“Of Mice and Males” on the Torch Theatre this Autumn

September 23, 2022

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There’s lots occurring at Torch Theatre this autumn, it’s at all times my favorite theatre season. This 12 months I’m particularly enthusiastic about their in-house manufacturing of John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Males’. Because the Torch celebrates its 45^th anniversary, Of Mice and Males would be the remaining drama directed by Creative Director, Peter Doran who retires on the finish of 2022 after 25 profitable years on the Torch. Learn on for extra info:

, “Of Mice and Men” at the Torch Theatre this Autumn — The lead position, George will likely be performed by Jâms Thomas

Of Mice and Males is a literary traditional, telling the transferring story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch staff, who transfer from place to position in California looking for new job alternatives throughout the Nice Despair of Nineteen Thirties America.

Regardless of its age, it is extremely a lot a play for at this time. Set virtually 100 years in the past, the universality of individuals’s need to hunt a greater life is simply as poignant at this time because it was then. Financial migration, exclusion, friendship, loneliness, racism, sexism, violence, and attitudes to disabilities are themes throughout the play and so they all resonate simply as strongly at this time as they did when the e book was first printed. This manufacturing will deliver dwelling the ageless difficulties confronted by migrants, giving voice to the lonely and dispossessed in a tense and shocking drama.

Peter Doran on Of Mice and Males:

“This 12 months’s Autumn present will mark my final manufacturing on the Torch – properly, other than the Panto in December. Provided that, the selection of manufacturing was an actual conundrum for me, and one which I assumed lengthy and exhausting about. Ultimately, I select Of Mice and Males, an American traditional by the nice John Steinbeck, as a result of it’s a narrative as related at this time because the day it was written. In case you attempt to provide high quality theatre, your final analysis is a superb story and to my thoughts, this story takes loads of beating. I hope we will do it justice.”

The nine-strong skilled solid options a number of acquainted faces which have beforehand graced the stage on the Torch in addition to introducing a few of the best up-and-coming actors from throughout Wales and past. Taking the lead position as George is Jâms Thomas whose movie and TV credit embody Mr Good, Save The Cinema, Torchwood and Casualty, in addition to taking over the position of Abanazar right here on the Torch in 2019’s Aladdin. Alongside Jâms, enjoying the position of Lenny is Mark Henry-Davies who will likely be showing on the Torch for the primary time. Mark graduated final 12 months from the Royal Welsh School of Music and Drama, and he not too long ago appeared as Phillips within the first season of Itopia on S4C & BBC iPlayer.

Different solid members making a welcome return to the Torch are former Torch Youth Theatre member Sam Freeman (Whit), Dion Davies (Boss / Carson), Gwidion Rhys (Curly) and Dudley Rogers (Sweet). Making their Torch Theatre Firm debuts are Chris Bianchi (Slim), Shameer Sheepersand (Crooks) and Alexandria McCauley (Curly’s Spouse). There may even be a really particular visitor look from Marloe, Peter Doran’s very personal pet canine. I do know my center daughter, who’s presently studying Of Mice and Males in school will likely be particularly delighted by this cameo!

Benjamin Lloyd, Government Director on the Torch Theatre says:

“We’re delighted to deliver this main work to the Torch. We’ve got an exhilarating solid of actors, each recognized to us and new, and I’m assured Peter’s normal thrilling method to telling a terrific and compelling story, mixed with a very beautiful set design, will definitely do it justice. As we have a good time the theatre’s 45^th 12 months in Milford Haven, we need to interact our neighborhood with this story for the ages and I encourage our viewers to affix us each to see the present and to have a good time the Torch and Peter’s achievements with us this Autumn.”

Of Mice and Males will Run from Wed 5 October – Sat 22 October

Of Mice and Males will likely be proven at a number of morning and matinee performances for varsity college students following which Peter Doran and members of the solid will discuss to the viewers in regards to the play, its themes and the expertise of reside efficiency. There will likely be 16 performances of the play, operating from Wednesday 5 to Saturday 22 October at numerous instances, together with a BSL interpreted efficiency on Tuesday 11 October with interpreter Liz Might.