A TONGUE-in-cheek adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling short story The Wish House will be brought to the stage at the Stephen Joseph Theatre this autumn by popular Richmond-based company North Country Theatre.
Seen by some as a dear old lady, Grace Ashcroft tells a revealing tale, both hilarious and chilling, of her younger days as a lusty farm girl and the strange sacrifice she made to keep "her" man.
Actor Vivienne Garnett makes her directorial debut with this sinister story of superstition, sacrifice and dirty laundry, and performs in the play. She is joined on stage by a newcomer to the company, Ashley Christmas, in the main role of Grace. Ashley has recently toured in a one-woman show, Becoming Hattie, about the life of the much-loved comic film and television actor Hattie Jacques. Playing the love interest will be Wensleydale-based actor Mark Cronfield.
North Country Theatre’s artistic director Nobby Dimon, who has adapted the story for the stage, describes it as Cold Comfort Farm meets The Picture of Dorian Grey.
The popular professional touring company North Country Theatre is 20 years old this year and has been celebrating with a packed year of performances which began in March with Egil Skallagrimsson Keeps His Head a tongue in cheek take on the 10th century Icelandic Egil Saga. In the summer the company went outdoors with their first ever Shakespeare, Twelfth Night.
The Wish House can be seen at the SJT at 7.45pm tomorrow (Thursday). Tickets cost from £10 to £18, and can be booked at the box office on 01723 370541 or online at sjt.uk.com
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