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Much Ado about Nothing

by William Shakespeare

Hero and Claudio are in love, and hope to get married soon...but their enemies are trying to stop the marriage by spreading rumours that Hero has been unfaithful. Meanwhile their friends Beatrice and Benedick are also in love, but they have become so accustomed to arguing with each other that they appear to be enemies. Will Love find a way to bring these two couples together? Or is the whole business of Love simply 'much ado about nothing'?

Shakespeare's turbulent and entertaining comedy – specially abridged by White Horse Theatre – examines not only at the deep emotional commitments but also the superficial banter and misunderstandings that can lead couples from a first meeting to a lasting relationship.

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Extract from the script 'Much Ado about Nothing'

Claudio:	By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady.
Hero:	Beatrice is never sad but when she sleeps, and not ever sad then; for she hath often dreamt of unhappiness and waked herself with laughing.
Claudio:	She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband.
Hero:	O, by no means: she mocks all her wooers out of suit.
Claudio:	She were an excellent wife for Benedick.
Hero:	O Lord, my lord, if they were but a week married, they would talk themselves mad. Claudio, when mean we go to church?
Claudio:	Not till Monday, my dear, which is hence a just seven-night. And les uns in the interim undertake one of Hercules' labours; which is, to bring Signor Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection the one with the other. I would fain have it a match, and I doubt not but to fashion it, if you will but minister such assistance as I shall give you direction.
Hero:	I will do any modest office, my lord, to help my cousin to a good husband.

Oliver Twist

by Peter Griffith, based on the novel by Charles Dickens

Oliver Twist is born in the parish workhouse. No-one knows who his parents are. For his first nine years he encounters nothing but cruelty. When Oliver runs away to London, his situation is even worse. He is taken in by Fagin and taught to become a pickpocket. And then Fagin’s brutal colleague Bill Sikes needs a small boy to help him on a burglary…

The novel 'Oliver Twist' tells an exciting story – and at the same time it is an impassioned plea for justice for the poor, and for decent values and humanity in all levels of society.

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Saison 19/20

Extract from the script 'Oliver Twist'

Narration:	The parish authorities issued three meals of thin gruel a day. Boys have generally excellent appetites. Oliver Twist and his companions suffered the tortures of slow starving. At last the boys got so wild with hunger, that a council was held; lots were cast who should walk up to the beadle after supper that evening, and ask for more; and it fell to Oliver Twist.
Oliver:	Please sir, I want some more.
Mr. Bumble:	What!
Oliver:	Please sir, I want some more.
Mr. Bumble:	I beg your pardon! Oliver Twist has asked for more! Of all the artful and designing orphans that I ever see, Oliver, you are the most barefacedest. I distinctly heard him ask for more, after he had eaten his supper! He did, sir! Of all the ungratefullest and worst-disposed boys as I ever see, you are the – This boy will be hung! I was never more convinced of anything in my life, than I am that this boy will come to be hung.

Othello

by William Shakespeare,

adapted by Peter Griffith

Othello is at the peak of success – he is the highly-respected commander of the Venetian army, and he has just married a beautiful woman. But which of his friends can he really trust?
This devastating story of love, racism, jealousy and murder shows how a noble leader can be brought to disaster by the lies and tricks of the man he thought was his best friend.
Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece has been abridged to 90 minutes of fire, emotion, and intense drama.

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Season 19/20

Formers productions

Extract from the script 'Othello'

Othello:	By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts.
Iago:	O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!
Othello:	Why, why is this? No, Iago; I'll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; And on the proof, there is no more but this, - Away at once with love or jealousy!
Iago:	I speak not yet of proof. Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio... I speak not yet of proof. Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio...