Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre
Registered charity 1164913
The Talisman Theatre is temporarily closed until the end of 2020.
Short audio plays from the Talisman Theatre
Here at the Talisman we want to keep Theatre alive during these difficult times. So whether you’re relaxing after work or trying to fill your days, we offer the chance to take a little break, sit down with a cuppa (or a glass of something) and enjoy a short audio play. Each weekend we’ll post a new short play.
‘A Chance’ by Max Porter
Linda is going through a difficult phase in her life: new baby, lack of money, health problems – and now her partner hasn’t turned up at their secret meeting place – again. Has she found a sympathetic ear?
Featuring Anne Bennett and Fay Staton. Directed by Jill Laurie.
Please note: this play contains some strong language
This production is presented by arrangement with Smith Scripts
‘Box and Cox’ by John Maddison Morton – adapted and abridged by John Fenner
Set in Mrs Bouncer’s London boarding house, in a room with 3 doors, this is a zany farce.
Featuring: John Francis, John Nichols and Vicky Whitehill. Directed by Chris Carpenter.
‘Faces’ by Stephen Duckham
Set on the Yorkshire Moors and in the Italian countryside near Genoa…on a wild and stormy night an old farmer begins to tell a mysterious tale…
Featuring: Dawn Morris, Kelly Davidson, Wendy Morris, Steve Smith, Nick Doughlin, Phil Spencer & Martin Donaldson. Directed by Steve Smith.
‘A Break’ by Max Porter:
On a grassy hillside overlooking a housing estate, Joe is followed to a park bench by the aggressive Josh. Featuring Henri West and Dave Crossfield and directed by Dave Crossfield
Please note: This short play uses language from the start which some listeners may find offensive.
Answered Verse by Peter James (adapted by Craig Shelton)
Members of Kenilworth School’s Year 12 drama students explore an interesting concept; what happens when you take some of the worlds’ most famous poems and offer a repost.
Thanks to Rob Thompson for the sound recording and Dik Thacker for the final edit.
‘The Signalman’ by Charles Dickens
A short ghost story first published in 1866 which we’ve turned into a 15-minute play.
Featuring Michael Barker as The Signalman, Phil Reynolds as The Traveller, and Rod Wilkinson as The Engine Driver. Adaptation, direction and technical production by Phil Reynolds.
‘Acting the Part’ by Peter James
This week a dramatic piece exploring the trials and tribulations actors go through during the rehearsal process …
Featuring Christine Carpenter as Agatha and Katherine Buckingham as Beatrice. Directed by Graham Underhill.
‘Dragon, Cleolinda and George’ by Margaret Crompton.
So you think you know the REAL story behind ‘George and the Dragon’ eh? Think again! Our reporter gets the lowdown from the Dragon and Cleolinda – in person. No more false truths or silly speculation. ‘TRUE TRUTH’ magazine finds facts!
Featuring Tara Lacey, Julia Findlay and Julie-Ann Randell. Directed by Tara Lacey.
‘He Said She Said’ by Alice Gerstenberg:
Enid invites two friends, Mrs Packard and Diana, to dine with her and her husband Felix. However, upon arriving, Mrs Packard has a piece of gossip for Enid about Diane that threatens to ruin the night and to end friendships.
This play features four members of our Youth Theatre; Isaac, Claudia, Imogen and Alice.
A Thought by Max Porter
An interesting short play looking at the idea that ‘not everything is as it seems’.
A vicar and a nun meet on a bench at a secluded local beauty spot – let’s see what happens next …
Rosemary Gowers directs Alice Scott and Craig Shelton.
A Pleasure by Max Porter
A gentlemen enjoying the view from a park bench, is joined by a lady on her way home from the shops. They share a coffee and a chat. Just a chance encounter…or is it?
Cast: Bryan Ferriman as Clifford and Susi Walker as Stella, they’re directed by Vicky Whitehill.
Shakespeare Unlocked
Our artistic director Stephen Smith, accompanied by Wendy Smith share two choruses and a soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Henry V and Hamlet
Kenilworth Kids in Wartime – a series of memories of war-time Kenilworth
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day the Talisman Theatre offer our own contribution. Peter James, a theatre member, wrote a book recording the childhood memories of ‘Kenilworth Kids’. We offer a few extracts to mark VE day.
Actors: David Charlton, Maggie Brayshaw and Rex Satchwell and youth group members Lauren McCann, Alfie Sully and Alais McCluskey.
A Plan – by Max Porter features Mick Ives as Kenny and Matt Baxter as Charlie who are planning a bank robbery.
Thank you to Smith Scripts for providing the play free of charge, waving the script and performance rights, all they asked was a contribution to the NHS, which we’ve given.
