensemble feel. Russ Turney’s stage adaptation incorporated Aiken’s superb descriptive writing to great effect. It was impressive to see how even the smallest children were rapt by the production. Its exuberant production of Joan Aiken’s classic gothic melodrama The Wolves of Willoughby Chase attracted a younger audience. Participation is un-auditioned - members drawn largely from local schools. The Watermill’s Senior Youth Theatre (11-16 year olds) has been running for 23 years. To complement this demographic, the theatre supports a thriving outreach programme, which includes hosting fledgling talent. Its intimate theatre with first floor gallery seating is always packed to the gills – well supported, but often by older theatre-goers. The Watermill Theatre’s magical setting beside a willow-lined mill race, with ducks on the lawn and a still-turning waterwheel inside, is always a delight to visit. Daily Info Menu login / register List event Place ad

The wolves of willoughby chase